Boston Public Radio Podcast

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BPR Full Show: Book Club Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Today’s Boston Public Radio is on tape. We’re bringing you the ultimate book club — back-to-back conversations from over the years with some of our favorite writers:

Kevin Young shares from his collection of poetry, “Brown.” Young is the poetry editor of The New Yorker and the director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Ann Patchett discusses the autobiographical elements of her book “Commonwealth,” and makes a pitch to all readers to shop at local, independent bookstores. Patchett is an author and the owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tenn.

Sy Montgomery explores animal intelligence and what people can learn from animals. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is “The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings.”

David Duchovny talks about his book, “Miss Subways: A Novel.” Duchovny is an actor and writer, and recently appeared in the Netflix series “The Chair.”

Elizabeth Gilbert discusses her book “Big Magic,” a self-help book about tapping into creativity. Gilbert is a journalist and writer — her other books include “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Committed.”

T.C. Boyle drops in on the dropout culture with his novel “Outside Looking In,” which is based on the LSD research of Timothy Lear. Boyle is a novelist and short story writer.

Lizzie Post weighs in on cannabis culture in her new book, “Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, From Dispensaries to Dinner Parties.” Post is a writer, co-director of The Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of etiquette writer Emily Post.

Sebastian Smee talks about his book “The Art of Rivalry: Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art.” Smee is an art critic for The Washington Post.

BPR Full Show: Ode to Joy Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Charlie Sennott talks about the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and ISIS-K’s attacks on the Kabul airport and a nearby hotel that killed as many as 170 people and injured at least 200. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project.

Then, we talk with listeners about the recent attacks in Afghanistan, and President Joe Biden’s handling of the evacuation.

Dr. Daniela Lamas discusses the toll of COVID-19 on hospitals, and how TV medical dramas can provide opportunities to educate viewers about the world of medicine. Lamas is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, a pulmonary and critical-care physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a co-producer on the TV medical drama “The Resident.”

Andy Ihnatko sheds light on the role of social media in the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, including new security measures Facebook and Twitter have taken to increase security and protect Afghans. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com.

Marin Alsop and Tracy K. Smith talk about the Global Ode to Joy Project, celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Smith reads part of her new lyrics for “Ode to Joy,” and Alsop talks about her experiences as a woman in orchestral conducting. Smith is a former U.S. Poet Laureate. Alsop is a conductor, violinist and creator of the Global Ode to Joy Project.

Callie Crossley weighs in on the controversy surrounding “Jeopardy!” after Mike Richards stepped down from hosting, and critiques the hypocrisy of conservative media outlets spreading anti-mask and anti-vaccine views while requiring masking and vaccinations for employees. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.

Michelle Caldeira and John Huet tell listeners about Boston Uncornered, a new initiative aimed at helping gang members go back to school. They also speak about the organization’s public art exhibit featuring portraits of former gang members, business leaders, and Boston’s mayoral candidates. Caldeira is the co-founder of Boston Uncornered. Huet is a renowned celebrity photographer best known for his portraits of professional athletes.

BPR Full Show: Dog Days of Summer Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Chuck Todd talks about President Joe Biden’s declining approval ratings, and the administration’s response to COVID-19 and the evacuation of Afghanistan. Todd is the moderator of “Meet the Press,” host of “Meet the Press Daily” on MSNBC, and the political director for NBC News.

Then, we talk with listeners about Delta Air Lines’ decision to cut pay protection for unvaccinated employees.

Andrea Cabral weighs in on the Massachusetts State Police officers and corrections officers pushing back against Gov. Charlie Baker’s vaccine mandate, and a study from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences showing that most law enforcement calls are not for mental health issues. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend.

Omar Hernandez updates listeners on efforts to rebuild infrastructure in Haiti following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Hernandez is the Director of Engineering for Build Health International, a Beverly-based nonprofit which has been involved in Haiti for over a decade.

Dr. Renee Crichlow discusses combatting vaccine disinformation, and the importance of universal masking to help curb the spread of the Delta variant. Crichlow is the Chief Medical Officer at Codman Square Health Center and the incoming Vice Chair of Health Equity at the Boston University Department of Family Medicine.

Shirley Leung talks about the upcoming closure of Russo’s in Watertown, and Amazon’s efforts to expand in Boston. Leung is a Business columnist for the Boston Globe and a GBH contributor.

In honor of National Dog Day, we end the show by asking listeners about their experiences with adopting dogs during the pandemic.

BPR Full Show: Class Acts and Class Clowns Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine, explaining how the approval impacts arguments against vaccine mandates. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.

Then, we talk with listeners about starting the school year with mask mandates.

Juliette Kayyem talks about Congressman Seth Moulton’s (D-MA) unauthorized trip to Afghanistan, and devastating flooding in Tennessee. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Jonathon Gruber gives an economist’s perspective on the ethics of wealthier countries moving on to COVID-19 booster shots while underdeveloped nations struggle with vaccine supplies. Gruber is Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act. His latest book is Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.

Ali Noorani talks about the evacuation from Afghanistan, and what it means for Afghan allies and refugees trying to leave the country. Noorani is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the National Immigration Forum. His forthcoming book is Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants.

David Daley discusses Republican efforts to gain power through redistricting following the release of the 2020 U.S. census data. Daley is the author of two books on gerrymandering, Rat-bleeped: Why Your Vote Doesn’t Count and Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy. He’s a senior fellow at FairVote and the former Editor-in-Chief of Salon.com.

We end the show by asking listeners how they would say goodbye to Boston if they moved away, following Maya Jonas-Silver's plan to break the world record for the fastest visit to all 25 MBTA stations.

Corby Kummer: Changes in SNAP Benefits "Should Be Causing Dancing in the Streets" Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Tuesday, highlighting the Biden administration’s revision in nutrition standards for SNAP. The changes made to the food stamps program are the largest in its history.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture specifically revised the Thrifty Food Plan, which is a list of two dozen food groups that the government uses to estimate a low-cost, healthy diet. The Thrifty Food Plan remains largely unchanged since its creation in the early 1960s, and has only been adjusted for inflation.

“Republicans and Democrats said, ‘go back to the drawing board — diets have changed, food availability has changed — what is the thrifty meal plan of today?’” Kummer said.

Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

BPR Full Show: Minor Adjustments Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We start the show by talking with listeners about President Joe Biden’s handling of U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trenni Kusnierek talks about the return of COVID-19 safety precautions at sports stadiums, and racist harassment towards Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani. She also remembers the life of former Bruins player Jimmy Hayes. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor.

David Scharfenberg shares the latest news from Boston’s mayoral race, giving his analysis of where the candidates stand as the mayoral preliminary election approaches. Scharfenberg is an editorial writer and staff writer for the Globe’s Ideas section.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss weighs in on the Biden administration’s response to the fall of the Afghan government. Rep. Auchincloss is the Democratic congressman representing Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District.

Corby Kummer explains how some low-income Americans are grappling with their reliance on dollar stores for food as store prices increase, and the Biden administration’s revisions to the SNAP program. He also talks about GPS app Waze’s partnership with food waste app Too Good to Go. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Summer L. Williams highlights the American Repertory Theater and the Arnold Arboretum’s outdoor theatrical project titled “The Arboretum Experience.” Williams is director of “The Arboretum Experience.” She’s also co-founder and associate artistic director of Company One Theatre.

We wrap up the show by asking listeners how they’re adjusting their lives as COVID-19 cases rise again.

BPR Full Show: It's a Jungle Out There Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Attorney General Maura Healey discusses her lawsuit against the Boston Police Department over its refusal to provide internal affairs records on former Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White, and shares her thoughts on Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision to mandate vaccines for Executive Department employees. She also answers listeners’ calls.

Michael J. Bobbitt explains how the arts and culture sector weathered the pandemic, and talks about what the future of performing arts spaces could look like as more venues reopen. Bobbitt is the executive director of the Mass Cultural Council.

We then play the All Rev’d Up podcast episode “Blackness and Cultural Appropriation.”

Next, we talk with listeners about Amazon’s bid to get a warehouse distribution center in Boston.

Ethan Murrow shares the process behind his wall drawing “The Greenhouse,” which references the old-growth forests that once covered Cape Cod. Murrow is the contemporary artist behind “The Greenhouse,” which is on view at the Cahoon Museum of American Art through Oct. 3.

We end the show by asking listeners if they were comfortable returning to performing arts venues as COVID-19 cases rise.

BPR Full Show: All in a Day's Work Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Michelle Singletary explains why she believes remote working should become a permanent employee benefit, and talks about how the extension of the eviction moratorium impacts renters. Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, whose award-winning column, "The Color of Money," provides insight into the world of personal finance.

Congressman Seth Moulton shares his thoughts on President Joe Biden’s response to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, calling on the administration to do more to protect Afghan allies and refugees. Congressman Moulton represents Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional district.

Then, we ask listeners how their lives would change if remote working and the Child Tax Credit became permanent benefits.

Rudy Hypolite and Robert Lewis Jr. discusses the Emmy-nominated documentary “This Ain’t Normal,” which looks at gang-involved youth in Boston and the organizations trying to change their lives. Hypolite is an award-winning independent filmmaker and director of the documentary “This Ain’t Normal.” Lewis is the founder of the nonprofit The BASE.

David Abel talks about the U.N.’s climate report, explaining what a change in climate could look like for Boston. He also discusses how low-income neighborhoods in Boston experience hotter temperatures compared to high-income areas. Abel is a Pulitzer-prize winning writer who covers the environment for the Boston Globe.

Next, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about Mike Richards’ decision to step down as host of “Jeopardy!”.

Ryan Landry shares what the past few months has been like for him as a performer, and talks about music from his album “The Vamps.” Ryan Landry is a Playwright, lyricist, actor and founder of the Gold Dust Orphans theatrical company. His new album is “The Vamps.”

BPR Full Show: Jumping the Line Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from President Joe Biden’s handling of U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to California’s recall election. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News.

Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about COVID-19 booster shots.

Andrea Cabral discusses the death of Stephanie Gerardi, who was shot and killed by a Saugus Police officer responding to a mental health call. She also talks about the verbal altercation between Larry David and Alan Dershowitz in Martha’s Vineyard. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend.

Nancy Schön shares the process behind her latest sculpture, which is based on Edward Lear’s poem, “The Owl and the Pussy Cat.” Schön’s latest public art installation is titled “Diversity — The Owl and the Pussy Cat.” It’s at the Nonquit Street Green at Upham’s Corner in Dorchester. Her latest book is “Ducks on Parade!”

Paul Reville explains how schools are preparing for the upcoming school year amid the rise of the Delta variant, arguing that schools should have multiple contingency plans in place. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education, and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also heads the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Elaine Weiss, is: "Broader, Bolder, Better: How Schools And Communities Help Students Overcome The Disadvantages Of Poverty.”

Rep. Richard Neal discusses President Biden’s response to the Taliban toppling the Afghan government, and the fate of the infrastructure bill as it heads to the House of Representatives. Rep. Neal is Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. He represents Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District.

We end the show by asking listeners how they felt about Disney’s Genie+, which allows Disney park visitors to pay for the ability to skip lines.

BPR Full Show: For a Seagull, There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Gov. Charlie Baker discusses Massachusetts’ COVID-19 vaccination and hospitalization rates, and defends his decision to not mandate masks in schools statewide. He also talks about the Biden administration’s statement on booster shots, claiming that he was given no guidance on formulating a booster shot plan.

Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about mask mandates in schools.

Juliette Kayyem shares her thoughts on the U.S. response to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and whether airlines should require passengers to be vaccinated before traveling. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Acting Mayor Kim Janey discusses current vaccination rates in Boston, and the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose over claims of child sexual abuse. She also highlights her plans for the return of an addiction treatment facility to Long Island.

Art Caplan weighs in on the CDC’s recommendation that schools enact mask mandates, and upcoming COVID-19 booster shots. He also talks about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott testing positive for COVID-19. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine.

Sy Montgomery talks about the deaths of Tatoosh, the New England Aquarium’s giant Pacific octopus, and Barry the Owl, a barred owl in Central Park. She also shares stories of seagull attacks. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings."

We end the show by asking listeners about their experiences with seagull thievery and attacks.

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