Boston Public Radio Podcast

Latest Episodes:

BPR Full Show: Throw on the Mask Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We begin the show by asking listeners whether Gov. Charlie Baker should reinstate a statewide mask mandate.

Trenni Kusnierek talks about long-distance runner Molly Seidel’s run in the Falmouth Road Race, and shares her thoughts on Naomi Osaka’s press conference walkout. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor.

Jelani Cobb explains how he positioned the Kerner Commission Report in today’s political context for his book, “The Essential Kerner Commission Report.” Cobb is a staff writer at The New Yorker, and is the Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism at the Columbia Journalism School.

Rachel Miller shares her experiences from working in the restaurant industry, and how she kept her business afloat during the pandemic. She also talks about the decision to create a mask and vaccine plan for her restaurant. Miller is the chef and owner of Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn.

Michael Curry and Derrick Johnson discuss the current state of voting rights, and weigh in on whether the White House is doing enough to protect them. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Johnson is the president of the NAACP.

John King updates us on the latest political headlines, from President Joe Biden’s response as the Taliban toppled the Afghan government to the state of the filibuster. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.

We wrap up the show by asking listeners if they’re patronizing businesses that mandate masks or proof of vaccination.

BPR Full Show: The Fall of Afghanistan, Boston's Mayoral Race, and More Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We open the show by talking with listeners about Afghanistan's fall to the Taliban.

Andrew Sullivan weighs in on President Joe Biden’s withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and the future of conservatism. Sullivan is an author, editor, and blogger. His latest book is “Out on a Limb.”

Charlie Sennott discusses the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, sharing the latest updates from the country. He also calls for international aid to Afghanistan. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project.

Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell talks about how she would approach issues of opioid addiction and homelessness along Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Blvd., and incentives to increase vaccination rates. She also shares her thoughts on rent control. Campbell is running for mayor of Boston, and represents District 4 on the Boston City Council.

Everett City Councilor Gerly Adrien explains how the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti is reverberating among Everett’s Haitian community. Adrian is running for mayor of Everett, and serves as an Everett City Councilor.

Rick Steves shares his memories of his first visit to Afghanistan in 1978, and what travel may look like with the rise of the Delta variant. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves' Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, "Rick Steves’ Europe," weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH.

We wrap up the show by asking listeners if the pandemic has changed their approach to vacation time.

BPR Full Show: Double Jeopardy Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Adam Reilly updates us on the latest headlines from Boston’s mayoral race, sharing his thoughts on where the candidates stand as Election Day moves closer. He also explains how City Councilor Michelle Wu centers climate change in her mayoral campaign. Reilly is co-host of GBH’s Politics podcast, “The Scrum.”

Next, we talk with listeners about the upcoming tax free weekend.

Callie Crossley explains what new census data has to say about how Massachusetts has changed, and shares her thoughts on the controversy surrounding “Jeopardy!” host Mike Richards. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.

Corby Kummer talks about calls to end the “ethnic aisle” in grocery stores, and a price increase in coffee. 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.

Andy Ihnatko weighs in on Apple’s new child safety features for the iPhone, and highlights various apps to help people enjoy the Perseid meteor shower. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com.

Maria Camila Vasco discusses the creation of her plastic-free store Uvida, and her hopes for a zero waste future. Vasco is the founder and CEO of Uvida, Boston’s first zero-waste store.

We wrap up the show by asking listeners whether they’re satisfied with Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik as the new co-hosts of “Jeopardy!”.

BPR Full Show: The Heat Is On Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to rising COVID-19 cases to the Senate’s passage of the infrastructure bill. 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.

Next, we ask listeners how they stay cool during the summer months.

Andrea Cabral discusses former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen’s claim that former President Donald Trump asked him to provide a legal strategy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. She also talks about the Texas House Democrats who are now facing arrest warrants after fleeing the state to protest a restrictive voting measure. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend.

Ali Noorani discusses the experiences of teen immigrants in emergency centers, and the anti-immigration Republicans who are falsely claiming that immigrants are bringing COVID-19 into southern states. Noorani is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Immigration Forum. His latest book is "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration.”

Jared Bowen highlights the local arts and cultural institutions that have mask mandates or are requiring proof of vaccination. He also previews this week’s edition of Open Studio. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio.

Senator Ed Markey discusses the Senate’s passage of the infrastructure bill, sharing the bill’s climate projects. He also explains how the infrastructure bill would affect Massachusetts.

We end the show by talking with listeners about the return of pre-pandemic levels of traffic.

BPR Full Show: All Worked Up Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Art Caplan shares his thoughts on vaccine mandates, calling on schools and workplaces to penalize those who refuse to get vaccinated. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine.

Then, we talk with listeners about the patchwork of vaccine and mask mandates across Massachusetts.

Juliette Kayyem discusses college officials’ concerns over falsified vaccine cards, and the upcoming 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. She also offers tips on hurricane preparedness. 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.

Mayor Thomas McGee highlights Lynn’s new unarmed crisis response team, sharing his hopes for the pilot program. McGee is the mayor of Lynn, Mass.

Liz Kowalczyk talks about the physicians and medical students calling for stronger ethics rules to prohibit hospital executives from serving on for-profit boards. Kowalczyk is the healthcare and medical reporter for the Boston Globe.

Richard Blanco discusses poetry as political satire, focusing on John Lithgow’s poetry. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His new book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America.

We end the show by asking listeners about the work from home office politics they’re encountering, from fighting roommates for a coveted Zoom background to WiFi bandwidth issues.

BPR Full Show: Mass Malfunctioning Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We begin the show by asking listeners if they’ve been experiencing mass malfunction in their daily lives.

Trenni Kusnierek recaps the Tokyo Olympics, weighing in on the financial toll countries take to host the Olympics, and American long distance runner Molly Seidel’s bronze win. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor.

Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George shares her thoughts on Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s handling of the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose, and whether Boston should mandate proof of vaccination for indoor dining and gyms. She also addresses concerns over her husband’s housing development business. City Councilor Essaibi George is running for mayor of Boston.

Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson talk about the return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic, and highlight various ways that the MBTA Commuter Rail could alleviate congestion. They also discuss the impact climate change has on public transit. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board, and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets.

Dan Reed explains how seven men in Miami were indicted in an alleged Al Qaeda plot in the wake of 9/11, despite no connections to the terrorist group. Reed is the director of the new FRONTLINE documentary, “In the Shadow of 9/11.”

John King updates us on the latest political headlines, from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation to the Senate’s passage of the infrastructure bill. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.

We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about their coffee intake over the course of the pandemic.

EJ Dionne: "Biden Has to Do More" on Voting Rights Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Following the passage of numerous Republican-backed voting restrictions across the country, Democrats and left-leaning institutions are criticizing President Joe Biden, demanding a more aggressive plan to combat voting rights restrictions.

Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne joined Boston Public Radio on Monday, weighing in on whether the criticism was deserved.

“I am actually in the camp that says Biden has to do more,” Dionne said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with President Biden in late July to discuss voting rights legislation, which Dionne labelled as “something of a victory.”

“I don’t think they read him the riot act, but I think they were very clear to him that this really matters to the party’s chances in the future,” Dionne said.

EJ Dionne is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a columnist for the Washington Post. His latest book is Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite To Save Our Country.

BPR Full Show: Weathering the Storm Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

EJ Dionne updates us on the latest political headlines, from Ohio’s House race to the state of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is "Code Red: How Progressives And Moderates Can Unite To Save Our Country.”

Then, we talk with listeners about the U.N.’s climate report.

Catherine D’Amato discusses hunger rates across Massachusetts, sharing how the pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in the state. She also explains why some people are reluctant to apply to food source programs. D’Amato is president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank.

Casey Soward talks about The Cabot’s reopening plans amid the rise of the Delta variant, and how the performing arts venue fared over the course of the pandemic. Soward is the executive director of The Cabot in Beverly, Mass.

Shirley Leung discusses her column on anti-Asian hate crime victim Liem Tran, and a proposed ballot question posed by numerous gig companies to classify gig workers as independent contractors. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe.

Next, we talk with listeners about the recent college graduates who entered the working world remotely.

We wrap up the show by playing the All Rev’d Up podcast episode “Black Parenting: the Joys and Challenges.”

Corby Kummer on AG Maura Healey's GrubHub Delivery Fee Lawsuit Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

The Atlantic’s Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Friday, to discuss Attorney General Maura Healey’s lawsuit against food delivery platform GrubHub for allegedly charging illegal fees to Massachusetts restaurants.

Attorney General Healey claims that the company tacked on excess delivery fees greater than the state’s pandemic-era parameter that no delivery service could charge delivery fees greater than 15% of an order’s menu price.

“It’s this restaurant by restaurant, tiny business by tiny business, gouging and cheating of GrubHub, and Seamless, and Uber Eats,” Kummer said. “They’ve all been doing it.”

Kummer added that while other cities and states are enacting delivery fee caps, some food delivery platforms claim that the caps are unfair.

“All of DoorDash, GrubHub, they are mounting a suit against the city of San Francisco, because San Francisco enacted a permanent 15% cap through the pandemic,” Kummer said. “I think that the whole country should be enacting these caps.”

Corby Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

BPR Full Show: It's Electric Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners whether they’ve ended relationships due to disagreements on masking and vaccines.

Corby Kummer shares his thoughts on Tyson requiring workers to get vaccinated, and Attorney General Maura Healey’s lawsuit against GrubHub for allegedly charging illegal fees to Massachusetts restaurants. He also remembers the life of inventor and pitchman Ron Popeil. 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.

Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu discusses her run for mayor of Boston, sharing her plans to close the city’s wealth gap and highlighting her support for rent control. She also weighs in on the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose over claims of child sexual abuse. Boston City Councilor Wu is running for mayor of Boston.

Bill McKibben updates us on the latest news on the climate crisis, from the United Nations’ upcoming climate report to President Joe Biden’s executive order on electric vehicles. McKibben is a contributing writer to The New Yorker, a founder of 350.org, and the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in environmental studies at Middlebury College. He also writes The Climate Crisis, The New Yorker’s environmental newsletter. His latest book is “Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?”

Callie Crossley explains Rep. Cori Bush’s (D-MO) personal connection to extend the eviction moratorium, and shares her thoughts on the lack of performers of color in the 20 years of the Fenway Concert Series. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.

Sue O’Connell talks about increasing calls for Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David to step down over his ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She also weighs in on Matt Damon revealing he had only recently stopped using a homophobic slur. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief.

We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about President Biden’s executive order on electric vehicles.

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