Today on Boston Public Radio:

We began the show by asking listeners how they’re finding positivity amid a slew of bad news.

Michael Curry discussed federal funding to combat hate crimes in the wake of the Buffalo shooting, and the conflict between politics and public health as COVID-19 cases rise again. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.

Michael Curry on BPR | May 23, 2022

Chris Burrell shared insights from his investigative reporting into the inaccessibility of Massachusetts beaches. Burrell is an investigative reporter for GBH News. The first story in his series “Barriers at the Beach” is out now.

Chris Burrell on BPR | May 23, 2022

Then, we took calls from listeners about their experiences with Massachusetts beaches.

Corby Kummer talked about how the baby formula shortage became so dire, and the problems with the Food and Drug Administration. Kummer is 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.

Corby Kummer on BPR | May 23, 2022

Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weighed in on a new report on decades of sex abuse cover-ups in the Southern Baptist Church. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, and the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music. Together they host the All Rev’d Up podcast.

Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III on BPR | May 23, 2022

Richard Blanco read poetry on motherhood, including his poem “Mother Picking Produce,” and “Different Mothers” by Kim Dower. Blanco is the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, “How to Love a Country,” deals with various socio-political issues that shadow the United States.

Richard Blanco on BPR | May 23, 2022

We ended the show by discussing a recent study that showed women receive higher emotional benefits from hugs than men.