Episodes
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BPR Full Show: Bumblebee
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if they’re keeping up with early pandemic disinfectant habits. Christopher Muther explains how to build the ideal Cape Cod vacation, and shared his thoughts on ABBA’s Voyage concert featuring hologram “ABBAtars.” Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Andrea Cabral discusses white supremacist group Patriot Front’s march through downtown Boston this past weekend, and criticism from Bostonians on the lack of a response from law enforcement. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville weighs in on new Boston Public Schools superintendent Mary Skipper. He also talks about the K-12 schools that are spending billions of dollars on high-tech defense from mass shootings. Reville is the former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Marcela García discusses the limited healthcare coverage for undocumented children in Mass., and calls on people to stop asking parents to release graphic images of their children killed in school shootings. García is an associate editor and columnist for the Globe’s op-ed page. She also serves on the Globe editorial board. Clarrissa Cropper and Katherine Nazzaro joine us to share their recommendations for summer reading. Cropper is a co-owner of Frugal Bookstore in Roxbury. Nazzarro is a bookseller at Porter Square Books: Boston Edition in the city’s Seaport neighborhood. We end the show by asking listeners if they would consider going to a concert headlined by a hologram. -
Corby Kummer: 10 minutes, 63 hotdogs and a protestor in a Darth Vader mask
On July 4, Nathan’s held its annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chesnut, who is ranked first in the world by Major League Eating, picked up his fifteenth win Monday, fighting off a protester mid-contest. Food writer Corby Kummer said on Boston Public Radio that he enjoys watching the spectacle. “It's a scene out of a cartoon or a movie,” Kummer said. “It's broadcast on ESPN. It is treated as a sport… I also think it's the strangest Roman Times era spectacle that exists today.” Chesnut has since said that he regrets fighting the protestor, who came up behind Chesnut in a Darth Vader mask. Kummer explained that ESPN had to refund some bets because the fight messed up the odds. Still, Chesnut remained victorious, with 63 hotdogs and buns in 10 minutes, shy of his world record of 76, set in 2021. The contest, which takes place at Coney Island, is a July 4 tradition going back 50 years. “It is with watching any athletic challenge, can they do it?” Kummer asked. “I think that you find yourself inadvertently rooting for them because they're challenging themselves. They're pushing themselves to the extreme and you want them to achieve their horrible goals.” 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. -
BPR Full Show: 63 Hot Dogs
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re escaping from the doom this summer. Art Caplan discusses concerns about in-vitro fertilization following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and rich New Yorkers getting bladder surgery to avoid bathroom breaks while driving to the Hamptons. 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. Juliette Kayyem updates listeners on the Highland Park shooting and law enforcement’s response to the Patriot Front march through Boston. 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. Shirley Leung weighs in on the latest challenges with the MBTA, the state of Boston nightlife and the status of return to office plans. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Corby Kummer talks about Nathan’s July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest, and tips for feeding dogs. 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. Arthur Brooks breaks down his latest columns on politics, friendship and happiness. Brooks is the William Henry Bloomberg professor of the practice of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, a professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, the happiness correspondent at The Atlantic and host of the podcast series “How to Build a Happy Life.” His latest book is “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.” We end the show by asking listeners if they’re taking their dogs with them when they go out to eat. -
BPR Full Show: Boston's Lost Ambition
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about white supremacist group Patriot Front’s march along the Freedom Trail this past weekend. Trenni Kusnierek talks about WNBA player Brittney Griner’s pleas for release from Russian prison following her arrest at Moscow airport in February for allegedly carrying cannabis oil in her luggage. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. David Scharfenberg shares his thoughts on how Boston can lead on issues like climate change, public transit, and housing, off of his new Boston Globe series, “Reclaiming our ambition.” Scharfenberg is a staff writer for the Boston Globe. Lee Pelton discusses the white supremacist group Patriot Front marching along the Freedom Trail on during the holiday weekend, and weighs in on how Boston can ensure access to reproductive rights after the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Pelton is the president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Nathaniel Stinnett explains how environmentalists can respond to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that limited the regulatory power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Stinnett is founder and executive director of the Environmental Voter Project. John King updates us on the latest news headlines, focusing on a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4. He also talks about the recent testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide and assistant to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, before the Jan. 6 committee. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We end the show by asking listeners if they feel more empowered to negotiate with employers due to labor shortages. -
BPR Full Show: All things Oprah
Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years: Imani Perry talks about parenthood and how Black parents talk to their children about race. Perry is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Her latest book is "Breathe: A Letter To My Sons.” Neal Thompson tells stories from the Kennedy family, tracing the political family’s lineage from Ireland to the United States. Thompson’s new book is “The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty.” Roger Bennett shares his experience growing up in Liverpool, and why he relates more to the U.S. than his home country of England. Bennett is the co-host of The Men In Blazers podcast and NBC show. His memoir is “(Re)Born in the USA: An Englishman's Love Letter to His Chosen Home.” Fiona Hill previews her memoir, “There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century.” Hill served as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019, and was a witness in Trump’s first impeachment hearing. Howard Bryant discusses his book, "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant is a columnist and commentator for ESPN. First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid previews her book, “Secrets Of The Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women And How They Are Changing The World,” and explained why Iceland is leading the globe in gender equity. Reid is the First Lady of Iceland. Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigueur share insights on all things Oprah, from their podcast “Oprademics.” Jackson is an associate professor in the department of Africana studies at Wellesley College. Rigueur is an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins. They host the “Oprahdemics” podcast from Radiotopia. Daniel Leader discusses his latest book, "Living Bread." Leader is a pioneer in the American baking world. -
BPR Full Show: Food from around the world
Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years. Elle Simone Scott shares tips on how to make the perfect food board for hosting. Scott is Executive Editor and Inclusion Leader at America’s Test Kitchen. She is also founder of the mentoring organization SheChef. Her recently released book is “Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings.” Joanne Chang talks about her latest book inspired by her baking journals, “Pastry Love: A Baker’s Journal of Favorite Recipes.” Chang is a James Beard Award–winning pastry chef and owner of the Cambridge bakery and cafe Flour. Billy Collins shares some of his poetry ahead of his June 16 appearance at 2Life Communities’ annual gala. Collins was appointed U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001-2003, and New York State Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. His numerous collections include “Nine Horses: Poems, The Trouble with Poetry,” “Ballistics,” “Horoscopes for the Dead,” “Aimless Love” and “The Rain in Portugal.” Dan Shaughnessy tells anecdotes from his latest book about covering the Celtics during the Larry Bird era. Shaughnessy is a sports writer at the Boston Globe. His new book is “Wish It Lasted Forever: Life With The Larry Bird Celtics.” Christopher Kimball previews his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Chris Kimball co-founded America’s Test Kitchen, and now runs Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street in Boston. His latest cookbook is “Vegetables.” Rosa Brooks discusses her new book, “Tangled Up In Blue: Policing The American City,” and described her experiences as a reserve police officer in Washington, D.C. Brooks is a former Pentagon official in the Obama administration and a professor of law and policy at Georgetown Law. Dylan Thuras tells stories of strange food from around the world, including psychedelic honey, the anti-masterbatory origins of graham crackers and the great molasses flood in Boston in 1919. Thuras is the co-founder and creative director of Atlas Obscura, and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller “Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.” His latest book is “Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide,” co-authored with Cecily Wong. Susan Orlean previews her latest book about animals, including the history of the movie “Free Willy,” her relationship with turkeys and her Valentine’s Day spent with a lion. Orlean is a staff writer for the New Yorker, and an author; her latest book is “On Animals.” -
A Community Conversation: Roe Overturned
The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. What does that mean for the people of Massachusetts and beyond? Listen to GBH News hosts Callie Crossley, Margery Eagan and Paris Alston in “A Community Conversation: Roe Overturned.” -
BPR Full Show: Abortion, Guns, and the EPA
Today on Boston Public Radio: Mayor Michelle Wu discusses the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) findings from their investigation into the MBTA system, and shares her thoughts on the Supreme Court’s recent decisions concerning abortion, guns, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the Mayor.” Andrea Cabral talks about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson being sworn into the Supreme Court, and Ghislaine Maxwell’s 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. David Abel weighs in on the Supreme Court curbing the regulatory powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in West Virginia v. EPA. Abel is a Pulitzer-prize winning writer who covers the environment for the Boston Globe. Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about the EPA’s now limited power to regulate emissions. Jonathan Gruber explains what current inflation numbers mean, and shares his thoughts on whether the U.S. might be heading into a recession. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. His latest book is “Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.” Juliette Kayyem updates us on the latest news from the Jan. 6 committee hearings, focusing on the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide and assistant to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. 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. -
BPR full show: Cassidy Hutchinson testifies before Jan. 6 committee
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if it’s time for Democrats to start being more aggressive to enact political change. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the NFL’s push to suspend Deshaun Watson, and WNBA player Brittney Griner’s upcoming trial in Russia. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Dr. Brenda Cassellius shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected the school system and the search for her replacement. Cassellius is the outgoing superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Jared Bowen discusses the new Designing Motherhood exhibit at the MassArt Museum through the lens of the recent Roe overturning, Maurice Sendak’s exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Lesley Dill’s sculpture exhibit at the Canterbury Shaker Village. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Then, we turn to live audio from the Jan. 6 hearings. -
BPR Full Show: Proper cannabis etiquette
Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years: Imani Perry talks about parenthood and how Black parents talk to their children about race. Perry is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Her latest book is "Breathe: A Letter To My Sons.” Richard Blanco reads his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various sociopolitical issues that shadow America. Lizzie Post weighs in on cannabis culture in her 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. Christopher Kimball previews his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Chris Kimball co-founded America’s Test Kitchen, and now runs Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street in Boston. His latest cookbook is “Vegetables.” Farah Stockman talks about how class divides manifest themselves culturally and politically in the United States, and why higher-class, well-educated communities struggle to understand and represent the majority of Americans. Farah Stockman is a member of the New York Times editorial board, and a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter. Her latest book is “American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears.” Howard Bryant discusses his book, "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant is a columnist and commentator for ESPN. Lindy West previews her latest book, "The Witches Are Coming," a collection of essays about feminism in the #MeToo moment. West is a writer, comedian and activist. Joshua Foer talks about “Atlas Obscura: An Explorers Guide To The World’s Hidden Wonders.” Foer is a freelance journalist and author of "Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art And Science Of Remembering Everything.”
