Episodes
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BPR Full Show: Beginning the Jan. 6 committee hearings, and gun violence in America
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the first night of the Jan. 6 committee hearings. DA Kevin Hayden discusses Mayor Michelle Wu’s release of the complete file on former Boston Police Patrolman’s Association union chief and convicted child-sex abuser Patrick Rose, Sr. He also talks about concerns over illegal guns in Mass. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall. David Gergen shares his thoughts on the future of youth leaders in politics, and the potential for mandatory community service. Gergen is a Senior Political Analyst for CNN, the Founding Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard and a professor at the Kennedy School. He was a presidential advisor to four administrations. His new book is “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made.” Corby Kummer talks about the upcoming expiration of universal free school lunches, and updated us on the latest news from the baby formula shortage. 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. John Rosenthal discusses the state of gun reform in Mass., and updated us on upcoming March for Our Lives gatherings. Rosenthal is a longtime gun control advocate, and the founder of the group Stop Handgun Violence. Red Shaydez talks about her work in Boston’s music scene. She also performed her songs “I’m Not the Victim,” “I Like Dreamin’”, and “Catch a Vibe” live at the Boston Public Library. Red Shaydez is a rapper, entrepreneur, and youth mentor. She’s also the Vice Chair of Events for the group Women in Music, and the host of the Boston Public Library’s second annual Teen Music Maker Showdown. We end the show by asking listeners about their experiences with Boston’s Open Streets initiative, which creates car-free spaces on select roads in Boston during the summer. -
BPR Full Show: Previewing the Jan. 6 committee hearings, and more
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they feel going into the Jan. 6 hearings. Paul Reville shares his thoughts about Mayor Michelle Wu’s role in education, and the lifting of Boston Public Schools' mask mandate. 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.” Andrea Cabral weighs in on what we can expect from the Jan. 6 committee hearings, the state of gun control in America post-Uvalde, and the women suing the F.B.I. for early investigative failures in the Larry Nassar case. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Sue O’Connell discusses media coverage of the upcoming Jan. 6 trials, and updates us on the Pride Month events happening around Mass. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current, on NBC LX and NECN. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III comments on Southern Baptist Leaders releasing a sex abuser database, the labor activists pushing for a White House meeting on poverty, and Pope Francis’ future in the papacy. 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. David Abel discusses his reporting on a water-pollution crisis in New Hampshire, and his upcoming documentary about future sea level rise in Boston. Abel is a Boston Globe reporter, where he covers the environment. He was part of the Globe’s team that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. We end the show by talking with listeners about the catharsis of swearing. -
BPR Full Show: A New Leaf
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the incoming results from California’s primary election. Shirley Leung talks about her recent piece featuring women whose decisions to have abortions changed their lives, and shares her thoughts on the potential for a 4-day work week. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Juliette Kayyem shares what people can expect from the upcoming Jan. 6 committee hearings. She also talks about Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey calling for gun control in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting. 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. Amy O’Leary talks about the push for accessible childcare in Mass. amid rising costs. O’Leary is the Executive Director of Strategies for Children, an advocacy and policy group aimed at ensuring access to childcare and early education in Mass. We then open the phone lines to ask listeners for their experiences with trying to find affordable childcare in Mass. Matthew Gilbert weighs in on Apple TV’s “Severance,” HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere,” and ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.” Gilbert is the TV critic for The Boston Globe. 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.” We end the show by talking with listeners about their indoor plant obsessions. -
BPR Full Show: Early bird gets the worm
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they are coping with the rising cost of living. Trenni Kusnierek weighs in on the Celtics Sunday loss, advocacy across teams and leagues for gun control, LGBTQ+ pride and WNBA player Brittney Griner; she also shares dispatches from the French Open, and talked about Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy’s departure. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Art Caplan talks about the scourge of mass shootings this year, negative reactions to mental health clinics in schools, a new drug that could transform breast cancer treatment and the FDA delaying access to contraception. 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. Lee Pelton discusses guns being the leading cause of death for children, and closing the racial wealth gap in Boston. Pelton is the president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Carol Rose speaks about the Beyond Roe coalition to protect and expand abortion access in Massachusetts, the Supreme Court potentially taking up a raft of election law cases over the power of state legislatures in federal elections and the ACLU’s lawsuit over US denying Afghans humanitarian entry. Rose is the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. John King updates listeners on the latest national headlines, including the leadup to the Jan 6. hearings, gun legislation and upcoming primary elections. 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 discussing whether punctuality is back in style in the era of zoom. -
BPR Full Show: And they said 'Speak Now'
Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne discusses the state of gun control negotiations in the U.S. Senate and the role of young voters in 2022 midterm elections. Dionne is a columnist for the Washington Post and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. His latest book is “100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting.” Then we ask listeners their thoughts on Elon Musk requiring his employees to return to the office 40 hours a week. Alexandra Drane talks about the burden unpaid caretakers face, and what needs to change to better support people serving in such roles. Drane is the co-founder and CEO of Archangels, a group aimed at supporting unpaid caretakers. Charlie Sennott updates listeners on the latest news from Ukraine following 100 days of Russia’s invasion, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson facing a vote of no-confidence. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson weigh in on Boston’s plan to open more streets this summer, and the poetry of the MBTA. 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. Meredith Goldstein shares relationship advice, including on professing feelings for a carpool buddy and when to ask for a second date. Goldstein is an advice columnist and features writer for the Boston Globe. Her advice column, “Love Letters,” is a daily dispatch of wisdom for the lovelorn that has been running for more than a decade. She also hosts the “Love Letters” podcast. We end the show by asking listeners what to do if they know a friend is marrying the wrong person. -
BPR Full Show: T-E-K-T-I-T-E
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about how they’re handling the current political divide in America. Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo shares how he would bring his previous experience as a public defender to the role of Suffolk County District Attorney if elected. He also discusses the need for transparency in the case of former Boston police officer Patrick Rose. Arroyo is a Boston City Councilor. He’s running to be Suffolk County District Attorney. Callie Crossley talks about Harini Logan’s win at the 2022 Scripps Spelling Bee, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. She also shared her thoughts on Sheryl Sandberg stepping down from her role as COO of Meta. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Barbara Lynch shares her thoughts on the state of the restaurant industry, and called for student loan forgiveness for the next generation of restaurant workers. Lynch is a James Beard Award-winning chef, and the restarauter behind No. 9 Park, Menton, Sportello, and others. In 2017, she was one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people, and is a Druker Award recipient. Art Caplan talks about President Joe Biden’s response to the baby formula shortage, and the scientists that have successfully transplanted a 3D-printed ear. 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. Erin Caldwell talks about Dorchester’s first annual Dorchfest, while pop singer Rosa Cesario, acoustic singer-songwriter Tim Pitoniak, and hip-hop/spoken word artist Paul Willis performed live at the Boston Public Library. In honor of the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee, we host the annual Boston Public Radio Spelling Bee for listeners. -
BPR Full Show: Dancing Queen
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about actions they’re taking in the wake of multiple mass shootings. Bill McKibben shares his thoughts on the lack of action in the U.S. on climate change policies, and worsening water quality at Boston-area beaches. McKibben is an author, educator and environmentalist. He’s the founder of 350.org and ThirdAct.org. He has a new newsletter on Substack titled “The Crucial Years.” He’s also got a new, serialized book titled “The Other Cheek: An Epic Nonviolent Yarn.” Chris Muther talks about his experiences with masking on airlines, and shared his off-the-beaten-path weekend spots in Boston. Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Michael Curry weighs in on President Joe Biden’s proposed $10,000 student debt relief plan, and lack of movement on gun control legislation in Washington. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Andy Ihnatko explains what internet surveillance might look like in a post-Roe America. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Jessica Bennett discusses the verdict reached in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, sharing her thoughts on our cultural obsession with “celebrity misfortune.” Bennett is is a contributing opinion editor at the New York Times, and the author of two bestselling books, Feminist Fight Club: A Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace, and This Is 18: Girls’ Lives Through Girls’ Eyes. We end the show by talking with listeners about their favorite summer foods. -
BPR Full Show: Spring Cleaning
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about student anxiety, following a new GBH report that cites increased levels of bullying in Boston schools. Rep. Ayanna Pressley calls for stricter gun control measures – such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons – in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She also discusses broadening student debt relief from President Joe Biden’s proposed plan to forgive $10,000 per borrower in student loans. Juliette Kayyem discusses the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) announcement of an investigation into the police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and diminishing attention towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 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 talks about recent crypto scams targeting Asian Americans, and the out-of-state journey some women in Mass. take to get an abortion. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Jerrod Carmichael joins us ahead of his June 3 show at The Wilbur, sharing his vision behind the HBO special “Rothaniel.” Carmichael is a comedian, actor, and filmmaker. Corby Kummer talks about Taco Bell’s five-city drag brunch tour, and Guy Fieri’s cult icon status. 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. We end the show by asking listeners how their spring cleaning projects have gone. -
Corby Kummer: Adding Fuel to the Fieri Fire
It’s been nearly 15 years of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and Guy Fieri’s imprint on America’s cultural landscape has reached new heights. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to share his thoughts on the Fieri fandom, following a recent New York Times profile of the celebrity chef. “The [New York Times] decided they were really going to celebrate Guy Fieri, and if he's raised $20 million [for restaurant workers, let's celebrate him, too,” Kummer said. During the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also shared his thoughts on Taco Bell’s touring drag brunch, the discontinuation of mission-driven brand Honest Tea, and more. 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: Housing, gun reform, and the state of the Republican party
Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about gun reform. Trenni Kusnierek updates us on the Celtics’ win over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the U.S. Open’s return to The Country Club in Brookline this June. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Chris Doughty talks about his run for Mass. governor, and shared his thoughts on the state of the Republican party. Doughty is a Republican candidate for governor. Jenifer McKim and Rose Webster-Smith discuss the corporations buying up Springfield single family homes, following McKim’s reporting for GBH News. McKim is a senior investigative reporter for the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. Webster-Smith is the program director for the nonprofit Springfield No One Leaves. Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett talks about the latest news regarding monkeypox cases in the U.S., and answers listeners’ questions during this month’s edition of “Ask the Doctor.” Gergen-Barnett is the vice chair of Primary Care Innovation and Transformation and residency director in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. We end the show by returning to our conversation on gun reform.
