Episodes
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BPR Full Show 12/31/20: The Ultimate BPR Book Club
Thursday's Boston Public Radio is entirely on tape and features the ultimate BPR book club — back to back conversations from over the years with some of our favorite writers. Some highlights of the show include: George Saunders discussed his novel, "Lincoln in the Bardo," his first foray into what he describes as serious prose. Writer Susan Orlean discusses her latest book, a tribute to the public library, "The Library Book." ESPN’s Howard Bryant discusses his book, "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." -
BPR Full Show 12/30/20: The Ultimate BPR Book Club
Wednesday's Boston Public Radio is entirely on tape, and features the ultimate BPR book club: back to back conversations from over the years with some of our favorite writers. Some highlights of the show include: Poet Kevin Young discusses his latest collection of poetry, BROWN. Kevin Young is poetry editor of the New Yorker and the incoming director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Owner of Parnassus Books Ann Patchett makes a pitch to all readers to shop at local, independent book stores. She also discussed her book, "Commonwealth." Writer T.C. Boyle drops in on the dropout culture with his novel "Outside Looking In," which is based on the research of Timothy Leary. -
BPR Full Show 12/29/20: Thank You For Being A Friend, And More From The BPR Book Club
Today on Boston Public Radio, GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen and NBC 10's Sue O'Connell filled in for Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. Former Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the latest with President Donald Trump's pardons. Then, Irish comedian Maeve Higgins talked about maintaining friendships through the pandemic. The rest of Tuesday’s show featured re-airs of some of our favorite segments: Norman Mineta talked about the PBS documentary of his life and career, "Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story." Mineta is a former statesman who served as cabinet secretary for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. New Yorker writer George Packer discussed his latest book, “Our Man: Richard Holbrooke And The End Of The American Century.” John Waters spoke about his latest book, “Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom Of A Filth Elder.” Waters is a filmmaker, writer, artist, and social commentator. Raphael Bob-Waksberg discussed his collection of short stories "Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory." Bob-Waksberg is the creator of the animated Netflix show “Bojack Horseman.” Ben Mezrich discussed his latest book, “Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of Genius, Redemption and Betrayal.” -
BPR Full Show 12/28/20: Some Breaking News, And Some BPR Book Club Faves
Today on Boston Public Radio: Jared Bowen and Sue O’Connell fill in for Jim and Margery. First, they get a politics roundup from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill, with GBH reporter Adam Reilly. Then, Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G Price III join us for this week’s edition of All Rev’d Up. The rest of Monday’s show features re-airs of some of our favorite segments: Author and journalist Naomi Klein joins Jim and Margery to talk about her book, "On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal." New Yorker staff writer and “Revisionist History” host Malcolm Gladwell discusses his new book, “Talking To Strangers: What We Should Know About The People We Don't Know.” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow discusses his new book, “Catch And Kill: Lies, Spies, And A Conspiracy To Protect Predators,” about his experience reporting on the crimes of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Harvard Business School’s Michael Norton discusses his latest research about why minimalism has become the new status symbol. Journalist Joshua Foer discusses the latest edition of “Atlas Obscura: An Explorers Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.” -
BPR Full Show 12/24/20: 'Twas the BPR Before Christmas...
Note: BPR is on tape for the holidays. For Thursday’s program, we brought you some of our favorite conversations from the not-too distant past. Today on Boston Public Radio: Bishop Michael Curry joins us to preach the power of love in dark times, in a conversation sparked by his new book "Love Is the Way: Holding Onto Hope In Troubling Times.” Michael Norton talks about the science behind why humans have such difficulty enjoying leisure time. Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, and his latest book is "Happy Money: The Science Of Smarter Spending.” Bill Buford discussed differences between attitudes around restaurant dining in France and the U.S., in a conversation about his new book, "Dirt: Adventure In Lyon As A Chef In Training, Father, And Sleuth Looking For The Secret Of French Cooking.” Alan Alda talked about the joy of creating his new interview podcast, and a recent (pre-pandemic) trip he made with BPR contributor Sy Montgomery to the New England Aquarium. Alan Alda is an actor, and hosts the podcast "Clear + Vivid With Alan Alda." Sy Montgomery discussed her book "Condor Comeback," about an ongoing conservation effort to bring the California Condor back from the brink of extinction. Sy Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist, whose latest book is "Becoming A Good Creature.” Rick Steves talked about keeping our travel dreams alive during the coronavirus pandemic. Steves is an author, television and radio host, and the owner of “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. Richard Blanco joined us for another edition of "Village Voice." Blanco is the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. His new book, "How To Love A Country,” deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. -
BPR Full Show 12/23/20: Holidays Tips & Congressional Tricks
Today on Boston Public Radio: MIT economist Jon Gruber breaks down the economics behind Congress’ latest COVID relief package, and discusses his research into March's CARES Act, where he found that unemployment insurance has had more of an impact on keeping jobs and stimulating the economy than Paycheck Protection Program loans. Next, we open lines to talk with listeners about Congress' latest $900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill, and get your takes whether it’s going to be enough to help you get by. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talks about President Trump’s latest controversial wave of pardons, and weighs the potential impact Trump could have on national security in the final weeks of his administration. NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talks about a recent appeal made by players on the Boston Celtics to have Gov. Baker reconsider his support for the use of facial recognition software by Mass. law enforcement. She also speaks on the Patriots’ underwhelming 2020 season, and other sports headlines. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses the latest news on the pandemic front, including how the U.S. is faring in its vaccine rollout, the departure of White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, and worrying COVID-19 mutations out of the UK. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discusses news that President Trump won't be passing along the POTUS Twitter account to President-elect Biden, incoming privacy software from Apple that'll make it harder for websites to track user data on other platforms, and other tech headlines. We close out Wednesday's by reopening lines for a conversation with listeners about best tipping practices for the holiday season. -
Trump Pardons 'Ruthless, Horrible Human Beings' Says Homeland Security Expert
President Donald Trump granted pardons and commutations to 20 people on Tuesday. Among those pardoned were four Blackwater guards convicted in connection with a 2017 killing of Iraqi civilians -among those killed were two boys, 8 and 11. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayyem spoke with Boston Public Radio on Wednesday about the danger these pardons pose. “First of all, Trump’s failure to embrace a peaceful transfer of power quickly, threatens, or at least would amplify the radicalization of some small parts of the population,” she said. '“[These pardons] do it too because it says, you can be ruthless, murderous, horrible human beings, who murders children.” 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. -
Art Caplan: Vaccine Frustration in Medical Community Is 'Predictive' of Confusion to Come in 2021
On Wednesday, medical ethicist Art Caplan returned to Boston Public Radio, where he weighed in on the latest news around the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, he discussed frustrations with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in hospitals throughout the U.S., and unanswered questions around who deserves vaccine priority. “There are these issues of priority and who’s really at risk that’ve started to rear their heads,” he said, warning that more confusion is likely to come once the general public can apply for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. “It’s predictive of what I think we’re gonna see in maybe January, February, March, as other people start to say ‘hey, what about me?’" During the conversation, Caplan also discussed the departure of White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, and explained why he’s not worried that a mutated version of the coronavirus, discovered last week in the U.K., will be resistant to the current vaccines. Art Caplan is the Drs. William F and Virginia Connolly Mitty Chair, and director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU School of Medicine. -
BPR Full Show 12/22/20: Time Will Tell
Today on Boston Public Radio: Maura Healey talks about the state’s [Police Reform bill](x-note://D757CE1A-EB87-42C4-BFAC-970FF042F9C1/EWSNote/wgbh.org/news/local-news/2020/12/22/ag-healey-police-reform-bill-as-amended-is-a-really-good-thing), responding to questions about the efficacy of facial recognition technology and no-knock warrants. She also discusses her office's plan to ask the federal Department of Homeland Security to end its partnership with the Bristol County Sheriff's office, and responds to questions from listeners as part of our monthly series “Ask the AG.” Boston Globe editorial writer David Scharfenberg discusses his reporting for the Boston Globe on segregation in Mass.’ public school system, and some of the lessons that officials can take from other states' approach to the issue in order to tackle the racial inequity. Havard Business School professor Ashley Whillans talks about America’s "time poverty” crisis, and offers tips for organizing our lives to better prioritize happiness over money, in a conversation around her new book, "Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and live a Happier Life.” Washington Post reporter Annie Linskey talks about Congress’ new $900 billion stimulus package, and how she’s expecting President-elect Joe Biden to handle the country’s economic crisis after he assumes the presidency in January. Documentarian Frederick Wiseman discusses his new in-depth documentary about Boston Marty Walsh's administration, titled “City Hall.” We end the show by opening lines, reviving the age-old debate around the ethics of re-gifting holiday presents. -
BPR Full Show 12/21/20: Tinsel in a Tangle
Today on Boston Public Radio: Michael Curry discusses the rollout of coronavirus vaccines throughout the U.S. and questions around skepticism in communities of color. Curry is the incoming president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, a member of Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, and a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors. Next, we open our lines to talk with listeners about holiday travel during the pandemic, asking: will we learn our lesson this time around, or will the promise of the vaccine make us only more prone to hit the road? Travel guru Rick Steves talks about some of the varied Christmas traditions practiced throughout Europe, from Norway to Austria. He also talks about his ongoing “Why We Travel” series and what a COVID-19 vaccine could signal for travel and tourism in the months aheads. T.V. expert Bob Thompson discusses news that streaming heavyweight “The Office” is getting pulled from Netflix and updates us on the future of Jeopardy post-Alex Trebek. He also reviews "The Stand” on CBS and Steve McQueen's "Small Axe,” currently streaming on Amazon. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of GBH’s All Rev’d Up podcast, talk about pro-police reform protests staged over the weekend by some Massachusetts faith leaders. They also weigh in on pro-choice pastors, and the Netflix holiday special “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung recaps her latest reporting on the global reverberations of Boston's economic downturn and offered her thoughts on news that Boston seafood staple Legal Seafoods is being sold. We close out Monday's show by reflecting on all the holiday traditions we’re missing out on this season, and asking about some of the new ones you're creating in their place.
