Episodes
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July 11, 2025 - Devo at 50, Alison Bechdel, and James Parker
Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, the cofounders of the new wave band Devo join The Culture Show to talk about cultural de-evolution, the genesis of their band, how they came to be one of the most original groups in the history of rock music.From there “New York Times” bestselling author Alison Bechdel joins The Culture Show to talk about her new comic novel “Spent.” Finally James Parker, a staff writer at “The Atlantic,” joins The Culture Show to talk about his piece “When Robert Frost was Bad.” James Parker runs the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and he edits “The Pilgrim,” a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston. His latest book is “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes.” -
July 10, 2025 - Baseball: The Movie, Dart Adams on 3 Feet High and Rising, and Max Heinegg
Today writer Noah Gittell joins The Culture Show to talk about his book “Baseball: The Movie.” Gittell, a sportswriter and film critic, takes us through the history of the baseball movie; tracking how they have changed over the years from being mostly feel good to nostalgic to to cynical. Gittell says that the way the baseball film has changed reflects how American values have changed. From there we launch our inaugural episode in our series “Sound Files.” We’ll be inviting local musicians and cultural critics to zero in on one of their favorite entries in the US National Recording Registry. First up, Dart Adams. The journalist, historian and lecturer has chosen to go deep on De La Soul’s “3 Feet High and Rising.” Finally, Medford’s new poet Laureate, Max Heinegg joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for making poetry more accessible. Heinegg is a high school English teacher, published poet, recording artist and he co-owns Medford Brewing Company. To learn more go here. -
July 9, 2025 - Mfoniso Udofia, Rob "ProBlak" Gibbs, and Black Voices of the Revolution
Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theater with support from The Huntington present the fifth installment of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, “Kufre n’ Quay.” Mfoniso Udofia joins The Culture Show to talk about reaching the midpoint of her none-play cycle. “Kufre n’ Quay” is onstage July 10 - July 26th. To learn more go here.From there artist, arts-educator and co-founder of Street Theory Collective Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs joins The Culture Show to talk about an upcoming exhibition, From The Page To The Stage. This is a dynamic mural exhibition by the Street Theory Collective. The Wagner Foundation is partnering with them to host this exhibition, which is on view July 10th through December 5th at the Wagner Foundation Gallery in Central Square. The opening reception is tomorrow night. To learn more go here.Finally we continue our ongoing series “Countdown to 2026,” our recurring dive into the events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. Today we look at the experiences of Black Americans during the Revolutionary War period; it’s the focus of a new exhibition at the Museum of African American History titled “Black Voices of the Revolution.” Dr. Noelle Trent, President and CEO of the Museum of African American History, joins The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more about the exhibition go here. -
July 8, 2025 - Peter Wolf and Imari Paris Jeffries
Music legend Peter Wolf has had a long solo career and rose to recognition as former lead singer of the J. Geils Band–famous for its high-octane shows and top 40 hits. Wolf joins The Culture Show to talk about his new memoir “Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters and Goddesses.”. From there, Imari Paris Jeffries, CEO and President of Embrace Boston, joins us for a recap of the Embrace Ideas Festival. Plus, as the Pentagon considers stripping Harriet Tubman’s name from the Navy Ship that bears it, we reflect on her role as a military leader during the Civil War. -
July 7, 2025 - Wendy Benchley, Mandy Barnett, and Christopher Shaw Myers
We continue our coverage of “Jaws” at 50 with Wendy Benchley. She is the wife of the late author Peter Benchley, who wrote the bestselling novel “Jaws.” Since the success of the book and subsequent film, Wendy Benchley has dedicated much of her life to conservation. She is an award-winning ocean advocate and scuba diver. She is cofounder of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. Along with Laura Bowling, Wendy Benchley is the Executive Producer of the new film “Jaws at 50: The Definitive Inside Story.” It's a National Geographic documentary produced in partnership with Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. To learn more go here.From there we’re joined by country music sensation Mandy Barnett. The acclaimed vocalist opens the Wequassett Resort's 21st Annual Cape Cod Jazz and Arts Festival on July 9th. And to celebrate Wequassett’s 100th anniversary, Barnett is performing a one-night-only tribute to the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary.To learn more go here.Finally we end where we began, wading into the ocean with another look at “Jaws” at 50. Writer Christopher Shaw Myers joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of JAWS and Beyond.” You can catch Christopher Shaw Myers tonight at an event at Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here. -
July 4, 2025 - "EEPHUS," Chef Andy Husbands, and John Flansburgh
Director Carson Lund joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut feature film “Eephus,” a quintessentially New England baseball film. Find out more, here.From there Andy Husbands, chef and owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, has co-authored the “Quick and Easy Burger Cookbook,” which will bump your burger game with creative recipes. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how we can turn our nothing burger into a something burger. Finally we talk to John Flansburgh, one half of the iconic alt-rock duo They Might Be Giants. TMBG have charmed audiences with their eclectic, genre-bending style for decades. They’ve released countless albums, contributed music to TV shows such as “Malcolm in the Middle,” and wriggled their way into the public consciousness with songs like “Doctor Worm” and “Birdhouse in your Soul.” -
July 3, 2025 - James Parker, Fabiola Méndez, and Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide
James Parker joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes: Odes to Being Alive.” He’s a staff writer at “The Atlantic.” Since 2011 he has been running the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and editing “The Pilgrim,” a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston.From there Fabiola Méndez, the celebrated Puerto Rican cuatrista and singer, joins The Culture Show for an in-studio performance. Finally, Kiernan Schmitt joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide,” which takes us into the curious corners and around town. Kiernan Schmitt co-hosts the “Out of Office” travel podcast with Ryan Davis. -
July 2, 2025 - Danielle Allen, the Family Heritage Experience, and Mahesh Daas
Ahead of Independence Day when we celebrate the rejection of King George III and his monarchy Danielle Allen joins The Culture Show for her take on the state of our democracy. Danielle Allen is the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation and of the Democratic Knowledge Project.From American history it’s an exploration of family history. Ryan Woods, President and CEO of American Ancestors joins The Culture Show to talk about their Family Heritage Experience. It’s a series of interactive and innovative exhibits that will inspire questions about your own family’s origins, voyages and traditions. To learn more go here.Finally, Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College joins The Culture Show to reflect on the legacy of the acclaimed architect and philanthropist Graham Gund. Mahesh Daas is a Culture Show contributor who joins us monthly. He is co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.” -
July 1, 2025 - Robert Ellis Orrall, Sam Waterston, and mixologist Marsha Lindsey
Robert Ellis Orrall is a singer-songwriter, producer and owner of the indie label Infinity Cat Recordings. He has worked in Nashville collaborating with Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire. Now he has a new live album, “The Bear is the Mountain,” which revisits the early 80’s, featuring recordings from live performances throughout Boston. He joins The Culture Show ahead of a busy season of live performances, starting with July 5th at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts. To learn more go here.From there Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor Sam Waterston joins The Culture Show to talk about the role that launched his career, Nick Caraway in the 1974 film adaptation of “The Great Gatsby.” Waterston will be at an event at Rosecliff mansions; a conversation celebrating the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and the movie, which was filmed partially at Rosecliff, Marble House and other Newport properties. To learn more go here.Finally, we top the show off by topping one off. Mixologist Marsha Lindsey, a fixture in some of Boston’s greatest bars, serves up her summer drink suggestions. -
June 30, 2025 - Heidi Wastweet and Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, public art in New Bedford, and André Aciman
Today we continue our series with the Museum of Fine Arts, looking at works in their collection that give us insight into the people and pivotal moments that shaped America's fight for freedom. We’re joined by Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, the MFA’s Carolyn and Peter Lynch Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture, and medalist and sculptor Heidi Wastweet. They’ll discuss Heidi Wastweet’s ’s medals, Abbreviated Liberty and Liberty/Anarchy. These will be on view with The Passage of the Delaware in the America at 250 gallery reinstallation next June. From there we head to New Bedford. Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the city’s booming public art scene. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and award winning photographer who is the creator of The Art Walk Project – a series of self-guided micro tours of art across Greater Boston. Finally acclaimed author André Aciman joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Room on the Sea: Three Novellas.” Tonight you can catch him at the Boston Public Library Central Library in Copley Square in conversation with local author Allegra Goodman. To learn more go here.
