Latest Episodes
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Which Type of Vanilla Should I Use?
First up, it’s the inaugural edition of our segment “ICYMI,” where we talk about some lighter news of the week you might’ve missed. Joining today is GBH’s Adam Reilly and Globe reporter / TikTok darling Emily Sweeney. Then, Edgar responds to a listener question about cooking with vanilla, and why some people make the case that the imitation stuff is better than pure vanilla extract. Helping us out, we’ve got Dan Souza from America’s Test Kitchen. Lastly, ahead of America’s 250th, GBH is airing a series of shorts to highlight some awesome kids from around the country, including 11 year-old Tessa from Winthrop. Edgar will talk with Dorothea Gillim, Executive Producer and Creative Director of GBH Kids, Tessa, and Tessa’s mom. -
Stuck On Stamps: What Fuels The Philatelists?
First up, Edgar talks with Joan Donovan and Steven Rai, a colleague from her Critical Internet Studies Institute, about the extremist ecosystem online that radicalized the shooters in Monday’s attack on a mosque in San Diego. Then, Could 3D printed houses create a more affordable world of the future? We meet & talk with AJ Perez, a research scientist at MIT’s Office of Innovation.Lastly, Edgar meets former Smithsonian Collections Specialist Alex Haimann to talk stamps & stamp collecting during the ongoing Boston 2026 World Expo. -
Why's There A Green Light At My Walk Signal?
First up, Edgar talks “concurrent signaling” – when the walk sign coincides with a green light – and how it can complicate getting around the city for people with disabilities (and plenty without). He’ll sit down with GBH’s Meghan Smith and disability rights advocate Casandra Xavier. Next up, following new penny-rounding guidance from the Division of Standards, we meet DOS Commissioner Dave Rodrigues to talk about the rules & what exactly goes on in his corner of state government. Lastly, all this hot weather is complicating spring gardening / planting season. Debbie Merriam from the Wakefield Arboretum returns to take listener calls and texts for “Ask the Gardener." -
Is it Possible To Learn While You Dream?
What’s actually happening in those academic departments at research institutions? Edgar asks MIT economics chair Jon Gruber. Then, we’re getting up to speed on Four Things To Know, with help from GBH’s Gal Tziperman-Lotan. Lastly, is it possible to learn while you dream? A recent piece in the New Yorker posits that you can. We’ll talk with columnist Shayla Love and dream researcher Karen Konkoly. -
Where Did The Starter Home Go?
First up, we open with a housing panel, comprised of Jesse Kanson-Benanav from Abundant Housing MA, and Commonwealth Beacon Housing Reporter Jennifer Smith.Then, Edgar talks with Jeff Ziesmann, general manager of the new totally-not-a-sitcom-anymore WKRP in Cincinnati. Lastly, we end our Monday with Kevin Hampe from The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves, whose legendary club which once counted JFK, Elvis, and Pope John Paul II as members. -
Did We Really Just Discover 10,000 New Planets?
First up, It’s been an especially chaotic month for higher-ed reporters, now with cuts to research at MIT, the closure of Hampshire College & more. GBH’s Kirk Carapezza takes us behind his reporting for College Uncovered. Then, Researchers just discovered as many as 10,000 new exoplanets out in the universe. We’ll talk astronomers can glean about these outer worlds, with NASA’s first ever exoplanet ambassador, Anjali Tripathi. Lastly, What was once the Curiosity Desk transforms into the Mystery Desk, as GBH All Things Considered Host Arun Rath returns to perform magic on the airwaves that listeners can participate in at home. All you need are a few assorted coins. He’ll also touch on some of the history behind mentalism. -
Can We Return To The Internet of the 90's?
First up, Misinformation researcher Joan Donovan returns, as we celebrate 30 years of The Internet Archive with founder Brewster Kahle. We'll chat about what the Wayback Machine can do to combat misinformation & carry out its mission of providing "Universal Access to all Knowledge" Then, contractor Mark Philben returns for the May addition of “Ask the Remodeler.” -
How Come We Never See Baby Pigeons?
First up, MIT economics chair Jon Gruber on what easing regulations around the use of GLP-1’s could do for the U.S. economy. Then, Chemist & professor Krishna Kumar breaks down the “P” of GLP-1’s (peptides) and what it would mean for RFK Jr to change regulations surrounding them. Lastly, why don’t we ever see baby pigeons? Edgar investigates in a classic Curiosity Desk feature. -
How Does War Affect To Cost of My Fertilizer?
First up, Edgar talks with GBH’s Emily Judem and self-deporting immigrant Anderson Costa about what ICE anxiety is doing to Framingham's Brazilian community. Second up, Gal Tziperman-Lotan returns with Four Things to Know. We’ll also air one of Edgar’s features on why we never seem to see baby pigeons. Lastly, we explore why the U.S.’ war is in Iran impacting the price of fertilizer, with Sean Cash from the Tufts Friedman School. -
When Did We Start Saying "Wicked Pissah"?
First up, GBH's Esteban Bustillos joins Jonathan Tannenwald from the Philadelphia Inquirer to compare Boston’s readiness against Philadelphia. Then, We’re learning about this history of prom with Amy L. Best, sociologist & author of the book “Prom Night: Youth, Schools, and Popular Culture.” Lastly, Edgar answers some etymological curiosity questions with Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette from A Way With Words.
