Latest Episodes
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How Can Climate Action Improve Your Health and Save You Money?
First up, we check in with NENC’s Cori Princell, who oversaw coverage across public radio newsrooms in New England. She’ll discuss a few standout stories for the weeklong reporting series, and how climate consciousness can be as good for your health (& wallet) as it is for the planet. Then, we mend some clothes! Today, Edgar meets textile artist Jessamy Shay Kilcollins to get a crash course in the process of darning. Last up, we celebrate Space Week here in Massachusetts. We’ll talk with Alissa Hadajji and Ted Zhu from the Space Consortium about Star Fest on Boston Common. -
Why Do We Wait 'Til Spring To Clean?
Up first, MIT Economics Chair Jon Gruber breaks down the role and responsibilities of the Fed and its chair, in light of confirmation hearings this week for Kevin Warsh. Then, historian Susan Strasser speaks to the social & historical context behind our notion of “spring cleaning.” Lastly, Edgar talks decluttering, de-griming, dusting & more with Rayanne Lara from the Newton-based cleaning service Two Maids. -
What's A Rain Bomb? (And Should I Be Worried?)
First, we dive into the science of oil extraction with geoscientist Robert Buchwaldt.Next, Edgar visits Quincy Gas, where he speaks with owner Harvey Kertzman and violist Caroline Leguia about the new tunes you can hear at the station.Finally, ahead of the new NOVA documentary Rain Bombs airing tonight at 9 p.m., we’re joined by storm chaser Mike Olbinski and Colorado State University atmospheric science professor Sue van den Heever. -
What Made The News, 100 Years Ago Today?
When GBH Reporter Craig LeMoult found a 1926 copy of The Boston Post hidden in his home, he uncovered a forgotten piece of Boston history.What did the headlines reveal? And how much has really changed in 100 years? -
Will Boston Marathon Runners Agree To A Live Interview?
It’s a Boston Marathon live-coverage, special edition of our show! We open with GBH’s Jeremy Siegel, describing his coverage of the marathon's opening & the runner who kindly agreed to let Jeremy track him from Hopkinton to Copley. Then, GBH’s Hannah Reale dives into some of the broader coverage & reporting on the race.Afterwards, Edgar interviews some active marathon runners near Wellesley College. We also check in with Curiosity Desk producer Patti Daniels by Fenway, before getting some analysis of the top finishers and big-picture takeaways from GBH’s Esteban Bustillos. -
How Does A Jester Perform On The Radio?
First up.... The Bad Fibs return! It’s our newsy spin on the classic Mad Libs format, with help from our live studio audience. This week Edgar is joined by our steady hand Patti Daniels, with special guest Renuka Balakrishnan to talk about her reporting on the legacy of William Dawes. Then, Astrophysicist Anjali Tripathi joins to talk about comets and meteor showers on view later this month. Lastly, we’re bringing vaudeville to the BPL with help from Alex Feldman, A.K.A. Alex The Jester, ahead of a 110th Anniversary Show at the Regent Theater. We’ll also talk with Regent Theater director of programming Leland Stein. -
What Does the Label on Your Egg Carton Mean?
First up, we're exploring how trainers & runners optimize a marathon performance, and what happens on a physiological level when our bodies are pushed to their limit. Edgar will talk with Peko Hosoi from the MIT Sports Lab and Loughborough University visiting professor Andy Harland. Then we're cracking the case! What do the labels on your egg cartons mean? We'll chat with Dan Souza from America’s Test Kitchen. Lastly, the April edition of “Ask The Remodeler,” with Mark Philben from Charlie Allen Renovations. He’ll talk fence painting, pressure treating your deck for springtime, and respond to calls & texts from listeners. -
Why Is It So Hard To File My Taxes?
First up, this Tax Day, we ask: why is it so hard to file my taxes? We’ll talk with Beverly Moran, a senior tax fellow at Boston College.Secondly we'll chat about the helium shortage.. What’s going on? How is helium mined, how is it used (beyond the birthday balloons) and what happens if we do actually run out? We’ll ask Linda Doerrer, an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at B.U.’s college of engineering. Lastly, It’s peak pruning season. We’ll open phone and text lines to “Ask a Gardener,” with Wakefield Arboretum Executive Director Debbie Merriam. -
Is My Pollen Allergy Getting Worse?
First up - Edgar decodes our paychecks, asking "what exactly happens with all the money taken out each week?” We’ll have some help from Steven Dean, a professor of law at Boston University. Then, we'll exploring the world of microplastics research with oceanographic researcher Victoria Fuller, whose work has brought her as close as New England as far as Antarctica. Lastly we answer the question... Is the pollen in our air worse getting worse by the year? Richard Primack, a professor plant ecology at B.U., explains why there might be some truth to that idea. Caroline Sokol is a physician scientist who’ll speak to how pollen impacts us on a physiological level. -
How Can I Score 654 Points In Scrabble?
First up, Edgar hosts an AI news panel with Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman and Shaleen Title, former chair Cannabis Control Board commissioner who teaches AI regulation at Roger Williams University School of Law. They’ll talk about last week's attack on Open AI CEO Sam Altman, pushback to the construction of data centers in Everett, and the value of AI in school classrooms. Then, we’re celebrating National Scrabble Day with Bradley Whitmarsh, a competitive Scrabble player ranked in the top 100 for the U.S. We’ll talk strategy, learn about the world of competitive Scrabble, and take calls & texts from listeners.
