Episodes
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Despite federal pushback, budget cuts and anti-trans executive orders, Pride Month forges on
It’s Pride Month … or is it Title IX Month? President Donald Trump’s administration continues to push back on the LGBTQ+ community through its ban on trans troops – and newly graduated trans cadets – in the military, potential federal budget cuts to a vital suicide prevention hotline that helps queer youth, and renaming a Navy ship dedicated to gay rights icon Harvey Milk. But Pride celebrations are still happening across the country, including an inaugural parade in a small town in West Virginia! All that and more in this week’s LBGTQ+ news roundtable. -
More than the ‘Big Head’: MFA hosts largest, decades-spanning exhibit of Roxbury artist John Wilson’s work
Throughout his career, artist John Wilson was inspired to capture the faces of his community: Black people who lived in Roxbury. He chose to do figurative paintings, drawings and sculptures, rather than abstract work, because he was determined that Black people should be seen in the fullness of their humanity. That was the overall theme of his work, which is now in an exhibit at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts – “Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson.” Callie speaks with a curator and a John Wilson collector to learn more about Wilson’s work. -
Kick back and relax with one of our summer-reading picks of 2025
It’s nearly summertime, which means plenty of sunshine, slower days and lots of time to kick back with a new book. Whether it’s a mystery, thriller, romance, fantasy or nonfiction, there’s a perfect summer read for every book lover to enjoy by the beach, on an airplane or curled up on the couch. Three local librarians joined Callie Crossley for “Under the Radar”’s annual summer-reading special to share what they’re adding to their summer-reading wishlist.For the full list of books – including Callie’s picks! – go to gbhnews.org/UTR -
A moment or a movement? Reflecting on the death of George Floyd, five years later
On May 25, 2020, millions of people around the world watched in horror as white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, on a Minnesota street. Nine minutes and 29 seconds later, Floyd was dead. His murder led to what some called a racial reckoning, sparking global protests, demands for police reform, community dialogues and corporate pledges to fund opportunities and programs addressing the racial divide. So where do Americans and the United States stand, five years later? Experts in psychiatry, law enforcement and DEI tell us more. -
‘Runboyrun’ takes Ufot Family Cycle from the stage to your earbuds
In “Sojourners,” the first play of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, audiences are introduced to Disciple, a graduate student who eventually becomes the Ufot patriarch. But as the drama unfolds play after play, Disciple grows increasingly erratic and intense, often prone to fits of rage. And it’s not until the third play in the cycle – “runboyrun” – that playwright Udofia focuses on Disciple, peeling back what’s led to his unraveling by centering his story and his past. What’s more is his story is told not in a theater but on the air as a podcast. We speak with the playwright and the actor playing Disciple to learn more about this unique production. -
Unbound Pages: Former Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden explains why libraries are central to democracy
In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Carla Hayden as the 14th Librarian of Congress, making her the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. Dr. Hayden’s tenure as Librarian of Congress abruptly ended on May 8, when she was fired from the position. Eight days before her dismissal, Dr. Hayden spoke with Callie Crossley in one of her final interviews with the media as part of our year-long anti-book banning series, Unbound Pages. -
‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ showcases the joys and struggles of African women immigrants in America
For many Black women, the hair salon is a cultural safe space, where stories and secrets help build an intimate community. In SpeakEasy Stage’s production of the Tony-winning play, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” the West African immigrants who do the braiding and the customers seeking their services come together in a funny play that also explores serious current-day immigration policies. Three members of the cast and crew join Callie to talk more about the production. -
What does it mean to be a ‘good mom’ in 2025?
Societal and cultural norms say mothers must be kind and nurturing, they must have endless patience for their children, they must be doting, attentive and protective, and they should be able to do it all — and be thrilled to do it all. But what does it mean to be a “good” mother in this day and age? We explore the complex and nuanced nature of motherhood in honor of Mother’s Day. -
‘Joy Goddess’ spotlights Madam C.J. Walker’s daughter A’Lelia, who forged her own path
Rags-to-riches entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker and her daughter, A’Lelia Walker, built one of the most successful African American hair care businesses in American history. But it was only after A’Lelia broke free of her mother’s singular vision that she found her calling in 1920s Harlem. That search for independence and purpose is at the center of A’Lelia Bundles’ new book, “Joy Goddess: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance.” It’s our May selection for Bookmarked: the “Under the Radar” book club. -
What clues can Trump’s first 100 days offer for the rest of his second presidency?
April 29, 2025 marked 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. In a little over three months, the president, alongside administration officials, Cabinet members, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency – or DOGE – have kept Trump’s promise to reshape the government. What can Americans expect for the rest of Trump’s presidency? And how have these first 100 days affected Massachusetts? It’s a full hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!
