Episodes
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ENCORE: Harvard cellular and molecular biologist Jason Buenrostro breaks down gene expression
Cellular and molecular biologist Jason Buenrostro is one of 2023’s MacArthur Foundation fellows. Buenrostro, who is also a Harvard University associate professor, studies the mechanisms that “turn on” genes, and is the pioneer of a popular method to assess chromatin accessibility across the genome. We spoke with Professor Buenrostro for Under the Radar's series, “The Genius Next Door.” -
ENCORE: From kelp burgers to biofuel, some see a bright future for seaweed
Oceans, rivers and lakes are chock-full of thousands of underwater plants and algae collectively described as seaweed. Demand for seaweed — kelp, specifically — has exploded as scientists have confirmed its dietary benefits and its potential as a tool in the fight against climate change. From food to biofuel and everything in between, some experts believe this billion-year-old algae is the wave of the future. -
Black Excellence is on Display in Screen Adaptation of the Best-Selling Novel, “The Emperor of Ocean Park”
More than 20 years ago, Stephen L. Carter’s debut novel, “The Emperor of Ocean Park” spent 11 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, raking up accolades and award nominations. Interest in the novel has continued, and now, “The Emperor of Ocean Park” has been adapted into a streaming series starring Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker. We speak with author Carter about the inspiration and underlying themes of the novel, and with show creator Sherman Payne about adapting the thrilling whodunit from page to screen. -
New Book Uncovers the History of Black Homeownership on Martha’s Vineyard
They came as housekeepers, whalers and indentured servants in the 19th century: Black families who settled permanently on Martha’s Vineyard. Their hidden history is uncovered in a new book, “Black Homeownership on Martha’s Vineyard: A History,” by authors Thomas Dresser and Richard Taylor. We speak with Dresser and Taylor about tracing the existence of Black people on the Vineyard to before the Revolutionary War, unearthing centuries-old stories and why Martha’s Vineyard has been a haven for Black families for generations. -
The Enduring Legacy of Miles Davis’ Iconic Album, “Kind of Blue”
Seven musicians, two recordings, five songs: musical magic. This week marks the 65th anniversary of “Kind of Blue,” the iconic album recorded and performed by a young group of talented rising stars – John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderly, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb and Wynton Kelly – before they were jazz legends, all under the leadership of the visionary trumpeter Miles Davis. “Kind of Blue” remains a treasured classic recording and is still selling copies, still taught in music classrooms, still covered by jazz musicians and still deconstructed by cultural critics. So why has Kind of Blue endured as the top classic jazz album for 65 years? We speak with three jazz experts to learn more about the revolutionary album. -
Not Just Kamala Harris: How Indian and South Asian American Women Are Shaping Local, State and National Politics
Two high-profile Indian American women – Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, are shining a spotlight on South Asian women in politics. They’re just two of the 4.4 million Indian Americans in this country – the largest Asian demographic identifying solely from one country, and an increasingly powerful voting bloc. As Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepts the Democratic nomination this week, will South Asian women mobilize for her campaign? And how are they shaping the 2024 elections in their communities and states, both as active voters and as candidates? -
Local Musicians and DJs Shine on City of Boston’s “Dear Summer: Volume 2” Mixtape
Boston released “Dear Summer: Volume 1” last year – its first official summer mixtape and the country's only city-sponsored one. From hip-hop to rock to jazz, the new platform showcased the talents of local musicians and Boston’s rich musical heritage and legacy. Now “Dear Summer: Volume 2” is live featuring a new set of artists: six DJs and 17 artists (6-1-7, get it?) from the Greater Boston area for a 2-hour-long soundscape. This second annual collaboration has two aims: to “connect residents across neighborhoods through music, and to celebrate summer.” We speak with the mixtape’s co-producers to learn about this year’s edition. -
Local News: Jon Santiago, A Safer Solution For Morton-Gallivan and Sen. Warren on Marijuana
This week on Under the Radar with Callie Crossley — marginalized voters gave rising star Jon Santiago the victory, plans to make a notoriously dangerous intersection safer are in the works, and Senator Warren finally goes public with her support for legalized marijuana in Massachusetts. It’s those stories and more on our local news roundtable!Guests:Jennifer Smith - News editor of the Dorchester Reporter.Gin Dumcius - Boston-based reporter for MassLive.com.Seth Daniel - Senior reporter with the Independent News Group, which includes the Chelsea Record and Revere Journal.Later in the show...Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock it’s no news “Crazy Rich Asians” has been a crazy box office success, grossing nationally at nearly $140 million to date. It was one of several films featuring prominent Asian casts to captivate audiences world-wide in the last month, proving once again that diversity does sell. The phenomenon isn’t limited to the silver screen either, social media is singing praises for Netflix’s new teen romance, “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.” And earlier in the summer, Sandra Oh became the first Asian woman to be nominated for best leading actress at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, taking place September 17th, for her performance in the BBC America drama series, “Killing Eve.”The enthusiastic response to these films and their casts has inspired wide-spread discussion among the Asian American and film communities about the importance of diversity and representation in Hollywood. Joining us on Under the Radar this week to discuss this cultural moment are:Elena Creef - Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at Wellesley College. She specializes in Asian American visual history in photography, film and popular culture. Follow Elena on Twitter.Jenny Korn - Fellow and the Founding Coordinator of the Race and Media Working Group at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. Follow Jenny on Twitter.Michael Tow - Brookline-based professional actor, director and producer. His acting credits include “Unfinished Business,” “Master of None” and the upcoming “Slenderman” movie. Follow Michael on Twitter. -
New play 'Toni Stone' tells the story of one of America's forgotten baseball stars
In the days when professional baseball was segregated into white and Black teams, a Black woman named Toni Stone made history. Stone was a sports phenom, and she rose through the ranks to become the first woman to play regularly in the Negro leagues, a series of men's professional baseball leagues. The teams attracted talented players including Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. But Stone proved to be of the same caliber — when Aaron was picked up by Major League Milwaukee Braves, Stone took his position at second base with the all-male Indianapolis Clowns in 1953.“I had not heard of Toni Stone, and I was shocked and dismayed and then really not surprised at all, because that's what history does to black women,” said Lydia Diamond, author of the play, “Toni Stone.” “That's what history does to Black people. That's what history does to women of all colors. But then it angered me, and I felt like I had to take it on, and that it was my honor to take it on.”Until recently, Stone’s remarkable story had been largely forgotten. Award-winning playwright, Lydia Diamond, takes on Stone's story in a new play featured at The Huntington Theatre.GUESTLydia Diamond, award-winning playwright whose works include “The Gift Horse,” “Smart People,” “Stick Fly” (Broadway) and “The Bluest Eye,” she is an associate professor of playwriting at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and her new play, “Toni Stone,” is running at the Huntington Theatre -
Worcester found a solution to the lifeguard shortage
This week on Under the Radar's Local News Roundtable — City Hall shifts, ballot questions, lifeguard news and more.Boston’s Environmental Chief is moving on. Rev. Mariama White-Hammond used her three-year cabinet tenure to amplify equity in the city’s environmental policies from expanding the city’s green jobs to reducing heat islands in neighborhoods. She left the position to focus on her role as a pastor at Dorchester’s New Roots AME Church.Plus, advocates for rideshare companies are hyping up their public campaign for a potential November ballot question that would decide whether their drivers would be classified as employees rather than independent contractors.And the city of Worcester’s new partnership with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts could solve their lifeguard shortage — an ongoing problem in the summer for many Bay State communities.Dip your toes in those stories and more on Under the Radar's Local News Roundtable. GUESTSGin Dumcius, reporter at CommonWealth BeaconMike Deehan, reporter at Axios BostonKatie Lannan, State House reporter at GBH News
