Episodes
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How the presidential inauguration became poetry's biggest stage
It’s an exclusive club that may or may not add to its members every four years: inaugural poets. There have only been six in the history of the United States, from Robert Frost in 1961 to Amanda Gorman in 2021. How did the tradition become part of the pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day? And what kind of message is central to inaugural poetry? We speak with two poets – including an inaugural poet – more about this special inauguration tradition. -
What defines a protest anthem?
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once described the freedom songs of the civil rights movement as “the soul of the movement.” What would the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, the Black Lives Matter movement be like without iconic songs like “We Shall Overcome,” the Plastic Ono Band’s “Give Peace A Chance” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”? In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re diving into the history of protest music in America. -
'Crossing The Deep' connects Handel's choral works with spirituals by enslaved Africans
When the Handel and Haydn Society found records detailing iconic composer George Frideric Handel’s ties to the slave trade, it responded in a way only the organization could: through music and performance. Rather than “canceling” the composer or disavowing the history, two of the society’s staff members created “Crossing The Deep,” a special concert series showing the parallels between the choral works of Handel and the spirituals of enslaved Africans in America. We speak with creators Dr. Anthony Trecek-King and Reginald Mobley about what’s in store for this year’s concerts. -
New LGBTQ Congress members offer hope as anti-trans bills lead to anxiety
History is made in the 119th Congress as three new openly LGBTQ+ members join the House of Representatives, while leaders in the Republican majority announce plans to undermine LGBTQ legal protections through Title IX. Plus a new study reveals adolescents are rarely prescribed gender-affirming drugs, despite common misconceptions. And a newly enacted law updates parental rights and protections in Massachusetts, offering parents greatly expanded and improved protections. It’s our LGBTQ+ news roundtable! -
Stress expert details how small steps can lead to big changes in ‘The 5 Resets’
Stress can contribute to myriad physical and mental ailments, increasing risks of heart disease, anxiety, depression and even Alzheimer’s disease. But is it possible to live a life free from stress? Stress expert Dr. Aditi Nerurkar says the point of life isn’t to eliminate stress altogether; it’s to relieve toxic stress. Small, lasting changes in stress management are at the heart of her debut book, “The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress And More Resilience,” the January selection for Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club. -
Are 4-day workweeks the future for Massachusetts companies and employees?
Eight hours a day, five days a week: That’s the typical workweek for many Americans. But some companies are rethinking this standard. Around the world, including here in Massachusetts, the change to a four-day, 32-hour workweek has proven positive for businesses and their employees. Will more local businesses adopt this innovative new workweek? -
ENCORE: Falling for 'romantasy': BookTok’s favorite genre
Elaborate world-building, intricate magical systems, wars and mythologies, and of course, dragons, witches and faeries. In this special edition of “Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club,” we’re diving into one of today’s most popular and best-selling genres taking over bookstores — and your social media feeds: romantasy. -
Mister Mike’s Merry Mix: Celebrating peace, harmony and weirdness this holiday season
Mike Wilkins, GBH and The World engineer, join Callie Crossley for their annual celebration of wacky holiday tunes – from quirky takes on classics to originals with unusual twists. Get ready for an hour of what may be your new favorite Christmas songs! -
Trump’s Cabinet picks court controversy as Biden crams appointees, pardons into his final days
In a little more than a month, President-Elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. Will the Senate confirm his controversial Cabinet appointees? Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is spending his final days in office using his presidential powers to appoint federal judges, commuting sentences and issuing pardons, including one to his own son. Plus, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the fallout of her failed property tax plan, and Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson faces federal charges. All that and more in this week’s all-politics hour with the Mass Politics Profs! -
The Genius Next Door: How lizards led Martha Muñoz to an evolutionary breakthrough
She studies how the environment impacts the way organisms evolve or resist evolving. Dr. Martha Muñoz is an evolutionary biologist whose work demonstrates that some animals ignore the pressures to evolve, even in a changing environment that would seem to demand it. The Yale professor is one of the three New England 2024 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows and the first installment of our annual series, “The Genius Next Door.”
