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Who Decides the Ballot Question Order?
We begin with Chris Liniski from Commonwealth Beacon, explaining how Mass. chooses the order of election ballot questions and how it can influence outcomes. Then, Bowling Green State University historian Ruth Hearndon about the indentured servitude of children in 18th-century U.S. life, with help from GBH’s Matt Welch, who discovered a personal connection to the issue digging through his own family records. We round out our show with the National Button Society members Kendall Clark and Mathew Brown. We check in with them during the National Button Society Convention ongoing in Manchester NH. -
What Does It Mean To Live In Harmony With The Rats?
First up, it’s another round of our misfit news panel ICYMI, this week with GBH’s Callie Crossley and UTR producer Andrea Asuaje. Among other stories, they'll touch on mixed messaging around the safety of Charles River swimming, and major fashion brands pushing reading as the hot new thing. Then, as Beacon Hill leaders weigh whether to restrict the use of rodenticide to protect urban wildlife, we talk with Ricky Meinke, director of Allston’s Rat City Arts Festival, and citizen-scientist / self-described Rat Ranger Lexi Grosse. Support local Allston artists here at the Rat City Arts Festival: https://www.ratcityartsfestival.com/ They have local artists, poetry slams, beautified rat traps, and more!Lastly, Edgar takes a peek into the treasure trunk that is Antiques Roadshow, in the midst of their 30th anniversary season. We meet long-time executive producer Marsha Bemko and appraiser Joel Bohy for a conversation about what goes into producing the series. -
Why Do Eggs Come in a Dozen?
First up, we’re talking about the 80’s horror sci/fi flick C.H.U.D., with Joan Donovan & psychologist / movie critic Mike Snoonian. The term “chud” has since become slang to describe right-wing extremists, we’ll talk about what made the movie a cult classic & what made the political meme stick, 42 years later. Then, in light of the Red Socks win streak - we ask - what’s the psychology behind a winning streak? Jackie Silverman is a researcher at Vanderbilt University who’s led multiple studies on winning streaks. She joins. Lastly, we answer some listener-submitted Curiosity questions. Including one from a special friend of the show, Jim Braude! Curiosity Desk producer Rachel Armany brings us the answers. -
How Can Massachusetts Stay Climate Resilient?
July 22, 2026We’re exploring what it means to be resilient in the face of climate change, in Massachusetts and New England. Joining is Katherine Antos from Mass.' Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Emma Gildesgame, Climate Adaptation Director with The Nature Conservancy. Why do the best ideas come to us in the shower? Edgar asks Jonathan Schooler, a Distinguished Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UC Santa Barbara. It’s “Ask The Remodeler,” with Mark Philben from Charlie Allen Renovations. This week we’re looking at how to beat summer heat – Mark joins with Phil Baldwin, President of CPS Heating & Cooling based in Westborough. -
Why Are Fireflies So Lit?
July 21, 2026 First up, UMass Lowell biologist Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn explains how exactly algae and micro-organisms can make lakes and ponds unsafe for swimming. Then, it's another round of Four Things to Know, with Gal Tziperman Lotan from the GBH Daily newsletter. Lastly, we end on fireflies with help from Avalon Owens and Abby Robinson at the Roland Institute’s Owens Lab at Harvard. They’ll explain how the little guys operate & how light pollution impacts their ability to thrive.
