Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today:Gina McCarthy headed the Environmental Protection Agency under Obama, and served as Climate Czar for Biden. She joins to talk about Trump’s rollback of environmental protections, and his incessant proclamations of “drill baby drill.” It’s Live Music Friday, we’ll hear from The Conifer Quartet – part of the musician-led cooperative “Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra,” ahead of a show this weekend. 

The Conifer Quartet is an ensemble within the musician-led cooperative Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. They have a show Sunday at the Allen Center in Newton and join us for Live Music Friday.Alan Solomont is the former U.S. ambassador to Spain. He's fresh of a visit to the Middle East and he joins us to reflect on the latest news about and Israel's war with Hamas.Gina McCarthy is the former head of the EPA and so-called “Climate Czar” under Joe Biden. She joins to talk about Trump rolling back her former agency and other climate headlines.Due to a technical difficulty with Marty Baron, former editor of the Boston Globe and Washington Post (it's live radio, folks!), we end the show with a call-in free-for-all about grammar rules and grammar pet peeves.

We bring you live audio from the House Oversight Committee's hearing of Democratic mayors, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who faced questions about whether their city's "sanctuary" policies violate federal immigration laws. Plus, analysis of the hearing from former federal judge Nancy Gertner, NAACP's Michael Curry and GBH political reporter Adam Reilly. Our final hour is "Ask the AG" with Attorney General Andrea Campbell. 

Today:Peter Wolf, lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band, solo artist, and a former Boston disc jockey joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 to talk about his new memoir: "Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses."And, Boston University professor Anthony Jack discusses threats to the Department of Education, and the impact of Trump's rhetoric in general, on higher education.

Political analyst Chuck Todd reacts to Trump’s Tuesday address to congress, plus yesterday’s "sanctuary city" hearings and other headlines from D.C.Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral discusses SCOTUS rejecting Trump’s request to freeze USAID funds, plus Tesla protests and reactions to Wednesday’s hearing with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.Boston University’s Anthony Jack talks about recent education headlines, including Linda McMahon at the helm of the Department of Education --- and her efforts to dismantle it. Plus, how universities are interacting with ICE.Peter Wolf, former David Lynch roommate & lead singer for The J. Geils Band, has a new memoir. He joins in studio to discuss his life and his recent decision to cancel an event at the Kennedy Center.

Political commentator Anand Giridharadas of The Ink newsletter discusses some of his latest coverage on the Trump administration, and the media's response.Former MA education secretary Paul Reville discusses new data showing New England students about a half a year behind where they should be in learning, how the state plans to rework its graduation requirements post-MCAS, and threats to education coming from the federal government.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses farmers responding to federal funding freeze, tariffs, etc. And, a free speech trial concerning a painting in a pastry shop.Technology writer Andy Ihnatko discusses the latest tech headlines, and what it means for DOGE to have access to personal data.

It's a March edition of “Ask the AG,” with Attorney General Andrea Campbell. We start by getting her reactions to the ongoing congressional hearing with "sanctuary city" mayors, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. A month and a half into Trump’s second term, Campbell's office has filed five lawsuits against the Trump administration on everything from birthright citizenship orders and NIH funding, to Elon Musk’s government strip-down with DOGE. We talk about all of it, and new pressure from her colleague – State Auditor Diana DiZoglio. 

BPR Full Show 3/4: Fired Federal Worker Speaks Out

Today:Jonathan Kamens and Francis Tarasiewicz both worked for the federal government until mid-February, when DOGE came for their jobs. Kamens served as the sole government employee working on cybersecurity at VA.Gov protecting veterans' sensitive health information; Tarasiewicz had just landed his dream job as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New England.They both warn their firings have immediate negative impacts to American security infrastructures.

Today:Congressman Seth Moulton laments the geopolitical shifts happening at the hands of Donald Trump's administration.And, food policy analyst Corby Kummer joins to discuss potential price fixing by egg producers -- and a top secret lunch with Washington Post food critic Tom Setsiema.

BPR Full Show 3/3: Zelensky and Trump Oval Office Misfortune

BPR Full Show 2/28: Economic Blackout

Today:Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on Feb. 28, 2025.And, Live Music Friday with Castle of our Skins – a Black arts institution dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music. They perform at the Bethel AME Church in JP this Saturday.

Today: The chief justice of the supreme court has halted a lower court decision ordering Trump administration to pay State Department, USAID contractors. We talk with Andrea Cabral about a sole jurist acting alone rather than on behalf of the American people.And, GBH arts and culture reporter James Bennett II gives his Oscars previews.

Chuck Todd for his Thursday D.C. check-in.Andrea Cabral on federal court scrutiny of DOGEShirley Leung on her latest columns about White Stadium and Trump targeting “eds and meds” in MassJames Bennett talks about some of his favorite Oscar-nominated shorts films & Oscar-nominated long films.

Today:Joe Curtatone of the Alliance for Climate Transition and Heather Takle of PowerOptions discuss clean energy solutions, and threats to investments here in Massachusetts.And state auditor Diana DiZoglio defends her -- and 72% of the voters -- position on auditing the legislature.

GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen explains why 1,000 artists published a silent album in protest of AI, plus his review of "The Odyssey" at the A.R.T.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on the US/Ukraine minerals deal, while details about any security commitments for Ukraine are still unknown. Joe Curtatone of The Alliance for Climate Transition & Heather Takle of PowerOptions discuss New England's energy costs and needs.State auditor Diana DiZoglio joins for Ask The Auditor. We discuss the legislature's latest opposition to her voter-backed audit and more.

Today:Congressman Bill Keating discusses Ukraine peace talks.And, NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses a certain NFL team's prolific use of the "tush push" and the increase of sports gambling.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the Boston group pushing for a new WNBA team and robot umpires in the MLB. Plus, the end of the "tush push" in football. We re-air our conversation with "investigative comedian" Adam Conover, who is performing in Vermont next week.Congressman Bill Keating zooms in to discuss the latest dealmaking with Ukraine and Russia, and why President Trump can be called a Russian "asset."CNN's John King joins via zoom for the latest national political headlines, including his conversations with Trump voters in Colorado. 

Political commentator behind The.Ink, Anand Giridharadas discusses the Democrats' business-as-usual response to  radical changes, and makes a call to action for the public to rise up where the party is failing. Listeners can access a trial of Anand's newsletter for free here.Tech podcaster Andy Ihnatko discusses Elon Musk's unprecedented access to our data and other sensitive information.