Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today:Chuck Todd, formerly of NBC News, discusses the media's ability to hold Trump accountable.Senator Ed Markey discusses the Democratic opposition.

Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner argues we need to take a step back and look at the pattern of Trump’s behavior in the context of authoritarian playbooks, not just individual executive orders. And, she tells us about her work with State Democracy Defenders.And, we zoom in on one issue with Sophia Hall of the Lawyers for Civil Rights, challenging Trump’s order to get rid of birthright citizenship on behalf of pregnant undocumented women who fear their children will be born without a state. 

Jared Bowen, GBH executive arts editor, discussed this year's local Super Bowl adsNancy Gertner, retired federal judge, weighed in on the legality of Trump's myriad executive actionsKelly Beatty of Sky & Telescope on space exploration under Trump/MuskSophia Hall, deputy litigation director for Lawyers for Civil Rights, discussed their lawsuit on behalf of undocumented pregnant women challenging Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship

Today:Gov. Healey announced plans to fill a $700 million shortfall in the MBTA’s budget with income from the Fair Share Amendment, also known as the millionaire's tax. We talk transit with former state rep Bill Straus -- who chaired the House transportation committee on Beacon Hill -- and former assistant transportation secretary Chris Dempsey, now of urban planning firm Speck Dempsey.And, GBH reporter Adam Reilly attended Josh Kraft's campaign launch event Tuesday so you didn't have to. He debriefs us on the Boston mayoral race as it shapes up.

Trenni Casey discussed the upcoming Super BowlFormer Rep. Straus + Chris Dempsey on Mayor Wu vs. Josh Kraft's stance on transportation in BostonLee Pelton of the Boston Foundation discussed the national threats to nonprofits, DEIGBH's Adam Reilly spoke about Josh Kraft's mayoral run announcement CNN's John King discussed the latest in national politics.

President Trump announced tariffs against Mexico and Canada. We check in with MIT economist Jon Gruber on the potential impacts. Boston Medical Center has collaborated with churches in Roxbury and Milton to pilot a Black wellness group called Reconnect. Program leaders Nuha Alshabani, Devin Cromartie Brodrick and Sarah Valentine join us to discuss.The GroundTruth's Charlie Sennott discusses the global reaction to Trump's orders on immigration, tariffs, international aid and more. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the expected changes to food policy in Trump's administration and how TikTok has changed the way we cook.Princeton University's Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the impact of Trump's executive orders on higher education & DEI, plus some of Harvard's recent actions in response to the war in Gaza.We end the show with all things Groundhog Day and help Margery answer the question, is a groundhog a beaver?

Today:Trump is doubling down on his isolationist promises, cutting global aid and ending decades of support for developing nations… while simultaneously going after Greenland and the Panama Canal. We get a global news roundup with the GroundTruth Project’s Charlie Sennott. And, we hear from the team behind the Reconnect Program at Boston Medical Center, they’re studying the health impacts – both mental and physical – of racism, sexism, and LGBT discrimination. 

Zishi Liu is a Chinese-born saxophone player inspired by Western greats like John Coltrane and Kenny G. He’s performing a unique Chinese-infused jazz with his band on Saturday at the Charles Hotel Regattabar. He joins us first for Live Music Friday.Ian Coss is host and producer of the GBH podcast The Big Dig. He’s back with another podcast series about the wildly successful Mass. Lottery called "Scratch and Win." He joins alongside Dawn Hayes, longtime lottery presenter for WBZ.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett talks bird flu, a new framework for defining obesity and RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing. The NAACP's Michael Curry talks about what the federal funding freeze means for local health centers, Trump blaming “DEI” for Wednesday’s deadly plane crash, and a new study showing Black men are being hit disproportionally hard by the opioid crisis.

The mob once controlled America's gambling empire. Until the government saw the money flowing and decided: they wanted a piece of the action. What happened next was more than a turf war. It was a battle between street corner bookies and bureaucrats in suits. And at the center of it all: one state lottery that would change gambling forever by inventing something we all know: the scratch ticket. Introducing “Scratch & Win” – the true story of how the government got into the gambling business. The new 8-part series is made by the Peabody Award-winning team behind “The Big Dig” and produced by GBH News.This is Part 1: The Instant Ticket. It’s 1974, illegal bookies are everywhere and the brand new state lottery is struggling to compete. But a simple piece of paper is about to change the game forever: the nation’s first scratch ticket. New episodes drop every Wednesday. ---------------------------Credits:Host and scriptwriter: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Co

Today:U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley has strong words for RFK Jr., the Republicans supporting him, and Trump himself -- who just this morning blamed diversity and equity initiatives for a tragic plane crash that killed more than 60 people in D.C. last night.And, NOVA filmmaker Terri Randall joins us with former Naval pilot Ryan Graves -- the first active duty pilot to come forward about frequent UFO sightings -- to discuss NOVA's latest film, "What Are UFOs?"

Rep. Ayanna Pressley reacts to Trump-caused chaos, Democratic resistance and the deadly plane crash in Washington, DC. Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral helps make sense of what’s going on behind the scenes with the Trump administration freezing (and unfreezing) federal funds. She also discusses a new case before SCOTUS that would allow the government to create publicly-funded religious schools.Boston Globe columnist Marcela Garcia discusses her reporting on local ICE raids, and offers thoughts on the future of TikTok, where her two dogs have over 100k followers.Filmmaker Terri Randall & Former Lt. U.S. Navy pilot Ryan Graves on the new PBS NOVA documentary “What Are UFO’s?”

Today:We reconvene our music panelists ahead of Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Almost everybody knows about Beyonce and Sabrina Carpenter, but with help from CRB’s Brian McCreath, Berklee’s Emmett G. Price III, and GBH’s James Bennett II, we hear about some nominees you may have missed. 

Jared Bowen on the Mona Lisa getting her own room at the LouvreJuliette Kayyem discussed the chaos from Trump's order to pause federal spendingBoston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed Lunar New YearBrian McCreath, Emmett Price III, and James Bennett II did a deep dive into this year's Grammy nominated artists.

Today:Andrea Cabral fills in for Margery. We talk with CNN chief national correspondent John King about Trump’s whirlwind 8 days in office. He’s pardoned January 6 rioters, banned transgender people from serving in the military, and pressed pause on all federal loans – too busy to bring prices down though.Then, we open the lines for more egg talk: From bird flu to Trump-o-nomics – prices are up and supply is down.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey on the upcoming Super Bowl, a new TGL golf league in Boston, and huge crowds at the women's Beanpot series. Roger Berkowitz, former CEO of Legal Seafoods, now Roger's Fish Co., brings some chowder to the BPL and talks about the seafood industry in New England and fishermen's reaction to Trump.Boston Globe political reporters Samantha Gross and Matt Stout on their recent stories about Healey's budget, immigration and takeaways from their 'State Secrets' series. CNN national political correspondent John King on Trump's continued division of Americans post-election.

Brian McGrory, head of journalism at BU, on the first week of the Trump Era.Mayor Michelle Wu took listener questions and talked about her new opponent.We re-aired our conversation with Globe writer Billy Baker about the importance of maintaining friendships as you age.Corby Kummer discussed the fear in the restaurant industry as Trump comes into power and threatens deportations; and bird flu in Mass.

Today: Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung fills in for Margery.She and Jim talk with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for an abbreviated Ask The Mayor on January 27, 2025.

Kat Wallace, singer/songwriter, performed in honor of her debut album “Grand Design” coming out.Callie Crossley weighed in on the GOP’s DEI witch hunt, and new fear over ICE agents at school bus stopsNancy Gertner on how SCOTUS is likely to rule on new Trump ordersIrene Li & Tracy Chang discussed some Lunar New Year goings-on next week for their award-winning restaurants Mei Mei Dumplings and Pagu.

Chuck Todd on Sean Hannity's interview with Trump.Andrea Cabral on the role of the DOJ in carrying out Trump’s first-round of executive orders, and reaction from police groups to his pardoning of J6 rioters.Phillip Martin & Denise Jillson on a billionaire’s grip on real estate in Harvard Square, off of Phillip’s recent reporting. Denise is Executive Director at the Harvard Square Business Association.Jon Gruber talked about what’s (likely) to come for Medicaid, Inflation Reduction Act funding and more

Today:National security analyst Juliette Kayyem discusses the Trump administration saying they will target schools and churches for immigration raids.And, naturalist Sy Montgomery discusses the changing science around insects' ability to feel pain.