Boston Public Radio Podcast

Yesterday, Missouri executed 55-year-old Marcellus Williams, ignoring calls from prosecutors and the victim’s family asking the state to spare his life. We discussed the ethics of the death penalty and how listeners feel about it.GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discussed a notorious vandal who smashed an Ai Wei Wei sculpture, plus, "Laughs in Spanish" at the SpeakEasy and "Urinetown" at Lyric Stage.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed our nation's history of political violence and the context of today's violent rhetoric.NBC Boston's Sue O'Connell discussed Biden's final speech to the UN and Ellen DeGeneres' new Netflix special.Then, we talked about chicken tenders and nuggets for six minutes on why Americans hate to love the little chicken snacks.Naturalist Sy Montgomery zoomed in to discuss her recent trip to Ecuador diving with giant manta rays and a Rhode Island community mourning the loss of their 20-year-old library tarantula, Beezus.Then, we asked about your best and worst ex

Today:It’s not just Ohio: Around the country, Haitian communities are facing threats of violence after incendiary lies made by former president Trump and JD Vance. We talk with former State Rep -- the first Haitian-American to hold public office in Massachusetts -- Marie St. Fleur. And, we speak with two award-winning GBH filmmakers about their work highlighting the role of Vice Presidents past, present and future…  Cameo George, Executive Producer for American Experience and Rainey Aronson-Rath from Frontline will discuss their new documentaries on the VEEP-stakes.

We opened the lines to discuss whether kids should be in contact sports that lead to injuries. NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey discussed the WNBA awardsAmerican Experience executive producer Cameo George and Frontline executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath discussed their two films in the works on the Vice Presidential candidates.Marie St. Fleur discussed how Haitian immigrants are woven into the fabric of America, having fought in the Revolutionary War. She'll contextualize the impacts of recent anti-immigrant and anti-Haitian sentiment.CNN's John King on the latest national political headlinesWe ended the show talking about self check-out vs. going to a cashier

Today:Israel’s war against Hamas rages on in Gaza, while Netanyahu appears emboldened to open a second front on its northern border with Lebanon and Hezbollah. We talk with GBH news analyst Charlie Sennott about the destabilizing Middle East.And, how are the presidential candidates reaching out to Americans of faith? We talk with Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price.

We opened the show by asking listeners what issues matter to them this presidential election. We spoke again to John Deaton, Elizabeth Warren's senate challenger.Then, the GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott discussed the escalating war in the Middle East and other world headlines.NYU medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about renewed calls to abolish religious exemptions for school vaccinations and why there's a brain drain at the FDA leading to massive inspection backlogs.There's a bull on the loose on North Attleboro (allegedly) after a herd escape from a rodeo over the weekend. We're obsessed with this story, but don't know why. So we ask listeners to text in with their thoughts. The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed which faith groups are most likely to vote for which candidate, and the outreach each campaign is doing to woo them.We ended the show with a meltdown. Why, even as adults, are we prone to toddler-like outbursts when we get tired?

Today:Saxophonist James Carter is back in town for two shows Saturday night at Scullers Jazz Club. But first, he and his band swing by the BPL.And, Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt is on stage now at the Huntington. We speak with director Carey Perloff and actor Rebecca Gibel about the play, about a Jewish family in Vienna at the rise of the 20th century.

People are more stressed than ever. We opened the lines to hear what listeners are stressed over.James Carter performed for Live Music Friday, ahead of his return to Boston this weekend at Scullers. Longtime Boston broadcaster/music critic Steve Elman joined as well. Callie Crossley on Harris/Oprah interview.Director Carey Perloff and actress Rebecca Gibel joined to talk about their work in the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Leopoldstadt.Corby Kummer broke down some myths and misconceptions about sugar, food waste bans making a difference in Mass., and the hidden environmental cost of food.We ended the show by discussing sparkling vs. still water

Today:Legendary Frontline filmmaker Michael Kirk previews their latest film highlighting “THE CHOICE” voters have between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.And, Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses a murky new pro-business group fighting Massachusetts' high-tax reputation.

The GOP keeps throwing insults at Kamala Harris. Will this do anything to do the polls? Listeners weighed in. Shirley Leung on a new nonprofit started by local businesspeople looking for a tax break, and new reporting on the demographics of people leaving Mass.  Andrea Cabral on the controversy around Gov. Healey’s pick for head of state policeJimmy Tingle & Eric Aronson are two filmmakers set to release new projects. They’ll talk about their movies, and what it takes to be a small-scale filmmaker in today’s day and age.  Michael Kirk joined to talk about his latest film for FRONTLINE, “The Choice.” Profiling presidential candidates in the leadup to the election.AITA for not giving up my seat on the plane? Listeners weighed in

Today:We talk with two people who were bused in the city of Boston -- a decision 50 years ago with lasting impacts -- Michael Curry, later head of the Boston NAACP, and Kim Janey, who would go on to become the city’s first Black, first female Mayor. Joining them in conversation is Ted Landsmark, whose image came to define the moment by way of the Pulitzer Prize winning photo “The Soiling of Old Glory.” He’s now a distinguished professor at Northeastern. 

We opened the show to get your thoughts on the threats of and actual violence this election season.GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses the return of Boston Film Fest and "Laughs in Spanish" at Speakeasy Stage.National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses leaders around the world reacting to the potential for election violence in America and Israel's attack on Hezbollah.We host a busing panel with former mayor Kim Janey and NAACP's Michael Curry - who were both bused as children - and Northeastern Professor Ted Landsmark.The ACLU of MA executive director Carol Rose discusses the Massachusetts Election Action Plan, abortion on the ballot across the country, and the potential for SCOTUS to pick our next president.Finally, we (Jim) lament the loss of Boars Head liverwurst.

Today:Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on September 17, 2024.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell answered questions from listeners. NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey discussed Caitlin Clark's 35 point game. Media maven Sue O'Connell takes a look at Trump's misinformation campaign beyond the rhetoric around Haitian migrants in OhioCNN's John King on the latest political headlinesWe opened the lines to discuss heading back into the office

Today:Boston University Journalism Department Chair Brian McGrory discusses the second attempt on Trump's life and Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses how the end of race-based admissions changed college campuses this year.

After another apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump yesterday, we opened up the phone and text lines to hear from parents of how they're talking to kids about political violence this election. Brian McGrory of BU's Journalism department discusses the Globe's Spotlight coverage on Steward Healthcare. Plus, various political stories on Laura Loomer and Harris' ABC interview.Ilan Stavans of Amherst College discusses Mexico's independence day and the violent rhetoric around immigration espoused by Trump.Evan Horowitz of Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis breaks down this year's ballot questions facing Mass voters this November.Khalil Gibran Muhammad of Harvard Kennedy School takes a look at this year's college admissions, after the end of affirmative action.

Is our country in a civics education crisis? We got your thoughts. Fabiola Mendez & Elsa Mosquera are our guests for Live Music Friday this week, ahead of the free Fiesta en la Plaza taking place throughout Latinx Heritage Month in Boston. Ela is the co-founder of Agora Cultural Architects, who organized the festival. Fabiola is an award-winning cuatro player.Boston Globe reporters Jessica Bartlett & Mark Arsenault talk about their latest Spotlight reporting on Ralph de la Torre and the collapse of Steward Health Care.Transportation secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt joins for her first-ever interview on BPR. She talks about ongoing projects for MassDOT like the East-West Coast Rail, Cape Cod Bridges, the Allston Multimodal project and more. Then we read your texts on the court case between an estranged couple fighting over who gets to keep the $70,000 diamond engagement ring. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner joins us from her "she-shed" in the woods and reacts to new GOP efforts to block mail-in ballot

MIT Economist Jon Gruber breaks down each candidate's economic plans and concepts, and former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral offers her debate reactions.

Chuck Todd joined for his weekly D.C. roundup, focusing on Tuesday’s debateThen we opened the lines to discuss the dying art of the handshake... if it is dying?Andrea Cabral on debate fact-checkingPaul Reville on how to optimize free community college in Mass.Jon Gruber offered an expert’s perspective on Trump vs. Harris as it relates to the economyAITA for charging guests for my wedding? We opened the lines to discuss

Today:National security analyst Juliette Kayyem and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discuss last night's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump.

Harris & Trump took to the stage last night in a presidential debate. We opened the lines to hear reactions from listeners throughout the show. Media maven Sue O'Connell discussed Taylor Swift's endorsementNational security expert Juliette Kayyem on the multiple mass shootings in America recentlyFood policy analyst Corby Kummer on how cooking smoke is bad for our health and the environmentCongresswoman Ayanna Pressley called in with her reaction to the debate