Boston Public Radio Podcast

Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, discusses the appeals court hearing today in the case of Rümeysa Öztürk. Plus, the Trump Justice Department taking the same position as the Biden admin on a major abortion access case.Senator Ed Markey zooms in to discuss national politics: the impacts of tariffs on small business, Republican rule-breaking, Harvard, and Trump's deportations.Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation discusses how Trump's nonprofit policies will devastate vulnerable communities, and the Boston Foundation's $2.6 million in Safety Net grants. Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies discusses the American oligarchs — Zuckerberg, Musk and Bezos --- and their impact on politics. He also joins to discuss the proposed Hanscom Field expansion as it relates to private jet use and climate change.

Trenni Casey discusses the Kentucky Derby, the Celtics first playoff game tonight against the Knicks and the benefits of deep breathing.Comedian W. Kamau Bell joins ahead of a show at The Wilbur later this month.GBH News investigations editor Jennifer McKim and Tyngsboro homeowner Trevor Nkuubi join to discuss some shady practices in the solar panel industry.Jeanne Kempthorne, retired attorney and former State Ethics Commissioner, gives her perspective on the legal battle brewing between auditor Diana DiZoglio and AG Andrea Campbell over the auditor's efforts to audit the legislature.Then we re-air our conversation with Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa.

Today, we bring you the first episode of friend-of-the-show Shirley Leung's new series The C-Word, where she discusses her own experience with breast cancer, something she's kept to herself for years.Shirley's podcast "Say More" can be found here.

Skylark is a multi Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble here for this week’s Live Music Friday. Shirley Leung on her recent episode of “Say More” where she speaks – for the first time publicly – about her experience with cancer. Evan Dalton & Nathan Senner are two birding experts, we’ll put their skills to the test, discuss how climate change impacts bird populations, as well as the threats to science funding.Matt Gertz for Press Play; we peak behind the curtain of the Fox News universe on tariffs, and get an update on the latest with Paramount/60 Minutes.

Today:Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist, author of "How to Stand Up to a Dictator," discusses standing against authoritarianism and confronting disinformation. Her message is clear: the future of American Democracy depends on the willingness of Americans to fight for it.And, president of American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts Jessica Tang joins to discuss today's international day of action for the labor movement, amid widespread attacks on laborers, educators, and civil society more broadly from the Trump administration.

Maria Ressa is the CEO and co-founder of the Filipino news service Rappler. In 2021 she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to a free press, reporting on dictator Rodrigo Duterte.  Amy Spitalnik is CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. She’ll discuss antisemitism in America and those who argue it’s being politicized by the far-right.  Jessica Tang is President of AFT Massachusetts, she joins ahead of an appearance at a May Day rally on Boston Common.  Jelani Cobb is Dean of the Colombia Journalism School and writer for the New Yorker. He talks about Columbia in Trump’s crosshairs and journalism’s role holding Trump 2.0 to account.

Today:Patty Talahongva discusses her new film for Frontline, documenting climate devastation in Alaska for native communities; and the cultural impacts of forced relocation, first at direct hands of the American government, and now at the hands of its inability to deal with climate change.Then, it’s our favorite Hancock NH resident, author and naturalist Sy Montgomery on boozy chimps caught on camera getting loaded off of fermented breadfruit. 

GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses an Edvard Munch exhibit at the Harvard Art Museum and Francis Ford Coppola at a 'Megalopolis' showing at the Coolidge Corner Theater.Patty Tahalongva is director, producer and writer of PBS Frontline's latest film "Alaska's Vanishing Native Villages." She joins via zoom to discuss the film, which follows the immediate impacts of climate change on indigenous communities forced to relocate.Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery talks about crows with math skills, booze-fueled feasts for wild chimps and the Cape Ann woodpecker.Former Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral on the Justice Department halting funds for victims of hate crimes and child abuse, and a new report from Harvard University report on antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus.

Today:Lawyers Defending American Democracy Executive Director Lauren Stiller Rikleen and former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbargar discuss attacks on the American legal system, and what their group is doing to hold bad actors to account.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the Bill Belichick CBS interview, the NFL draft and someone who heckled Jarren Duran over his disclosure of suicidality.Lauren Rikleen and Scott Harshbargar of Lawyers Defending American Democracy join to discuss their efforts to defend the rule of law. Harshbargar is the co-founder and Rikleen is executive director.Sisters Vanessa and Casey White of Jaju Pierogi join at the BPL to discuss their growing pierogi business and their Shark Tank appearance, which airs on May 2.CNN's John King zooms in to discuss how Trump supporters are feeling about the first 100 days and the leftward turn in Canada's election. 

Today:Legendary Boston broadcaster Liz Walker joins us in Studio 3 to talk about her memoir and experience building community for decades, “No One Left Alone”.And, president of the Boston chapter of the Ukraine Congress committee, Vsevolod Petriv joins with Brian Nolen, founder of New Hampshire-based aid group NH4Ukraine, who has just returned to the states after a year-long stint in Kharkiv.

Evan Horowitz of Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis discusses the economy as it relates to Trump's unpredictability and the Massachusetts' ability to plan for spending.Ilan Stavans of Amherst discusses the religious solidarity of Pope Francis and the surge of nationalism in Mexico amid Trump threats.Rev. Liz Walker discusses her memoir "No One Left Alone"A Ukraine panel with Vsevolod Petriv, president of the Boston chapter of the Ukraine Congress Committee, and Brian Nolen, New Hampshire man who founded an aid group and has spent the past year in Kharkiv delivering aid directly to the front lines.

Paul Willis is a Boston-based rapper and educator who’s spent his career in nonprofits helping youth through hip hop & the arts. His latest project is “Hip Hop Leadership,” a combination album / book / teaching curriculum about what hip hop can teach about leadership. Andera Cabral on the Wisconsin Judge who was arrested. Shirley Leung on nonprofit 826 Boston rejecting $250k in federal grants to maintain their DEI programs. Ken Zuckerman from the national mustard museum & chef Wil Gilson join to promote a liverwurst festival happening Sunday at First Street Market called “Best of the Wurst.”Adam Reilly & Sue O’Connell are our guest for this week’s edition of our media analysis segment Press Play. Main story this week is CBS News & the 60 Minutes chief resigning over editorial pressures.

Twisted Pine performed for Live Music Friday, ahead of shows at the Spire in Plymouth and Lowell’s The Town and The City festival. Sue O’Connell on the Blue Origin flight & the latest on Karen Read.Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on RFK’s ongoing vaccine disinformation campaign.BAA CEO Jack Flemming joined to preview this year’s Boston Marathon. He’ll join alongside championship athlete and first-timer Boston runner Barry Keane.Callie Crossley & Yawu Miller on proposed slashes to NPR & PBS

Today:GBH’s Adam Reilly & NBC10’s Sue O’Connell are here for media analysis segment “Press Play” – The nation’s journalistic bulwark “60 Minutes” has just lost its lead producer, who quit over loss of journalistic integrity at CBS. Plus, Sue’s dispatch from the Karen Read courtroom.And, Live Music Friday with Paul Willis, a Boston-based rapper and educator who’s spent his career in nonprofits helping youth with his artistry. His latest project is “Hip Hop Leadership,” part album, part teaching curriculum.

Mount Holyoke College president Danielle Holley was an early critic of President Trump administration's encroachment into academic freedom. She discusses the growing chorus of college and university leaders standing up for their independence.And, Michael Curry of the NAACP and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, discusses the fate of Carney Hospital in Dorchester -- shuttered in the wake of the Steward Health Care scandal.

Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the FDA moving to ban some food dyes and RFK Jr.'s MAHA agenda. He also discusses a free grocery store in Maryland and Megan Markle’s new jelly endeavor.Danielle Holley is the President of Mount Holyoke College and joins to talk about the role of higher-ed leaders in the era of Trump 2.0. She’s been outspoken about resisting federal pressure and said she’d rather forgo federal contracts than abolish DEI practices. Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein ponders the relationship status of Paul Revere and dishes some advice for a woman whose partner likes to go on dates to Costco.The NAACP's Michael Curry joins to discuss recent headlines around healthcare & racial justice, including the latest on the Steward Healthcare case. 

BPR Full Show 4/23: Don't Say Please & Thank You

Today: Embrace Boston’s Imari Paris Jeffries and Jenee Osterheldt of the Globe’s “A Beautiful Resistance” series and Everyone 250 join ahead of a major rally happening this Saturday to protest racial injustice happening on the federal level, while also commemorating 60 years since Martin Luther King Jr. led a very similar Freedom Rally here in Boston. And, some very funny figures in Boston’s comedy world join us ahead of a show at the Regent in Arlington tonight: Tony V, Lenny Clarke, Frank Santorelli and director Jordan Tofalo join us to talk about comedy.

Today:Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan College, was one of the first university presidents to stand up to federal pressure from the Trump Administration. We discuss the growing chorus following in his footsteps.And, a mother-son duo for the latest iteration of our segment “How Do You Two Know Each Other?” with Marianne Hughes, the first Executive Director with the Interaction Institute for Social Change, and documentary filmmaker Brendan Hughes -- whose podcast, "Divine Intervention" is out now.