Boston Public Radio Podcast

WGBH Educational Foundation

Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.

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Our Editor's Take

Boston Public Radio Podcast is the podcast version of the GBH News radio program. For folks unfamiliar with the radio show, this is a news program about Boston, the US, and beyond. Margery Eagan and Jim Braude are the hosts.

This public radio podcast offers news from a variety of perspectives. Business commentator Shirley Leung talks about the Boston business community. Expert E. J. Dionne provides updates on current affairs in Congress. The hosts interview celebrities to find out about their current projects.

The podcast also features local artists who do exciting work. In one episode, Jim and Margery talk to Karen Tran of Tiny Felted Joy. Karen makes tiny needle-felted animals and hides them around Boston to bring joy into people's lives. The hosts watch her work and try to describe the process.

Margery and Jim are funny and knowledgeable. They have a pleasant banter, but they keep each other on topic. Every show starts with a discussion about current events, not chit-chat. Margery and Jim ask folks to call and share their plans for an upcoming holiday weekend. After an important game, they ask how fans feel about a local team's win or loss.

The Boston Public Radio Podcast celebrates sports, art, and culture. Margery and Jim also talk about popular TV shows and their impact. An excellent regular feature of the show is "Live Music Friday." Every week, a different local band or artist plays music on the podcast.

Episodes are 45-100 minutes long and air every weekday.

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NewsNews

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Best Of BPR 10/04: EPA's David Cash + LMF Will Dailey

Best Of BPR 10/04: EPA's David Cash + LMF Will Dailey

Today:New England EPA administrator David Cash talks about the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, and what’s next for climate in 2024 – from offshore wind to the threatened coastline. Live Music Friday with great local singer/songwriter Will Dailey. He’s got a new album “Boys Talking” out soon – and a show at the Sinclair next week.

Episodes

Best Of BPR 10/04: EPA's David Cash + LMF Will Dailey

Best Of BPR 10/04: EPA's David Cash + LMF Will Dailey

Today:New England EPA administrator David Cash talks about the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, and what’s next for climate in 2024 – from offshore wind to the threatened coastline. Live Music Friday with great local singer/songwriter Will Dailey. He’s got a new album “Boys Talking” out soon – and a show at the Sinclair next week.

BPR Full Show 10/4: Please...Clean Up

BPR Full Show 10/4: Please...Clean Up

We opened the lines to discuss election workers. Will Dailey performed for Live Music FridayCallie Crossley on election threats here in Mass ahead of NovemberDavid Cash, New England’s EPA administraton on climate policy differences in a Harris or Trump administrationCorby Kummer on FAS sewage sludge, threats to SNAP benefits for millions, and the art of the campaign meal-stopWe ended the show to talk about cleaning up after your dog goes #2

BPR Full Show 10/3: The Unsealed Indictment

BPR Full Show 10/3: The Unsealed Indictment

Chuck Todd on VP debates & more…We opened the lines to discuss reactions to the Jack Smith caseAndrea Cabral talked about Gov. Healey using executive powers to put newly passed gun regulations into effect.Shirley Leung discussed her latest liquor license reporting. Joe Curtatone introduced us to another player in New England’s clean energy sector -- Bill DeCroce, CEO of Vicinity Energy.We ended the show by discussing an AITA prompt about a birthday painting

Best Of BPR 10/03: The Unsealed Jan. 6 Indictment

Best Of BPR 10/03: The Unsealed Jan. 6 Indictment

Today:NBC's Chuck Todd and former Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral parse through the newly unsealed Jack Smith indictment charging Donald Trump with conspiring to overthrow the 2020 election, culminating in the riots on January 6, 2021.

Best Of BPR 10/02: Israel Weighs Response To Iran & Holding Steward Healthcare Accountable

Best Of BPR 10/02: Israel Weighs Response To Iran & Holding Steward Healthcare Accountable

Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Margery. Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel last night, mostly intercepted with help from the US – but the regional war is on. We talk with national security expert Juliette Kayyem about Israel’s response, and its three-front war with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.And, Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers on the latest Steward Healthcare leadership failures – he’s co-chairing a task force looking into the closure of Dorchester’s Carney Hospital. We also talk with Michael about the exodus of Black CEOs in Boston.

BPR Full Show 10/2: RIP Fat Bear 402

BPR Full Show 10/2: RIP Fat Bear 402

Last night JD Vance and Tim Walz faced off on the debate stage. We discussed and got your thoughts.GBH News executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses the legal drama around "Baby Reindeer," Jeffrey Gibson's new mural in Dewey Square and a gun violence memorial project at the ICA.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest news from the Middle East and last night's VP debate.Imari Paris Jeffries of Embrace Boston discusses the Arts and Culture Summit happening in November.The annual Fat Bear Week up in Alaska was sullied after one of the bears killed one of its competitors. We asked the audience: Are you still into Fat Bear Week and should Bear 469 be disqualified for trying to rig the voting?Michael Curry, of Mass League of Community Health Centers, discusses the resignation of Steward Health Care's CEO, and Black CEOs in Boston leaving their positions.Then, we ask listeners how they handle relationships with people of different political views.

Best Of BPR 10/01: Previewing Tonight's VP Debate & SCOTUS' New Term

Best Of BPR 10/01: Previewing Tonight's VP Debate & SCOTUS' New Term

Today:We preview tonight’s Vice Presidential debate with CNN’s John King.And, the Supreme Court starts their new term next week. We talk with American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts executive director, Carol Rose, about the cases her organization is watching.

BPR Full Show 10/1: Pumpkin Spice And Everything Nice

BPR Full Show 10/1: Pumpkin Spice And Everything Nice

We opened the lines to ask what listeners are expecting in tonight's Vice Presidential debate. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, discussed the WNBA playoffs and Boston Marathon registrations.Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, discussed their calls for investigation into the State Police recruit's death.Lee Pelton, president of the Boston Foundation, discussed Boston's exodus of Black CEOs and Boston's Asian Community Fund.CNN's John King on the latest national political headlines.We ended the show discussing what fall activities people are partaking in

Best Of BPR 9/30: Congressman Seth Moulton On Hezbollah & Trump's Loyalty Tests To Religious Voters

Best Of BPR 9/30: Congressman Seth Moulton On Hezbollah & Trump's Loyalty Tests To Religious Voters

Today: Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts' 6th district discusses Israel's military victories against Hezbollah, and his effort to enlist more veterans like him to Congress.Reverends Irene Monroe & Emmett Price discuss Donald Trump's loyalty tests for religious voters.

BPR Full Show 9/30: The Art of the Yard Sale

BPR Full Show 9/30: The Art of the Yard Sale

Congressman Seth Moulton discusses war in the Middle East, Ukraine, and his efforts to get more veterans elected to Congress.And we get caller reactions to hurricane Helene-caused flooding and wind that devastated the south east. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses the resignation of Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre, and a U.S. woman who died in a controversial suicide capsule in Switzerland.The GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott discusses Israel's assassination of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah and gives a primer on the Hezbollah-Israel conflict.We reflect on the life and legacy of Kris Kristofferson. The Revs Irene Monroe & Emmett G. Price III discuss the Black church's problem with Gen Z, and the gender gap among religious young people.And we open up the phone lines to talk about yard sale season.

BPR Full Show 9/27: We Love Moo Deng

BPR Full Show 9/27: We Love Moo Deng

We opened the lines to discuss taking care of your lawn. Live Music Friday with a performance from the Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble, all about creating space for musicians with disabilities to play & innovate. Leola Hampton & her daughter Maya Scott are featured in GBH’s fabulous new documentary commemorating 50 years since the start of busing in Boston. They joined to reflect.Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett talked about flu season shots, and her latest op-ed for the Globe on better systems to support people coming out of prison.Nancy Gertner on what to expect re: the special counsel investigation into Donald Trump landing on the desk of District Court Judge Tanya S. ChutkanShirley Leung on her latest reporting re: Black leaders exiting Boston, and the latest re: Wu’s property tax proposalWe ended the show by discussing the current it girl: Moo Deng.

Best Of BPR 9/27: Leola Hampton's Busing Story & LMF Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble

Best Of BPR 9/27: Leola Hampton's Busing Story & LMF Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble

Today:Leola Hampton and her daughter Maya Scott are featured in GBH’s new documentary – Never Cried – commemorating 50 years since the start of Boston’s forced integration plan – busing. They discuss the anniversary and reflect on the intergenerational impacts of busing today. Live Music Friday with the Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble – with the long-term goal of creating a network of accomplished musicians with disabilities that can serve as mentors for youth with disabilities, they perform for us ahead of a free show Friday night.

Best Of BPR 9/26: Lewis Black + Melissa Ludtke

Best Of BPR 9/26: Lewis Black + Melissa Ludtke

Today: Comedian Lewis Black is in town for two shows at The Wilbur this weekend. He Zooms in to tell us all about his final comedy tour: “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road”And, trailblazing sports journalist Melissa Ludtke joins us ahead of two events in Massachusetts promoting her book “Locker Room Talk: A Woman’s Struggle to Get Inside” – all about her fight for equal access in Major League Baseball.

BPR Full Show 9/26: NY Mayor Eric Adams Indicted

BPR Full Show 9/26: NY Mayor Eric Adams Indicted

Chuck Todd on VP debate preparationsAndrea Cabral reacted to the execution of Marcellus Williams, and the indictment of New York Mayor Eric AdamsLewis Black, the longest running correspondent on the Daily Show, and the voice of that angry red guy in the Pixar movie, joined to discuss his final tour, called “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road"Melissa Ludtke spent decades as a sports reporter, who famously broke gender barriers in baseball when she sued to be allowed in the Yankee locker rooms. She writes about it in her new memoir Lock Room Talk: A Woman’s Struggle to Get InsideAITA for stealing a fry off of someone's plate? We debated with listeners

Best Of BPR 9/25: The Manosphere 4 Trump & What The Manta Ray Knows

Best Of BPR 9/25: The Manosphere 4 Trump & What The Manta Ray Knows

Media maven and local woman Sue O’Connell has thoughts on Donald Trump and JD Vance courting the young man vote through a new generation of "dude" influencers like Logan Paul and Adin Ross. Then, naturalist Sy Montgomery tells us of her recent trip to Ecuador diving with giant oceanic manta rays. And, we get her take on news a little closer to home – Margery’s favorite story of the week, the bulls on the loose in North Attleboro.

BPR Full Show 9/25: Worm Brain

BPR Full Show 9/25: Worm Brain

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 excuses for getting out of commitments. Sorry, we have worm brain.

Best Of BPR 9/24: Denouncing Dehumanizing Rhetoric & The PBS Veepstakes

Best Of BPR 9/24: Denouncing Dehumanizing Rhetoric & The PBS Veepstakes

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.

BPR Full Show 9/24: Going Bananas

BPR Full Show 9/24: Going Bananas

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

Best Of BPR 9/23: Israel's War With Lebanon Begins & The Religious Vote

Best Of BPR 9/23: Israel's War With Lebanon Begins & The Religious Vote

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.

BPR Full Show 9/23: The Eight Bulls of North Attleboro

BPR Full Show 9/23: The Eight Bulls of North Attleboro

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?