Boston Public Radio Podcast

Political analyst and podcaster Chuck Todd on the MAGA-fication of CBS news, and the first amendment implications of a federal investigation into a Washington Post reporter. Former Massachusetts secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on ICE’s gestapo-like tactics in Minnesota and one woman’s story of how she was recruited into the agency. Amherst College’s Ilan Stavans on what Latino voters are making of Trump’s Venezuelan takeover. Plus, the lengths American citizens are going to protect their undocumented parents, including enlisting in the military.Environmentalist Bill McKibben gives a rundown on the global damage the Trump administration is inflicting on the climate, including the EPAs new air pollution rules and oil in Venezuela. Then, it's Am I The A Hole day. Today’s scenario involves a man at our beloved Costco, calling out a woman who cut him in line. Who’s the bigger jerk, the flippant line cutter or the man who swore at her for cutting him? 

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on a new PBS series “Breaking the Deadlock,” that explores the role of government in life and death decisions. Plus, we’ll get his thoughts on the new Bradley Cooper movie “Is this thing on?” and other arts headlines.Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses her calls for an independent investigation into the ICE killing in Minnesota, and for extended ACA subsidies.Tufts international affairs expert Daniel Drezner on violence in Iran – where the death toll of protesters against the regime has soared past 2,500.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer on the closing of Time Out Market in Fenway, the environmental impact of the new dietary guidelines and how restoring wild oyster reefs in Massachusetts is a win for conservationists and seafood bars. Dr. Atul Gawande is the former assistant administrator for global health at USAID. He explains how the shutdown of the aid organization has had ripple effects around the world…including contributing to the deaths of over half a million people wo

MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins for Ask the AG.Andris Nelsons of the Boston Symphony Orchestra joins to preview their special America250 programming.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses her latest column on the impact of Boston's liquor license expansion and what Trump's pressure on the Federal Reserve mean for businesses in Massachusetts.Retired judge Nancy Gertner on the resignation of several top Minnesota attorneys, the Supreme Court trans athlete case, and Trump's push to change how the midterms are conducted, through redistricting, tighter voter registration rules and by gutting cybersecurity protections.

We talk to former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford, about what President Trump's continued threats of taking over the Danish territory of Greenland would it all mean for Europe, NATO and beyond.Chris Dempsey, former assistant transportation secretary, and former state Rep. Bill Straus, join for a transportation panel. They discuss the FIFA World Cup coming to Gillette Stadium and whether our transit system is capable of handling the influx of riders.Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett explains this year's brutal flu season. Plus, HHS secretary RFK Jr.'s new guidelines for nutrition and childhood vaccine schedule updates. Princeton University scholar Khalil Gibran Muhammad on President Trump's saying he thinks Civil Rights-era protections have led to white people being “very badly treated.” And we talk about the administration’s continued war with Harvard University. 

BPR Full Show 1/9: Truth Is In The Video

BPR Full Show 1/8: Minneapolis ICE Shooting

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen discusses the growing number of artists canceling their Kennedy Center appearances, his take on Marty Supreme and more cultural news from across the region. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on what President Trump's threats of military action beyond Venezuela mean for security at home. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on the Kraft Group finally striking a deal to open a new professional soccer stadium in Everett, just before the deadline. Eric Segal, Nastasia Lawton and Rev. Fred Small were all arrested when they tried to deliver care packages – with food, bedrolls and menstrual products – to detainees at an ICE processing center in Burlington. They join to talk about their arrest and why they’re standing up to the Trump administration’s gestapo.  Then, it's soup season. We open the phone and text lines, and Jim reveals which soup is the most erotic.

CNN's John King with the latest national political headlines.Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Mass on oral arguments in Boston over their NIH grants lawsuit. She'll also discuss the anniversary of J6 and the Trump administration's efforts to rewrite history.Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation discusses the problem of rental deserts in Greater Boston, and the issue of affordability generally.Congressman Jake Auchincloss zooms in to discuss Democrats' response to Trump's actions in Venezuela.Trenni Casey of NBC Sports Boston discusses the Patriots being good on the field, and bad off the field. Plus, a whole new year of Jordon Hudson obsession in sports media.

Tufts University’s international affairs scholar Daniel Drezner on the United States' weekend invasion of Venezuela to depose its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro. Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer forecasts 2026 food trends and how to stick to New Year's resolutions. Plus, he updates us on how the Trump administration’s agriculture investments will impact farmers. Bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel discusses his new book “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.”There are more lawmakers of color than ever on Beacon Hill. But the legislature still remains disproportionately white. We talk to Mass League of Community Health Center’s Michael Curry about that, and what a boost in rural health system federal funding could mean for western Mass.

BPR Full Show 12/24: Jim Is Not The Grinch

BPR Full Show 12/23: December Ask the Governor

BPR Full Show 12/22: Holiday Fruitcake

GBH's Adam Reilly and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell join for Press Play media analysis. This week, they talk about media reaction to Trump’s White House address, Brian McGrory returning to the Globe and a profile of the photographer who captured Trump staff for the Susie Wiles Vanity Fair profile.  Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on the CDC reversing its position on Hepatitis B vaccines for infants, cutting funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics, RFK Jr.’s move to ban gender affirming care for young people, and the so-called "Christmas Coronary effect." Atikin Rose is an up-and-coming R&B singer songwriter with a new EP due out next year. She joins for Live Music Friday alongside talent manager Rob Kelley-Morgan.Tony Williams and Peter Gwiazda celebrate 25 years of the Urban Nutcracker. Tony is the show’s founder and creative visionary. Peter is a dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.NBC10 Boston media maven Sue O’Connell talks Epstein files, Brian Walshe, a

Today:Juliette Kayyem and Andrea Cabral fill in for Jim and Margery.GBH political reporter Adam Reilly and Bay State Banner publisher Ron Mitchell join for our media analysis segment Press Play.And, Atikin Rose joins for Live Music Friday, accompanied on piano by Hawk of "God-Tier Entertainment" and joined in the studio by the CEO of PUTINWORK Rob Kelley-Morgan.

BPR Full Show 12/18: A Christmas Story.... 24/7

Today:Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, discusses the organization's work.

Volker Türk is the United Nations High Commissioner on human rights. We talk to him about the agency’s continued campaign against human rights violations worldwide, despite the U.S. pulling back support.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on the latest in the Brown University shooting investigation, as detectives scramble for footage of a possible suspect. Plus her thoughts on that Susie Wiles Vanity Fair article.Step aside vinyl, CDs and DVDs are BACK — at least for Gen-Z. We talk to The Culture Show’s Jared Bowen about that, plus the mythology of Hamnet and its connection to the Bard’s most famous soliloquy.While State auditor Diana DiZoglio’s effort to audit the legislature still hasn’t happened, despite the voters’ will, she’s launching a new ballot question that would subject both the Legislature and the governor's office to the state public records law. She joins us.

CNN's John King on the latest national political headlinesNBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey joins in person to discuss outrageous ticket prices for the World Cup and John Cena's retirementFood policy analyst Corby Kummer zooms in to discuss the Market Basket family back in court todayMahsa Khanbabai, attorney for Rumeysa Ozturk, zooms in to discuss her client's caseBoston Mayor Michelle Wu answered listener questions for Ask The Mayor 1-2.

Cristina Quinn, of The Washington Post's Try This podcast, co-hosts with Jim today. Amherst College professor Ilan Stavans discusses a far-right win in the the Chilean presidential elections and the mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia.Daniel Drezner, dean of international politics at Tufts Fletcher School, discusses the Trump/MAGA foreign policy evolution.Bertil Jean-Chronberg of Bonde Fine Wine Shop and Alexandra Whiznant of Zuzu's Petals wine and dessert bar join for a wine panel. They bring some bubby, crème brûlée...and a blow torch.MIT economist Jon Gruber talks about his appearance on 60 Minutes talking about pros and price tag of genetic therapies.Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discuss a new poll that finds no religious revival among young Americans, despite a different media narrative. Plus, the Democrats in Congress trying to take back faith from the right.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem gives the latest on the deadly Brown University mass shooting.Then we

Andrea Cabral and Shirley Leung are in the host seats. They talk with: NPR critic-at-large Eric Deggans on journalism ethics in the wake of Olivia Nuzzi, AI taking over podcast jobs at the Washington Post, and more media news.GBH's Callie Crossley on why Greater Boston’s gender wage gap is shrinking…while the racial wage gap is growing. And on DEI in Boston business, and about a student from her alma mater who’s bringing Black dolls to local kids.It's a holiday edition of Live Music Friday with students from the Boston Latin School Concert Choir, ahead of their annual Family Holiday Concert this Sunday.NBC10 Boston media maven Sue O’Connell is fresh back from covering the trial of Brian Walshe, accused of murdering his wife. She gives us the latest in the case and tries to explain to us why everyone is obsessed with these grisly murder trials.