Boston Public Radio Podcast

Jared Bowen on Yellow Face on Broadway and Cillian Murphy's latest film Small Things Like These.Juliette Kayyem, national security expert, discussed Trump's picks for his administrationBoston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the increase in rage room bookings after Trump's win, and how local economic frustrations translated to an increase in Trump's appeal in Massachusetts.Former SJC chief justice Margaret Marshall on the judicial system under Trump, and the state of the Supreme Court

Mayor Michelle Wu discussed the election, open Newbury Street in December and more.Trenni Casey discussed Trump hosting the World Cup & Olympics in 2026 and 2028.Corby Kummer on the failure of Q5, the fate of the farm bill, and a rise in alcoholism since the pandemic.CNN's John King on his exit polling interviews after the election

Today:Congressman Seth Moulton defends his controversial statements about trans athletes in school sports, and the Democrats’ failure to represent the middle of the road.And, Mike Madrid, author of “Latino Century” explains the massive swing of Latino support for Trump: the fastest growing demographic group – who have historically come to this country for economic reasons – voted along economic lines. 

It's one week post election, so we start the show by asking listeners -- regardless of who you voted for -- what are you most happy about and most worried about in 2025? S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL-Media and a former CNN executive, discussed what might become of "the media" in Donald Trump's second presidency.Congressman Seth Moulton addressed his recent comments on trans athletes.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses Donald Trump's healthcare proposals. Mike Madrid, author of Latino Century, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, discussed Trump's appeal to Latino voters across the map.Apparently “doom eating,” “doom spending,” “doom scrolling" and even doom rage is on the rise, regardless of political party. What’s your indulgence and what are you doing to stave off a cycle of gloom around this season? 

Live Music Friday with a performance from the Boston Civics Orchestra, celebrating their 100th season kick-off this Sunday. Nancy Gertner on abortion rights, the future of the Supreme Court and Trump pardons.Joe Curtatone, President of the Alliance for Climate Transition joined alongside Rahsaan Hall, President of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Meredith Goldstein ran through a handful of her latest advice columns on issues like not wanting to kiss your husband, unwelcome ex-texts, dealing with bad texters, and post-election existential dread.

Today:We asked listeners about what you want to hear from us in the wake of Trump’s election? And you answered: All politics all the time is not what matters to you. So … Am I The A-Hole is back … When a Trump-supporting step-dad offers to let his son’s fiancée use his car – but it’s all MAGA’d out with bumper stickers – and she refuses to drive it … Is she the jerk, or is the grown man playing a prank on a teenage girl the a hole? 

NBC political director Chuck Todd joins with his reaction to Tuesday’s election.Then, we open up the phone lines to ask how Democrats can move forward after this national shift to the right and ask Trump voters why the Dems just weren't connecting with them.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral talks about the implications of a GOP-controlled Senate (and possibly House) under a second Trump term. She also discusses whether Biden should pardon Trump and the future of Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 election subversion. Former secretary of education Paul Reville reacts to Ballot Question 2, which scrapped the MCAS graduation requirement. Reville had a key role in the original implementation of MCAS, nearly 20 years ago. We then take your mind off politics by talking about chickens for five minutes. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses her latest stories on women voter turnout and her interview with Katherine Clark. It's "Am I the A-hole" day. We ask about a dad who "pranked" hi

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discussed the election, historic precedence for non-consecutive terms and moreNational security analyst Juliette Kayyem on threats to this election from other nations, and internally; and how the rest of the world is respondingMichael Curry of the NAACP spent election day in Michigan poll-watching. He talked about his experience and the election results generally.

Today:Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks us through a stunning Trump victory last night – an overperformance from the right, and a failure from the Democrats to rally voters behind Harris.And we talk with Michael Curry, of the NAACP, about the generational shift this election in terms of race and equity.

Election Day has arrived. We had numerous local political figures call into our show. Senator Elizabeth Warren, GOP candidate John Deaton, Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and representatives from each ballot question.We took listeners calls throughout the show to get first hand stories on what election day is looking like.

Today:Conservative commentator and never-Trumper Bill Kristol of The Bulwark discusses the American right, and the complicated relationship conservatives have with Donald Trump.And, if you’re still unsure whether to drop the MCAS as a graduation requirement, or legalize psychedelics, Evan Horowitz of Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis – ballot question explainer extraordinaire – gives one last rundown ahead of election day.

Former Globe editor Brian McGrory discusses threats to journalism, trust, the truth and democracy ahead of this election.Then, we open the phone lines to check in with listeners on their voting plans and how they're feeling on Election Day Eve.Charlie Sennott from the GroundTruth Project discusses Israel voiding its 1967 agreement recognizing UNRWA and other news from around the world.Longtime Republican operative and now anti-Trump conservative William Kristol discusses the final days of campaigning and the future of the GOP.Evan Horowitz from the Center for State Policy Analysis gives a final explainer on the MA ballot questions. And people call in with their thoughts on each one.

Thea Hopkins, an Aquinnah Wampanoag singer/songwriter performed for Native American Heritage MonthCallie Crossley reacted to Trump’s comments about being the protector of women “like it or not"Marvin Gilmore spent decades helping to lift up communities of color in Boston. He joined alongside friend (& James Beard nominated chef) Tracy Chang to celebrate his 100th birthday.James Carville explained his full confidence in the Harris campaign

Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Jim. NBC’s Chuck Todd discusses the last few whirlwind days of campaigning … from Trump’s garbage man orange vest stunt … to the Nikki Haley voters who are still undecided, as she tells voters in Pennsylvania to stop being so emotional, and vote for Trump. And, some good news – higher city investments in Black-owned businesses. We talk about this, and Trump’s promise to put the vaccine-denying RFK Jr. in charge of public health if he wins, with Michael Curry of the NAACP.

BPR Full Show 10/31: Happy Halloween!

Today: We get listener reactions to a stark gender divide in this year’s race – with women supporting Harris at much higher rates than men.And, a brief reprieve from politics with naturalist Sy Montgomery. From baby turtles named after everyone's favorite public radio show hosts, to Sy’s new book – What The Chicken Knows – all about what we can learn from our feathered farmyard friends.

Jim Dao, editorial page editor at the Boston Globe, on newspaper endorsements. The Globe endorsed Harris, and included an explainer as to why.Jared Bowen wore his chaps as promised plus he discussed the Clark Art Institute's $45m donationNational security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the threats to this election -- the existing 'stop the steal' movement, conspiracy theories, and "secrets" between Trump and Mike Johnson.Massachusetts Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Services Jon Santiago reacted to Tony Hinchcliffe's racist jokeNaturalist and author Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss her forthcoming book "What The Chicken Knows"

Today: CNN’s chief national correspondent, John King joins us just one week out from when vote counting begins. The Man of the Magic Wall tells us not to expect the results on Tuesday or even Wednesday night … And, state auditor Diana DiZoglio discusses her ballot campaign to expressly authorize her office to audit the legislature – on the heels of two legislative leaders saying they might change her petition even if voters pass it.

Today the presidential candidates give their closing arguments to voters. We ask listeners what issues Harris should focus on during her speech at the Ellipse.Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, discusses the NFL concussion protocol after Patriot's QB Drake May took a helmet-to-helmet hit on Sunday, and a Hail Mary pass by the Washington Commanders.Sue O'Connell of NBC10 discusses the ramped-up rhetoric leading up to the election, efforts to rescue Newburyport's Pink House, and Elon Musk's latest claims about aliens.CNN's John King joins one week until election day to discuss how voters across the political spectrum are feeling.State auditor Diana DiZoglio discusses her ballot campaign that would authorize her to audit the legislature and the legislative leaders who say they might just change the law if it passes.Election day isn't the only thing we're counting down to. Halloween is Thursday, so we ask listeners about their favorite candies.

The Washington Post killed their planned endorsement of Kamala Harris. Former editor Marty Baron joins us to discuss, and the newspaper man doesn’t mince words: he calls it a spineless, cowardly decision.And, a return to the gilded age – with union-busting billionaire robber barons operating in this country under very different rules than the rest of us. We discuss with former labor secretary Robert Reich.