Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the latest slew of midterm primaries. Art Caplan discusses the baby formula shortage, and a new study that could predict traumatic brain injury outcomes. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Juliette Kayyem talks about the Buffalo shooting, and why the “lone wolf” framing does not capture the state of white supremacy in the U.S. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Stacy Thompson makes the case for better bike infrastructure, and talks with listeners about the debate between bike lanes and parking. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses her viral speech defending herself against Republican “groomer” attacks, an

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the state of white supremacy in the U.S. following the Buffalo shooting. Trenni Kusnierek discusses the Celtics latest wins, and an ironman triathlete returning to the races after surviving a mid-race heart attack. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Victoria Reed tells stories behind some of the stolen art pieces she has helped return to their rightful owners, and how she goes about researching the ownership history of art. Reed is the MFA’s curator for provenance. Jared Bowen talks about the latest from Boston’s arts scene, including “Ain’t Misbehavin” at the Central Square Theater and unseen Georgia O’Keeffe photos at the Addison Gallery of American Art. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Keith Lockhart previews Boston Pops’ upcoming season, including pieces from “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter” and Disney. Lockhart is conductor for the Boston Symp

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the “Great Replacement Theory,” the racist, antisemitic ideology cited by the Buffalo shooter who killed 10 in a supermarket over the weekend. Tom Nichols updates listeners on the latest news from Ukraine. Nichols is a contributing writer and proprietor of “Peacefield” newsletter at The Atlantic, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a five-time "Jeopardy!" winner. Michael Curry responds to the Buffalo shooting, and discusses U.S. health disparities for communities of color. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Corby Kummer talks about an investigation into meatpacking plants lying to stay open during the pandemic, and McDonalds withdrawing from Russia. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior l

Food policy writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to discuss a new congressional report showing meat industry CEOs had a direct line to the Donald Trump administration in the early stages of the pandemic, enabling their facilities to stay open — and their profits to grow — despite the safety risks to workers. Smithfield CEO Ken Sullivan misled the public about an impending meat shortage that they said would result if plants closed temporarily, the congressional report found. “It was this evilly-sealed deal,” Kummer said. “And among the many scandalous parts of this, which we all kind of guessed at the time: profits went up 300% during the pandemic. There was no shortage, it was completely wrong.” Sullivan reached out to Tyson CEO Noel White about getting then-President Donald Trump to sign an executive order declaring meat processing plants essential facilities, allowing them to stay open during the most stringent pandemic-era restrictions. The report found that a draft executive order written by

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening up the phone lines, asking listeners about baby formula shortages across the U.S. Rick Steves shares the highlights of his recent return to Europe, where he spent over a month and a half updating his guidebooks to reflect how the continent has changed after two years of the pandemic. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves' Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, "Rick Steves’ Europe," weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH. Callie Crossley talks about a mother in Mattapan alleging that Boston Public Schools delayed calling 911 as her teen son had a stroke. She also shares her thoughts on DuoLingo opening a taqueria next to their Pittsburgh headquarters to help customers practice Spanish. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Juliette Kayyem discusses the January 6 committee’s subpoenas to five GOP lawmakers, incl

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re handling COVID amid the latest surge. Brian McGrory shares insights from the latest Globe reporting, including the Federal Transit Administration’s investigation into the MBTA, the state settlement over the deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and the state of national politics. McGrory is the Editor of the Boston Globe. Andrea Cabral talks about the Senate’s failed vote on a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade, and the Mario Batali and Johnny Depp court cases involving harassment. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Then, we open up the lines to hear from listeners what they want Jim and Margery to talk more about. Eric Deggans previews his latest TV commentary, including his review of “Bosch: Legacy” and who he wants to see succeed James Corden. Eric Deggans is NPR’s TV critic and author of the book “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dange

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on upper age and term limits for politicians. Shirley Leung discusses UMass Lowell’s new chancellor Julie Chen and new robots that weed gardens. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigueur share insights on all things Oprah, from their podcast Oprademics. Jackson is an associate professor in the department of Africana studies at Wellesley College. Rigeur is an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins. They host the Oprahdemics podcast from Radiotopia. Jamahrl Crawford weighs in on the latest on Boston police reform, and recent news about former Police Union President Patrick Rose, who was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children. Crawford served on the city’s police reform task force in 2020 and edits the Blackstonian.  Kim Kelly tells stories about the history of labor movements in the U.S., and how they connect to renewed union pushes today. Kelly is a

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about protests against the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft on Roe v. Wade. Trenni Kusnierek talks about Rich Strike’s major win at the Kentucky Derby, and the growing need for increased mental health services for young athletes. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz discusses her run for Mass. governor, and talks about the current status of the State House’s sports-betting legislation. State Senator Chang-Diaz is running to be governor of Massachusetts. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson share their thoughts on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) inspecting the MBTA after numerous safety incidents, and the potential for an East-West rail system. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets.

This September, the White House will be hosting its Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health for the first time in over 50 years. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday to share his thoughts on the return of the Conference, and the Biden administration’s goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by 2030. “I think that hunger is a bipartisan issue,” Kummer said. “I am incredibly optimistic about this.” “There's always the tension between the urban needs for food and nutrition assistance and the rural needs for enormous crop insurance assistance,” Kummer continued. “That coalition has held, [and] it will continue to hold. That means that overall, there is bipartisan support that will result in nutrition assistance, [and] how better to wield it.” Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the state of the pandemic, including the importance of getting booster shots, how to make decisions around gathering and the need for federal COVID-19 funding. Fauci is the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Then, listeners respond to the conversation with Dr. Fauci and latest COVID-19 news. Charlie Sennott updates listeners on the latest news from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including Russia’s Victory Day parade marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War Two, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s visit with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin shares her reaction to the leaked Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, and what it means for her and other abortion care providers across the country. Dr. Hamlin is an obstetrician and gynecologist at

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about parental burnout. Interim DA Kevin Hayden discusses his new plan on handling arrests at Mass & Cass. He also shares his thoughts on Mayor Michelle Wu’s statement on providing support for the children allegedly responsible for multiple attacks around Boston Common. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall. Callie Crossley reflects on a post-Roe America, and the story of Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman on the International Space Station (ISS) crew. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sy Montgomery talks about her encounters with birds of prey while learning falconry. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” Justice Margaret Marshall discusses the unprecedented leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that could overrule Roe v. Wade. Ju

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on the leak of a Supreme Court opinion draft in support of overturning Roe v. Wade. We continues our conversation on the future of abortion with listeners. Andrea Cabral discusses the potential overruling of Roe v. Wade, and the politicization of the Supreme Court. Cabral is the former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Stephanie Lippman shares her experience receiving her diploma from New England Conservatory of Music, two decades after she was expelled right before graduation. Lippman is a professional singer, and graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Paul Keil explains how billionaires skirt tax obligations in the U.S. Keil is a reporter who covers billionaires, business and consumer finance for ProPublica. He’s a regular contributor to their series, “The Secret IRS Files: Inside the Tax Records of the .001%.” Shirley Leung talks

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on the ethics of the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that would overturn Roe v. Wade, and potential attacks on birth control access. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the future of abortion care. Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest news out of Ukraine, including the supply chain issues slowing down U.S. aid to Ukraine. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Nick Quah shares his recent favorites from the world of podcasting, focusing on Radiotopia’s “Oprahdemics” from hosts Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigeur, and Karina Longworth’s latest season of “You Must Remember This.” Quah is Vulture’s podcast critic. C

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the leak of a Supreme Court abortion draft decision, and the future of abortion rights. Alton Brown talks about “Iron Chef” moving to Netflix, and his latest cookbook, “Good Eats: The Final Years.” Brown is a Peabody Award-winning celebrity chef and host of both “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef,” which is making a grand-return to Netflix this June. His latest book is “Good Eats: The Final Years.” Judge Nancy Gertner weighs in on the Supreme Court draft opinion that has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade, and what overturning the case means for the legal system. Gertner is a retired federal judge, and is now a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Imari Paris Jeffries discusses King Boston breaking ground at the Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King memorial, “The Embrace,” in Boston Common. He also shares his thoughts on the potential for government-funded reparations. Jeffries is the executive director of King Boston,

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s second Boston restaurant — Gordon Ramsay Burger — is slated to open in late 2022 inside downtown’s Canopy by Hilton. The Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares star’s first Boston restaurant, Ramsay’s Kitchen, opened earlier this year in the Mandarin Oriental in Back Bay. “TV stardom translates into big deals and investment money,” food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday. “A big national chain like the Hilton thinks that he'll bring in tourists and customers.” “I would so much rather it'd be somebody local,” Kummer added. “[But] I'm all for fine dining and having access to these dishes wherever they do it and somebody gives local employment.” Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Rep. Jim McGovern discusses his recent visit to Ukraine and Poland, as well as his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rep. McGovern, D-Mass., chairs the House Rules Committee and represents the state's 2nd Congressional District. Michael Curry and Jennifer Nassour share their thoughts on the latest in politics, focusing on the potential for student-loan forgiveness. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Nassour is former chair of the Massachusetts Republican party, and co-founder and president of the Pocketbook Project, a nonprofit geared toward getting women elected to public office. Trenni Kusnierek talks about 50 years of Title IX, and the Patriots’ NFL Draft picks. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Corby Kummer shares his thoughts on the mass avian flu culling of 5.3 million chickens by Rembr

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett discusses the end of the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and current COVID positivity rate in Mass. She also answers listeners’ questions during this month’s edition of “Ask the Doctor.” Gergen Barnett is the vice chair of Primary Care Innovation and Transformation and residency director in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. We then open up the phone lines, talking with listeners about the potential for sports betting in Mass. Robert Baart and Peter Scott talks about the return of Fenway Studios’ two-day open studios event. They also share their thoughts on whether there’s enough support for emerging artists in Boston. Baart and Scott are artists with Fenways Studios. Their co-op is hosting their annual Open Studio event this weekend, indoors tomorrow, and both indoors and outdoors on Sunday, on Ipswich Street in Fenway. Paul Reville discusses the investigation into Jamaica Plain’

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mayor Michelle Wu discusses an investigation into sexual abuse and bullying at the Mission Hill K-8 School in Jamaica Plain. She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the Mayor.” Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind Disney’s special tax status, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is targeting after the company lambasted the state’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” law. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream." Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on President Biden’s request for $33 billion in aid to Ukraine. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Andrea Cabral discusses former Boston Police Union President Patrick Rose plea

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan discusses Former President Donald Trump’s White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx and her new book, “Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration.” Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on news that nearly 60 percent of Americans have had COVID-19. Shirley Leung talks about Harvard’s announcement that the University will spend $100 million to research and redress its past ties to slavery, and towns citing “community character” in efforts to prevent affordable housing. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Juliette Kayyem weighs in on the latest from the Jan. 6 Committee, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s testimony and the leaked audio of Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack

Travis Kalanick — the co-founder and ex-CEO of Uber who stepped down from the rideshare company — is bringing his new “ghost kitchen” company to Boston. CloudKitchen, which buys old warehouse buildings to split into commercial kitchen spaces that restaurants can rent out to produce food for third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and GrubHub, is headed to Roxbury’s Shirley Street. The Roxbury warehouse will have more than two dozen kitchen spaces available for rent by both local restaurants and national chains. And though the company assures restaurateurs that profits will soar, critics aren’t so keen. “There's huge amount of turnover in these places. The companies don't help [small businesses] out financially, and leave them hanging when they don't get sufficient orders,” food writer Corby Kummer said. “They're very bad deals for restaurants.” Tech companies like CloudKitchen, Kummer notes, are “almost certainly going to want to own everything,” such as menus and access to recipes. “The fact is, th