Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners what they thought could boost nationwide vaccination rates. Trenni Kusnierek talks about Sha’Carri Richardson’s one-month suspension after she tested positive for marijuana. She then discusses Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discuss the current state of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, and the return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic and congestion. 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. Catherine Peterson talks about how local arts institutions have fared during the pandemic, detailing an arts labor shortage and a lack of economic support for arts. Peterson is the executive director of ArtsBoston. Revs. Irene Monro

Today we’re on tape, replaying some of our favorite conversations with a focus on author interviews. CNN’s Don Lemon discusses his latest book: "This Is The Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism." Chasten Buttigieg discusses his memoir, "I Have Something to Tell You." David Byrne discusses the film adaptation of his tour, "American Utopia," and his accompanying illustrated book. Derek DelGaudio discuses the film adaptation of his one man show: "In & Of Itself," and his new book, "AMORALMAN: True Stories and Other Lies." Gish Jen talks about her book, "The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap." Meredith Goldstein discusses her latest novel, "Things that Grow."

Today on Boston Public Radio: Andrea Cabral weighs in on the criminal indictment against the Trump Organization, and the overturning of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Then, we talk with listeners about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court vacating Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discusses the future of voting rights legislation, calling for the abolishment of the filibuster. She also talks about her introduction of the Tenant Empowerment Act of 2021, and shared her hopes for the infrastructure bill. Tiffani Faison shares how she kept her four restaurants afloat throughout the pandemic, and talks about how the labor shortage has affected business. Tiffani Faison is the chef and owner of Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama, Fool’s Errand And Orfano. Sen. Elizabeth Warren discusses her renewed calls for a wealth tax following a ProPublica repo

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by talking with listeners about what economists are calling “The Great Pandemic Tipping Boom of 2020.” Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind the music industry as more music venues reopen for live shows. He also talks about the lack of revenue musicians gain from streaming services and album releases. 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." Juliette Kayyem updates us on the latest news from the partial condo building collapse near Miami, and the possibility of a criminal indictment of the Trump Organization. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Art Caplan s

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about extreme heat waves sweeping the U.S., and their connections to climate change. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the Boston Celtics’ new head coach, Ime Udoka, and the latest news from the Olympic and Paralympic trials. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Michael Curry discusses Massachusetts’ current vaccination rate, and explains how he’s reaching out to vaccine hesitant communities. He also shares his thoughts on former police officer Derek Chauvin’s sentencing. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Rick Steves talks about Europe reopening to American tourists, and offered his perspective on visiting England’s Cotswolds reg

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill compromise, explaining which policies made the cut. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is "Code Red: How Progressives And Moderates Can Unite To Save Our Country.” Next, we talk with listeners about the return of traffic as more people return to work. Adam Reilly and Saraya Wintersmith update us on the Boston mayoral race and the Massachusetts governor’s race. They also share their thoughts on how Massachusetts politicians responded to the COVID-19 crisis. Reilly is co-host of GBH’s Politics podcast, “The Scrum.” Saraya Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH. Ned Hinkle and Ivy Moylan explain how the Brattle Theatre pivoted during the pandemic, offering virtual screenings of rare movies and theatre rentals. They also talk about their plans for reopening on July 2. Hinkle is the Creative Director of the Brattle Theatre. Moylan is the Execut

Food writer Corby Kummer talked with Boston Public Radio on Monday about the future of food banks, following the release of a survey from Duke World Food Policy Center that looks at long-term shifts among hunger relief organizations. “One of the ideas is to allow people to shop for what they want. Don't just give them what you're able to get,” he said. “Find out from them what they want, what they need, [and] make it easy and dignified for them to be able to get there.” Food banks should also implement hours accessible to food pantry guests, and have pantry staff educated on the needs of their communities, Kummer added. “The wave of the future is, go to the community first and figure out what they need,” he said. “Don’t design something you think will be good for them.” Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

After a major bipartisan win on infrastructure last week, President Biden nearly stepped in it when he declared he’d only sign it if a separate bill including his other priorities arrived on his desk “in tandem” with the infrastructure bill. Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne told Boston Public Radio on Monday Biden’s statements — and the frantic weekend of backtracking that followed — highlight just how complicated and fragile our current political system is. “In effect, we have what I count as the six party system,” he said. The majority of the Democratic party is comprised of “the Biden part of the party,” but there are progressives and conservatives on either side of that, said Dionne. On the Republican side there are the loyal Trump supporters; economic conservatives, who Dionne referred to as the “McConnell-ites … who want to make Biden’s life miserable”; and a small cadre of moderate conservatives. “In order to get done what he wants to get done, Biden has to play the politics of both of these com

Today on Boston Public Radio: Juliette Kayyem updates us on the building collapse near Miami, and shares her thoughts on former police officer Derek Chauvin’s upcoming sentencing hearing. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Senate President Karen Spilka weighs in on Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to make August and September sales tax free. She also talks about the upcoming expiration of mail-in voting laws. Then, we talk with listeners about the increasing demand for a four-day work week. Danielle Allen explains why she chose to run for governor of Massachusetts, citing pandemic disparities as one of her main motivations for running. She also shares her thoughts on the Baker administration’s handling of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Danielle is running for governor on the Democratic ticket. Allen was most recently the director of Harvard’s Safra

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-FL) questioning of critical race theory in the U.S. military. 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. Next, we talk with listeners about Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to make August and September sales tax free. Gov. Charlie Baker discusses his proposal to make August and September sales tax free, and the Spotlight investigation into the leadership at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. He also updates us on the status of COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates across the state. Bill McKibben talks about increasing instances of extreme weather across the nation, explaining its relation to climate change. He also discusses the protests against Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline. McKibben is a contributing writer to The New Yorker, a founder of 350.org, and the Schumann Distingui

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the opening of a safe injection site in Somerville, and whether COVID-19 vaccine incentives work. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Next, we talk with listeners about a new survey that found that 40% of Massachusetts’ remote workers won’t return to the office until January. Brian McGrory discusses the Boston Globe’s recent Pulitzer Prize win for their Spotlight investigation into how states fail to track and keep dangerous drivers off of roads. He also talks about Senate Republicans’ blockage of the For the People Act. McGrory is the editor-in-chief of the Boston Globe. Jared Bowen updates us on the local arts organizations that benefited from the latest round of donations from billionaire MacKenzie Scott. He also talks about artist Firelei Báez’s exhibit at the ICA Watershed, and a retrospective of painter Alice Neel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bowen is GBH’s executive

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib coming out, and what this could mean for the world of professional sports. Trenni Kusnierek talks about former journalist Kat O’Brien’s New York Times op-ed detailing her experiences with sexual assault and harassment while covering major-league baseball. She also updates us on how the Tokyo Olympics and International Olympic Committee are handling COVID-19 precautions. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses current vaccination rates in Massachusetts, and talks about the nationwide spread of the COVID-19 Delta Variant. She also answers listeners’ questions. Gergen Barnett teaches in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Elizabeth Hinton shares her research into the cycle of police and mob violence facing Black Americans

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show off by talking with listeners about how they’re filling their kids’ summers. Tracy Chang talks about the logistics behind operating a restaurant and two nonprofits during the pandemic, and how measures to “recession-proof” her business weathered COVID-19. Chang is the chef and owner behind PAGU. She also created the nonprofits Project Restore Us and Off Their Plate. Charlie Sennott updates us on President Joe Biden’s meeting with Vladimir Putin, weighing in on former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s critique of the meeting. He also talks about Israel’s new leadership. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project. Richard Blanco marks Pride month by reading two of his poems, “One Pulse—One Poem,” and “Until We Could,” which was developed into a short film. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His new book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. Revs. Irene Mon

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about a post-vaccine spending boom, and the fight to stay frugal this summer. Steven Maler and John Douglas talk about Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s return to outdoor theater with their rendition of “The Tempest,” for the 25th anniversary of Free Shakespeare on the Common. John Douglas Thompson is the actor starring as Prospero, and Steven Maler is the Founding Artistic Director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Kellie Carter Jackson discusses her latest piece for The Atlantic, “What the Push to Celebrate Juneteenth Conceals,” about the legacy of Juneteenth and right-wing outrage over so-called critical race theory. Carter Jackson is an assistant professor of Humanities and an assistant professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, and the author of “Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence.” Media Maven Sue O’Connell weighs in on the Supreme Court’s decision to side with a Catholic adoptio

Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne talks about President Biden’s meeting this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also discusses speculation around whether AG Merrick Garland will push to litigate abuses of power made under the administration of former President Trump. Next, we opened phone lines to talk with listeners about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. Former Suffolk County sheriff Andrea Cabral weighs in on the Justice Department’s request for the Supreme Court to reinstate the federal death penalty against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. She also discusses AG Merrick Garland’s efforts to protect U.S. voting rights. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discusses “re-queerification” efforts underway in Provincetown, the understated LGBT legacy of Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach, and his experience returning to international travel for a trip to Iceland. Michael Curry offers his thoughts on Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, and weighs in on the recent vaccination incentives like the Va

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio on Thursday about NotMilk, a plant-based product from start-up NotCo, that purportedly mimics cow’s milk better than other alternatives. “I’m really eager to go out and try it, because the company says that NotMilk can taste, cook, and froth like cow’s milk,” he said. “It is so much better for the environment than milk that comes from cows, which produce methane.” Plant-based milk alternatives and plant-based proteins are a very important part of the future, Kummer noted. Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

President Joe Biden’s decision to meet with Vladimir Putin initially prompted skeptics to question whether it would only serve to elevate the Russian leader’s position on the world stage. Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne told Boston Public Radio on Thursday that Biden did well to push back against Putin’s defense of jailing opposition leader Alexei Navalny — Putin insisted he’s only trying to avoid the likes of disorder America experienced in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. “Biden just said, “That’s ridiculous,’” said Dionne, noting the straightforwardness in the American president’s response. “Whether you like Biden or not I think if you’re an American friend of democracy you looked at what Biden said, and said, ‘That is what a defense of democracy looks like,’” said Dionne. There were no big achievements from the summit, but no expectations of that either, said Dionne. “On the whole I think (Biden) came out pretty well.” EJ Dionne is a columnist for the Washington Post and a senior fellow at

Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talks about the benefits and drawbacks of vaccine lottery incentives, in light of the VaxMillions program announced Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker. Next, we open phone lines to hear listener thoughts on the Massachusetts newly-announced VaxMillions lottery program. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses President Biden’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She also spoke about the national security implications of the looming hurricane and wildfire season. Bina Venkataraman talked about the Boston Globe’s new six-part series, “Future Proofing the Presidency,” about the legacy of former President Trump and the future of American democracy. Venkataraman is the editorial page editor of The Boston Globe. Her latest book is “The Optimist's Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age.” Washington Post financial columnist Michelle Singletary discussed her latest book, “What To Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits.” Journalist a

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines to talk with listeners about the day-to-day impact of Massachusetts ending its COVID-19 state of emergency. National Immigration Forum president and CEO Ali Noorani discusses the significance of the newly-released film adaptation of “In The Heights,” which highlights the value of Hispanic immigrant communities in the U.S. He also recaps Vice President Kamala Harris' recent trip to Guatemala and Mexico, and touches on President Biden’s plan to redirect $2 billion in funding for former President Trump's border wall to other national security issues. Dr. Andrew Budson talks about his experience working on clinical trials for Aduhelm, a controversial Alzheimer's drug that recently gained authorization from the FDA. He also speaks to whether he’d recommend it to his own patients. Budson is a professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology at the Boston VA Healthcare System.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We kick things off by opening phone lines to talk with callers about the latest trend of people quitting their jobs in a moment of post-vaccine clarity. Emerald Necklace Conservancy president Karen Mauney-Brodek talks about how the pandemic has changed our relationship with public spaces, and previewed the summer events that The Emerald Necklace Conservancy has to offer. GBH reporters Saraya Wintersmith and Adam Reilly discuss the state of Boston’s crowded mayoral race. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talks about her recently-published “working mother's manifesto,” a call to employers about the once-in-a-generation opportunity the pandemic has provided to course-correct how we work, and to make things more equitable – particularly for working mothers. The Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III, hosts of the ‘All Rev’d Up’ podcast, weigh in on controversy surrounding the 2021 Boston Pride parade, a reckoning at this year's Southern Baptist Convention, and