Boston Public Radio Podcast

BPR Full Show 9/23: Ask The Mayor with Mayor Michelle Wu

Today: We bring you our conversation from May 2025 with Maria Ressa – the Nobel prize winning journalist who was arrested repeatedly in the Philippines for reporting on corruption, human rights abuses and the weaponization of social media under former President Rodgrigo Duterte. She tells us she looks out on America in this current moment with "deja-vu" and "PTSD" from her own experiences living through authoritarianism.

Amherst College’s Ilan Stavans on what independence means in America in 2025. Plus, his thoughts on the chilling effect ICE raids are having on immigrant communities in New England.Brian McGrory, Boston University head and former Boston Globe editor, gives his take on the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and larger attacks on free speech, plus the Pentagon’s new media restrictions. Axios business editor Dan Primack on the AI race with China, the latest on TikTok’s sale, and why the Fed’s interest rate reduction might not be enough to stop a recession. The Revs, Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III, on how Charlie Kirk’s death and evangelical roots are being received by Black Christians. Then, we open the phones lines to hear how listeners are embracing the season of flannel, pumpkin spice everything and cozy sweaters.

It's our weekly “Press Play” media analysis segment with NBC10 media maven Sue O’Connell, and The Bay State Banner’s Ron Mitchell. They talk about the first amendment fallout in the wake of Charlie Kirk, and more.Former congressman Joe Kennedy on the third on the future of the Democratic Party, his work with the Groundwork Project and standing up to authoritarian threats. It's Live Music Friday with activist singer/songwriter Evan Greer, ahead of an album drop tomorrow. “I’m not religious enough for her” and “My partner does all the talking at parties”...those are some recent love-related dilemmas from Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein. She joins to discuss all matters of the heart. This weekend marks the 20th annual What the Fluff festival in Somerville. We open the phone and text lines for all things marshmallow fluff – from fluffernutters to rice crispies -- how do you enjoy this local pantry treat? 

BPR Full Show 9/18: Jimmy Kimmel Off The Air

Jared Bowen discusses the death of Robert Redford, the Emmys, and Mrs. Doubtfire at Broadway in Boston Juliette Kayyem, national security expert, discusses the US striking another military attack on a boat from Venezuela ... Plus, the expected crackdown on liberal groups in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing.Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Mass., discuses the SCOTUS decision on ICE arrests in LA, and press freedoms under attack.Sy Montgomery + Matt Patterson join to discuss their latest book "The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle" — they're on tour, and issuing public safety announcements as turtles are crossing roads to find their winter hibernation spots. 

Today, We start the show from NEPM in Springfield with Sarah and Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm in Granby to discuss what it’s like to run a working farm in 2025, and their lawsuit against the Trump administration to unfreeze USDA grant money.Then, Ephraim Akiva and Tokyo Baldwin join to discuss their work running peer respite homes with the Wildflower Alliance, which offers peer support services in western Mass.

Day two of our broadcast from NEPM in Springfield! FBI director Kash Patel heads to congress today to defend his leadership. We talk to CNN’s John King about this and other political headlines, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  The Wildflower Alliance offers peer support services in western Mass. We talk to Ephraim Akiva and Tokyo Baldwin about their harm reduction and mental health work.We check in with the Mass League of Community Health Center's Michael Curry on the impact of private equity in healthcare, the efforts by the Trump administration to erase Black history, and why Black students are flocking to HBCU’s in the Trump era.NEPM executive editor Elizabeth Román joins with Big E vendor Joe Deedy, owner of Moolicious Farm. Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins for Ask The AG.

It's the first day of our special broadcast from NEPM studios in Springfield. Former Gov. Deval Patrick discusses the deep polarization of this moment and how citizens and Democrats should respond. Congressman Jim McGovern discusses ballooning grocery prices as Trump tariffs pile up, and his new constitutional amendment to end big money in politics. And we get his thoughts on security in Congress after the assassination of Charlie KirkNew England tourism takes a hit as Canadians stay home to protest trade sanctions. PBS European travel guru Rick Steves joins us to talk about that, plus, sights and travel tips from his recent trip – a vacation? – to Italy. Sarah and Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm in Granby to discuss what it’s like to run a working farm in 2025, and their lawsuit against the Trump administration to unfreeze USDA grant money.

GBH's Adam Reilly and The Boston Globe's Lylah Alphonse join for Press Play, discussing the widely spread video of Charlie Kirk's shooting in this current era of content moderation online. Plus, the Murdoch succession plan, and Bari Weiss at CBS.GBH's Callie Crossley discusses the firing of Artie T, Josh Kraft's "most unlikeable campaign for mayor in Boston history" and more.White Snake Projects joins us for Live Music Friday. They are unveiling a new directory for Native American performing artists. Cerise Jacobs of WSP, Jean-Luc Pierite of North American Indian Center of Boston and singer/songwriter Thea Hopkins are our guests.Mara Dolan of the Massachusetts Governor's Council discusses flags at half-mast and gives an update on bar advocates. Joanne Chang join with Efrain Gutierrez to discuss Flour Bakery's partnership with Pine Street Inn for job training. Efrain is a graduate of the program and is now employed at Flour.

Chuck Todd, political commentator, opens the show with reactions and updates from the killing of Charlie Kirk.Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral reactions to Kirk news. Former education secretary Paul Reville discusses how young conservatives on college campus are responding to the killing of Charlie Kirk, and the reality for BPS and schools across the state around ICE family separations.National security expert Juliette Kayyem joins to discuss the increasing normalization of political violence.Lindsay O'Donovan, Maeve Gilchrist and accordion player Diarmuid Ó Meachair discuss the Rockport Celtic Festival, starting tomorrow.

The Culture Shows Jared Bowen discusses Howard Stern's radio stunt, Downton Abbey's grand finale and the Boston Art Triennial on City Hall Plaza.Comedian Steve Sweeney and director Ian Barrett discuss their film "Townie."Will and David Willis of Bully Boy Distillers join for a spirited discussion.Embrace Boston CEO Imari Paris Jeffries on the Embrace Massó “¡Con Salsa!” International Music Festival.

CNN's John King zooms in with the latest national political news.Media maven Sue O'Connell discusses the sheriffs turning their jails over to ICE for detention centers, and the $850k the state spent on outside experts for prosecuting Karen Read.Boston Globe travel writer Chris Muther zooms in from Ireland to discuss some of his recent pieces ... Amtrak's Acela upgrades and his ranking of New England rest stops.Sports authority Trenni Casey discusses the start of World Cup ticket sales, and the young Phillies fan who had his home run ball taken by an adult woman, now dubbed "Phillies Karen."

In 2020, a handful of Massachusetts homeowners sued BlueHub Capital -- the only lender in the state who provides shared appreciation mortgages -- alleging predatory lending practices.Today: We hear from two sides of the lawsuit, on the heels of a Superior Court judge ruling that found BlueHub did violate consumer protection and predatory lending laws.First, Bruce Marks from Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, a housing group which supports the lawsuit, joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 with two of the defendants, to discuss their claims of predatory lending and deception by the nonprofit.Then, Elyse Cherry, BlueHub's CEO, tells us the judge's ruling is wrong. She joins with Rose Webster-Smith, director of Springfield No One Leaves -- a housing advocate herself who says she saved her own home from foreclosure with a BlueHub mortgage.

NAACP's Michael Curry discusses Governor Healey's vaccine prescription for Massachusetts residents, and the hardest hit among Trump's federal workforce cuts: Black women.Mark Leibovich of the Atlantic on the failure of the Democratic party to respond to Trump.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the newest longevity craze: micro-dosing GLP-1s.Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, joins with housing advocate Rose Webster-Smith to discuss the recent court ruling on BlueHub's shared appreciation mortgage practices.

Boston Pop's Conductor Keith Lockhart co-hosts with Jim and Margery. Brian Stelter joins for Friday morning media analysis. We talk about 250 media outlets signing an appeal to have better protections for journalists in Gaza. Plus Trump calling for the FCC to revoke licenses for ABC and NBC.Jacyn Tremblay is a vocalist,  former Universal/Motown artist, and current one-third of the band Three Second Chances. She joins for Live Music Friday. Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, from In the Heights and Hamilton, who plays Norma Desmond in the revival of Sunset Boulevard, joins ahead of a collaboration with The Pops on September 20th. Author and actor Marianne Leone discusses her new novel “Christina the Astonishing."

BPR Full Show 9/4: Jim Loves Revenge (Margery Does Not)

Today:Massachusetts education secretary Patrick Tutwiler joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on the start of the new school year.Plus, Love Your Labels – a Worcester-based nonprofit offering LGBT teens community and fashion finesse - is hosting their annual “Queer AF” runway show fundraiser this Friday. We’ll talk with founder and president Joshua Croke, and 19 year-old designer-in-residence Caelum Lam.

Education secretary Patrick Tutwiler on the start of the new school year.GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses Rachel Ruysch at the MFA and Viola's Room at the Shed in NYC.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on a bipartisan press conference outside Congress featuring Jeffrey Epstein victims urging lawmakers to release the Epstein files. Plus, how the rest of the world is viewing Trump's health, and more on the court ruling on Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport people.Josh Croke and Caelum Lam of Love Your Labels join ahead of their annual "Queer AF" fashion show in Worcester.

BPR Full Show 9/2: Summer Blues