Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today: Massachusetts is witnessing its highest spike ever in religious exemptions for vaccines. We’ll talk with GBH’s Connecting the Commonwealth editor Jennifer Moore, plus NEPM’s Karen Brown & CAI’s Gilda Geist about what’s going on, and what it means for the health and safety of us all. To read more about the "Unraveling Immunity" series, go to GBHNews.org.

The Culture Show’s Jared Bowen remembers Diane Keaton and previews a Florida Highwaymen painting exhibit at the Addison Gallery of American Art. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses this weekend's No Kings protests, ICE detaining a 13-year-old from Everett and Trump's latest comments about World Cup games at Gillette stadium. GBH's Jennifer Moore, CAI's Gilda Geist and NEPM's Karen Brown talk about the Connecting the Commonwealth series “Unraveling Immunity,” on vaccine exemptions and related trends in Massachusetts. Boston Globe Love Letter’s columnist Meredith Goldstein on the moving professionals who are there to help when a relationship ends. Then we open the phone and text lines to get your pillow preferences.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the fall of Bill Belichick. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the closure of the Urban Grape amid financial struggles Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the battle on Beacon Hill over a proposal to raise taxes on offshore corporate income; and the local impacts of the government shutdown and Trump's tariffs CNN's John King discusses Trump's statements on the insurrection act, as cities prep for another round of No Kings rallies this weekend.

Today: CNN chief national correspondent John King discusses the government shutdown and the ceasefire in Gaza. And we open the lines to get listener thoughts about peace in the Middle East.

Today: Boston Baroque joins for Live Music Friday. Their season opens this weekend with two shows at NEC’s Jordan Hall tomorrow and Sunday. Led by a man The Guardian once called “The Bad Boy of Baroque,” all the way from the UK – Christian Curnyn. Also here: Boston Baroque Executive Director Sarah Radcliffe-Mars and Concertmaster and associate artistic director, a familiar face to this show, Christina Day-Martinson.

GBH's Adam Reilly and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell join for Press Play media analysis. They talk about Pete Hegseth’s effort to muzzle press Pentagon access, Trump’s claim that flag burning no longer falls under first amendment-protected speech, Bari Weiss at CBS News, and other media headlines. NBC Boston's Sue O’Connell on the O’Keefe family’s wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read, plans for a refresh of the Kowloon, and Amazon's Melania Trump documentary coming to theaters in January. Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett reacts to a Washington Post op-ed by six former U.S. surgeons general arguing RFK Jr. is putting American’s health at risk. Boston Baroque performs for Live Music Friday. We talk with Sarah Radcliffe Marrs and Christina Day-Martinson, plus guest conductor Christian Curnyn (who The Guardian has called “The Bad Boy of Baroque").

BPR Full Show 10/9: Don't Talk To Me Until I've Had My Coffee!

Today: Providence College professor Thea Riofrancos joins to discuss her new book "Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism."

Today: Political philosopher Michael Sandel, author of “Democracy’s Discontent" joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library.

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on Bob Ross' paintings on the auction block to support public media, "Sardines" at the Huntington, Taylor Swift's record-breaking record sales, and other arts and culture news. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on President Trump's troop orders to Portland and Chicago, the air traffic controller debacle nationwide, and more. Political philosopher Michael Sandel (author of the celebrated 1996 book "Democracy's Discontent") joins us ahead of his GBH Ralph Lowell Annual Lecture Thursday night. Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer is joined by retiring Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, who exposes his face to us for the first time.

BPR Full Show 10/7:

Today: Carol Rose, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, discusses our constitutional crisis, as the Supreme Court starts a new term.

Today: Paul Dama was here in the U.S. legally seeking asylum from Boko Haram, when he was taken by immigration officials on his way to church. He was held for months, and made to re-submit his asylum claim while detained; only granted freedom two weeks ago. He has returned to his job at Suya Joint in Nubian Square, alongside sister, chef and owner of the restaurant, Cecilia Lizotte. They both join us to discuss.

UMass President Marty Meehan joins us in studio to talk about school tuition, federal research cuts and their impact on scientific advancement. Former Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Chris Dempsey, and former Rep. Bill Straus join for a transit panel. Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, discusses growing social isolation and what to do about it. Paul Dama and Cecilia Lizotte of the Roxbury restaurant Suya Joint recap Dama's months-long ICE detention and his eventually successful asylum claim.

BPR Full Show 10/3: Who Goes To Coffee Shops Anymore?

BPR Full Show 10/2: The Government Shutdown Continued...

Today: GBH News’ latest documentary “Living in Pryde” follows residents in "The Pryde" senior living facility at a time when queer rights are under attack. We speak with producer Rob Tokanel, Pryde executive director Gretchen Van Ness, and resident Eddie Whitman. And, Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank walks us through impacts to food assistance during the government shutdown.

Today: Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses a judge's ruling that federal officials unconstitutionally violated the free speech rights of pro-Palestinian protesters. Plus, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses the government shutdown.

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem with reaction to defense secretary Pete Hegseth’s summit for hundreds of top military leaders where he railed against America’s greatest threat: beards, guts and diversity. Forrmer Mass GOP chair Jennifer Nassour and former Democratic state rep Jay Kaufman discuss what needs to happen to reform the Massachusetts state legislature. The Culture Show's Jared Bowen talks all things arts and culture, including why the biggest stars in comedy: Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Boston’s own Bill Burr, are getting flack for agreeing to appear at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner on a Boston judge ruling the Trump administration unlawfully targeted international students for pro-Palestinian activism, and the Supreme Court's new term. Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley talks about the Democrats’ role in the first full-blown government shutdown since 2018.

Gov. Maura Healey joins for Ask the Governor. CNN's John King zooms in with the latest on the looming government shutdown and the Trump-Netanyahu photo op. Boston Globe's Shirley Leung on the Boston city council's attempt to mitigate delivery scooter chaos, and how some Boston area companies are reducing their human workforce and supplementing it with AI. NBC10's Trenni Casey discusses the Boston Celtics media day, the Red Sox in the playoffs, and Robert Kraft selling a minority stake in the Patriots for $9 billion.