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Boston Public Radio Podcast

WGBH

Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.

Location:

Boston, MA

Networks:

WGBH

PRX

Description:

Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.

Language:

English

Contact:

877-301-8970


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Episodes
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Best Of BPR 1/09: Jimmy Carter Laid To Rest + SJC Upholds MBTA Communities Act

1/9/2025
Today: Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral discusses Carter’s legacy of truth, and Merrick Garland’s plans to release the special counsel report on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. And, Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the future of DEI in higher education, and the latest development in the state's MBTA communities housing law.

Duration:00:34:31

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BPR Full Show 01/09: A Day of Mourning

1/9/2025
Today's podcast starts with hour two of BPR. The first part of the show was dedicated to live broadcast of former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service. Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s plans to release the final Jack Smith report about Trump’s 2020 election subversion. She’ll also talk about Trump asking for a delay in his hush-money sentencing, violent crime at Mass. shelters, and a state program that recruits and trains formerly incarcerated people to drive trucks. Former secretary of education Paul Reville reflects on Elon Musk’s threats to cut the Department of Education through his DOGE program. He’ll also talk about BPS recommending several school closures, state community colleges struggling with an influx of students and other education headlines For our text segment: People in positions of power who choose to close ranks when faced with public scrutiny. How much are we owed as members of the public? Do you assume, if they don’t offer an explanation, they’re guilty as charged? Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talks about former Harvard president Claudine Gay and the future of DEI in higher ed. Plus, the latest on White Stadium and the SJC ruling against Milton. For Am I the A-hole day: what's the appropriate amount of time before someone can eat leftovers in the fridge?

Duration:01:41:56

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Best Of BPR 1/08: On Abolishing Broker Fees & Enacting Congestion Pricing

1/8/2025
Today: We continue the conversation started yesterday with Gov. Healey about eliminating broker fees, with listeners. And, we discuss all things MBTA and transit with former transportation secretary Jim Aloisi & Reggie Ramos from Transportation for Mass.

Duration:00:36:51

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BPR Full Show 01/08: Finding Dignity

1/8/2025
We open the show by getting listener thoughts on broker's fee. Should Mass. take the burden off of renters? GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen joins to discuss Charles Atlas at the ICA, and the Melania Trump documentary on Amazon. National security analyst Juliette Kayyem discusses the brainwashing effect of the internet and its ability to rewrite history, and Meta removing factchecking. Reggie Ramos, executive director of T4MA, joins former transportation secretary Jim Aloisi to discuss the latest transportation news for the state. Meta is saying “no more” to professional fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, bowing to the new Trump admin. We ask: are you considering saying “no more” to Facebook and Instagram? Tim Shriver of UNITE joins to discuss the "Dignity Index" and how it can be used to remove contempt in political conversations. Then we talk about fridgescaping -- the act of making the inside of your fridge visually appealing.

Duration:02:28:07

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Gov. Healey Says She 'Can't Relitigate' What Went Wrong At Steward Health Care

1/7/2025
Governor Maura Healey joins Jim Braude and Margery Eagan at the Boston Public Library on Tuesday January 7, 2025.

Duration:00:38:42

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BPR Full Show 1/7: Safety In Massachusetts Shelters

1/7/2025
Governor with Maura Healey answered questions from listeners ranging from shelters to Steward Health. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston discussed the firing of Jerod Mayo Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation on Costco's pro-DEI stance. CNN's John King on the latest political headlines.

Duration:02:38:55

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Best Of BPR 1/06: Justin Trudeau Resigns & Jim Obsesses Over The Golden Globes Swag Bags

1/6/2025
Today: GroundTruth Project founder Charlie Sennott discusses new developments in the Middle East and Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing he will resign. And, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans recaps the Golden Globes, and his favorite shows of last year.

Duration:00:35:06

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BPR Full Show 01/06: Reflecting on J-6 and Beef Tallow

1/6/2025
We reflect on the four years since a violent mob attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. BU journalism department chair Brian McGrory discusses the flurry of legislation sent to Gov. Healey at the end of the 2024 session, and another exit from a Washington Post editorial staffer after a Jeff Bezos cartoon was killed. GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott discusses Israel's continued attacks on Gaza with no ceasefire, as a deadline looms for Israel/Hezbollah's own ceasefire. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans discusses his best shows of 2024 — Shogun, Shrinking, Fight Night — and last night's Golden Globe Awards. It's our first day streaming on YouTube. We ask listeners to text in with their thoughts on which side of the studio is messier --- Jim, or Margery's? The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discuss whether Democrats should re-embrace religion and the struggle of politically diverse congregations. Then we talk about RFK Jr.'s war against seed oils in ultra-processed foods. Could beef tallow be a good alternative?

Duration:02:30:10

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Best Of BPR 1/03: Communities For Restorative Justice + The Return Of Toad

1/3/2025
Today: Trust in judicial institutions is historically low. We talk with Communities For Restorative Justice executive director Erin Freeborn, and retired federal judge Nancy Gertner about the impact of restorative justice efforts. Then, Cambridge’s beloved tiny bar & music venue “Toad” is coming back, while Christopher’s next door becomes McCarthy’s. We talk with the McCarthys themselves and hear from their family band for Live Music Friday.

Duration:00:37:27

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BPR Full Show 1/03: Best (And Worst) Movies of 2024

1/3/2025
Tommy McCarthy & Co. performed for Live Music Friday Nancy Gertner & Erin Freeborn joined to talk about the work of Communities for Restorative Justice, a nonprofit that offers an alternative to the prison system that involves heavy dialogue and punishments decided to by victims rather than judges & juries. Sue O’Connell on Trump’s bid to save TikTok, dry January, and the siri lawsuit. Odie Henderson on his favorite (and least favorite) movies of 2024.

Duration:02:38:49

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Best Of BPR 1/02: Jimmy Carter In His Own Words & Reflections With Former Aide Margaret McKenna

1/2/2025
Today: We bring you Jim and Margery's 2014 conversation with a 90-year-old Jimmy Carter, about his book "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power." And, one of Carter's former aides Margaret McKenna reflects on his legacy.

Duration:00:34:40

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BPR Full Show 1/2: Remembering Jimmy Carter

1/2/2025
Juliette Kayyem debriefed the attack in New Orleans that killed 15, and the Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Margaret McKenna reflected on her time working under President Jimmy Carter as a White House deputy counsel in the 70’s We replayed Jim & Margery’s 2014 interview with Jimmy Carter about his book “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power.” Andrea Cabral on the downward trend for violent crime in Boston Corby Kummer talked about the craft beer breweries celebrating Pres. Carter’s legacy

Duration:02:35:58

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Best Of BPR 12/20: Boston's Very Own 'Ripped Bodice' Bookstore & Urban Nutcracker

12/20/2024
Today: Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein discusses the region's newest romance-specific brick-and-mortar bookstore, Lovestruck Books, in Harvard Square. And, the team from the Urban Nutcracker joins Jim and Margery at the BPL for Live Music Friday.

Duration:00:32:32

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BPR Full Show 12/20: No Crap for Christmas

12/20/2024
We start the show by asking people how they maintain a "no crap for Christmas" policy. Ashish Jha was Biden’s COVID-19 response coordinator, now he’s the dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health. He joins to talk about RFK Jr. at the helm of HHS and whether the U.S. is ready for another pandemic. Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral reacts to a Georgie appeals court disqualifying Fani Willis, GOP officials targeting Liz Cheney for prosecution in 2025 and the third guilty plea in the Cambridge/Watertown brothel case. Former secretary of education Paul Reville discusses how Linda McMahon will impact the Department of Education, skill gaps at Massachusetts community colleges, a lawsuit alleging price-fixing at major universities, and pushback to Newton’s multilevel teaching model. Vulture podcast critic Nick Quah talks about this year's best shows. Then it's "Am I the A-Hole" day. At issue is an early Christmas dinner time.

Duration:02:32:59

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Best Of BPR 12/19: Ashish Jha Rethinks Pandemic-Era School And Church Closures & AITA For Wanting To Eat Christmas Dinner At Dinner Time?

12/19/2024
Today: Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University school of public health, and former COVID-19 coordinator under President Biden joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 -- He reflects on mistakes made around school closures and vaccine mandates. And, our final Am I The A-Hole segment of the year: Is one family member the jerk for wanting to hold the big Christmas meal later in the afternoon than 1:00 p.m., so he can enjoy time with his own young children and family before meeting up with the big group?

Duration:00:34:55

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Best Of BPR 12/18: Drones In The Sky & Giving Back To Greater Boston

12/18/2024
Today: Andrea Cabral and Sue O'Connell fill in for Jim and Margery. We speak with national security expert Juliette Kayyem about the Wisconsin school shooting, and the drone mania on the east coast. And, Linda Matchan, editor for Globe Santa, and the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Catherine D’Amato, discuss ways we can help each other this giving season.

Duration:00:31:00

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BPR Full Show 12/18: Office Christmas Party

12/18/2024
We start the show by asking about the acceptance of political violence, following the healthcare executive murder. Then, GBH News executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses Commonwealth Shakes' A Christmas Carol and Made in Germany at the Harvard Art Museums. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the Wisconsin school shooting, and the arrest of a US-Iranian citizen in Massachusetts in connection to a drone strike that killed American soldiers in Jordan earlier this year. Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank and Linda Matchan of Globe Santa talk about how to help the hungry and less fortunate this holiday season. CNN's John King joins to discuss the latest national politics headlines. Then we open up the phone lines to hear about your best and worst holiday office party experiences.

Duration:02:29:51

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Best Of BPR 12/17: Two Of Henry VIII's Six Ex-Wives & Urban Grape

12/17/2024
Today: Looking for the best bottle to bring to that family or office holiday party? TJ and Hadley Douglas of The Urban Grape have you covered. And, through December 29th, Boston audiences have a chance to see SIX on its North American tour, at the Emerson Colonial Theater through Broadway in Boston. We’ll talk with the women playing Catherine of Aragon & the notorious Anne Boleyn.

Duration:00:37:46

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BPR Full Show 12/17: Tariffs and Moldy Chestnuts

12/17/2024
We start the show by asking listeners whether they are making big purchases in expectation of Trump tariffs in 2025. TJ and Hadley Douglas of Urban Grape join us for a holiday wine tasting, and to discuss how American wine producers could be impacted by the tariffs. NBC Boston's Sue O'Connell discusses the two men arrested for flying a drone near Logan, Trump considering a pardon for Eric Adams and the fate of TikTok. Carol Rose of the ACLU of Massachusetts discusses the DOJ's report on Worcester police and data privacy legislation proposed by Sen. Warren that aligns with the ACLU's work to pass the Location Shield Act. Two of Henry VIII's wives join us, Anne Boleyn (Gaby Albo) and Catherine of Aragon (Chani Maisonet), from the Boston cast of SIX. Then, we ask whether gift cards are ever acceptable as holiday gifts.

Duration:02:29:39