Boston Public Radio Podcast

BPR Full Show 9/25: Can You Afford The American Dream?

Today: Axios business editor Dan Primack discusses the economy and likelihood of a recession. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses a shooting at a Dallas immigration facility on Wednesday that killed two detainees.

Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air. Did public resistance succeed in protecting free speech -- this time? GBH's Jared Bowen discusses Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night and The Rocky Horror Picture Show turning 50. National security expert Juliette Kayyem on the shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, Trump's UN speech, no federal charges yet in the Charlie Kirk case. We talk to Boston Debate League exec...

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...

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 bu...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Congres...

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...

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 separatio...

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 Fest...

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 Eng...

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 Assistan...

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 BlueH...

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 Sec...

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...

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 v...

BPR Full Show 9/2: Summer Blues

Today: Mass GOP chair Amy Carnevale and Mass Democrats chair Steve Kerrigan join BPR at the BPL for a politics panel. Plus, Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation goes over threats to food assistance for the poorest Massachusetts residents.

Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses her bipartisan housing plan and what she calls Trump's "authoritarian turn." Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft discusses his campaign and takes calls from listeners. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and how it changed the field of disaster preparedness. Darlene Lombos, president of Greater Boston Labor Council...