Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on  Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed former Secretary of Defense James Mattis’ rebuke of President Trump in The Atlantic, as well as pusback from current Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on the issue of using military force to quell Black Lives Matter protests.  We opened lines to talk with listeners about James Mattis’ condemnation of President Trump,...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about the risks of protesting during a pandemic, and his views on the danger of rushing a COVID-19 vaccine.  We opened lines to ask listeners: are you worried about the spread of the coronavirus at Black Lives Matter protests?  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference.  Boston Globe cannabis reporter...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius talked about what her administration is doing to support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and responded to questions from listeners. We opened lines to hear your thoughts on President Trump’s condemnation of Black Lives Matter protesters. Carol Rose from the Mass. ACLU talked about President Trump’s vow...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Rep. Ayanna Pressley spoke about the protesting that took place in Boston on Sunday, and discussed her latest legislation, co-authored with Rep. Ilhan Omar, to address police brutality. We opened lines to talk with callers about the killing of George Floyd, and Sunday’s protests. WGBH News reporter Tori Bedford recapped her experience covering the protests. Dr. David...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the nationwide protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.  Media maven Sue O’Connell reflected on the life of LGBT activist Larry Kramer, and explained what’s happening with this year’s pride parade in Boston.  Beat the Press  host Emily Rooney discussed the arrest of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez on live...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the U.S. passing a grim milestone in COVID-19 deaths, and the uproar over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.  Jim and Margery briefly weighed in on the death of George Floyd Former Mass. Education Secretary Paul Reville discussed the surge in de facto student dropouts in Boston Public Schools, and the l...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Ahead of Gov. Baker’s press conference, we opened lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on using public transit during the coronavirus pandemic.  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference.  Former Secretary of Transportation Jim Aloisi called in to offer context around what the Baker administration had to say regarding the MB...

Instacart, an American grocery delivery service company, has been receiving criticism over its treatment of workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Wednesday about how many Instacart workers haven't received safety kits or extended pay for having to quarantine. Instacart had announced back in March that it would offer two weeks of extend...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask listeners: with hair salons and barbershops back open in Mass., will you be heading out to get your hair cut? TIME Magazine journalist Molly Ball discussed her new biography on Speaker Nancy Pelosi, titled “Pelosi." Environmental journalist Bill McKibben discussed the minor impact of quarantine on global carbon emissions, and the lessons we...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about your concerns around the reopening of Massachusetts, and the people disregarding safety protocols. TV expert Bob Thompson commemorated the lives of actor Fred Williard and sportscaster Phyllis George, and discussed CBS' purchase of John Krasinski's "Some Good New" YouTube series. Travel guru Rick Steves showed off his pian...

For cities and states loosening their drinking restrictions, a new fad is gaining popularity– and it even has its own cute little portmanteau.  Speaking on Boston Public Radio  Friday, food writer Corby Kummer explained what “walktails” are, and why they might not be such a terrible thing for communities in quarantine.  “It’s drinking while walking!” he said. “It’s getting a takeout cocktail." One...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: – We opened our lines to talk with listeners about how you’re planning to spend this upcoming Memorial Day.  – Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the Trump administrations crackdown on food stamp recipients, and the emergence of “walktails” for people looking to socialize while social distancing.  – Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam talked about his harrowing experien...

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd discussed President Trump’s failures in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and the latest headlines out of Congress regarding future aid funding. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed her concerns around the Missouri execution of Walter Barton, and the impact of Trump’s string of inspec...

Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about the President’s use of hydroxychloroquine, and ethical dilemmas raised by an expedited coronavirus vaccine. We opened lines to ask listeners: should people be deliberately exposed to COVID-19 if it means getting a vaccine faster? CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem explained why she thinks Americans shouldn’t rush to return to the offi...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed Gov. Baker’s reopening plan, and how businesses and health experts are responding to the news.  NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the slow return of recreational sports to Massachusetts, and the slim likelihood that the Boston Marathon will take place in September. We opened our lines to talk with lis...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We aired live audio of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Monday press conference, where he unveiled his administration’s plan for reopening Massachusetts.  We opened our lines to hear your thoughts on the governor’s reopening strategy.  Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discussed health concerns around COVID-19, and took questions from callers. 

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about reopening the streets of Boston to pedestrians, and the upsides of having fewer cars on the road. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the damaging impact anti-vax conspiracies could have on an eventual coronavirus vaccine, and the memorials people are creating in the video game Animal Crossing. Beat the Press  host Emily Ro...

Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio *on Thursday to speak about his new set of guidelines to help restaurants reopen. Kummer has noticed many different restaurant safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. "I saw those, and thought maybe it would be good if there was one streamlined set of guidelines, and through my Aspen Institute program, I was able to line up funding." Through the As...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the influence of conspiracy theories and misinformation on the upcoming election, and his thoughts on whether House Republicans are going back Nancy Pelosi’s new coronavirus relief package.  Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the latest news around former national...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed President Trump's refusal to wear a mask, and made the case that anti-lockdown protestors ought to sign a waiver acknowledging the risk of their actions. MIT economist Jon Gruber talked about the latest aid proposal brought forward by the House of Representatives, and his thoughts on what it’s going to take to stabilize the U.S....

Today on  Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask: are you getting the leadership you need from President Trump on coronavirus?  Former Mass. Education Secretary Paul Reville discussed whether high school seniors ought to consider taking a gap year, and and talked about the continuing economic turmoil for some colleges and universities in adapting to the pandemic.  AG Maura Healey joined u...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about the disconnect between President Trump's words and actions around COVID-19. Dr. Ken Duckworth from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. talked about the troubling mental health risks brought by the pandemic, and responded to questions from callers. Writer and Brigham & Women’s Hospital physician Dr. Daniela Lamas discussed e...

Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Ed Markey discussed his latest stimulus proposal in the Senate, and what he thinks about corporate liability protections in the age of coronavirus. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about murder hornets, coronavirus, historic unemployment, and everything else that’s horrible right now. *Beat the Press *host Emily Rooney aired her grievances over the fact...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: – NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the partisan split over reopening the U.S., and his assessment that America is “the dirty country” in context of the global health crisis.  – Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the current Supreme Court debate over birth control coverage, and her take on the sta...

Today on  Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed issues with President Trump’s goal of reopening the country by Memorial Day, and his reporting on how to ethically determine what kinds of medical care are ‘essentiail’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Jim and Margery discussed President Trump’s public reversal on his promise of shutting down his coronavirus task force.  Boston Glo...