Explain Boston to Me

This week, we're joined by Cam Hasbrouck and Drew Johnson from the Brews & Bruins podcast to chat about Boston's beloved professional ice hockey team and to dig deeper on the region's love for the sport, from the Bean Pot to Bobby Orr. Plus, some pre-Super Bowl chatter. Gritty's ever-changing belly button, an investigation.  Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker fumbles Eagles chant. A Tom Brady...

In this episode, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, food editor at Boston Magazine , takes us deep on this meaty regional specialty. We're grilling her to get all the answers, from the history of steak tips to the best spots to order them. Rachel's longform feature, "The Mysterious Origins of Steak Tips, a Uniquely New England Dish" The Northeast Philly Guy Monk portrait A good mechanic in South Ph...

Sean Burns , film critic for WBUR , joins the podcast to talk about Boston crime movies — the good, the bad, and the Casey Affleck. We chat about why this genre looms so large in the city's imagination, trace the arc of Mark Walhberg's career, and consider the infamous rat shot. Plus, a sequel to our Boston versus Cambridge water taste test featuring the best the Big Apple's taps have to offer. Sa...

We're talking with Jake Sconyers, host of the Hub History podcast, about the work it took take transform Boston from a 475 acre peninsula surrounded by sea and marshland to a booming city comprised of 15,000 acres. The Back Bay might be the most iconic infill neighborhood, but it's not the only one. The new Pennsylvania license plate . Kelly's Roast Beef is bought by a private equity firm . Spoon'...

In this episode, we're chatting with Nikki Stewart of Old North Illuminated . She tells us about the history of this Freedom Trail icon, the legend of Paul Revere, and the evolution of Revolutionary-era storytelling in Boston. Plus, a Sheetz versus Wawa debate. Kylie Kelce, America's princess? Philly Pretzel Factory has a franchise in Revere . The story of Garlic Expressions . Explain Boston to Me...

We're revisiting one of my favorite early episodes: Guest Pat Toomey's family has been in Southie for generations. He talks us through the contours of erstwhile working-class-Irish Southie as well as the new frat-bro-central Southie, and even gets in a few digs at The Departed . Speaking of The Departed , here is Pat on EBtM: Boston Movie Club talking about the crime thriller. See you in 2025! Hav...

In this Christmas Day drop, we're talking about Coolidge Corner, the neighborhood in Brookline with the most urban juice. Guest Rebeckah Orsatti talks me through Town Meeting, JFK, and the municipality's wild parking restrictions. A soft pretzel tray livens up any party . And turns out there is a Philly Pretzel Factory location in Revere! Brookline's turkey art. Have feedback on this episode or id...

Why are there so many wild turkeys in this town? Mass Audubon 's Tia Pinney has answers and tips for avoiding confrontation with our feathered friends, or should I say enemies...BE THE BIGGER TURKEY. Side note: At one point I might have referred to this episode as "the best one I have ever recorded." Show notes: A Man Full of Trouble , Colonial-era dive bar, reopens. The Sixers' cursed s...

Just don't call him that! In this week's episode, we're talking to lawyer, father, Bostonian and — according to some — Boston Brahmin , R.J. Lyman. He teaches us about the origins of the term, its place in local culture, its institutions, the accent, and the values that the caste espouses. UConn And UMass Created And Abandoned College Football’s Goofiest Rivalry Trophy Trading Places is a holiday...

In this week's episode, we're talking about Boston's LGBTQ history and identity with Joan Ilacqua of The History Project , a community archive, repository, historical society, and museum for the local queer community. This is a complex story, and we get into everything from gay marriage legalization (it happened here first!), to "Boston marriages," to the city's first pride parade, to it...

What movie should we do next? And who should be the guest? Email me This is a great weekend to get the family together for a viewing of the 1997 classic starring Matt and Ben. In this rerun of our inaugural Boston Movie Club, we're talking about Good Will Hunting.  To get into all the good stuff — Stellan Skarsgaard’s scarf, whether or not a burger is ever called a "sandwich" interchange...

In this very special episode, we solve the Karen Read case! JK. We actually talk about what the obsession with this murder says about Boston, its suburban small towns, local media, law enforcement, and true crime. Offering her expertise is writer Susan Zalkind , author of The Waltham Murders: One Woman’s Pursuit to Expose the Truth Behind a Murder and a National Tragedy and contributor to VICE , T...

There's a reason they call it "Beantown." In this week's episode, Yankee Magazine food editor Amy Traverso takes us through the history of this iconic food — and explains why its place on the Mount Rushmore of local cuisine might be in jeopardy. Who's in for a Bean-off BBQ next summer? Chickie's and Pete's will take you to court over Crabfries . An Andy Reid lookalike . Yankee 's Baked B...

Is there anything we take for granted more than clean, safe water flowing out of our taps? In this episode, I'm learning all about Boston's municipal water supply and its source, the Quabbin Reservoir. My guest is writer and historian Elena Palladino, author of Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley . We ask the big questions: Does Boston's water have a reputation? What are the trade-offs of moderni...

In this week's episode, we're learning all about Lexington, aka the "birthplace of American Liberty." Or so they say! Giving us the 411 on this iconic New England town is Trisha Pérez Kennealy, local and proprietor of the Inn at Hastings Park . We chat about the area's colonial history, the rivalry with Concord, NIMBYs and why her establishment is the perfect place for corporate espionag...

This week, we're talking Fenway — or "The Fenway" — which has everything from baseball (duh) to world-class art to gorgeous parks. The inside scoop comes courtesy of Michael Minichello, general manager at TimeOut Market Boston , which located in one of the neighborhood's most iconic buildings. Here is video from the scrapple-carving contest . Rocky runs through the Italian Market . Have...

In this week's episode, we're chatting about the city's most famous rowing race: The Head of the Charles , happening October 19-20. Joining us is Brendan Mulvey, director of racing at the annual regatta. He tells us about the HOC's history, the best places to watch, and how the local rowing scene drew him to Boston. Here is a link to the Boston Globe column featuring the show: "No Stupid Ques...

In honor of October baseball, we're revisiting this magical tale of underdog grit, triumph over evil, and old men weeping in the streets. Lifelong Red Sox fan Tyler Rotman joins me to tell me the tale of how the curse was broken and the city liberated from its insidious vice — even if Pedro did throw that old man to the ground. We'll be back next week to talk about the Head of the Charles Regatta...

In this episode, we're joined by Sebastian Belfanti of the West End Museum to talk about the history of the neighborhood — and its tragic fate at the hands of Urban Renewal. Turns out Boston looked at a dense, diverse downtown neighborhood and said, "Bring in the bulldozers." Click here for images of the destruction of the West End. And here are images of The Gothic before its demolition...

Salem, the North Shore city with a long and complicated history, is now in the midst of a new chapter: Halloweenmania! Beginning before the first leaf even turns, its annual Halloween Happenings attracts tourists from around the globe, packing the streets and causing headaches in surrounding towns. How did it get this way? To chat about this spooky phenomenon, I'm joined by brothers Adam and Art A...

It's the dramatic conclusion of our discussion of the Boston Tea Party! Living history interpreter Audrey Stuck-Girard walks us through the aftermath and the legacy of this iconic incident. Check out Audrey's custom historical wig business, Cuffed & Coiffed (here's the Instagram page ). The Wet Guy. A clip from The Comeback , which is actually a three-part series on Netflix. Have feedback on t...

In part one of our inaugural two-parter, we're talking with living history interpreter Audrey Stuck-Girard about one of Boston's most iconic incidents, The Boston Tea Party. This episode has everything: Colonial tax policy, tea talk, a creepy portrait of Paul Revere , an alibi for Sam Adams, a testy town meeting, smuggling, Connecticut slander, and more! Check out Audrey's custom historical wig bu...

Not even COVID could keep me away from you! I'm back from vacation with an episode exploring an iconic part of New England culture: Lobster. To go deep (sea) on the subject, I'm joined by Curt Brown, a Maine lobsterman and marine biologist with a passion for this industry and clawfuls of optimism for its future. Please blame any and all bad puns on my sick, addled brain. Check out Sea Change: The...

Oh how far we've come! I'm on vacation, so here's an oldie but a goodie — with a new intro! On the first ever episode of "Explain Boston to Me,"  l learned about Allston Christmas, the smorgasbord of free curbside stuff that happens every September 1. Explaining this phenomenon — and giving the overall scoop on Allston — is Matt Shearer, a reporter for WBZ News Radio. You might have hear...

In this week's episode, we're joined by Dart Adams , author, journalist, historian, and Black Bostonian. He talks about how the culture being exported by the city — the movies, TV shows, media, and memes — doesn't reflect the actual diversity of the community. Here is Randolph and Mortimer Duke: "Turn those machines back on!" And here is a video of Joel Embiid trolling the French fans ....