Boston Public Radio Podcast

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses misinformation and cyberwarfare shaping the conflict in Iran.ACLU of Massachusetts' Carol Rose discusses how the Trump immigration policies are making us less safe: since the administration starting denying bond hearings to immigrants detained inside the country, a number of habeas cases have overwhelmed prosecutors and offices are dropping cases.Priya Tahiliani is Superintendent of Brockton public schools. She joins us to discuss her tumultuous career -- after essentially being driven out of Everett when she pushed for change in the schools there -- and the challenges facing gateway city schools across the state.

It’s been four days of attacks on Iran. Six Americans are dead. Global markets are down. We open the phones to get more of your reactions to the unfolding situation and what comes next.Then, CNN's John King on the primaries today around the country, and takeaways from Clinton's Epstein depositions.The Boston Foundation’s Lee Pelton on how nonprofits like his are managing under Trump, and how TBF is supporting our immigrant neighbors.Sebastian Walker was correspondent for PBS Frontline's 2025 film "Strike On Iran: The Nuclear Question." He joins us to talk about the current situation in Iran.NBC Sport Boston’s Trenni Casey discusses how the war may impact Iran's soccer team ahead of the World Cup. Then, in the latest example of eminent domain fights: a Somerville family refuses to give up their home to make room for the YMCA’s modern expansion. Would you hold on to your home of four decades, or take the millions in the name of so-called progress?

We start the show on Iran. Daniel Drezner is a Distinguished Professor of International Politics and Academic Dean at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.  He gives the latest on the U.S.-led attacks on Iran and what comes next for the region under fire. Joanna Lydgate heads the States United Democracy Center, which aims to protect free and fair elections in the United States. She talks about what states can do to protect the midterms in November. Congressman Jim McGovern calls in to share his thoughts on what he's calling an "illegal war" against Iran.Throughout the show we take listener calls, asking is this another endless regime change effort by the U.S., or the right move for the region?

Author and journalist Rachel Hartigan discusses her book "Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life."Jazz, neo‑soul and reggae artist Safiya performs for Live Music Friday.NBC10Boston's Sue O'Connell on Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and the Clintons' testimony on Jeffrey Epstein.Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther zooms in to discuss his harrowing experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where violence broke out in response to the killing of the New Generation drug cartel leader "El Mencho."

Chuck Todd with his State of the Union analysis Andrea Cabral discusses the 'Dalilah Law' & Trump's proposal to target immigrant driver's licenses and how it would impact Mass, which passed the Work and Family Mobility Act in 2023.Shirley Leung discusses her reporting on deaths of homeless people outside South Station ... plus, the surge on pot shops during the winter storm.

National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussing the State of the Union and cartel violence in Mexico.Danielle Bell, head of the UN's human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, discusses this week marking 4 years of Russia's invasion in Ukraine.Haley Fortier (haley.henry and nathalie wine bars) and Alicia Towns Franken (Wine Unify and Towns Wine Co.), two leaders in Boston's wine community, join ahead of the Femme Fête wine festival, this Saturday.

BPR Full Show 2/24: Snow Much Snow

As a massive blizzard bears down on New England, Jim and Margery keep talking on the airwaves. They take calls from listeners on how they're faring during the storm and help Jim answer questions about his pellet stove. Plus:MassDems chair Steve Kerrigan and MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale join us for our regular political check-in.Princeton University professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the state of Black voter support for the Trump administration, and corporate DEI efforts.Ali Noorani, the Barr Foundation’s new president, joins to share his hopes and goals for the philanthropic organization under his leadership.We dedicate hour three of the show to special snow coverage, talking with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston mayor Michelle Wu, meteorologist David Epstein, NBC 10 Boston's Sue O'Connell, GBH's Jeremy Siegel, CAI's John Basile, MassDOT's Jonathan Gulliver, the MBTA's COO Ryan Coholan, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. 

For Press Play media analysis we talk to NBC10 Boston's Sue O’Connell and GBH's Callie Crossley. Live Music Friday with saxophonist Zishi Liu. He's headlining a Lunar New Year concert at Regattabar later this month.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses today's SCOTUS ruling that bars President Trump from enacting sweeping tariffs.  We play our conversation with Andy Freed, author of “Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership.”

Juliette Kayyem on Democratic mayors across the country moving to limit ICE action in their citiesAndrea Cabral on the Colin Gray case, father of a school shooter.Federico Rossano on a GBH event screening NOVA’s “Can Dogs Talk?”

We remember documentarian Frederick Wiseman and actor Robert Duvall with The Culture Show’s Jared Bowen. And he reviews the new Wuthering Heights movie.Boston Globe technology writer Hiawatha Bray discusses why more people are turning to AI for health-related questions (and what it means for their health). Plus, why Healey's social media regulation plan faces an uphill battle.NBC Sports Boston’s Trenni Casey gives us a dispatch from the winter Olympics: on how a cheating scandal is upheaving the friendly sport of curling, and how, per usual, the Olympic Village has already run out of condoms. 

BPR Full Show 2/17: The Nancy Guthrie Case

NBC10 Sue O'Connell joins to discuss NYC officials re-raising the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, after the Trump administration ordered it removed. Will Nelson Jr. and Loren Benn perform for Live Music Friday, ahead of a Valentine's Day show at Coquette.Boston University researcher Joan Donovan joins for Press Play media analysis, discussing the misinformation stemming from the DOJ's release of the Epstein files, and the internet sleuths claiming they're able to un-redact them.Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein unveils the new Love Letters "Telebooth" at the Boston Public Library, where people can leave a message in a giant phone booth. Then, Meredith sticks around to help answer your love questions ahead of Valentine's Day.

BPR Full Show 2/12: Don't Touch My Stuff

Ian Coss of the Big Dig and John Bullard, former New Bedford mayor and Sustainable Development director at NOAA, discuss season three of the podcast, "Catching the Codfather."Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on security at the Olympics and the Super Bowl, plus the crypto currency grift within the Trump family.Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss inter-species communication between dogs and the humans who give them buttons. Plus, the Indigenous-led declaration recognizing whales as legal persons.And, Joe Hanson, host of High School Quiz Show, checks in ahead of the new season.

NBC Sports' Trenni Casey with updates on the games and the Super Bowl.CNN's John King on the latest national political headlines.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins for Ask the Mayor taking listeners questions

Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory discusses the American politicians booed at the Olympics and the athletes speaking out against the Trump administration. Plus, more local Epstein connections on college campuses.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on the updated White Stadium figures released by Mayor Wu, and why South Station is still kicking out homeless people at night even when temps are below freezing.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on the use of AI by both patients and providers, updates on measle outbreaks, and how to navigate end-of-life conversations with loved ones.Finally, GBH executive arts editor and host of The Culture Show, Jared Bowen, on the joyous performance by Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime show.

Ruth Marcus, formerly of the Washington Post, joins for Press Play to talk about the sweeping layoffs at her former employer.John Barros, interim executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, discusses his new post, after serving as Boston's economic development chief.Legendary singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor joins for Live Music Friday to play some tunes and talk about his role as Winnie the Pooh in a new adaptation.NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell on the apparent kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie's mother. 

BPR Full Show 2/5: I Changed My Mind... Don't Yell At Me

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on the latest tranche of Epstein files and Trump's comments about nationalizing elections.A special live music Wednesday performance by jazz and contemporary composer Farayi Malek, ahead of a performance at the Umbrella Arts Center in partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator. We also talk to Eileen Williston, executive director of The Umbrella Arts Center. Journalist and author Howard Bryant discusses his book, "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America."