Explain Boston to Me

It's a legend talking about a LEGEND! In this very special episode, I'm joined by iconic Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy to talk about Larry Bird. We discuss the life of a 1970s beat writer, Bird's rivalry with Magic Johnson, and why this town remains so in love with the kid from French Lick, Indiana. Shaughnessy actually wrote a book on the Celtic superstar: Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics. You can catch him Boston Globe Sports Report, in collaboration with NESN, on Mondays. The last penny. O-lineman who sing xmas songs. Charles, the local alligator.  Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this very special episode, we're joined by Michael Kuchta and Karen Weintraub, authors of Born in Cambridge: 400 Years of Ideas and Innovators, for a stroll (both literal and figurative) through Mount Auburn Cemetery and its history. In part one, we chat in-studio about this iconic garden cemetery's origins. And in part two, we visit a few notable graves to get a sense of the incredible Bostonians buried there. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're learning all about Roslindale, a Boston neighborhood with a deep sense of community. Talking us through its history and its character is Adam Rogoff, owner of The Substation. He spills on his favorite spots, fires some strays at JP, and flexes about sharing a neighborhood with Mayor Wu. Celebrate five years of The Substation on Friday, November 7. Talking about practice. Love Park is reborn in Sweden.  "Toronto Will Never Get Over This" (Defector gift link) EBtM: The Modern Lovers & 70s Boston Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're chatting with Rachel Blumenthal, food editor of Boston Magazine, about that publication's annual Top 50 Restaurants List and what it says about local dining culture at this particular moment in time. What are the latest trends? How is the culinary geography of the city changing? Will the sticker shock ever wear off? And how do these kinds of lists make the very culture they are assessing? To celebrate the issue, Boston Magazine's Taste is happening on November 5; click here for tickets. RIP Hitchbot, 10 years later.  HipHop is 55 years old.  Jaylen Brown hair incident.  Cheeky Spidey D.  Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we're revisiting an all-timer. 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 Antczak, a couple of dudes who have lived in and around Salem for decades. “A reject from Sesame Street” — the initial reaction to Gritty. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Boston on the cheap — does it even exist? To answer that rich question, we're joined by Emily Schario (aka Emily.In.Boston) of The B-Side, Boston Globe's newsletter for hidden gems, exciting deals, and things-to-do. She shares her ideal budget date night, the best neighborhoods for affordable fun, and commiserates over the local happy hour ban. Want to learn more about the cost of living issues we discuss in this episode? Check out conversations on local NIMBYs, $600,000 liquor licenses, and why Boston restaurants suck. Pain.  HipHop returns. Kowloon atrocity.  Voyage of the Mimi Explain Boston to Me: Head of the Charles Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're chatting about one of Boston's most iconic dudes with Kelli Williams of the podcast Beyond the Blinds and the Instagram account laguna_biotch. Join us as we discuss Ben Affleck's career choices, his passion for Dunkin (both the ads and the paparazzi shots), and his place in local culture. Ads starring Boston actors: Smaht Pahk, Dunkin, New Era. Affleck pap shots: Arms full of Dunkin, Smoking, Staring Out at the Ocean Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're talking about Cambridge's most iconic boulevard. Beth Folsom from History Cambridge discusses Brattle Street's complicated history, its lux built environment, its role in local culture, and its aggressive turkey population. The return of the black Sixers jerseys. Calder Gardens. Those blueberry muffins. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the latest installment of Boston Movie Club where we're talking about Fever Pitch, the 2005 romcom starring Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and the 2004 Red Sox. Joining me to dig into this divisive film is Tyler Rotman, who you might remember from EBtM: The 2004 Red Sox. We talk about Fallon as a leading man, the last-minute script changes, and why some locals loathe this movie. Here's the essay Tyler mentions: "In defense of Fever Pitch, the greatest Red Sox movie of all-time" When your baseball team loses (TikTok) "Here comes the pizza" Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's finally happening!!!! Join me and guest Danny Webster as we discuss Jordan's Furniture, the furniture store/IMAX/eatery/ropes course/birthday party location (yup, normal) and local icon. Cooper deJean endorses Cooper Sharp. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're talking about Marshmallow Fluff with artist and food obsessive Sarah Dudek. From its genesis as a door-to-door delicacy to its enshrinement as the state sandwich, this sweet treat has a story to tell. This is all in anticipation of the annual Fluff Festival, happening in Union Square, Somerville, on September 20, 2-6 p.m. Check out Sarah's work HERE. Eagles' Spit-gate. The Princess Diana looks: Harvard sweatshirt and bike shorts; Kelly green jacket. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're chatting with Morgan Doherty, realtor and self-admitted townie, about her native South Shore. We discuss the essential towns, the traffic, and the strange goings on in the Bridgewater Triangle. McGlinchey’s closes.  Trea Turner walks it off. Tommy Cutlets comes to town. "I feel bad for you." "I don't think about you at all." Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ZipRecruiter.com/work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're talking about a local legend: Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan. Guest Meredith Lynch (@meredithmlynch on Instagram and TikTok) brings her lifelong love of this polarizing figure to the conversation as we go deep on '90s culture, "cat fights," monoculture, and Boston's figure skating scene. "Why? Whyyyyyy? Whhhhhhyyyyyy????" Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While I'm in Maine, enjoy this thematically appropriate 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. Check out Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine, a NOVA Special Presentation. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, author Stephen Puleo is helping us place Bostonian Charles Sumner on the "starting five" of American history. This well-spoken, prickly senator was one of the leading voices for abolition during the lead up to the Civil War and even earned Lincoln's ear as the president navigated a grueling chapter for the nation. Oh, and then there's the caning. Puleo's new book, The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union, is out now, and don't miss his Italian restaurant recs at the end of the ep. Yes, Philly fans threw snowballs at Santa, but there's more to the story. The Tom Brady statue is unveiled. The head is too small, right?? Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does Beantown have going on after dark? To answer that question, we're joined by Corean Reynolds, Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston. She's got plenty of insight on the unique challenges and strengths of local nocturnal culture — and even some tips of her own. Love is Blind is casting in Philadelphia.  Jhoan Duran's First Entrance as Phillies' closer; Matt Gelb in the Athletic on importing the entrance from Minnesota.  Boston getting a WNBA team? "Dershowitz Takes Issue With Farmers' Market After Pierogi Denial" Berry Pond in Harold Parker State Forest. (Come for the nature, stay for the audible gunfire.) City of Boston's Summer Dance Party Series. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're talking with travel and culture writer Shayla Martin of 'The Road We Travel' Substack about her experiences on Martha's Vineyard. From Black culture and lobster rolls to Jaws Bridge and Eric Holder eating an ice cream cone, this is the perfect conversation for summer. The Eagles' obscene Super Bowl rings (and the famous Tom Brady ring photo) The race for mayor of the Somerville Community Path (yes, it's all cats) Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Time is a flat circle. In this episode, we're joined by Michael Ansara, author of the recently released memoir, The Hard Work of Hope, to talk about the 1960s and its mass protest movements in Boston. A community organizer and student leader at Harvard during this tumultuous era, Ansara has insight into how that historical moment roiled the region — and how its echoes reverberate today. This is a can't-miss conversation! The Phillie Phanatic riffs on the Coldplay cheating scandal The Delaware River Hot Dog man Somebody Feed Phil comes to Boston Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're talking about Ray Flynn, who served as mayor of Boston from 1984-1993. As described by guest Don Gillis, author of The Battle for Boston, that decade was transformative for the city. It was an era in which the city's progressive identity was solidified and the neighborhoods were brought back into the political process. Plus, did you know Flynn almost played for the Celtics?! "That's what's in" will haunt me forever Cam Schlittler, son of a Massachusetts police chief, wins his Major League Baseball debut for the hated Yankees The Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival is coming up; here's our ep on Revere Charles River swim cancelled Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're talking tripledeckers, that iconic piece of the local urban fabric with Matthew Dickey, aka Streetscape Curator. What are the origins of this vernacular architectural style? How has their identity — and their residents — changed over the years? And are we ready for a tripledecker renaissance? Pork Roll Egg & Cheese Vodka Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.