Boston Public Radio Podcast

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 executive director Kimberly Willingham and hear students debate the subject of Boston city bike lanes. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer zooms in to discuss the USDA quietly removing a food insecurity tracker and the one year anniversary of Dani's Queer Bar.

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 through authoritarianism.

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 business editor Dan Primack on the AI race with China, the latest on TikTok’s sale, and why the Fed’s interest rate reduction might not be enough to stop a recession. The Revs, Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III, on how Charlie Kirk’s death and evangelical roots are being received by Black Christians. Then, we open the phones lines to hear how listeners are embracing the season of flannel, pumpkin spice everything and cozy sweaters.

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 with activist singer/songwriter Evan Greer, ahead of an album drop tomorrow. “I’m not religious enough for her” and “My partner does all the talking at parties”...those are some recent love-related dilemmas from Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein. She joins to discuss all matters of the heart. This weekend marks the 20th annual What the Fluff festival in Somerville. We open the phone and text lines for all things marshmallow fluff – from fluffernutters to rice crispies -- how do you enjoy this local pantry treat? 

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 arrests in LA, and press freedoms under attack.Sy Montgomery + Matt Patterson join to discuss their latest book "The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle" — they're on tour, and issuing public safety announcements as turtles are crossing roads to find their winter hibernation spots. 

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 in western Mass.

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.We check in with the Mass League of Community Health Center's Michael Curry on the impact of private equity in healthcare, the efforts by the Trump administration to erase Black history, and why Black students are flocking to HBCU’s in the Trump era.NEPM executive editor Elizabeth Román joins with Big E vendor Joe Deedy, owner of Moolicious Farm. Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins for Ask The AG.

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 Congress after the assassination of Charlie KirkNew England tourism takes a hit as Canadians stay home to protest trade sanctions. PBS European travel guru Rick Steves joins us to talk about that, plus, sights and travel tips from his recent trip – a vacation? – to Italy. 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.