Boston Public Radio Podcast

Political commentator Chuck Todd discusses the latest national political headlines and how Republicans are walking a tight-rope between Trump and the party's anti-interventionists. Olga Cherevko is  head of communications for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. She joins us again via zoom to discuss how the US-Israel war on Iran is impacting Palestinians.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on why the Minneapolis prosecutors office is launching an investigation into top border patrol officials.The Culture Show host Jared Bowen joins us briefly to discuss why composer Philip Glass chose to withdraw his Symphony No. 15: Lincoln from the Kennedy Center.And for this week's Am I the A-hole: rims-up or rims-down for storing coffee mugs? 

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.”