Every Monday through Thursday, Greater Boston host Jim Braude speaks with newsmakers and experts on the events that define our current moment. As 2022 approaches, we reflect on a few of our favorite interviews from the year.
How the Sackler family profited off of lies and addiction
As opioid addictions, overdoses and deaths swept the country, Purdue Pharma continued to push opioid pain prescriptions. In "Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty," author Patrick Radden Keefe exposes how the Sackler family of Purdue Pharma infamy made money off selling the addictive painkiller, OxyContin, despite knowing the medical risks to patients.
Ibram X. Kendi on the ‘anti-racist’ action needed for real change
A year after George Floyd’s murder, where does the work of dismantling systemic racism in America stand, and what took so long? Ibram X. Kendi, the founding director of Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research and co-founder of The Emancipator, discussed his hope that America can become an antiracist country. In his book “How to Be an Antiracist,” Kendi shares his own journey of overcoming racist thoughts and assumptions as proof that it’s possible.
Victor Wooten to become first electric bass soloist featured with Boston Symphony Orchestra
For the first time, the Boston Symphony Orchestra this year featured an electric bass soloist. Grammy-winning bassist Victor Wooten and Thomas Wilkins, Boston Symphony Orchestra’s artistic adviser for education and community engagement, joined Jim Braude on Greater Boston to discuss what this moment means for classical music.
Kerry expresses optimism about global action from UN climate change summit
The 2021 Conference of the Parties brought together world leaders to strike deals on combatting climate change. Former Secretary of State John Kerry spoke enthusiastically about the market shifts that are greening the global economy and commitments from countries that previously haven't been “at the table.” But Dr. Vanessa Kerry, director of the Global Public Policy and Social Change program at Harvard Medical School and CEO of Seed Global Health, pointed out that global health has been largely left off of the agenda.
Rachael Rollins says she receives racist death threats as she prepares to become US attorney
After a narrow Senate confirmation along party lines, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins is set to be the first Black woman in the role of U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She discussed her time as Suffolk County D.A., her goals once she is sworn in, GOP criticism of her positions, and the racist and sexist harassment she has received from some members of the public during the confirmation process.
