Episodes
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BPR Full Show 4/20/20: The Next Hotspot
Today on Boston Public Radio: Seed Global Health CEO Dr. Vanessa Kerry discussed the surge of COVID-19 patients in Massachusetts, the role of The WHO in fighting the global pandemic, and took questions from callers. We opened our lines to talk with callers about how you’re handling coronavirus anxiety. WGBH news analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed the positive strides being taken by female world leaders in the fight against COVID-19, as well as the dangerous opportunities presented by the pandemic for authoritarians. Science reporter and FRONTLINE correspondent Miles O’Brien discussed his upcoming FRONTLINE documentary, "Coronavirus Pandemic," on the U.S. COVID crisis response. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed Saturday's “One World: Together At Home” concert, and Netflix’s new show “BlackAF.” We opened our lines to ask callers: if coronavirus acceptance was ranked like the stages of grief, which stage would you be at? Poet Richard Blanco celebrated National Poetry Month by reading some “ars poetica” pieces, or poems about poetry. -
BPR Full Show 4/17/20: Is Never Good For You?
Today on Boston Public Radio: Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed her recent appeal to Gov. Baker to rescind COVID-19 crisis guidelines in order to address racial disparities in communities impacted by the coronavirus. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem recapped her latest writing for The Atlantic on the “strange purgatory” awaiting Americans post-quarantine, and criticized President Trump’s calls to pull funding for the World Health Organization. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney recounted her bizarre experience walking down an empty Newbury Street in Boston, and read a Covid-themed list of fixations and fulminations. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed the sexual assault allegation against former Vice President Joe Biden, and criticized the still-standing FDA restrictions on gay men donating blood. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed a new contract-tracing app from Google and Apple, and local privacy concerns over Chinese regulations on the video game Animal Crossing. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed polling on who Americans trust during the coronavirus pandemic, and whether recent comments from Surgeon General Jerome Adams were offensive to Americans of color. We opened our lines to ask listers: are you enjoying be anti-social while you social distance? -
BPR Full Show 4/16/20: Practicing 'Kalsarikännit'
Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the president’s authority the re-open the country, and talked about Joe Biden’s limited public presence during the pandemic. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung talked about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on small businesses, and how it could shape the identity of U.S. cities for years to come. We opened our lines to talk with callers about how you think Massachusetts ought to go about reopening its economy. Former Massachusetts Democratic chair Steve Grossman discussed his views on what needs to be done to protect small businesses and under-resourced communities. We reopened or lines to continue the conversation about how the state’s economy and the coronavirus pandemic. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam previewed an upcoming edition of the “Boston Public Radio” book club, and dissected the #pantsdrunk internet trend. -
BPR Full Show 4/15/20: Groundhog Day
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners ahead of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference. We aired live audio of the governor's press conference. A.G. Maura Healey called in to address the range of issues her office is confronting amid the coronavirus pandemic, and took questions from callers. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed President Trump’s decision to suspend funding for the World Health Organization, and racial disparities in COVID-19 victims. Writer and naturalist Sy Montgomery discussed whether house cats can catch the coronavirus, and pandas mating at a vacated Hong Kong zoo. -
BPR Full Show 4/14/20: The President's 'Total Authority'
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about President Trump’s heated Monday press conference. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the slow reemergence of sports in the U.S., and athletic companies who’re pivoting to produce personal protective equipment. Writer and TIME Editor-at-Large Anand Giridharadas discussed issues with the U.S. relying on billionaires to offer aid during the coronavirus pandemic. Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville explained how the coronavirus pandemic is widening the gap between students from low and high-income families. Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart talked about what the coronavirus pandemic has meant for his orchestra's annual July 4th concert, and what he’s been up to in quarantine. CNN’s John King broke down the latest national headlines. We re-opened our lines for a check-in with listeners to see how you’re doing. -
BPR Full Show 4/13/20: Fauci's Future, Our Reality
Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean of BU’s School of Public Health, discussed the likelihood of racial disparities in cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, as well as the implications surrounding the president’s potential firing of Dr. Anthony Fauci. We opened our lines to ask: if President Trump fires Dr. Anthony Fauci, will he make America sick again? TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed the work-from-home edition of "Saturday Night Live," and the series finales of “Modern Family” and “Schitt’s Creek.” WGBH news analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed issues with Sweden’s lax approach to the coronavirus, and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s release from an ICU after contracting COVID-19. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed clogged distribution channels in the food industry, and the current state of safety conditions for grocery store workers across the country. We continued the conversation about Anthony Fauci’s potential firing with listeners. We aired live audio of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Monday press conference. -
Corby Kummer: Food Waste During The Coronavirus Crisis
The closure of schools, businesses, and restaurants, due to the coronavirus pandemic, has created a problem of abundance with farmers across the country. Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Monday, about farmers who have excess food. "There's this double problem of not enough farm workers to harvest food, and food not being distributed," he said. "A single chicken processor is smashing 750,000 unhatched eggs every week and the nation's largest dairy cooperative estimates farmers are dumping 3.7 million gallons of milk each day, because cows don't stop giving milk, chickens don't stop laying eggs, but the distribution channels are getting clogged." This newfound problem is a terrible irony of fresh food going to waste, Kummer added. "Then, what's going to come down the line are all of these crops that are going to ripen, and there won't be labor to pick them and they will be plowed under." *Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy. -
BPR Full Show 04/09/20: The Biden Bump
Today on Boston Public Radio: — NBC's Chuck Todd discussed the 2020 race, and whether Joe Biden will be able to woo Bernie Sanders supporters. — CEO of Ascend, Andrea Cabral, spoke about how the coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for prison reform. — Rep. Richard Neal, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, analyzed the coronavirus stimulus package. — We then broadcasted Governor Charlie Baker's press conference, discussing Massachusett's surge of unemployment claims. -
BPR Full Show 04/10/20: This Is A Citizen's Arrest
Today on* Boston Public Radio:* We opened the lines to hear from listeners about how best to enforce stay-at-home orders. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the pandemic's effect on the local economy, especially small businesses. WGBH's Emily Rooney was back with her famous list, and more. Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell discussed how COVID-19 is disproportionately hitting minority communities nationwide, including some in her district. We closed out the show by opening the lines to hear from listeners again, about their experiences with life in the age of coronavirus. -
BPR Full Show 4/8/20: The Brace
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: do you feel guilty going to grocery stores and putting clerks at risk? MIT economist Jon Gruber explained why he believes the stimulus package’s $100 billion for hospitals won’t be enough. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the string of inspector general firings by President Trump, and the resignation of Navy Secretary Thomas Moldy. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed proposals for how hospitals will ration care under the stress of the current pandemic, and troubling racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths. Cannabis reporter Dan Adams explained why many recreational pot shops are at risk of shutting down for good, and discussed his reporting on the mutual aid groups springing up around the state to help people in need. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed how various theater companies are adapting to social-distancing, uploading shows online and offering opportunities to talk one-on-one with actors over the phone. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the end of Bernie Sanders' presidential bid.
