Boston Public Radio

Boston is set to host the third annual Embrace Ideas Festival, a multi-day celebration of Black art, culture, joy and excellence. Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston, alongside author and historian Ibram X. Kendi, will spearhead this year's festivities.

Mayor Michelle Wu answered questions on how to increase the city budget and the future of congestion pricing.

Sarah Bartley from the nonprofit United Way of Massachusetts Bay and David Shapiro, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston, discussed the supporting migrants arriving in the state.

James Beard Award cookbook author Grace Young is raising awareness about the struggles facing Chinatown neighborhoods.

Andrea Campbell chose last week the head of her office’s newly created Housing Affordability Unit starting in July, focusing on expanding affordable housing across Massachusetts.

Joe Spaulding, the longtime president and CEO of the Boch Center, first met the theater’s current namesake in the ticket line for a Cat Stevens concert. The rest is history.

Today:Jim and Margery broadcast live from the BPL. New arts nonprofit Arrow Street Arts is launching in Harvard Square this month with an 11-day festival. We speak with ASA founder David Altshuler, executive producer and ArrowFest curator Georgia Lyman and Boston drag star Candace Persuasion.Then, we open the lines to mourn the end of summer.

We opened the lines to catch up on politics. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, discussed the NCAA in crisisSue O'Connell discussed Donald Trump's Arlington Cemetery photo-opLee Pelton, The Boston Foundation, discussed the new academic year as it relates to political protests, affirmative action, etc.The Arrow Street Arts nonprofit is launching in Cambridge at the old Oberon space with an 11-day festival. We spoke with founder David Altshuler, Liars & Believers EP Georgia Lyman, and Boston-based drag queen Candace PersuasianWe wrapped up the show by mourning the end of summer

The Giver author Lois Lowry joined for a quick 5-minute chat ahead of an event at the BPL. She’ll return for a full 20 minutes on October 1. We opened the lines to discuss the DNC. Oompa and Naomi Westwater performed for Live Music Friday ahead of the free, female-centered We Make Noise festivalAdam Reilly joined for a wrap-up of DNC coverage.Corby Kummer covers the latest in food news. Callie Crossley touched on George Santos’ guilty plea earlier this weekMichael Curry talks about companies stepping back from DEI commitmentsWe wrapped up the week by asking folks how they're planning to enjoy the end of summer

NBC political director Chuck Todd joined live from the DNC.Then we opened the phone lines to talk about the non-toxic masculinity represented by Tim Walz. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed her recent column addressing policy disputes between Karen Spilka & Michelle Wu, auditor DiZoglio’s push for a ban on state-led NDAs, and murky financial waters for local grocery institution Stop & Shop.Then we re-aired The Culture Show interview with British sculpture artist Hew Locke, who has an exhibit at the ICA. Sophie Shrand & Alexis Rapo talked about a new comedy-science web series launching at the end of the month over at the Museum of Science.Eric Deggans reviews TV for NPR. He talked about late night comedy DNC coverage, two separate true crime documentaries on the Scott Peterson/ Laci Peterson murder case, and more.We ended the show with laundry etiquette.

The opened the show with thoughts on day three of the Democratic National Convention. GBH culture editor Jared Bowen discussed an economic whiplash for emerging artists, new documentaries on the lives of Elizabeth Taylor & Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and a weekly rundown of local arts & culture.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed flooding in Connecticut and New York. She’ll also talked about security at the DNC, the final reports on the Lewiston Maine shootings, and the latest for the Gaza cease-fire talks.Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called in from the DNC, hoarse after a night of celebrations. Lauren Cook & Amy O’Leary return for a panel discussion on early education and funding milestones in the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget. Lauren is the CEO of Ellis Early Learning & Amy is executive director of Strategies for Children. Ron Mitchell from the Bay State Banner joins to discuss some of his recent Banner op-eds, plus news on achievement gaps in Boston schools & racial disparities in the state’s housing crisis. Naturalist Sy Montgomery returns to talk about animals in the news. This week that’s a pair of Przewalski’s horses sold as mules at a Kansas auction, dolphins attacking beach-goers in Japan, and one brave English Shepard helping treat canine blindness.Then we heard from you about the pros and cons of all-you-can-eat buffets.