Boston Public Radio

The Atlantic senior editor and food writer said Americans are better off saving money and eating less, while also avoiding the spread of coronavirus.

The state's education commissioner announced that schools will use remote learning on days traditionally reserved for snowball fights and hot chocolate.

'The fundamental aspect of what we do is bring people together for this communal experience,' he said.

The systems that protect police are coming under increased scrutiny as activists call for broad reform.

Governor Charlier Baker announced the state is looking to reopen schools for in-person learning this fall.

Top public health officials refuted claims made by the president during a political rally that the country would slow down testing in response to an increase in cases.

Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent months: Sebastian Junger speaks about his latest book, “Freedom,” which looks at the meaning of freedom in its many iterations. Junger is a journalist, author and filmmaker. Sy Montgomery returns for our monthly edition of “Afternoon Zoo.” She talks about her sympathy for the humpback whale who nearly swallowed a lobster fisherman off of Cape Cod, stand-up fathers of the animal kingdom, and the dogs who are learning to talk to their owners. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hummingbird’s Gift: Wonder, Beauty and Renewal on Wings." Michelle Singletary discusses her latest book, “What To Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide.” Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, whose award-winning column "The Color of Money" provides insight into the world of personal finance. Michael Moss previews his new book and explains how some drug addiction experts are shifting their attention to food addiction. Moss is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. His latest book is “Hooked: Food, Free Will And How The Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions.” Dr. Marcia Chatelain discusses the historic role McDonald’s plays in the Black community and the origins of Black capitalism. Dr. Chatelain is a professor of history in African American studies at Georgetown University. She’s the author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America,” which won a Pulitzer Prize this year for history. Elizabeth Hinton shares her research into the cycle of police and mob violence facing Black Americans, and how Black communities’ responses to brutality have been characterized throughout history. Hinton is an associate professor of history in the Department of History and the Department of African American Studies at Yale. She’s also a professor of law at Yale Law School. Her latest book is “America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s.” Daniel Lieberman talks about his new book on the evolution of human beings and our aversion to exercise, called "Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved To Do Is Healthy And Rewarding.” Lieberman is a professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.

Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years: Imani Perry talks about parenthood, and how Black parents talk to their children about race. Perry is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Her latest book is "Breathe: A Letter To My Sons.” Richard Blanco reads his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various sociopolitical issues that shadow America. Lizzie Post weighs in on cannabis culture in her new book, “Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, From Dispensaries to Dinner Parties.” Post is a writer, co-director of The Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of etiquette writer Emily Post. Christopher Kimball previews his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Chris Kimball co-founded America’s Test Kitchen, and now runs Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street in Boston. His latest cookbook is “Vegetables.” Farah Stockman talks about how class divides manifest themselves culturally and politically in the United States, and why higher-class, well-educated communities struggle to understand and represent the majority of Americans. Farah Stockman is a member of the New York Times editorial board, and a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter. Her latest book is “American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears.” Howard Bryant discusses his new book, "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant is a columnist and commentator for ESPN. Lindy West previews her latest book, "The Witches are Coming," a collection of essays about feminism in the #MeToo moment. West is a writer, comedian and activist. Joshua Foer talks about the latest edition of “Atlas Obscura: An Explorers Guide To The World’s Hidden Wonders.” Foer is a freelance journalist and author of "Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art And Science Of Remembering Everything.”

Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent months: Don Lemon tells stories from his book, “This Is The Fire: What I Say To My Friends About Racism." Lemon anchors “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon,” airing weeknights at 10 p.m. He’s also a #1 bestselling New York Times author. Chasten Buttigieg discusses his memoir, “I Have Something to Tell You,” and the challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities in the U.S. Buttigieg is a teacher and the husband of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Sy Montgomery dives into the world of hummingbirds with her latest book, “The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty And Renewal On Wings.” Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. David Byrne talks about the film adaptation of his tour, “American Utopia,” and his accompanying illustrated book. Byrne is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, and founding member of the Talking Heads. Nancy Schön discusses her recent work and the mysteries behind the decoration of her iconic “Make Way For Ducklings” sculpture in Boston’s Public Garden. Schön is a sculpture artist, and her latest book is “Ducks on Parade!” Derek DelGaudio weighs in on the roles identity and illusion play in his work, along with the thought process behind his film “In & Of Itself.” DelGaudio is a writer and artist. His latest book is “Amoralman: A True Story And Other Lies,” and his film, “In & Of Itself,” is on Hulu. Gish Jen highlights differences between individualistic and collectivistic cultures in her new book, “The Girl At The Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap.” Jen is a novelist and nonfiction writer. Richard Blanco reads his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Senator Elizabeth Warren talks about her experience with COVID-19 and the state of Build Back Better and voting rights. Warren is senator of Massachusetts. Then, we ask listeners for their last minute gift suggestions. Tori Bedford updates listeners on the latest slew of unionization pushes, including among Kellogg’s workers, Starbucks baristas and local Somerville coffeeshop workers. Bedford covers Boston’s neighborhoods, including Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan for GBH News. Andrea Cabral weighs in on the trial of ex-police officer Kim Potter, who fatally shot Duante Wright in a traffic stop. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Andy Ihnatko gives tips on how to prevent iPhone delivery theft, and his favorite tech gifts for the holidays. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Shirley Leung discusses the racist backlash facing Mayor Michelle Wu after her latest vaccine requirement announcement. Leung is a business columnist for The Boston Globe and a Boston Public Radio contributor. Sy Montgomery talks about camels disqualified in beauty pageants for having botox, and snakes found in Christmas trees. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and BPR contributor. Her latest book is "Becoming A Good Creature." We end the show by opening phone lines to hear final hopes, dreams and worries ahead of this coming Christmas.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan updates listeners on all things Omicron and the growing mental health crisis as the pandemic continues. Caplan is director of the division of medical ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Then, we ask listeners their social norms around tipping and if the pandemic has changed their tipping practices. Gov. Charlie Baker talks about his new COVID-19 plans as the Omicron variant spreads, including activating the national guard to support hospitals and the status of an app that would verify vaccination. He also weighs in on Mayor Michelle Wu’s rent stabilization plans and the Statehouse voting on allocating the ARPA funding. Baker is governor of Massachusetts. Then, we ask listeners their reactions to the latest news on Omicron and new pandemic regulations and precautions. Mayor Michelle Wu takes questions from listeners on her new vaccine requirements in the city, her transportation goals and the status of free COVID-19 test kit distribution. Wu is mayor of Boston.