Boston Public Radio

Buford discussing his latest book about French cooking, and talks about restaurants in America, post-pandemic.

As the city and state moves forward with reopening, will Boston once again be the most congested region in the country?

Spaulding said he isn't interested in opening his theaters until it's safe for everyone.

June is LGBTQ Pride Month, but most events, even virtual ones, have been postponed due to the pandemic and racial injustices.

The "Under the Radar" host said James "risks a lot" by speaking out on political issues.

The Voter Protection Corps chair called out GOP leaders for perpetuating what he called ‘a shameful system’ to limit voter participation among groups that historically vote for Democrats.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mayor Michelle Wu discusses the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) findings from their investigation into the MBTA system, and shares her thoughts on the Supreme Court’s recent decisions concerning abortion, guns, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the Mayor.” Andrea Cabral talks about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson being sworn into the Supreme Court, and Ghislaine Maxwell’s 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. David Abel weighs in on the Supreme Court curbing the regulatory powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in West Virginia v. EPA. Abel is a Pulitzer-prize winning writer who covers the environment for the Boston Globe. Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about the EPA’s now limited power to regulate emissions. Jonathan Gruber explains what current inflation numbers mean, and shares his thoughts on whether the U.S. might be heading into a recession. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. His latest book is “Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.” Juliette Kayyem updates us on the latest news from the Jan. 6 committee hearings, focusing on the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide and assistant to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if it’s time for Democrats to start being more aggressive to enact political change. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the NFL’s push to suspend Deshaun Watson, and WNBA player Brittney Griner’s upcoming trial in Russia. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Dr. Brenda Cassellius shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected the school system and the search for her replacement. Cassellius is the outgoing superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Jared Bowen discusses the new Designing Motherhood exhibit at the MassArt Museum through the lens of the recent Roe overturning, Maurice Sendak’s exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Lesley Dill’s sculpture exhibit at the Canterbury Shaker Village. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Then, we turn to live audio from the Jan. 6 hearings.

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 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 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 “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.”

Swampscott native Tyler Akabane recently opened The Mushroom Shop in Somerville, stocking everything from cultivated exotic king oyster mushrooms to mushroom-bedecked merchandise. And according to award-winning food writer Corby Kummer, Akabane’s shop is just one step in bringing the mushroom foraging craze to the Boston area. “We're finally catching up to the rest of the world, because in Europe and many parts of Asia, a lovely outing is going on a hike and looking for mushrooms,” Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday. “It's incredibly common.” “It's a real cult — it's fun and you learn how to do something.” Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by asking listeners what should be done to protect abortion access in the U.S. Judge Nancy Gertner talks about the future of the Supreme Court post-Dobbs, including the direction Justice Clarence Thomas wants to take the court. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Corby Kummer discusses the climate of restaurant closings amid rising rents, and a new entirely mushroom-focused restaurant in Somerville. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Hal Brooks and Gina Femia discuss the unorthodox approach to theater that the Cape Cod Theatre Project takes, and how the process worked for Femia’s new play. Brooks is the The Cape Cod Theater Project’s artistic director, and Femia is a playwright, who wrote “The Violet Sisters.” Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price share their thoughts on how religious leaders should organize to effectively advocate for abortion rights, and where the separation of church and state plays in that organizing. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, and the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music. Together they host the “All Rev’d Up” podcast. We end the show by asking people what they think about SCOTUS' decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.