Boston Public Radio Podcast

Political analyst Chuck Todd with his weekly D.C. rundown. Rep. Ayanna Pressley talks about the return of Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk. And, her new bill to stop the garnishment of wages for people with student loans in default. Dr. Sarah Fortune leads a tuberculosis research team at Harvard whose NIH funding was just cut by the Trump administration. She talks about the importance of scientific research and the future of her lab. MIT economist Jon Gruber explains how cuts to higher education will impact the biotech, medical and education economy in Massachusetts.

Today: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley tells of her visit to constituent Rumeysa Ozturk in a Louisiana detention center, of the fight to get her released, and how Democrats are fighting back against the Trump administration. And, Dr. Sarah Fortune, chair of the department of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discusses how a surprise philanthropic donation is keeping her scientific research alive – despite cuts from the Trump administration.

GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses the no-nudity dress code at Cannes and 'Kimberly Akimbo' at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem explains why the Qatari plane gifted to President Donald Trump poses security problems. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses new FDA-approved 'natural' food colorings, the golden age of the fried-chicken sandwich and Michelin stars coming to Boston restaurants. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery on this season's tick problem and new research on the rhythmic capabilities of sea lions.

Today: National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the amount of work that will have to go into retro-fitting the Qatari airplane to suit Trump's presidential needs. And, naturalist Sy Montgomery discusses warming climate's impact on ticks and the humans who get bit by them.

Today: Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library to discuss his mayoral challenge to Michelle Wu. And, Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart discusses the current spring Pops season, his 30th with the orchestra.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses a private equity in the Celtics' purchase bid and their devastating loss last night in game four against the Knicks. Josh Kraft joins to discuss his campaign for Mayor of Boston. Conductor Keith Lockhart on his 30th anniversary with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and what's in store for the Pops' spring season. CNN's John King joins via zoom to discuss the latest national political headlines.

Today: Olga Cherevko of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, zooms into the show from Gaza City to discuss the humanitarian crisis there. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G Price discuss the new Pope's Creole heritage.

BPR Full Show 5/12: Crisis In Gaza

Today: Gov. Maura Healey joined Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library on May 9, 2025.

For Live Music Friday we hear from Brockton-based artist Latrell James, who won Album of the Year at 2024’s Boston Music Awards. He's performing at Boston Calling this month. We also speak to Boston Calling co-founder Mike Snow. "Ask The Governor" with Maura Healey. We ask Gov. Healey about tariffs, the latest ICE raids, potential cuts in the state budget and more. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark joins is to talk about dysfunction within the Democratic party, what the party's message should be moving forward, and her recent petition to protect Medicaid and SNAP.

Podcaster Chuck Todd returns for his Thursday D.C. roundup. Andrea Cabral on the latest law and order headlines: an appeals court ordering the return of Rumeysa Ozturk and to Vermont. Environmentalist Bill McKibben returns for his monthly climate check-in. Culture reporter James Bennett II discusses why Americans are obsessed with the movie Conclave and the real-life conclave. While on air, the current conclave ended and the new pope was announced. We talk with James about the historical significance of the first Pope from the United States, Leo XIV.

Today: National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the start to the secretive process to pick the next pope. NPR host Ari Shapiro zooms in ahead of two local shows on his cabaret tour.

Jared Bowen discusses the local arts groups impacted by cancelled NEA grants. Juliette Kayyem discusses what you need to know about Real ID requirements. Ari Shaprio joins ahead of his one-man cabaret show: "Ari Shapiro: Thank You For Listening" stopping in Nashua and Lexington this weekend. Ana Sortun, executive chef of Oleana and chef/co-owner of Sofra, joins with Maura Kilpatrick, chef/co-owner of Sofra — for our latest edition of How Do You Two Know Each Other?

Today: Senator Ed Markey discusses Trump's tariff plan, and his recent visit to Rumeysa Ozturk in Louisiana. And, Chuck Collins from the Institute for Policy Studies discusses the uber-wealthy forces trying to expand Bedford’s Hanscom Field to accommodate more fossil-fueled private jets.

Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, discusses the appeals court hearing today in the case of Rümeysa Öztürk. Plus, the Trump Justice Department taking the same position as the Biden admin on a major abortion access case. Senator Ed Markey zooms in to discuss national politics: the impacts of tariffs on small business, Republican rule-breaking, Harvard, and Trump's deportations. Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation discusses how Trump's nonprofit policies will devastate vulnerable communities, and the Boston Foundation's $2.6 million in Safety Net grants. Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies discusses the American oligarchs — Zuckerberg, Musk and Bezos --- and their impact on politics. He also joins to discuss the proposed Hanscom Field expansion as it relates to private jet use and climate change.

Trenni Casey discusses the Kentucky Derby, the Celtics first playoff game tonight against the Knicks and the benefits of deep breathing. Comedian W. Kamau Bell joins ahead of a show at The Wilbur later this month. GBH News investigations editor Jennifer McKim and Tyngsboro homeowner Trevor Nkuubi join to discuss some shady practices in the solar panel industry. Jeanne Kempthorne, retired attorney and former State Ethics Commissioner, gives her perspective on the legal battle brewing between auditor Diana DiZoglio and AG Andrea Campbell over the auditor's efforts to audit the legislature. Then we re-air our conversation with Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa.

Today, we bring you the first episode of friend-of-the-show Shirley Leung's new series The C-Word, where she discusses her own experience with breast cancer, something she's kept to herself for years. Shirley's podcast "Say More" can be found here.

Skylark is a multi Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble here for this week’s Live Music Friday. Shirley Leung on her recent episode of “Say More” where she speaks – for the first time publicly – about her experience with cancer. Evan Dalton & Nathan Senner are two birding experts, we’ll put their skills to the test, discuss how climate change impacts bird populations, as well as the threats to science funding. Matt Gertz for Press Play; we peak behind the curtain of the Fox News universe on tariffs, and get an update on the latest with Paramount/60 Minutes.

Maria Ressa is the CEO and co-founder of the Filipino news service Rappler. In 2021 she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to a free press, reporting on dictator Rodrigo Duterte. Amy Spitalnik is CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. She’ll discuss antisemitism in America and those who argue it’s being politicized by the far-right. Jessica Tang is President of AFT Massachusetts, she joins ahead of an appearance at a May Day rally on Boston Common. Jelani Cobb is Dean of the Colombia Journalism School and writer for the New Yorker. He talks about Columbia in Trump’s crosshairs and journalism’s role holding Trump 2.0 to account.

Today: Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist, author of "How to Stand Up to a Dictator," discusses standing against authoritarianism and confronting disinformation. Her message is clear: the future of American Democracy depends on the willingness of Americans to fight for it. And, president of American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts Jessica Tang joins to discuss today's international day of action for the labor movement, amid widespread attacks on laborers, educators, and civil society more broadly from the Trump administration.