Best of BPR (Oct. 12-16): Kai Bird, Anand Giridharadas & 1972 Rock Opera

Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, joins us on the 25th anniversary of the book, to discuss America's food system today.Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory joins to discuss some of the paper's latest headlines, including their Spotlight report into the state's nursing homes.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests,  you can find the full episode right here in the same feed.Today on the show:Polls are predicting a blue wave on election day…but even if that’s true, will midterm victories for Democrats do anything to stop MAGA? Call or text. we’ll open the lines again at the end of the hour to get your thoughts on Fast Food Nation under RFK Jr … and the latest trend: proteinmaxxingWhile stumping for GOP midterm candidates President Trump has been eager to talk down the physical appearance of women, and talk up the physical appearance of men. What’s your take on the president’s obsession with the male form?Listen in to find out!

We’ll speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Kai Bird and his wife/chief researcher Susan Goldmark on their new book: “American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn's Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump.” We’ll be joined in person by journalist Anand Giridharadas on his new book “Man in the Mirror: Hope, Struggle, and Belonging in an American City,” about the subway killing of Jordan Neely in 2023For Live Music Friday, we’ll hear music from the A.R.T’s upcoming “1972: A Rock Opera,” written by Chadwick Stokes, ahead of its premiere on October 27th. We’ll be joined by Stokes and Jessie Nelson

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests,  you can find the full episode right here in the same feed.Today on the show: After another deadly school shooting in America – and as Boston considers student cell phone bans – we’ll open the phone and text lines to get your thoughts. And we’ll end the show with you: It feels like there’s a growing rudeness in society. It’s not just the Trump effect – everyone seems a little harsher. Why, and what can be done about it?  Listen in to find out!

Our final ballot question debate, on Q4, with League of Women Voters' Celia Canavan from Yes on 4 and GOP AG candidate Michael Walsh with No on 4Chadwick Stokes + Jessie Nelson join to discuss their new rock opera 1972; Chadwick will perform with Khaila Wilcoxon and Gracie McGraw, two actors in the production.Sue O'Connell zooms in to discuss her coverage/observations from the Matthew Farwell trial.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests,  you can find the full episode right here in the same feed.Today on the show:  We open the phone and text lines to ask you about all The President’s Women … from the new, fumbling press secretary, to the ouster of Guilfoyle – what’s going on here?And we’ll end the show with Am I the A-hole … domestic strife, as one husband keeps looking up the restaurant menu before the couple goes out to eat… the wife has asked him to stop … Is she being a jerk? Or is he ruining the fun of dining out?Listen in to find out!

A debate on ballot question 7: Andrew Mikoula from Yes on 7 and Adam Chapdelaine from No on 7.Senator Markey joins at 12 after their debate.Rebecca Winter, an organizer of this weekend's No Kings rally, discusses the event.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests,  you can find the full episode right here in the same feed.Today on the show: we’ll open the phone and text lines – inspired by Treasurer Goldberg and other national politicians who are too scared to debate their challengers… what’s lost for small d democracy?We'll open the phone and text lines to you and get your reactions to Lee’s Alzheimer diagnosis.Listen in to find out!

Chris Keohan for Yes on 5 and Phineas Baxandall for No on 5 debating the tax-related ballot question.Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss her new book: "Oceanic Manta Adventure: Saving the Angels of the Sea"Stars from the Broadway in Boston production of Wicked join us at the library --  Susan Cella plays Madame Morrible & Tom McGowan is The Wizard.Lee Pelton, former Boston Foundation president and Emerson College president, joins at the library to discuss his Alzheimer's diagnosis.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests,  you can find the full episode right here in the same feed.Today on the show: With just 3 weeks until the midterms, we’ll open the lines to talk with you: ballots are in the mail, how are you feeling as the days wind down, Elon Musk spends big, AI ads, and everything seems to be on fire, everywhere?We end the show with you… and peak leaf peeping season… We’re at the peak of the peak. How are you enjoying the colors of the foliage?Listen in to find out!