Words Matter

BJ and cousin Mike talk with their Uncle Bill Shaughnessy who, 65 years ago had a front row seat to the development of the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Titan 1.  Bill tells a personal and extraordinary story from the early days of the Cold War.

BJ wraps up his conversation with local news legend Mike Archer about the challenges facing news outlets and the journalists who staff them.

B.J. continues his conversation with Mike Archer of www.thearcherjournal.com, discussing the overuse of cliches and misuse of words in today's journalism.  Can the four C's save our language?

Why do Americans have an issue with trusting journalists? Is it falling revenues at local television stations and newspapers, forcing them to do more with less? Is it inexperience, lack of institutional knowledge or the time pressure of being first to post?  B.J and his mentor/former colleague Mike Archer of www.thearcherjournal.com discuss how these challenges imperil trust, a critical component of freedom of the press.

BJ finally follows the advice so many have given him over the decades:  take a hike!  This time he drives and walks up to a bygone symbol of Vermont history, ascending new heights on a spectacular autumn afternoon.

Back by popular demand?  BJ has moved on from local TV and is blowing the dust off the podcast after a 5 year hiatus.  Does anyone care?  Can he create interesting content?  Will anyone listen??  Enjoy episode one of a new season of Take Me Through It!

TV weatherman Spencer Christian had it all:  A great job, a great family, a great life.  But he nearly lost everything to compulsive gambling, before he found the courage to change his life.  BJ and Spencer discuss Spencer's new book, "You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling."

BJ attends the annual commemoration for the USS San Francisco, which was involved in one of the most hellacious, courageous battles  in American military history 76 years ago at Guadalcanal.

Benjamin Zander, Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestras, discusses the world's greatest music; how it uplifts mankind and teaches us all about love, life and humanity.

Former NFL player and now local news anchor Vai Sikahema recounts his transition from the NFL to TV, coming to America at the age of 8, and the important role religion plays in his life. Second of two parts.