New year, new goals, new can't-miss events

Boston Globe's food reporter Kara Baskin spoke to multiple local chefs and restaurateurs who struggled with ADHD and dyslexia in school but thrive in the restaurant industry. They said their differences are their superpower. Darryl C. Murphy spoke with Baskin and Dan Bazzinotti, head chef at Boston’s Blue Ribbon Restaurants and instructor at Johnson & Wales University, for Radio Boston about why the industry supported him in a way the traditional education system never did. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

What do a "rage room," a thought-provoking play, and sandwich recipes of yesteryear have in common? They're all recommendations from Candice Springer, assistant director of WBUR CitySpace, for kicking off 2025. Candice joins Darryl to discuss these events and experiences, as well as share personal goals for the new year that just might inspire some of your own. Out and About in Greater Boston Letz Rage Dancing with the Stars Live! "Ain't No Mo'" from Speakeasy Stage and Front Porch Arts Collective Museum of Illusions Boston January Highlights at WBUR CitySpace Sandwiches of History: Live! Jack the Whipper (with a guest appearance by Ses Carny)   Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

MF DOOM was a legendary emcee known for wearing a mask and keeping a distance from fame in a genre where artists usually embrace the spotlight. DOOM passed away in 2020, but his life is documented in a biography recently released called The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Hip-hop’s Masked Iconoclast. In the book, Writer and journalist S.H. Fernando Jr aka SKIZZ sheds light on DOOM’s story, which includes his time spent right here in Boston.  Today on The Common, Darryl's conversation with SKIZZ and local hip-hop aficionado Dart Adams about the book and DOOM that aired on Radio Boston earlier this year. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Franz and Heroina Edouard and their family are among the thousands of Haitians who left their home country for a better life in the US, and made their way to Massachusetts. The Edouards shared their decades-long journey with WBUR reporter Simon Rios. Today on The Common, Simon joins us to tell us their story, and about their experience with the Massachusetts' emergency shelter system. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's been a minute, but Candice Springer, assistant director for WBUR CitySpace, is back to give you the low down on what's happening in the city this December. After a quick recap of the biggest musical movie event of the year ("Wicked"), here's what Candice recommends: Out and About in Boston Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) Now in its 15th year, MICE is New England's longest-running independent comics expo. At this totally free event there is something for everyone: workshops for artists of all levels, panel discussions and, of course, a marketplace where you can peruse comics and other work by dozens of independent artists -- just in time for holiday shopping! At Boston University's Fuller Building, Dec. 7 to 8. A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin This is the first of two opportunities to see "Home Alone" in Boston this holiday season. On Sunday, Dec. 15, head over to the Chevalier Theater in Newton for a screening of the holiday movie classic, and an exclusive moderated talk with Kevin himself, Macaulay Culkin. 'Home Alone' in concert Can't make it to the movies before Christmas? We don't blame you. Luckily, the Boston Pops is giving "Home Alone" its own treatment with a live score just after the holidays at Symphony Hall on Dec. 27, 28 and 29. This Month at WBUR CitySpace Curated Cuisine: Historian Jessica B. Harris on the culinary and cultural traditions of Kwanzaa James Beard Award-winning culinary historian Jessica B. Harris joins Tamika R. Francis, founder of Food & Folklore, for a conversation about the updated edition of her book, “A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook: Celebrating the Holiday with Family, Community and Tradition.” Additionally, guests will get to enjoy a spicy three-cheese mac and cheese, and holiday gingerbread with molasses whipped cream from the book after the event on Dec. 9. Ones to Watch: The Floor Lords empower local youth through the positivity of hip hop dance The Floor Lords, a Boston-based breakdancing crew, will perform at CitySpace on Dec. 11. After some dancing, they'll talk with WBUR arts reporter Arielle Gray about the crew's mission to empower local youth. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

When Jessie Little Doe Baird was growing up on Cape Cod in the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, she didn’t have a relationship with her native language. Now, she reteaches her language to her community and family through the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, which she co-founded. Today on The Common, we hear Darryl C. Murphy's conversation with Baird on Radio Boston from earlier this fall. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

When a 2022 Supreme Court ruling ended nationwide protection for abortion access, Massachusetts abortion rights advocates predicted an influx of people from out of state seeking abortions. Now, WBUR's Martha Bebinger found the number of people who obtained abortion care from Massachusetts providers was up at least 37% in 2023. The increase was mostly driven by patients from outside the state. Today on The Common, Martha and Dr. Angel Foster, co-founder of Cambridge Reproductive Health Consultants, discuss the future of abortion access in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's been a little over a week since President-elect Donald Trump won a second term in office over Vice President Kamala Harris. Regardless of how you feel about it, another Trump presidency is almost certain to leave a lasting impression on our political reality, including here in deep-blue Massachusetts. Today on The Common, WBUR Senior Politics Reporter, Anthony Brooks, and WBUR State House Reporter, Walter Wuthmann, join us to discuss reactions since the election, and look ahead to what the results could mean for our state. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

In August, Mayor Michelle Wu introduced Boston's first Office of Climate Resilience. She appointed Chris Osgood, previously Chief of Staff and Chief of Streets, as the office's director. Osgood joined us in September to discuss what Bostonians can expect from the Office of Climate Resilience in the coming years. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Happy Halloween! We wish you safe and spooky celebrations this week. That said, Tuesday, November 5th is the 2024 general election. And there is nothing scarier than getting to the polls unprepared. Five statewide ballot questions are before voters this November, and frighteningly, there are quite a few misconceptions about them. Evan Horowitz, director of The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University, joins us in breaking down each question and outlines what is being asked of voters on Election Day. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.