Episodes

  • REWIND: Ringing in Lunar New Year with Boston's lion dancers

    REWIND: Ringing in Lunar New Year with Boston's lion dancers
    Jan 30 2025

    This interview originally aired on The Common in 2024.

    Chinatown's streets will come to life on Feb. 9 with thunderous drums and a clang of cymbals as nine lion dance troupes celebrate the Year of the Snake in the Chinese New Year Parade.

    WBUR's Cici Yu joined The Common to talk about the vibrant history and tradition of the lion dance in Boston.

    Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.
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    10 mins
  • In New England, climate change is moving fast. The fishing industry is not

    In New England, climate change is moving fast. The fishing industry is not
    Jan 23 2025

    The seafood industry in New England generates more than $20 billion in sales each year and employs more than a quarter million people. But WBUR’s climate and environment correspondent Barbara Moran found it’s not moving fast enough to meet the challenges of climate change, and a new Trump presidency could make things more complicated.

    This story was produced as part of the Pulitzer Center's StoryReach U.S. Fellowship with additional reporting from Columbia University’s Duh Linh Tu.

    Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.
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    8 mins
  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in 2025

    Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in 2025
    Jan 16 2025

    On January 20th, President Elect Donald Trump will take the reins from outgoing President Joe Biden and make his return to the Oval Office. But this Inauguration Day is a little different than most others, because it also falls on Dr. Martin Luther King Day.

    We saw this as an opportunity to step back and look at King's legacy, how he's remembered, and if we'll ever truly see the progress he's envisioned. Joining us on The Common to discuss is Donathan Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity at Northeastern University and co-editor of Dream and Legacy, Revisiting King in a Post Civil Rights Era.

    Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.
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    21 mins
  • Boston chefs say neurodiversity can be a superpower in the kitchen

    Boston chefs say neurodiversity can be a superpower in the kitchen
    Jan 9 2025

    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.
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    19 mins
  • New year, new goals, new can't-miss events

    New year, new goals, new can't-miss events
    Jan 2 2025

    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.
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    24 mins
  • New biography on hip-hop legend MF DOOM shines light on Boston influence

    New biography on hip-hop legend MF DOOM shines light on Boston influence
    Dec 19 2024

    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.
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    18 mins
  • One family's journey from Haiti to Stoughton

    One family's journey from Haiti to Stoughton
    Dec 12 2024

    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.
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    27 mins
  • Cozy up with a movie or comic book this December

    Cozy up with a movie or comic book this December
    Dec 5 2024

    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.
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    23 mins