Today:

The annual World Happiness Report came out this week – it’s a yearly ranking of nations by standard of living and general well-being… The top slot again went to Finland, while the U.S. has officially dropped out of the top 20. We get your thoughts.


And, it’s the afternoon Zoo with journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery, and Warren Carlyle founder of www.OctoNation.com. They’re out with a brand-new book about the soulful, otherworldly Octopus – it’s called Secrets of the Octopus.

Best Of BPR 3/20: Happiness Quotient & "Secrets Of The Octopus"

Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.

News

Today:

A critical – and critically underreported – issue in this country is maternal health. As women’s rights are rolled back across the country, we talk to Jamie Belsito from the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance and Katie Schubert, President and CEO of Society for Women’s Health Research. 

All that, plus live music on a Wednesday courtesy of performers from a Boston production of the Pulitzer and Tony-award winning musical "A Strange Loop." We’ll also talk with director Maurice Parent and lead actor Kai Clifton.

Best Of BPR 5/01: Highlighting Women's Health & "A Strange Loop"

Jamie Belsito, founder of Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance & Katie Schubert, President and CEO of Society for Women's Health Research, joined for a women's health panel. 

National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed pro-Palestinian campus protests, and the White House's new disaster plan for "worst case scenarios."

Director Maurice Parent & actor Kai Clifton of "Strange Loop" discussed the show and some of the cast performed.

Ron Mitchell of the Bay State Banner discussed their coverage of Rachael Rollins' regaining her law license, the Trump trials, and sports gambling. Plus, the paper's shift to a new broadsheet format, which starts this week.

Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the launch of Boston Asian Restaurant week on May 3, and her latest podcast about the climate crisis with Elizabeth Kolbert.

BPR Full Show 5/1: Loops and Lip Smacks

We opened the show to hear your thoughts on why women lean more liberal than men, at least according to one poll.

Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, discussed the Patriot's draft, the Celtics and Bruins in the playoffs, and Messi playing at Gillette. 

Christopher Kimball of Milk Street discussed their new culinary tours around the world.

Tech podcaster/writer Andy Ihnatko discussed four big phone companies fined for selling user location data and the recent federal TikTok ban.

Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed new federal nutrition guidelines for schools and traces of avian flu detected in cow's milk.

CNN chief national correspondent John King discussed the latest political headlines. 

We closed the show by discussing rats -- love 'em or hate 'em, shouldn't we learn to live with them?

BPR Full Show 4/30: Rat City

Today: A foodie double feature. First, food policy analyst Corby Kummer tells us all about new nutrition guidelines on salt and sugar at school meals … Plus the latest on avian flu making its way into U.S. dairy cows.

Then, Christopher Kimball of Milk Street joins to talk about his latest cookbook – a behemoth of a thing: Milk Street 365.

Best Of BPR 4/30: Corby Kummer & Christopher Kimball

Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses bird flu in humans, and whether hospitals should screen for weapons at the door. 

Charlie Sennott discusses the broad college campus protests over Israel/Gaza, and the latest on a ceasefire proposal.

Joanna Lydgate, President and CEO of the State United Democracy Center, joins to discuss her work tracking election deniers in state politics.

Ilan Stavans, professor of humanities at  Amherst College, discusses the meaning behind students' demands for "divestment" from Israel and a new poll that finds Americans are warming to mass deportations of immigrants.

David Coffin is leading a new Boston Harbor lighthouse cruise. He's also a sea-shanty singer. He joined to talk the cruise and sing a tune.

Best Of BPR 3/20: Happiness Quotient & "Secrets Of The Octopus"

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