Today:

Jon Gruber, head of MIT's economics department, joins to discuss Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

And, we open the lines as Donald Trump reopens communication with Russia's Vladimir Putin -- before Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- as the war in Ukraine enters three years of sustained bloodshed.

We start the show with "Ask the Mayor" with Michelle Wu. 

Harvard national security analyst Juliette Kayyem discusses President Trump's posturing on Gaza and attempts within the government to shield itself from DOGE.

Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, on the Trump administration's assault on science and health research. 

Naturalist Sy Montgomery says its the season of love --- and not just for humans. New England foxes, skunks, coyotes, racoons, mink, and barred owls are getting hot and heavy around Valentine's Day. 

Today:

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library on Feb. 12, 2025. She discusses her upcoming testimony before Congress, Josh Kraft entering the Boston mayoral race, and the latest on plans for a soccer-specific stadium in neighboring Everett.

Today:

Civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo discusses Trump's attacks on transgender people via executive order, and the institutions complying with alarming speed.

Then, Nikki Shults and Stephen Pina of Everyday Boston join to spread some kindness with a card-writing campaign.

LGBTQ civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo on threats to gender affirming care and bans against transgender people in college sports and the military

ACLU of Massachusetts' Carol Rose on the history of birthright citizenship at the Supreme Court 

Nikki Shults and Stephen Pina of Everyday Boston discussed their "Love Your Wicked Awesome Neighbor” program, where people can write cards so strangers throughout the city will feel less alone around Valentines Day.

CNN’s John King on national politics news

Today:

Axios business editor Dan Primack discusses Trump's new tariffs on steel & aluminum: How they work and what they mean for U.S industry. 

Amy Carnevale of Mass GOP and Steve Kerrigan of Mass Dems debate the state's true-blue future, and discuss Governor Maura Healey announcing on BPR that she will run for re-election. 

Live Music Friday with singer-songwriter Kyle Ray, who is opening for Sheryl Crow at Concord’s Umbrella Arts Center. We also speak with the president of Salt Lick Incubator, Liza Levy.

GBH's Callie Crossley talks about media outlets responding to MAGA pressure, while Fox News puts Lara Trump in the host seat. 

Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on the Boston Mayoral race and state officials bracing for future funding freezes by the Trump administration.

Gov. Maura Healey joins for "Ask the Governor." 

Today:

Governor Maura Healey joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library on Friday Feb. 7, 2025.