Today:

Trust in judicial institutions is historically low. We talk with Communities For Restorative Justice executive director Erin Freeborn, and retired federal judge Nancy Gertner about the impact of restorative justice efforts.

Then, Cambridge’s beloved tiny bar & music venue “Toad” is coming back, while Christopher’s next door becomes McCarthy’s. We talk with the McCarthys themselves and hear from their family band for Live Music Friday. 

Tommy McCarthy & Co. performed for Live Music Friday

Nancy Gertner & Erin Freeborn joined to talk about the work of Communities for Restorative Justice, a nonprofit that offers an alternative to the prison system that involves heavy dialogue and punishments decided to by victims rather than judges & juries.

Sue O’Connell on Trump’s bid to save TikTok, dry January, and the siri lawsuit.

Odie Henderson on his favorite (and least favorite) movies of 2024.

Today:

We bring you Jim and Margery's 2014 conversation with a 90-year-old Jimmy Carter, about his book "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power."

And, one of Carter's former aides Margaret McKenna reflects on his legacy.

Juliette Kayyem debriefed the attack in New Orleans that killed 15, and the Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

Margaret McKenna reflected on her time working under President Jimmy Carter as a White House deputy counsel in the 70’s

We replayed Jim & Margery’s 2014 interview with Jimmy Carter about his book “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power.”

Andrea Cabral on the downward trend for violent crime in Boston

Corby Kummer talked about the craft beer breweries celebrating Pres. Carter’s legacy

Today: 

Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein discusses the region's newest romance-specific brick-and-mortar bookstore, Lovestruck Books, in Harvard Square.

And, the team from the Urban Nutcracker joins Jim and Margery at the BPL for Live Music Friday.

We start the show by asking people how they maintain a "no crap for Christmas" policy.

Ashish Jha was Biden’s COVID-19 response coordinator, now he’s the dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health. He joins to talk about RFK Jr. at the helm of HHS and whether the U.S. is ready for another pandemic.

Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral reacts to a Georgie appeals court disqualifying Fani Willis, GOP officials targeting Liz Cheney for prosecution in 2025 and the third guilty plea in the Cambridge/Watertown brothel case.

Former secretary of education Paul Reville discusses how Linda McMahon will impact the Department of Education, skill gaps at Massachusetts community colleges, a lawsuit alleging price-fixing at major universities, and pushback to Newton’s multilevel teaching model. 

Vulture podcast critic Nick Quah talks about this year's best shows. 

Then it's "Am I the A-Hole" day. At issue is an early Christmas dinner time.

Today:

Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University school of public health, and former COVID-19 coordinator under President Biden joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 -- He reflects on mistakes made around school closures and vaccine mandates.

And, our final Am I The A-Hole segment of the year: Is one family member the jerk for wanting to hold the big Christmas meal later in the afternoon than 1:00 p.m., so he can enjoy time with his own young children and family before meeting up with the big group?

Today: Andrea Cabral and Sue O'Connell fill in for Jim and Margery.

We speak with national security expert Juliette Kayyem about the Wisconsin school shooting, and the drone mania on the east coast.

And, Linda Matchan, editor for Globe Santa, and the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Catherine D’Amato, discuss ways we can help each other this giving season.

We start the show by asking about the acceptance of political violence, following the healthcare executive murder. Then, GBH News executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses Commonwealth Shakes' A Christmas Carol and Made in Germany at the Harvard Art Museums. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the Wisconsin school shooting, and the arrest of a US-Iranian citizen in Massachusetts in connection to a drone strike that killed American soldiers in Jordan earlier this year. Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank and Linda Matchan of Globe Santa talk about how to help the hungry and less fortunate this holiday season. CNN's John King joins to discuss the latest national politics headlines. Then we open up the phone lines to hear about your best and worst holiday office party experiences.