Why are there so many wild turkeys in this town? Mass Audubon's Tia Pinney has answers and tips for avoiding confrontation with our feathered friends, or should I say enemies...BE THE BIGGER TURKEY.

Side note: At one point I might have referred to this episode as "the best one I have ever recorded."

Show notes:

A Man Full of Trouble, Colonial-era dive bar, reopens.

The Sixers' cursed season. Plus, I love Jared McCain, but my cringe reaction to his TikToks makes me feel old.

Du-Carcass.

WBUR’s Field Guide to Boston

Monkey paw logic.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Just don't call him that! In this week's episode, we're talking to lawyer, father, Bostonian and — according to some — Boston Brahmin, R.J. Lyman. He teaches us about the origins of the term, its place in local culture, its institutions, the accent, and the values that the caste espouses.

UConn And UMass Created And Abandoned College Football’s Goofiest Rivalry Trophy

Trading Places is a holiday movie and a Philadelphia movie.

Red Sox Juan Soto cope.

And Now We Call it Gravy...

Greg's Restaurant slaps.

Two Boston Brahmins talkin'

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Send us a text

In this week's episode, we're talking about Boston's LGBTQ history and identity with Joan Ilacqua of The History Project, a community archive, repository, historical society, and museum for the local queer community. This is a complex story, and we get into everything from gay marriage legalization (it happened here first!), to "Boston marriages," to the city's first pride parade, to its current queer hot spots.

Plus, my wild night at Kowloon.

Marriages begin at Cambridge City Hall.

Atlas Obscura on Boston Coolers.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Send us a text

What movie should we do next? And who should be the guest? Email me

This is a great weekend to get the family together for a viewing of the 1997 classic starring Matt and Ben. In this rerun of our inaugural Boston Movie Club, we're talking about Good Will Hunting.  To get into all the good stuff — Stellan Skarsgaard’s scarf, whether or not a burger is ever called a "sandwich" interchangeably, and Robin Williams’ recent role as a spiritual advisor to a cult leader — I’m joined by a very special guest.

John Mara talks about Saquon Barkley.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Send us a text

In this very special episode, we solve the Karen Read case! JK. We actually talk about what the obsession with this murder says about Boston, its suburban small towns, local media, law enforcement, and true crime. Offering her expertise is writer Susan Zalkind, author of The Waltham Murders: One Woman’s Pursuit to Expose the Truth Behind a Murder and a National Tragedy and contributor to VICE, The Daily Beast, The Guardian U.S., The Irish Times, This American Life, and Boston Magazine.

Have your own thoughts on Karen Read? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Exciting Whites.

Kim Costa and the Kelly's Roast Beef rap.

The one New Yorker feature I read on Karen Read, written by the incredible Jessica Winter.

My favorite "true crime" writing: Strange Piece of Paradise: A Return to the American West To Investigate My Attempted Murder - and Solve the Riddle of Myself   

Dave Cullen's Colombine will change the way you digest every public act of violence.

Here is Susan on what Karen Read's case says about the state's homicide investigations

And here she is on NBC News.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

Send us a text

There's a reason they call it "Beantown." In this week's episode, Yankee Magazine food editor Amy Traverso takes us through the history of this iconic food — and explains why its place on the Mount Rushmore of local cuisine might be in jeopardy.

Who's in for a Bean-off BBQ next summer?

Chickie's and Pete's will take you to court over Crabfries.

An Andy Reid lookalike.

Yankee's Baked Beans Recipe.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please drop me a line.

Send us a text

Is there anything we take for granted more than clean, safe water flowing out of our taps? In this episode, I'm learning all about Boston's municipal water supply and its source, the Quabbin Reservoir. My guest is writer and historian Elena Palladino, author of Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley. We ask the big questions: Does Boston's water have a reputation? What are the trade-offs of modernity? Is the region's water system well positioned to weather a changing climate? Are ghosts real?

As a special bonus, I taste test two local tap waters, pitting Cambridge and Boston against each other.

Saquon Barkley is not normal.

Stormy Daniels visits Salem.

Bill Belichick gets lured into a couples costume. Pun intended.

Get a cake from Royal Pastry Shop.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please drop me a line.

Send us a text

In this week's episode, we're learning all about Lexington, aka the "birthplace of American Liberty." Or so they say! Giving us the 411 on this iconic New England town is Trisha Pérez Kennealy, local and proprietor of the Inn at Hastings Park. We chat about the area's colonial history, the rivalry with Concord, NIMBYs and why her establishment is the perfect place for corporate espionage.

Plus, lots of feedback on the Fenway episode!

Brad Lidge, archeologist

Cambridge Day on G.W.A.C.C.A.

The BOS Nation FC failed "balls" roll-out.

Papi trolling A-Rod and Jeter.

EBtM episodes on Route 128 and Boston's NIMBYs.

Nick Sirianni listening to "Many Men (Wish Death Upon Me)" with his newly shaved head.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please drop me a line.

Send us a text

This week, we're talking Fenway — or "The Fenway" — which has everything from baseball (duh) to world-class art to gorgeous parks. The inside scoop comes courtesy of Michael Minichello, general manager at TimeOut Market Boston, which located in one of the neighborhood's most iconic buildings.

Here is video from the scrapple-carving contest.

Rocky runs through the Italian Market.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please drop me a line.

Send us a text

In this week's episode, we're chatting about the city's most famous rowing race: The Head of the Charles, happening October 19-20. Joining us is Brendan Mulvey, director of racing at the annual regatta. He tells us about the HOC's history, the best places to watch, and how the local rowing scene drew him to Boston.

Here is a link to the Boston Globe column featuring the show: "No Stupid Questions."

Here are pictures of Boathouse Row.

Here is a trailer for The River Wild. And one for River Wild.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please drop me a line.

Send us a text