Explain Boston to Me

We're talking with Jake Sconyers, host of the Hub History podcast, about the work it took take transform Boston from a 475 acre peninsula surrounded by sea and marshland to a booming city comprised of 15,000 acres. The Back Bay might be the most iconic infill neighborhood, but it's not the only one.

The new Pennsylvania license plate.

Kelly's Roast Beef is bought by a private equity firm.

Spoon's "Rhthm & Soul"

The Ted Williams tunnel floods (December 2024)

Check out Camp Zero by local novelist Michelle Min Sterling, featuring a floating city in Boston Harbor.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're chatting with Nikki Stewart of Old North Illuminated. She tells us about the history of this Freedom Trail icon, the legend of Paul Revere, and the evolution of Revolutionary-era storytelling in Boston. Plus, a Sheetz versus Wawa debate.

Kylie Kelce, America's princess?

Philly Pretzel Factory has a franchise in Revere.

The story of Garlic Expressions.

Explain Boston to Me on the African American Trail Project.

Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Especially if you have ideas for the Jordan's Furniture episode!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're revisiting one of my favorite early episodes: Guest Pat Toomey's family has been in Southie for generations. He talks us through the contours of erstwhile working-class-Irish Southie as well as the new frat-bro-central Southie, and even gets in a few digs at The Departed.

Speaking of The Departed, here is Pat on EBtM: Boston Movie Club talking about the crime thriller.

See you in 2025!

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Christmas Day drop, we're talking about Coolidge Corner, the neighborhood in Brookline with the most urban juice. Guest Rebeckah Orsatti talks me through Town Meeting, JFK, and the municipality's wild parking restrictions.

A soft pretzel tray livens up any party. And turns out there is a Philly Pretzel Factory location in Revere!

Brookline's turkey art.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.