Explain Boston to Me

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In honor of October baseball, we're revisiting this magical tale of underdog grit, triumph over evil, and old men weeping in the streets. Lifelong Red Sox fan Tyler Rotman joins me to tell me the tale of how the curse was broken and the city liberated from its insidious vice — even if Pedro did throw that old man to the ground.

We'll be back next week to talk about the Head of the Charles Regatta.

If you'd like to buy a festive fir from Tyler in a few months, check out Boston Christmas Trees.

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In this episode, we're joined by Sebastian Belfanti of the West End Museum to talk about the history of the neighborhood — and its tragic fate at the hands of Urban Renewal. Turns out Boston looked at a dense, diverse downtown neighborhood and said, "Bring in the bulldozers."

Click here for images of the destruction of the West End. And here are images of The Gothic before its demolition.

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Salem, the North Shore city with a long and complicated history, is now in the midst of a new chapter: Halloweenmania! Beginning before the first leaf even turns, its annual Halloween Happenings attracts tourists from around the globe, packing the streets and causing headaches in surrounding towns. How did it get this way?

To chat about this spooky phenomenon, I'm joined by brothers Adam and Art Antczak, a couple of dudes who have lived in and around Salem for decades. We talk about the time Bewitched came to town, the title of "official witch," the Hocus Pocus of it all, and why they can't visit their mother in October. Plus, Gritty, Plymouth Rock, and somewhere called Misery Island.

Here is a link to the scariest haunted house setting imaginable.

Here is the 2024/25 Celtics City Jersey.

"A reject from Sesame Street" — the initial reaction to Gritty.

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It's the dramatic conclusion of our discussion of the Boston Tea Party! Living history interpreter Audrey Stuck-Girard walks us through the aftermath and the legacy of this iconic incident.

Check out Audrey's custom historical wig business, Cuffed & Coiffed (here's the Instagram page).

The Wet Guy.

A clip from The Comeback, which is actually a three-part series on Netflix.

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In part one of our inaugural two-parter, we're talking with living history interpreter Audrey Stuck-Girard about one of Boston's most iconic incidents, The Boston Tea Party. This episode has everything: Colonial tax policy, tea talk, a creepy portrait of Paul Revere, an alibi for Sam Adams, a testy town meeting, smuggling, Connecticut slander, and more!

Check out Audrey's custom historical wig business, Cuffed & Coiffed (here's the Instagram page).

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Not even COVID could keep me away from you! I'm back from vacation with an episode exploring an iconic part of New England culture: Lobster. To go deep (sea) on the subject, I'm joined by Curt Brown, a Maine lobsterman and marine biologist with a passion for this industry and clawfuls of optimism for its future.

Please blame any and all bad puns on my sick, addled brain.

Check out Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine, a NOVA Special Presentation.

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

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