Explain Boston to Me

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.

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Oh how far we've come! I'm on vacation, so here's an oldie but a goodie — with a new intro!

On the first ever episode of "Explain Boston to Me,"  l learned about Allston Christmas, the smorgasbord of free curbside stuff that happens every September 1.

Explaining this phenomenon — and giving the overall scoop on Allston — is Matt Shearer, a reporter for WBZ News Radio. You might have heard him over the airwaves, but if you’re under 40 you’re probably more likely to have seen one of his viral “man on the street” segments pinging around the internet. Check him out @reportermatt on Instagram or @WBZnewsradio on TikTok.

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In this week's episode, we're joined by Dart Adams, author, journalist, historian, and Black Bostonian. He talks about how the culture being exported by the city — the movies, TV shows, media, and memes — doesn't reflect the actual diversity of the community.

Here is Randolph and Mortimer Duke: "Turn those machines back on!"

And here is a video of Joel Embiid trolling the French fans.

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This week, we're talking about one of Boston's most iconic neighborhoods, the North End. James Pasto grew up in this Italian enclave and now teaches a class on its history at Boston University. It's currently Feast Season — check out this calendar to plan your outing.

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This week, we're grabbing a drink where everyone knows your name. Oops. Not that place — we'll save that for another day. Zach Servideo of Value Creation Labs is an entrepreneur and dude in the tech/innovation space, but he is also a former doorman at The Pour House (RIP).  We talk about dive bar culture in Boston, how it's changing in this newly moneyed era, and why we still need these sacred spaces.

Here is Ben Affleck's new look.

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This week, we're talking about the housing crisis. And affordability. And development. And density. What could go wrong? Historian Jacob Anbinder is an expert on how cities grow and evolve, and the forces aligned against those changes. We discuss Boston's NIMBY-est towns, the recent drama in Milton over the MBTA Communities Act, and why we should take people at their word when it comes to why they fight development.

To read more from Anbinder, check out these two features from The Atlantic:

Here is Jalen Hurts smiling.

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Let's hit the sand! We're talking about Revere Beach with Jan Dumas, a proud resident and city booster. We get into the area's history, its rough reputation and weigh in on the original Kelly's Roast Beef. If you'd like to know more about what's going on at Revere Beach and its past, head to reverebeach.com.

Here is the heat map of Twisted Tea consumption and here is the Philadelphia Magazine feature on Twisted Tea.

Here is video of David from the Real World: Seattle having a meltdown in a car (skip ahead to the last minute).

And here is a bit more about the trials and travails of the Massachusetts Mad Dogs from funwhileitlasted.net.

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Happy first birthday to Explain Boston to Me!

In this episode, I'm joined by Marian Esanu and Victor Chaves of Premium Q Moving & Storage to talk about the wild world of moving in Boston. From Storrow-ed vehicles to helicopter parents to the September 1 move-mageddon, the industry here has its own particular challenges.

As I explain in the show, this is not sponsored content. Here's my appearance on their podcast, Life Beyond Boxes.

Here is Kylie Kelce yelling at a woman in Margate.

Read The Paper Palace.

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In the second installment of Boston Movie Club, I'm joined by Southie native and former EBtM guest Pat Toomey (check out his episode here) to chat about The Departed. I was new to this Scorcese gangster flick —  cranberry juice! Nicolson in a bucket hat! Wahlberg! rats! — and was thrilled to have a local talk me through its complicated legacy.

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How did Boston's Catholics go from a scorned minority to the dominant force in local politics and culture? Lots of reasons! Here to walk us through it is Craig Tichelkamp, a Harvard Divinity School-educated scholar who teaches at Stonehill College.

Also, Dunkin' feedback! And an update on the next Movie Club installment.

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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