Explain Boston to Me

It's finally time. We're chatting about the brand that is perhaps most closely associated with the Boston region. The conversation touches on the mustachioed man ("time to make the donuts"), the iconic color scheme, the kinds of people you find in a Dunkin', music festival brand activations, Coolattas,  Ben Affleck, and so much more.

Here's a link to Casey Affleck's SNL sketch.  And here's a pic of Ben buckling under the weight of the world while gathering his Dunkin' order in 2020.

Check out Megan on Instagram.

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Sometimes episodes of EBtM deal with the "what" — this one deals with the "why." Boston Globe reporter and podcaster Shirley Leung joins us to explain how Boston's restaurant scene has long been stymied by esoteric liquor regulations. This has a profound trick-down impact on the area's culture, its retention of young creatives, and its low-income neighborhoods. Fortunately, help might finally be on the way.  Hey, State Legislature, do happy hour next!

Be sure to check out Leung's podcast Say More  (the series "Beating Burnout" comes out this month) and her reporting on Boston's liquor license laws.

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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In this episode, we're learning all about the incredible history of candy manufacturing in Boston. With Jeremy Spindler of Spindler Confections as our guide, we cover the meteoric rise and slow demise of a signature New England industry — it's a bittersweet tale, to say the least.

And as a bonus, it's taste test time! Listen as I sample some of the area's classic candies, including the famous/infamous Necco wafers. Let's just say that times — and tastes — have changed.

Here's video of the Gloucester Greasy Pole and info on the upcoming St. Peter's Fiesta (June 16-30).

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

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

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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This week, we're kicking off summer by chatting about Cape Cod. Sharing his thoughts, feelings, and shark avoidance tips is Joe Fenti, standup comedian and corporate drone, who recently went viral for his video about the Seaport — one of our favorite topics over here at EBtM.

Check out Joe's content on Instagram (@fentifriendchicken) and Tiktok, or book him to produce a standup show in any space via Comedy Coop Standup. He has several events coming up this month.

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

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

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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First, we've got fashion episode feedback! Then I'm chatting with Kelly McGrath, executive director of Brighton Main Streets, about her neighborhood — its past, present, and future. Can this working-class haven balance the enticements of development with the downsides of gentrification?

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

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

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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In this week's episode, I'm joined fashionable lady Margo Lindauer of the podcast JustUS.  We're asking the big question: Why don't people dress better in Boston? We've got theories, we've got equivocation, we've got thoughts on Lilly Pulitzer.

If you want to tell me why we're wrong about local fashion — or share your own hot takes — please DM me on Instagram, email me, or send me a voice memo.

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

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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This weekend is Mother's Day, which means it's also Duckling Day. In this episode, I chat with the president of the Friends of the Boston Public Garden about the park's history, its dire state in the 1970s, and the iconic children's book that inspired both the city's favorite statue and this annual tradition.

Plus, a crude Ben Franklin bumper sticker, questions about Sam Adams beer and Celtics' fans, and a book recommendation.

If you're a local business who'd like to advertise on the podcast, please send me an email.

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

Follow me on Instagram @explainbostontome.

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In 1919, a wall of molasses washed through the North End. I don't think we talk about this enough! In this episode, we're talking with Lisa Mullan Perkins of Uwila Warrior about this sticky incident and its impact on the city. Plus, my pitch for the next great HBO Miniseries, working title: Sweet Nightmares: The Great Molasses Flood.

We've also got an update on my emotional state and a lot of questions about Wally, the Red Sox's wall-dwelling mascot.

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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I'm taking the week off, but I'm not leaving you hanging. In honor of NBA playoff season, I'm rerunning my conversation with Jake Issenberg, co-host of the Celtics podcast First to the Floor.  There's even a new intro where I reveal how Jalen Brunson is ruining my marriage and tease upcoming episode topics.

Jake and I dig in on rivalries. What team is the biggest Celtics rival of all time? What exactly makes a fanbase hate another franchise with the heat of a thousand suns? Does intimacy breed contempt? Why do we love overachievers so much?  And perhaps most importantly: Is this the year the Celtics finally break through?

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com.

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Boston was once declared the most congested metropolitan region in the country. So, yes, the traffic here is terrible — but what can we do about it? How can we change the structural incentives that keep people in their cars? Hint: the answer is not bigger roads.

To traverse the conversational terrain of transit, congestion pricing, gas taxes, and bike lanes, we're joined by Chris Dempsey and Jeff Speck, the men behind the urban design firm Speck Dempsey. These guys really know what they're talking about, even if they've never seen the Cameron Crowe classic Singles.

Here's the iconic Ben Franklin tweet.

For merch, head to Explainbostontome.com. 

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