Explain Boston to Me

Whether it was cow paths or Puritan obstinance, the roots of Boston's grid-less city run deep. To talk about the city's unique geography, we're joined by Andy Woodruff, author of the new book Boston in 50 Maps.

Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles

Strangers by Belle Burden

Widow's Bay on AppleTV

What's the Best Way? (SNL)

Jason Kelce in goes full Mummer.

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.

Explain Boston to Me took to the stage at the Boston Athenaeum, a storied institution that reflects the history and values of its home city. Guests Leah Rosovsky and John Buchtel spoke about 19th century Boston, the origins of the Athenaeum, and the legends who have stalked its halls. Plus, some poor Sixers/Celtics prognosticating.

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 exploring the origins of Boston's vibrant Chinatown — and reexamining myths around the city's first Chinese restaurant — with lawyer and historian Richard Auffrey aka The Passionate Foodie. From the first Chinese immigrant to Boston to Hong Far Low and Ruby Foo, this is a fascinating and vital part of the region's history.

Put Sky Cafe and Hardena on your when-in-Philly lists.

Search Engine comes to Boston to talk AVs (Part One and Part Two).

Lisa McManus' Zoe's recs.

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.

We're learning about a true Boston icon: Fenway Park. According to author Glenn Stout, this baseball paradise "changed his life" — it also would have been unrecognizable to current fans back in 1912 when it opened. The ballpark's transformation over the last 100-plus years tells us so much about the city and its continued evolution. And don't you dare take its endurance for granted: There were moments when Fenway was in real peril, and it might be in the future, too.

Stout is the author of Fenway 1912.

The Best Free Restaurant Bread in America.

EBtM LIVE at the Athenaeum.

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.

It's time to talk about, as our guest puts it, "Bobby Brown Boston." Dr. Rufus J. Faulk loves Roxbury deeply and has plenty to say about its people and its history. After all, this town-turned-neighborhood that has been vital to local culture since 1630. That's right: 1630!!!

Vrabel...

EBtM LIVE at the Athenaeum.

Pre-order YUPPIES.

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.

The biggest art theft in history remains unsolved — but the former lead FBI agent on the case has some theories. That would be Geoff Kelly, author of the new book, Thirteen Perfect Fugitives: The True Story of the Mob, Murder, and the World's Largest Art Heist. He's here to tell us about what went down at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on the night of March 18, 1990.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

$80!!!!!

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.

We're going deep on Boston's very own founding father. John Adams — and his wife Abigail — had a powerful impact on our nascent nation, even if Lin Manuel Miranda decided to yada yada his contributions. Helping us talk through this fascinating history is return guest Audrey Stuck-Girard.

The Phanatic goes Colonial.

Jordan's Furniture makes another big bet. 

EBtM: The Great Turkey Invasion.

Listen to Cory Branan. Also, ME on Cory for the Nashville Scene back in 2012.

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 talking about the wave of Irish immigrants that arrived in Boston in the 19th century — and how the response to their arrival led to policies and prejudices with an enduring impact on the region and the nation. Helping us talk through these thorny issues is Professor Hidetaka Hirota, author of Expelling the Poor: Atlantic Seaboard States and the Nineteenth-Century Origins of American Immigration Policy.

RIP Isaiah Zagar.

Philly versus the Robots.

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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.

It's the first of our long-anticipated 'Local Colleges' series. We're chatting about Tufts University with alum Mark Buccella and senior Hannah Jiang. They let me in on the campus culture, the storied traditions, and the Jumbo of it all. Plus, a Gillette Stadium traffic rant and info on the first EBtM live event.

Come see Explain Boston to Me LIVE at the Athenaeum!

Tesiny is fire.

"Everybody Hurts"

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.

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.

This conversation took place in April 2024

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.