This week, we're joined by Cam Hasbrouck and Drew Johnson from the Brews & Bruins podcast to chat about Boston's beloved professional ice hockey team and to dig deeper on the region's love for the sport, from the Bean Pot to Bobby Orr. Plus, some pre-Super Bowl chatter.

Gritty's ever-changing belly button, an investigation. 

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker fumbles Eagles chant.

A Tom Brady Look-Alike Contest at Time Out Boston.

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In this episode, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, food editor at Boston Magazine, takes us deep on this meaty regional specialty. We're grilling her to get all the answers, from the history of steak tips to the best spots to order them.

Rachel's longform feature, "The Mysterious Origins of Steak Tips, a Uniquely New England Dish"

The Northeast Philly Guy Monk portrait

A good mechanic in South Philly.

A great essay on the specific mental psychosis of a certain kind of doomer Philly fan (Defector).

Sandwich, a Cape Cod novel by Catherine Newman; I preferred Paper Palace for family secrets and kettle pond swims.

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Sean Burns, film critic for WBUR, joins the podcast to talk about Boston crime movies — the good, the bad, and the Casey Affleck. We chat about why this genre looms so large in the city's imagination, trace the arc of Mark Walhberg's career, and consider the infamous rat shot.

Plus, a sequel to our Boston versus Cambridge water taste test featuring the best the Big Apple's taps have to offer.

Saquon in the snow

Mitchell & Ness

Seth Meyer's "Boston Accent" Trailer

People Only Die of Love in the Movies (Jim Ridley)

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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'

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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.

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