When New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was asked in a debate which democratic politician was most effective, he answered, “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.” Wu and Mamdani are both young, progressive and unapologetically ambitious about their visions for their respective cities. They both captured vast coalitions and are being watched closely by the rest of the country, to see if progressive ideas can really translate into policy. Wu has had some success… can Mamdani follow in her footsteps? Say More host Shirley Leung and Globe Ideas writer Abdallah Fayyad discuss. Email us at [email protected].

Today, we’re sharing the first episode from My Home Fronts , a podcast from journalist Romy Neumark.

My Home Fronts is a four-parts documentary podcast series tracing the student founder of "Jews for Palestine" at Harvard during the Gaza war - and the generational gap it reveals within American Jewish families.

Episode 1, "Meeting Violet":

An unexpected encounter between Israeli journalist Romy Neumark and student activist Violet Barron sparks a candid conversation, tracing Violet’s journey from the shock of October 7 to the founding of Harvard Jews for Palestine. This sets the stage for a four-part exploration of Jewish identity, activism, and family in contemporary America.

Romy Neumark: Creator & Host

Noa Amiel Lavie: Co-Creator & Editor

Tina Tobey Mack: Sound Designer

https://myhomefronts.com/

The Israel-Hamas war took place more than 5,000 miles away from here, but you wouldn’t know that from the intensity of protests happening on US college campuses. Israeli journalist Romy Neumark works at Harvard University, and was curious to understand her own blind spots about how Israel is perceived in Jewish American homes. In Neumark’s new podcast “My Home Fronts,” she attempts to detangle a complex web of values, worldviews and history that lead to vastly different opinions about the Middle East within Jewish families. In this episode of Say More, Neumark talks to opinion editor Jim Dao about her project.  Email us at [email protected]. 

Listen to "My Home Fronts" here:  https://myhomefronts.com/

After years of lobbying, Massachusetts has convinced toy company Hasbro to move its global headquarters from Rhode Island to Boston. Massachusetts is the historic home of many iconic toy companies, like Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers, and now, Hasbro joins Lego for another era of toy making. The question is, should we really be celebrating stealing business from our little neighbor to the south? Say More host Shirley Leung talks to Boston Globe business reporter Jon Chesto about the move and why headquarters still matter to a city like Boston. Email us at [email protected].

The exact causes of autism are unknown - but you wouldn’t know that from listening to President Trump and his health secretary RFK Jr., who recently announced Tylenol was to blame. The science behind the announcement is not solid - but more troublingly, it falls into an old pattern of blaming mothers for autism, which creates a culture of stigma, says Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts, an advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Maura has two sons with autism, so this issue is very personal for her. She talks to Say More host Shirley Leung about her own two sons on the spectrum. Email us at [email protected].

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has announced a major reshuffle of its American Revolutionary War galleries. The goal, it says, is to tell an ‘inclusive’ story of America’s founding. Meanwhile, in Washington, President Trump has threatened the Smithsonian over similar moves. Globe editorial page editor Jim Dao talks to Ethan Lasser, curator of American Art at the MFA, about the museum’s plans and the threat of government censorship. Email us at [email protected].

This is a re-run of the first episode of our series "The C-Word" which originally aired May 1, 2025.

President Donald Trump wants Harvard to cough up at least $500 million. Longtime Harvard professor Steven Pinker says it's extortion. And Harvard should do it anyway. Globe columnist Carine Hajjar, filling in for host Shirley Leung, talks to Steven Pinker about caving to the Trump administration and where to draw the line. Email us at [email protected].

The Market Basket board of directors fired its CEO, 'Artie T.' Demoulas, on September 9th after a very public - and very nasty - succession battle. Host Shirley Leung and Globe Business Reporter Jon Chesto get into the messy family dynamics and how other New England business dynasties manage to make it work. Email us at [email protected].

Check out more about the detailed family history of Market Basket on The Globe:https://www.bostonglobe.com/multimedia/audio/podcast/globe-podcast/

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu trounced challenger Josh Kraft in Tuesday’s preliminary election for Boston mayor. What makes Wu so successful? And can she be a model for Democrats nationally? Say More host Shirley Leung talks to Boston Globe politics reporter Emma Platoff and columnist Joan Vennochi about the ‘Trump effect’ on the mayoral election. Email us at [email protected].