The Common

Experts say climate change is increasing the risk of a “double disaster” — a large-scale chemical spill caused by extreme weather. Massachusetts is especially vulnerable, as a coastal state with industrial ports.

WBUR's senior investigative reporter Patrick Madden took a closer look at this risk in New Bedford, a city with a high concentration of warehouses that use chemicals for cold storage in the fishing industry.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of  The Common, Boston Globe Reporter Diti Kohli breaks down the evolution of Stop and Shop, and where the grocery store is headed. Then, listen to an excerpt from host Darryl C. Murphy's WBUR CitySpace interview with Chef and TikTok influencer Jon Kung.

____

Stop and Shop opened a swanky upgraded location in Allston Yards this summer. A couple of weeks later, the company announced that it would be closing more than 30 of its stores in New England, including 15 in Massachusetts. Both moves are part of a strategy that Stop and Shop hopes will keep it in the game. The Boston Globe's business reporter Diti Kohli recently did a deep dive into Stop and Shop's legacy, and what it shows about the current grocery industry in the state.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Last spring, the City of Boston welcomed its inaugural Director of Nightlife Economy, Corean Reynolds. You might have heard some people refer to her as the “night czar,” though that’s not her official title. Now that she’s been in her position for a year, we wanted to catch up with her about some of the initiatives her office is working on, as well as challenges to improving nightlife in the city.

You'll also hear producer Frannie Monahan hit the streets to ask Bostonians about their thoughts on the city's nightlife scene, and their suggestions for improving it for everyone.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On September 12, 1974, Boston Public Schools bused the first students across town as a part of a highly controversial school integration program. The program was a result of Judge W. Arthur Garrity's federal court order that mandated that both black and white students be bused to schools outside of their neighborhoods. What followed was a series of protests and riots that helped cement Boston's reputation as an exceptionally racist city.

While this moment is a major flashpoint in Boston's history, it is not the whole story. Busing was the culmination of a years-long fight between a Black community that wanted a better education for its children and a white community resistant to change. Today on The Common, Boston journalist, lecturer, and historian Dart Adams, joins us to break down this history.

If you want to learn more about the history of busing in Boston, check out WBUR's series “Busing’s Legacy in Boston, 50 Years Later,” which was done in collaboration with The Emancipator.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of The Common, WBUR Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins the show to discuss what impacts the presidential candidates would have on Massachusetts' climate goals if they get elected. Then, we get suggestions for how to spend the month of September in Greater Boston.

--------

Classes might be back in session now that it's September, but that doesn't mean you can't still get out there and enjoy some culture this month. Here are WBUR CitySpace Assistant Director Candice Springer's picks for September:

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of The Common, tenant association leader and volunteer with City Life/Vida Urbana Selena Eutsay joins the show to discuss renters rights ahead of Boston's unofficial move-in day on the first of September. Then, producer Frannie Monahan hits the streets to talk to Boston residents about their greatest challenges renting in the city. 

____

Sept. 1 is fast approaching. On that day, about 70% of Boston leases turn over, according to the city of Boston. In preparation for the big move-in day, we sat down with Selena Eutsay, a tenant association leader and volunteer with City Life/Vida Urbana to discuss what renters in Boston should know about their rights, her experience as a life-long resident of Boston, as well as other major issues plaguing renters in the area.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of The Common, Boston Globe Climate Reporter Erin Douglas joins the show to discuss how many Boston neighborhoods are built on artificial land, putting them at risk of flooding due climate change. Then, Team Common takes over the WBUR kitchen with senior correspondent Deborah Becker.

____

If you listen to WBUR, you are probably familiar with Deb Becker’s voice. You might have heard any number of her reports as a senior correspondent on issues like mental health, addiction and the criminal legal system. Or, maybe you’re more familiar with her as a host on many WBUR Programs.

But, we learned when she has some time away from her work Deb loves to cook. So, a little while back, Team Common took over the WBUR kitchen so Deb could show us how to make one of her signature summer side dishes, while also dishing about her love of food, and her long journalism career.

____

Deborah Becker’s vegan summer orzo salad

Ingredients:

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of The Common, WBUR associate producer for digital Katie Cole joins the show to discuss Massachusetts' various shark species and the important role they play in our ocean ecosystem. Then, we sit down with author and podcast host Mark Cecil to talk about the value of deep conversations among men and why it is difficult for some men to open up with one another.

____

Sharks get a bad rap, especially around these parts where great white sightings are a normal part of Massachusetts' summer. But great whites are far from the only shark species cruising through Bay State waters, and for the most part, they're all just minding their own business.

After the episode, take our quiz to test your shark knowledge!

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On this episode of The Common, WBUR State House reporter Walter Wuthmann joins host Darryl C. Murphy to recap the end of the state's legislative session. He tells us about the few bills that did get passed, and more importantly all the ones that didn't, and why. Then, Team Common hikes the Boston Walking City Trail with with founder, Boston-based journalist and trail builder Miles Howard. Listen to the podcast to hear the full episode. 

Looking to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city? The Boston Walking City Trail might be the perfect thing. Established in 2022 by Miles Howard (a journalist and urban trail builder based in Boston), the Walking City Trail is a community project connecting many of the city's most immersive green spaces into a continuous 27-mile route.

The Common's team hiked the Franklin Park section with the trail-builder to learn more about how it came to be, as well as the benefits of urban hiking as an accessible entry into the outdoors for city residents.

Here are some of our favorite things along the route:

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Common is back. Thank you to the listeners who stuck around while we planned for our new weekly format, and if you're new here, welcome to the party!

Today, WBUR transportation reporter Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez joins host Darryl C. Murphy to give us the full download on the MBTA's new contactless fare system.

Then, to kick off August, WBUR CitySpace assistant director Candice Springer gives us suggestions for how to spend the final hazy days of summer.

Candice recommends...

The Queen of Versailles Musical

Bostonians have the opportunity to see this brand new, Broadway-bound musical adaptation of the 2012 documentary of the same name until Aug. 25. "The Queen of Versailles," starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham, is being staged at the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston.

Independent Film Festival Boston's Hot Summer Nights

IFFBoston, inspired by the series on the podcast You Must Remember This about erotic films from the '80s and '90s, presents a month-long retrospective into steamy movies from that era. You can catch classics like "Showgirls" (1995) and "Cruel Intentions" (1999) until Aug. 31 at the Somerville Theatre.

Archery Games Boston

Speaking of steam, maybe you need to let off a little with this unconventional athletic activity. Archery Games Boston lets you play out your wildest Katniss Everdeen dreams with competitive combat archery. Join a communal game or reserve a private one with friends, family or coworkers or at the Chelsea location. Don't worry, all projectiles are foam-tipped so no one will be taking an arrow to the knee here any time soon. (Please note that you have to be 7 years or older to join in a communal game.)

The Moth StorySLAM: HOT MESS

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition, open to anyone with a five-minute story to share on the night’s theme. The theme of this month's StorySLAM on Aug. 13 is "HOT MESS." Participants should prepare a five-minute story about spectacular chaos. Disheveled dramas and situations so tangled there is no hope of straightening things out. Come tell a story...or just enjoy the show!

Field Trip: Board Game Night

Back by popular demand, WBUR CitySpace is hosting another game night on Aug. 14. Free to all, come with friends or meet new ones playing a variety of games provided by Knight Moves Board Game Cafe. Snacks will be provided, grog available for purchase.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.