Under the Radar with Callie Crossley

They’re now a regular part of the production crew of movies, television and streaming shows – intimacy coordinators: specialists in the safety and artistry of those sexy scenes on our screens. But what does the role actually entail? We learn all about this important, groundbreaking role from two people actually doing the work as part of our year-long series, How We Love. Guests: Lizzy Talbot ("Bridgerton," "Babygirl," "Hunting Wives") and Robbie Taylor Hunt ("Red, White and Royal Blue," "Pillion," "Heartstopper Forever.")

It's an Oprah’s Book Club special! The celebrity mogul’s book club is turning 30, so we’re sharing two of our twin picks — books and authors both Callie and Oprah have featured on their shows. First, we have Callie’s 2020 conversation with Robert Kolker; author of “Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family,” a nonfiction account of the Galvin family, in which six of the 12 children had schizophrenia. Then we have Callie’s 2018 conversation with Tayari Jones about her book, “An American Marriage,” a novel about a young couple separated by mass incarceration after the husband is wrongly accused. It’s the first time we had Tayari on the show; we had her again this past spring for her latest novel, “Kin,” which was also selected for Oprah’s book club. After each interview, we have short updates we recorded this summer giving us more insight into what it was like for Robert and Tayari to be selected by Oprah, how it changed the trajectory of their books and careers, and what they’re up to now.

Massachusetts is a leader in the nationwide effort to reduce food waste, setting statewide standards on food scraps, supporting community-led efforts for food recovery, and ramping up assistance to schools and businesses. With fresh new insights and creative solutions, the fight against food waste is drawing new enthusiasts to an old environmental issue. How effective are the policies to reduce, donate and divert food waste?

Don’t throw out your leftovers; they might be the best part of your next meal! Repurposing leftovers and using food scraps in recipes is part of the movement to reduce food waste. Cookbook authors Tamar Adler and Anne-Marie Bonneau join Callie Crossley to make the case for low and zero-waste tasty recipes that’ll save home chefs time and money while being environmentally friendly.

On September 11, 2001, Americans experienced the worst attack on U.S. soil in the country’s history. Millions witnessed the event in-person or on television, with wall-to-wall coverage the entire day. News about what happened, why it happened and who was responsible flooded the media, creating a chaotic and often confusing timeline of events detailing what unfolded before our eyes. And just as quickly arose new narratives: conspiracy theories claiming the attack was secretly performed by the U.S. government, sacrificing nearly 3,000 American lives for its own causes. 25 years later, those false narratives persist, now more mainstream than ever before. So how do we combat these dangerous, deplorable misinformation campaigns in order to preserve the true story of September 11?

In 2023, America celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the global cultural and music genre created by young artists like 18-year-old DJ Kool Herc and 14-year-old Grand Wizard Theodore who birthed the genre’s signature breakbeat and record-scratching techniques. Five decades later, the teens are elders. Murray Forman explores what it means in his latest book, “Old in the Game: Aging With And In Hip Hop." It’s our September selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

Depictions of polyamorous relationships are all over popular culture. But the idea of multiple partners isn’t new, especially in Massachusetts, where some cities are home to massive polycules and legislation protecting multiple-partner relationships. So what is polyamory? What are the challenges, pitfalls and joys? And what's it like to be in a long-term polyamorous relationship? We're dedicating the whole hour to exploring this topic as part of our year-long series, How We Love.

It’s been 30 years since the iconic rapper Tupac Shakur died after being shot in Las Vegas in September 1996. Three decades later, the trial against Duane Davis, also known as Keefe D, is underway. Why are people still so invested in who killed Tupac? Plus, a new adaptation of “Little House on the Prairie” features the voices and stories of Native Osage people for the first time, the Grammys rethink their new Best Asian Pop category, Spotify identifies AI artists and the beloved sitcom “A Different World” gets a reboot. It’s our pop culture roundtable!

Finding a romantic partner is tough enough. So what’s it like to navigate the dating world while on the autism spectrum? We hear more about romance on the spectrum from those working directly with – or those in – the autism community as part of our yearlong series, How We Love.

With a thriving concert and club scene, some of the best music schools in the country, and the explosive growth of the Boston Calling Music Festival, Massachusetts is one of the go-to places for performers of all genres. Musicians Alisa Amador and Kemp Harris join us to talk about their careers, inspirations and making a living as an artist in 2026.

To hardcore music fans, Fort Apache Studios is known for recording some of the biggest names in ‘90s rock. But before they became go-to producers, Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie, and Jim Fitting were just three friends with a dream and the lease to an abandoned laundromat. They join us 40 years after the founding of their legendary studio to give us its behind-the-scenes story.

Governor Maura Healey signs legislation ensuring protections for immigrants against ICE, a Latina Power hat sells out after causing a political debate and how are candidates trying to mobilize the Latino vote this fall? It’s our Latinx news roundtable!

Nothing says summer more than fresh produce: juicy peaches, sweet strawberries, crisp corn on the cob, bright and fragrant herbs. Why not add this delicious harvest to an already beloved warm-weather treat: ice cream? We speak with two local ice cream shops -- Third Time Together in Cambridge and Far Out Ice Cream in Boston and Cambridge -- honoring the season with its inventive, unique flavors.

There’s still time to indulge in your perfect summer read! In this special edition of Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar Book Club,” we’re cracking the spine of one of book lovers’ favorite genres: books about books. We spend the full hour speaking with authors Meg Anderson ("The Memory of Borrowed Books"), Katie Holt ("The Last Page") and Kirsten Miller ("Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books") to learn all about their work in this beloved microtrope.

A recent poll shows 75 percent of Massachusetts voters want AI regulations, a Pittsfield hospital is sued after a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease last summer, and a new Western Massachusetts network for alums and students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities kicks off in Springfield -- it’s our Massachusetts news roundtable!

Nothing says summer like dining al fresco, and East Boston may be the best place to do it! Salt bread and Brazilian pao de queijo are taking over local bakeries. And pop that bottle of red in the fridge – chilled red wine is IN! Our culinary experts tell us the latest food and wine trends.

It’s been a heat-wave summer this year, with triple-digit temperatures striking the U.S. and Europe. Americans used more electricity than ever to keep cool, but the U.S. power grid met the challenge, supported by clean energy. New York becomes the first state to ban AI data centers. Could Massachusetts be next? And is your free-range cat chomping on more than birds and mice? It’s our environmental news roundtable!

In 2015, Amy Bass’s book “One Goal: A Coach, a Team, and the Game that Brought a Divided Town Together” told the remarkable true story of how a high school soccer team that integrated young Somali refugees into its ranks united the town of Lewiston, Maine. The team would go on to have an undefeated season and win the state championship in 2015, which sparked a massive wave of interest in soccer in Lewiston – and across the entire state of Maine – unlike ever before. Back then, soccer was largely underappreciated by American sports fans. But this year, the US embraced the World Cup, bringing soccer fans from all over the globe to enjoy the beautiful game.  We thought it was the perfect time to check in on Lewiston and its soccer community. Has it stuck around or fizzled out?

For decades, designers were told to “shrink it and pink it” when it comes to products for women, ignoring their different needs and leading to missed opportunities, discomfort or even injury. On this episode, we meet two women exposing gender bias in product design and who are working to eliminate it from our world – from the office to the soccer pitch and even in space.

The sun is out and so is Boston’s new citywide mixtape – “Dear Summer: Vol. 4.” Get ready to discover your new favorite local artist as part of the playlist you’ll be listening to all summer long! We speak with the co-curators and co-executive producers who give us a behind-the-scenes look into the mixtape's creation.

Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain residents continue to be angry about the construction of White Stadium, and they let city officials know in a heated public meeting with a few choice expletives. New zoning rules for Chinatown will protect its historic buildings, while promoting small-business development. And how community TreeKeepers are trying to cool down one of the hottest cities in the Commonwealth. It’s our local news roundtable!

A work-distracted wife hiding secrets, a fatal accident, and an experimental therapy combine to upend the lives of a young couple. What happens next puts them on a path for a second chance at a new life together. But is it too late? “The Romance Revival” is the latest novel by bestselling romance writing co-authors Christina Lauren. This sweet and spicy love story with a sci-fi twist  is our July selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

It’s the original food of America – the fruits, fish, and meat foraged, hunted and preserved by Native Americans for thousands of years before the colonists arrived on New England shores. We unpack the history and culture of Indigenous food – the first American farm-to-table culinary approach – and its connection to New England's Yankee cuisine as part of our celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

Does it really matter if there is a significant age gap between adult partners in romantic relationships? The number of couples living out the ‘age is only a number’ mantra is on the rise, and their reality is increasingly reflected in novels, films, and music =We dive into the world of age-gap romances with relationship expert Susan Winter and clinician and sex therapist Dr. Lee Kinsey as part of our yearlong series, "How We Love."

A double-barrel attack on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, as billionaires and their spouses AND super PACs back longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. Three New England states pass on President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair And looking for a fixer-upper? Cape Cod’s historic bridges are up for adoption! It’s our regional news roundtable!

The years have flown by for Abasiama Ufot -- the once student-immigrant is now an octogenarian. At 80, she still reigns as the matriarch of the Nigerian-American family, but she is also content to live a quiet, reflective life alone in Worcester, Massachusetts. That’s where we find Abasiama in the eighth of the nine-part Ufot Family cycle of plays: ” In Old Age.” Playwright Mfoniso Udofiya and actress Ebony Marshall-Oliver join us to discuss the penultimate chapter of the cycle.

While a handful of states are “rebranding” June as anti-Pride Month, some big brands are doubling down on their support. Colorado pushes back on so-called conversion therapy with new protective laws. And parents of transgender kids take on the Department of Justice to stop its efforts to obtain their children’s medical records. It’s our LGBTQ+ news roundtable!

About 60 percent of Gen Z is thinking about forgoing a traditional college degree to become electricians, carpenters, plumbers, or other skilled tradespeople. Even so, the trades are still considered a “boys club,” with women, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ people as the minority in the industry. Now, a local initiative is trying to create a space for them to network professionally and build community. We hear from three local tradespeople about the new Queer Contractors Collective as we mark Pride Month.

It’s the "Under the Radar" annual summer reading special! Three of our Greater Boston librarians are back with their recommendations, offering plenty of choices for the season – including thrillers, biographies, young adult stories, romance and mysteries. Get ready to add a LOT of new picks to your to-be-read list! For the full reading lists from Callie Crossley, Robin Brenner, Veronica Koven-Matasy and Jane Philbrick, go to gbhnews.org/UTR

Cranberries have been a staple of Indigenous culture in North America for hundreds of years – and not just as food. Soon, European settlers also found the benefits of the berry, which would eventually become the state fruit of Massachusetts. These days, cranberries hold a special place on our Thanksgiving tables, but also in everyday baked goods, granolas and, of course, as a delicious, tart juice. In honor of our ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re boiling down the long history of cranberries in the United States.

One has a tall ship, some rowers, a fishing boat … and a giant lobster crashing through the water in Boston Harbor, defending a goal from an incoming soccer ball. The other features a blend of Celtic punk, classic rock, boy-band beats and classical scoring – some of the musical styles defining Boston. The colorful images and innovative sound remix featured in the Boston World Cup poster and sonic ID are emblematic of the best of Boston – two representations created by local artists to showcase our city to soccer fans worldwide. We speak with two of the artists behind the iconic Boston imagery and sounds.

*This episode addresses the existence of sex and sexual health.* In last month's installment of "How We Love," we dove deep into the world of ethical nonmonogamy and polyamory. For this special episode of "Under the Radar," we meet Justin, Debbie and Alex: three people in a legal domestic partnership, which is only recognized in certain towns in Massachusetts. They live together with their children, cohabitating in a familial structure many may question but that has worked for them for years. So what's their day-to-day like? How did they meet? And how do they push back on stereotypes, myths and side-eyes thrown their way? Check out all the installments of "How We Love": https://www.wgbh.org/culture/series/how-we-love

President Donald Trump’s endorsement resulted in primary victories for loyalists and a political poison pill for dissenters, critics are calling out Massachusetts lawmakers who are making thousands of dollars on top of their base salaries through committee appointments and reflecting on the massive impact and legacy of the late Representative Barney Frank: It’s a full hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!

There is no national museum of AAPI history in Washington, D.C. But last year, Rhode Island became home to a one-of-a-kind AAPI History Museum, right in the heart of Providence. We learn more about the mission of the museum – and how visitors have responded – from its founder and executive director, and a New England scholar.

144 tiles, often green and white in color, always clicking and clacking throughout the strategic, four-person game. It’s been around since the 1800s, and it crossed the biggest ocean in the world to arrive here in America, where decades later, it’s become a phenomenon. Mahjong is taking over social clubs, senior centers, kitchen tables and even breweries around the country – and here in Boston. Two local experts give us the inside scoop on all things Chinese mahjong.

Some of President Trump’s most loyal Cuban followers are starting to backslide. Hispanic candidates are winning seats in local elections at an unprecedented rate. And Alex Cora is out as the manager of the Red Sox. What’s the reaction from local Latinos? It’s our Latinx news roundtable! RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Mother’s Day is a holiday not easily ignored. Though it is not the most popular holiday, it is one of the most commercially successful, with the ubiquitous marketing of flowers, cards, restaurants and jewelry. But for the millions of Americans who are motherless, it’s a sharp reminder of their loss. What is the meaning of Mother’s Day for those who no longer have mothers? And how can they honor memories of their mothers as they manage their grief? RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Two new drugs offer hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer, how communities around the country are pushing back on proposed data centers and after more than two decades, the Cape Cod herring run is back in action. It’s our inaugural science and tech news roundtable! RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Her funny and frank books for kids, tweens, teens and young adults have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, resulting in a loyal, multigenerational fandom. So how did Judy Blume, a mother and homemaker, become one of the most successful and beloved children’s authors in history? Author Mark Oppenheimer chronicles her life and career in his new biography, “Judy Blume.” It’s our May selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club. RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

“As American as apple pie” — it’s a phrase that’s come to be known as something quintessentially American, symbolic of tradition and patriotism. The irony is that apples are not actually native to America at all! Though they’ve become a symbol of the United States, apples originate far from North America. We trace Apple’s tasty history from Asia to America and westward as part of our celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary. RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Romantic relationships are full of joy, but they’re also prone to complexities and challenges. What happens when you add multiple partners or nonmonogamy to the mix? We dive into the world of polyamory and ethical nonmonogamy as part of our yearlong series, "How We Love." RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its new class of inductees, including Phil Collins, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. April is Jazz Appreciation Month! And the new Michael Jackson biopic hits theaters soon. Will audiences flock to see it despite the controversies surrounding the late legendary artist? It's our pop culture roundtable!

All year round, Boston is home to dozens of run clubs: social organizations where athletes of all levels can come to connect with friends, raise money for charitable causes, and improve their physical and mental health. From addiction recovery to LGBTQ+ representation to after-school exercise programs, there’s a group for everybody — even if you prefer walking. We speak to three members of local run clubs to learn more.

President Donald Trump may be staunchly against renewable energy sources, but a new poll shows a majority of his supporters want to expand solar energy in the U.S. Winter woes in ski zones: How will record-low snowfall impact the West this summer? Plus, warmer waters and acidity rates in the Gulf of Maine may affect the future of New England’s lobster industry. It’s our environmental news roundtable!

Author J.R. Thornton’s latest novel “Lucien“ explores the college friendship of scholarship student Chris and high society, wealthy Lucien -- roommates who become fast friends. But Lucien soon holds the upper hand in the relationship, leading Chris to push aside his values and even engage in criminal acts. In this dark academic thriller, “Lucien” explores male friendship, the power of manipulation, and the seduction of wealth and status. It's our April pick for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" book club!

Of the 53 million Catholics in America, about 3 million are African American. The history of Black Catholics in the United States spans from colonization and enslavement to Black parishes founded by the church during the Jim Crow era. And throughout that history, Black Catholic communities have found ways to make the oldest form of Christianity their own. In honor of Easter, we examine Black Catholicism in Boston and beyond. *This segment originally aired in April 2025*

The "I Dream A World" Youth Choral Showcase is bringing together three groups of talented young local singers to perform a variety of pieces centering the work of Langston Hughes and Boston’s own Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American poet. The performance includes the world premiere of a composition by B.E. Boykin performed by all three choirs combined. We speak with Boykin, the showcase's organizer and a young singer who will take the stage at the showcase.

A Pittsfield manufacturer has more than $5 million in contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. State leaders and activists are urging the company to reconsider more collaborations with ICE. Hampshire College is at risk of losing its accreditation due to financial issues and declining enrollment. Does the institution have a future? And this year marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark healthcare legislation known as Romneycare! It’s all on our Massachusetts news roundtable!

This spring – it’s lavender over matcha! Cabbage, cinnamon rolls and grandmacore are trending in kitchens this year. And move over rose – it’s “blouge” wine’s time to shine! It's our food and wine roundtable!

Last month, we kicked off our new "How We Love" series with a conversation about romance fanfiction. But what's it like to go from fanfic to the New York Times best-seller list? In this podcast-exclusive interview, Callie speaks with Christina Lauren (Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings), authors of celebrated romance novels like "The Unhoneymooners," "The True Love Experiment," "Love and Other Words" and "The Paradise Problem," among many others. Their new book, "The Romance Revival" comes out in July. They tell us more about how "Twilight" brought them together and how their work in fanfiction prepared them for the traditional romance-publishing world.

March is Women’s History Month -- time to reflect on the incredible women who shaped American history, many of whom were based in Massachusetts. Often left out of portrait galleries, forgotten in walking tours or passed over when considering honorary statues, two local women leaders are finally putting their stories on display.

Dr. Toyoima Ufot is in trouble. The Harvard scholar is accused of plagiarizing. Now the middle child of Abasiama and Disciple Ufot is struggling to defend herself without losing her emotional footing. That’s the core of the storyline in “Lifted,”  the seventh play of the nine-part Ufot Family Cycle. We speak with the playwright and two actors from the cast about this unique, work-in-progress production.

Immigrants get a financial boost for services like legal aid and advocacy through a new public-private partnership, frustrated lawmakers and laid-off residents wrestle with the state’s unemployment system, and what makes a “gateway city”? It’s our local news roundtable!

It’s been a miserable slog of cold, snow and ice this winter. Spring is coming, but we’re not there yet. So what better time to embrace some end-of-winter communal joy with 10 days of singing and dancing? That's the goal of Maine's first Mudfest. We speak with two of the creators of the event, happening from March 22 through March 29.

In recent awards seasons, Asian-centric films have twice dominated the Academy Awards,  with “Parasite” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” taking home the top prizes. This year, Chloe Zhao's "Hamnet" is a Hollywood darling on the big-screen, while Asian actors like Greta Lee and Hudson Williams are shining on the small-screen. So has the roaring success of Asian and AAPI media continued? Our two experts return for a special hour-long conversation on Asian representation in media! Get your tickets now to our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

A Burlington, Vermont company helps topple Trump’s tariffs. A Sandwich resident heads to Milan Cortina for the Paralympic Games. And Rhode Island’s got a $70,000 rug problem at the state house. It’s our regional news roundtable! Get your tickets now to our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

In the 1950’s, two young women were born poor and motherless in rural Louisiana. From the cradle to adulthood, the two are bonded for life as each searches for love and belonging. “Kin,” the latest novel by author Tayari Jones, is the heartfelt and tender story of their unbreakable bond. It’s our March selection for “Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club.” See Tayari Jones live at The Brattle Theatre on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m.! More information here: https://www.harvard.com/event/tayari-jones  Get your tickets now to our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

The Pride flag is flying over New York’s Stonewall Inn once more, despite calls from the Trump administration to remove the symbol from the historic landmark. LGBTQ+ athletes are making history at this year’s Winter Olympics. And remembering civil rights icon and queer rights ally, the Rev.Jesse Jackson. It's our LGBTQ+ news roundtable! Get your tickets now to our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

What if your favorite TV show or movie series didn’t end when the credits rolled? That’s at the heart of fanfiction: the social, collaborative, and imaginative community of amateur writers creating new adventures – and new love interests – from established stories and franchises. We kick off our new series, How We Love, with a conversation about the intersection of romance and fanfiction. Get your tickets now to our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

Massachusetts mayors brace for an ICE surge, while Boston and Worcester mayors declare city property off-limits to ICE. President Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to lead an effort to nationalize elections is met with resistance, including from one of the President’s strongest supporters: Texas Governor Greg Abbott. And State Auditor Diane Dizoglio amps up her campaign for an audit of the legislature–with a lawsuit and financial support from a state GOP candidate. It’s a full hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs! Join us at our Bookmarked: LIVE! event at Lovestruck Books on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m. Get your tickets now: https://bit.ly/miasosaUTR

The ICE arrest of a 5-year-old and his father in Minneapolis has amplified the fear and outrage in Latinx communities across the country and calls for immigration reform legislation from Massachusetts’ Black and Latino legislators. President Donald Trump wants to open up Venezuela’s oil sector to U.S. investment. Will this “Make Venezuela Great Again”? And Bad Bunny isn’t the only one making history at this year’s Super Bowl. It's our Latinx news roundtable!

It’s been nearly four years since 15-year-old high school basketball player Preston Settles suddenly collapsed on the court, dying 22 days later. Now his parents are supporting legislation that could expand the use of AEDS -- or automated external defibrillators -- in the state, especially at gyms and sporting arenas. The proposed bill is making its way through the Massachusetts Legislature right now.

Award season is in full swing, and now, it’s the Recording Academy’s turn onstage. This weekend marks the 68th Grammy Awards, with decorated stars like Kendrick Lamar, up-and-comers like Olivia Dean and global icons like Lady Gaga all vying for a chance to take home a trophy. Two music experts give us the inside scoop on this year's Grammys.

Two giants of African American History share a connection few understood … until now. Jackie Robinson, the first Black player to integrate Major League Baseball, and artist and activist Paul Robeson became opposing voices amid the anti-communist fervor of the 20th century. Author Howard Bryant reveals a never-before-told story of how their historic intersection helped shape racial progress for decades to come in his latest book, “Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America” -- our February selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club and part of our tribute to Black History Month.

It’s been scientifically proven that taking time to reflect on what you’re grateful for is good for your health – emotionally, mentally and physically. But in recent years, these documented benefits have been overshadowed by a huge cottage industry of wellness influencers promoting gratitude merchandise and practices. So is practicing gratitude worth the hype?

What would you do if you had all the money you needed to create your own vision of the world you want to live in? For multimillionaire Fergie Chambers, it meant building a self-described communist revolutionary base in Alford, Massachusetts. Fergie and his mission are the story in a new documentary, “All About the Money,” premiering at this year's Sundance Film Festival. We speak with the film's director, Sinead O'Shea.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the federal holiday honoring The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – 40 years of community gatherings, public forums and special activities to pay tribute to the civil rights icon. And throughout most of the holiday’s history, millions of Americans have commemorated the day by volunteering for civic engagement and service projects in their communities, including local efforts like Many Helping Hand 365's Cambridge MLK Day of Service and Learning.

Her maps push the boundaries of the form beyond the typical two-dimensional depictions of static, and defined spaces, centering the history, environment, and political narratives of Indigenous people in North America. Cartographer Margaret Wickens Pearce is one of 4 local 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. She joins us for our annual series, “The Genius Next Door.”

A new report declares 2025 as one of the costliest years when it comes to climate disasters. Environmental groups are cautiously optimistic about the environmental commitments for the proposed Everett Soccer Stadium. And will YOU add shellfish harvested from Boston Harbor to your dinner table? It’s our environmental news roundtable!

It’s easy to mistake Jeremy Frey’s baskets for fine china when you see them from afar. But up close, his intricate, tiny weaves, coupled with surprising colors, patterns and forms, elevate the ancient craft of basket-making from utility to high art. Visual artist Jeremy Frey is one of four local 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. We speak with him for our annual series, “The Genius Next Door.”

Forget about baseball and apple pie: Ice is the real cultural symbol of America. From fancy ice cubes to high-tech refrigerators and coolers and an ongoing love affair with the Zamboni, ice is literally and figuratively carved into every aspect of American lifestyles and traditions. How did it happen? Author Amy Brady traces the history in her book, “Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks – A Cool History of a Hot Commodity.” *This segment originally aired in September 2023*

Archaeologists trace the earliest clay containers to the Stone Age when people used crude stone tools to make clay pots for cooking and storage. Today’s potters use special types of clay and sophisticated techniques to produce fine craft ceramics. Once crafted mostly by artists, pottery is now one of the hottest hobbies in the country. Ceramics classes are full to bursting, some kilns are running 24 hours a day and the British show, “The Great Pottery Throwdown” has millions of rabid fans. What kicked off this ceramics craze that shows no signs of slowing down? *This segment originally aired in December 2024*

A novel about a fictional school shooting, which captures the perspectives of all involved. A memoir which begins with a young person’s complicated journey questioning their sexual identity. And a novella detailing a year in the life of a young Latina living in Chicago as she approaches adolescence. In many cities and states, these storylines are at the heart of best-selling, critically acclaimed books that are no longer available in local schools or public libraries, because they’ve been banned. In this special edition of “Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club,” we’re showcasing three authors who have written about subject matter targeted by organized book-banning campaigns. This episode is also part of Unbound Pages, our year-long series examining the anti-book-banning movement in America. *This episode originally aired in August 2025*

For more than three decades, PRX and GBH's "The World" engineer Mike Wilkins has created a mixtape -- now a playlist -- of holiday music full of quirky, weird and sometimes way-out-there songs. We take a listen and learn more about this year's playlist in this special hour-long all-music episode!

She wrote just six novels in her short life, but her literary influence is enormous. Jane Austen’s prose and characters have enthralled millions on the page and in films and TV adaptations for decades. On this week’s special episode, we cordially invite you to celebrate the life and legacy of Jane Austen in honor of her 250th birthday!

An up-and-coming director, a cast of veterans alongside actors on the verge of their big breaks, an ethereal tinkling piano score and muddy hems! The 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the most loved versions of Jane Austen’s work. What makes it stand out from the many adaptations that came before it? Screenwriter Deborah Moggach gives us a behind-the-scenes look into what it took to get the iconic novel onto the big screen like never before.

His admirers and supporters have long thought his artistry has been overlooked. Now, 18 years after his death, Boston artist Allan Rohan Crite is finally receiving the recognition many fans and critics agree is well-deserved, with two decades-spanning exhibitions on display. We speak about Crite's work and legacy with exhibit co-curator Ted Landsmark, and local artists and former mentees of Crite, Ekua Holmes and Johnetta Tinker.

She’s travelled the globe studying the hidden politics of borders. Recently, she’s turned her focus to the U.S.-Mexico border, attempting to peel back the animosity toward migrants, and why the gun and drug trade is able to skirt regulation. Cultural anthropologist Ieva Jusionyte is one of four local 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. She joins us as part of our annual series, “The Genius Next Door.”

From heart disease to diabetes, chronic illness is the leading cause of death in the United States, and chronic disease is a major reason why the nation spends more than $4 trillion on health care every year. But a growing movement believes reexamining our relationship with food is key to both improving our health and saving money.  *This segment originally aired in 2023*

Cities across the country are dotted with vacant lots — often overgrown with weeds, full of trash or surrounded by dilapidated buildings. The unused spaces are at best an eyesore. But some community groups see those empty spaces as an opportunity for food forests: vibrant, public spaces that can also feed their community. We speak with two local experts and advocates who tell us more. *This segment originally aired in 2023*

Despite more houses being built around Greater Boston, prospective homeowners can’t find affordable housing. Will the restructuring of the Cannabis Control Commission correct its troubles? And the Michelin Guide awards its first Boston star. It’s our local news roundtable!

Temperatures are dipping, but kitchens are heating up as we kick off the season for serious project baking and cooking for a crowd. Will you be adding Albariño -- or pumpkin spice Chardonnay -- to your Thanksgiving table? Plus, local artisan food favorites get Yankee Magazine’s seal of approval as perfect stocking stuffers for any foodie. It's our food and wine roundtable!

A new report shows that NO cities in Rhode Island contain affordable housing for people living on the median income of the state. More Cape Cod and Island towns are pushing for a “seasonal communities” designation. And how a man in Vermont ended up with Jeffrey Epstein’s address book – yes, THAT Jeffrey Epstein. It’s our regional news roundtable!

A list of banned books may signal what to keep out of classrooms, libraries, and their own bookshelves. But for founders of banned-book clubs, it’s the perfect place to find next month’s read. We speak with three people, including MS NOW'S Ali Velshi, who founded their own banned-book clubs as part of Unbound Pages, our year-long series on the anti-book banning movement in America.

It’s been 10 years since Obergefell vs. Hodges led to same-sex marriage  becoming law throughout the United States. Now, the Supreme Court may hear a case that could overturn that decision. A new study confirms higher rates of depression and anxiety in LGBTQ+ youth. And this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is breaking the internet … and breaking barriers. It’s our LGBTQ+ news roundtable!

In Angela Flournoy's new novel, "The Wilderness," four friends navigate pivotal life passages through their decades-long relationships – their bonds both sustained and tested against the backdrop of modern social and cultural events. Flournoy’s intimate storytelling adds dimension to the story of these female friendships. “The Wilderness” is our November selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

Nearly one year ago, voters sent President Donald Trump back to the White House. Since taking office in January, President Trump and his administration have moved rapidly to enact many of his campaign promises. So what comes next? It’s an hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!

Spooky cinema is at an all-time commercial peak, and in recent years, folk horror -- a subgenre of horror focusing on nature, isolation and paranoia -- has taken over the mainstream. Its frights are derived from the scariest villain of all: ourselves. But the genre isn’t new. So why are these stories resonating with so many horror fans right now?

She’s known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955 sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted over a year and inspired other nonviolent resistance. Her name – along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – is the most recognizable of the civil rights icons. Yet, on this 20th anniversary of her death, there are efforts to sanitize her life story and erase her legacy from public archives, schoolbooks and libraries. Two historians join us to set the record straight.

She’s uncovered unexpected connections between her field of algebraic combinatorics and other areas in math and physics, making significant contributions to numerous mathematical fields and forging groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary collaborations. Theoretical mathematician Lauren K. Williams is one of four local 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. We talk with Lauren K. Williams for our annual series, “The Genius Next Door.”

District 7, one of Boston’s 9 city districts, was the most competitive race in September’s preliminary election. Eleven candidates fought to represent the district and to replace former District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges. One of the two candidates hoping to win the job will address the district’s top ongoing concerns: affordable housing, economic development and public safety. With just days to go before the November election, we’re taking a closer look at District 7’s political past and present history with people who know it well.

Thousands of Cabo Verdeans Americans have made their home in Greater Boston bringing with them the indigenous language of their ancestral homeland. Now through the efforts of a local retired teacher and writer, Cabo Verdean Creole has been captured in a dictionary – the formalization of a language that has been passed down primarily orally. In honor of the dictionary’s official publishing, we’re looking back on the conversation we had in January 2024 about the making of this dictionary and why it’s so important to Cabo Verdeans in the United States and abroad.

For the generation that weathered the AIDS epidemic and fought for same-sex marriage, finding community still poses a challenge. But in Boston, LGBTQ+ seniors have the Pryde — New England’s first affordable senior living community geared toward LGBTQ+ elders. A new GBH News documentary follows some of the Pryde’s first residents through the facility’s inaugural year. We proudly present an audio-only version of the documentary this week! Watch "Living In Pryde": https://www.youtube.com/@GBHNews

Ramon Lopez grew up on the U.S. border between Texas and Mexico, in a family of tireless working immigrants scraping to get by. Could young Ramon’s talents help change the future for himself and his family? In his new coming-of-age novel, “The Border Between Us,” author Rudy Ruiz chronicles Ramon’s story of heart and hope. It’s our October selection for Bookmarked: The “Under the Radar “Book Club” and part of our tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month.

Sunday, October 5, marks the start of this year's Banned Books Week – an annual commemoration in support of free and open access to information. It’s a week celebrated  by authors, publishers, teachers and book lovers across the country, including librarians, many of whom are under attack as they fight for the freedom to read. That fight is the subject of a new documentary coming to Boston later this month. We speak with award-winning and Oscar-nominated director Kim Snyder and librarian Audrey Wilson-Youngblood to learn more. Listen to all the stories that are part of our year-long series on the anti-book-banning movement in America -- Unbound Pages: gbhnews.org/unboundpages

Festivals around the country are holding off on annual celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month due to the looming threat of ICE. Plus, a new poll shows President Donald Trump’s favorability is slipping with Latino voters. And Bad Bunny wraps up his epic Puerto Rico residency -- it's our Latinx news roundtable!

Few traditions are more sacred than marriage, but when complicated legacies are involved, few traditions are more stressful. “The Ceremony,” celebrated playwright Mfoniso Udofia’s sixth entry in the generation-spanning Ufot Family Cycle of nine plays, finds that complicated connection in the engagement between Nigerian-American Ekong Ufot and Nepali-American Lumanthi Rathi, simultaneously examining Ekong’s fractured relationship with his immigrant father Disciple. We speak with the playwright and the CHUANG Stage production's two leading actors.

Recent findings show that one-third of American high school seniors lack basic reading skills -- the lowest numbers in more than three decades. Could a shift to a more linguistics-centered educational approach help turn those numbers around? Plus, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which means it’s time again for the annual CineFest Latino Boston Film Festival. We speak with its founder and director along with two filmmakers whose documentary, "Comparsa," is kicking off the festival.

We’re exploring the latest headlines from Western, Central, and Eastern Massachusetts in our first Massachusetts news roundtable, including the latest in the off-shore-wind saga, consolidated high school football teams in the Berkshires and Holyoke as a non-sanctuary city. Then, Callie heads to Portland, Maine, to check out the Portland Museum of Art's new exhibit, “David C. Driskell: Collector," juxtaposing Driskell's work with some of his collected works, including pieces by celebrated artists like Lois Mailou Jones, Edward Mitchell Bannister and Romare Bearden. RSVP to our FREE Bookmarked LIVE! event at Parkside Bookshop happening Wednesday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m.: bit.ly/UTRParkside