Best Stephen Janis Podcasts (2025)

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Spaces of Anticolonialism: Disha Karnad Jani Interviews Stephen Legg 49:04

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24d ago49:04

49:04

In this latest episode of In Theory, Disha Karnad Jani interviews Stephen Legg about his new book, "Spaces of Anticolonialism: Delhi’s Urban Governmentalities" (University of Georgia Press, 2025). In the book, Legg provides a study of Indian anti-colonialism in the decades before Independence that foregrounds the spatially-mediated and bottom-up po…

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July 18, 2025 - Week in Review: Public Broadcasting defunded, Emmy nominations, and Stephen Colbert's cancellation 55:30

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Today Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review. First up, we look at the future of public media now that Congress has stripped more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. From there it’s “Fight for America!,” a live, imm…

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July 17, 2025 - Chris Berdik, Janie Barnett on "She's So Unusual," and Emi Ferguson 55:30

2d ago55:30

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Science Journalist and author Chris Berdik joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back.” It details our chronic exposure to noise, how it's affecting our health, and the people who are working to bring the noise down and improve our quality of life. From there it’s another epi…

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July 16, 2025 - Adam Aleksic, "Back to The Future - The Musical," and Steve Locke 55:30

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Adam Aleksic—founder and former president of the Harvard Undergraduate Linguistics Society, and content creator posting educational videos as the “Etymology Nerd”—joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language.” Tonight he’ll be at the Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here I…

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July 15, 2025 - Gregory Maguire, Margaret Cho, and Jane Eaglen 55:30

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What happened to young Elphaba before she was saddled with the wicked mantle? Almost 30 years after the publication of “Wicked,” Gregory Maguire offers readers Elphaba’s origin story in a new book titled “Elphie: A Wicked Childhood.” He joins The Culture Show to talk about it. From there comedian, actress and singer-songwriter Margaret Cho joins Th…

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July 14, 2025 - Reginald Dwayne Betts, David Grann, and Chelsea Handler 55:30

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Reginald Dwayne Betts is an award-winning poet, a lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads, a first of its kind organization working to transform access to books in prisons. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Doggerel: Poems.” From there David Grann, author of “The Wager,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon," is a #1 “New York Times” …

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July 11, 2025 - Devo at 50, Alison Bechdel, and James Parker 55:31

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Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, the cofounders of the new wave band Devo join The Culture Show to talk about cultural de-evolution, the genesis of their band, how they came to be one of the most original groups in the history of rock music. From there “New York Times” bestselling author Alison Bechdel joins The Culture Show to talk about her n…

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July 10, 2025 - Baseball: The Movie, Dart Adams on 3 Feet High and Rising, and Max Heinegg 55:28

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Today writer Noah Gittell joins The Culture Show to talk about his book “Baseball: The Movie.” Gittell, a sportswriter and film critic, takes us through the history of the baseball movie; tracking how they have changed over the years from being mostly feel good to nostalgic to to cynical. Gittell says that the way the baseball film has changed refl…

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July 9, 2025 - Mfoniso Udofia, Rob "ProBlak" Gibbs, and Black Voices of the Revolution 55:30

10d ago55:30

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Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theater with support from The Huntington present the fifth installment of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, “Kufre n’ Quay.” Mfoniso Udofia joins The Culture Show to talk about reaching the midpoint of her none-play cycle. “Kufre n’ Quay” is onstage July 10 - July 26th. To learn more go here. From there art…

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July 8, 2025 - Peter Wolf and Imari Paris Jeffries 55:34

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Music legend Peter Wolf has had a long solo career and rose to recognition as former lead singer of the J. Geils Band–famous for its high-octane shows and top 40 hits. Wolf joins The Culture Show to talk about his new memoir “Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters and Goddesses.”. From there, Imari Paris Jeffries, CEO and President…

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July 7, 2025 - Wendy Benchley, Mandy Barnett, and Christopher Shaw Myers 55:33

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We continue our coverage of “Jaws” at 50 with Wendy Benchley. She is the wife of the late author Peter Benchley, who wrote the bestselling novel “Jaws.” Since the success of the book and subsequent film, Wendy Benchley has dedicated much of her life to conservation. She is an award-winning ocean advocate and scuba diver. She is cofounder of the Pet…

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July 4, 2025 - "EEPHUS," Chef Andy Husbands, and John Flansburgh 55:37

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Director Carson Lund joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut feature film “Eephus,” a quintessentially New England baseball film. Find out more, here. From there Andy Husbands, chef and owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, has co-authored the “Quick and Easy Burger Cookbook,” which will bump your burger game with creative recipes. He joins The Cultu…

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July 3, 2025 - James Parker, Fabiola Méndez, and Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide 55:30

16d ago55:30

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James Parker joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes: Odes to Being Alive.” He’s a staff writer at “The Atlantic.” Since 2011 he has been running the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and editing “The Pilgrim,” a literary maga…

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July 2, 2025 - Danielle Allen, the Family Heritage Experience, and Mahesh Daas 55:30

17d ago55:30

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Ahead of Independence Day when we celebrate the rejection of King George III and his monarchy Danielle Allen joins The Culture Show for her take on the state of our democracy. Danielle Allen is the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation and of the Democratic Knowledge Pr…

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July 1, 2025 - Robert Ellis Orrall, Sam Waterston, and mixologist Marsha Lindsey 55:29

18d ago55:29

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Robert Ellis Orrall is a singer-songwriter, producer and owner of the indie label Infinity Cat Recordings. He has worked in Nashville collaborating with Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire. Now he has a new live album, “The Bear is the Mountain,” which revisits the early 80’s, featuring recordings from live performances throughout Boston. He joins The C…

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June 30, 2025 - Heidi Wastweet and Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, public art in New Bedford, and André Aciman 55:31

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Today we continue our series with the Museum of Fine Arts, looking at works in their collection that give us insight into the people and pivotal moments that shaped America's fight for freedom. We’re joined by Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, the MFA’s Carolyn and Peter Lynch Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture, and medalist and sc…

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June 27, 2025 - Week in Review: Anna Wintour, Trump's F-bomb, tourists damaging art, and Boston Calling's hiatus 55:30

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Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review. First up, Anna Wintour. She is stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after 37 years at the helm. For decades she has coolly controlled the rhythms of fashion the world over…all with a st…

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June 26, 2025 - Boston Poet Laureate Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, Alfredo Jaar, and Victor Oliveira 55:26

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In April, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture announced that Ghanaian American poet, editor, and educator Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah will serve as Boston’s next Poet Laureate. Oppong-Yeboah will officially assume the role in July 2025 and serve until July 2029. They join The Culture Show to talk about their poetry and vision fo…

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June 25, 2025 - As You Like It in Boston Common, Frederick Douglass' July 4 speech, and the Queer (Re)Public Festival 55:26

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This summer Commonwealth Shakespeare Company brings “As You Like It,” to the Parkman Bandstand for this year’s annual - and free - Shakespeare on the Common production. Actress Nora Eschenheimer, who stars as Rosalind, and actor Michael Underhill, who stars as Orlando, join The Culture Show for an overview. “As You Like It” runs July 23rd through A…

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June 24, 2025 - "The Dream of a Common Movement" and the legacy of Urvashi Vaid, Subject:Matter, and Mary Grant 55:27

25d ago55:27

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The new book “The Dream of a Common Movement” collects essays, interviews, and speeches by the late Urvashi Vaid, whose writing and organizing fundamentally shaped the LGBTQ+ movement. It’s edited by Jyotsna Vaid and Amy Hoffman, who will be at Porter Square Books tomorrow and at RiffRaff Bookstore and Bar in Providence this Thursday. Amy Hoffman -…

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June 23, 2025 - Pedro Alonzo and Nicholas Galanin, Vincent Petryk of JP Licks, and Moonbox's New Works Festival 55:34

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Today we’re continuing our exploration of The Boston Public Art Triennial, with Culture Show contributor, Pedro Alonzo, the Triennial’s Artistic Director and one of the featured artists, the widely acclaimed Indigenous sculptor Nicholas Galanin. Galanin’s works are on view at the MassArt Art Museum, and Evans Way Park, 1 Evans Way. To learn more go…

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June 20, 2025 - Week in Review: Jaws at 50, the Louvre, and the Karen Read ceiling fan 54:43

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Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review. First up, “Jaws” at 50. They look at how it changed the film industry, it’s mixed legacy on shark conservation, the iconic score and how it has managed to frighten audiences with a mechanical shark n…

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June 19, 2025 - Mass. Poet Laureate Regie Gibson, Club Passim, and Nina MacLaughlin on the Summer Solstice 55:33

30d ago55:33

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Regie Gibson, an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music and an instructor at Clark University, has been selected as Massachusetts’ first Poet Laureate. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how he’ll define this role, his path to poetry and to share some of his work. Gibson is a songwriter, author, spoken-word poet and former National Po…

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June 18, 2025 - Annette Gordon-Reed, J. Courtney Sullivan, and the Boston Pizza Festival 55:20

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Historian, lawyer and Pulitzer-prize winning author Annette Gordon-Reed joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book “On Juneteenth,” which explores the holiday commemorating the day Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. From there best-selling author J. Courtney Sullivan joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest novel, …

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The Architects of Dignity: Disha Karnad Jani Interviews Kevin Pham 41:39

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Disha Karnad Jani interviews Kevin Pham, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, about his recent book, The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024). In his book, Pham traces the evolution of Vietnamese political thought through six figures, Phan Bội Châu, Phan Chu …

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June 17, 2025 - Imari Paris Jeffries, Dread Scott, and the 50th anniversary of Jaws 55:11

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Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to preview the Embrace Ideas Festival. Kicking off on Juneteenth, this year’s festival is a celebration of joy, power, prosperity and black creativity. Imari Paris Jeffries also gives an overview of Embrace Boston’s latest report, which explores how cultural festivals…

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June 16, 2025 - Frederick Douglass in opera, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and the Battle of Bunker Hill at 250 55:30

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Frederick Douglass had a life that could be described as operatic. The late composer Ulysses Kay, in his last major work, saw that it was. The Boston Modern Orchestra Project, in partnership with Odyssey Opera, is presenting the New England premiere of “Frederick Douglass ” on June 20th at Jordan Hall. The piece centers on a fictionalized account o…

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June 13, 2025 - Week in Review: Brian Wilson, Sly Stone, and the return of smoking 55:32

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Culture Show cohosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review. First up, they remember and celebrate the legacies of Brian WIlson, the musical genius behind the Beach Boys and Sly Stone, the frontman, singer and songwriter of Sly & the Family Stone. From there they rec…

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June 12, 2025 - The work of David Drake, Hello Dolly, and the Roxbury International Film Festival 55:30

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The American Revolution frame by frame. Today we continue our series with the Museum of Fine Arts, looking at works in their collection that give us insight into the people and pivotal moments that shaped America's fight for freedom. Today, it’s where poetry meets pottery with the work of David Drake. Joining us to discuss Drake's work and what it …

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June 11, 2025 - Adam Met, Ian Shaw and Mike Glier 55:30

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Adam Met—member of the multi-platinum band AJR, climate advocate, and educator—joins The Culture Show to talk about his book Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World. On June 13th he’ll be at the First Parish Church in Cambridge for a Harvard Book Store event. To learn more go here. From there we …

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June 10, 2025 - Dr. Robert Waldinger, Penguin Retirement Home and Lauren Stowell 55:29

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Since 1938 researchers at Harvard have been studying the lives of hundreds of people and their families to discover what makes us happy. Some of the key findings were in the New York Times bestselling book, “The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness,” by Dr. Robert Waldinger and Marc Shulz. Now out in paperback, …

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June 9, 2025 - Kwame Alexander, Elizabeth Strout and Oliver de la Paz 55:29

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Award winning writer and poet Kwame Alexander joins The Culture Show to talk about the PBS Kids debut of “Acoustic Rooster.” Based on Alexander’s beloved children’s book “Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band,” the “Acoustic Rooster” universe is now on PBS KIDS. To learn more, go here. From there the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Elizabeth Strou…

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June 6, 2025 - Week in Review: A Tony Awards preview, Edmund White, and the Nintendo Switch 2 55:30

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Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Joyce Kulhawik co-host this week’s arts and Culture week-in-review. Joyce Kulhawik is a Culture Show contributor, Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’s Choices. First up, a recap of the Elliot Norton Award…

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June 5, 2025 - Greg Skomal, Our Class, and Beyond Walls 55:28

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Dr. Greg Skomal joins The Culture Show to talk about preparing for white shark season and how the movie “Jaws,” which is nearing its 50th anniversary, inspired him to become a marine biologist. Greg Skomal is an underwater explorer, photographer, and author. He is a fisheries scientist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and heads t…

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June 4, 2025 - Nemr, revolutionary history in Somerville, and the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright 55:27

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Nemr is a Lebanese-American stand-up comedian who is credited with pioneering the stand-up comedy scene throughout the Middle East. On June 13th he’s bringing his “Extremely Unextremist” show to The Wilbur. He joins The Culture Show for a preview. From there we continue our countdown to 2026 with a look at the role Somerville played in the American…

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June 3, 2025 - Mayor Ray Flynn and Don Gillis, Tinder Live! with Lane Moore, and the Cape Ann Museum 55:27

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Don Gillis and Ray Flynn join The Culture Show to discuss Gillis’ new book “The Battle for Boston: How Mayor Ray Flynn and Community Organizers Fought Racism and Downtown Power Brokers.” On June 5th at 6:00 Don Gillis will be at a book event at the Roslindale Public Library. To learn more go here. From there comedian and actress Lane Moore joins Th…

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June 2, 2025 - Andy Husbands, Massiel Grullón, and Uli Lorimer from the Native Plant Trust 55:30

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Andy Husbands, chef and owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, has co-authored the “Quick and Easy Burger Cookbook,” which will bump your burger game with creative recipes. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how we can turn our nothing burger into a something burger. On June 16th Husbands will be at a book signing event at WBUR’s City Space. To learn mo…

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May 30, 2025 - Week in Review: The Labubu craze, Harry Potter, and Audra McDonald vs Patti LuPone 55:29

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Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III co-host our arts and culture week-in-review starting with a reflection on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Holocaust museum in Boston’s Downtown Crossing. From there they discuss Harvard University, which will give up ownership of historic photos of enslaved people, following a lega…

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May 29, 2025 - Vincent Valdez, Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), and public art around Bost 55:29

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Vincent Valdez is an American artist who explores identity, social justice, and American history. Not to mention our particular capacity, as a society, to forget our episodes of violence. Just a Dream… is the artist’s first major museum survey including work from over twenty years across all media. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his proces…

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May 28, 2025 - Ron Chernow, Tara Roberts, and the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 55:29

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Ron Chernow―prizewinning author of seven books, including the National Book Award winner “The House of Morgan,” the Pulitzer Prize winner “Washington: A Life,” and the George Washington Book Prize winner “Alexander Hamilton”―joins The Culture Show to talk about his new biography “Mark Twain.” On June 2nd he’ll be at the First Parish Church at a boo…

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May 27, 2025 - The Arrival Art Fair, Tituss Burgess, and Jane Eaglen 55:29

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Arrival - a new biannual art fair. The inaugural edition features exhibitors from across the country. It kicks off on June 12th and runs through June 15th and is situated in North Adams at the TOURSITS hotel. Two of the founders join The Culture Show for an overview. Yng-Ru Chen is owner of the Boston-based Praise Shadows Art Gallery and Crystalle …

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May 26, 2025 - Marianne Leone, Erik Andrade, and Eric and Will 55:29

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Actor and author Marianne Leone joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book, “Five-Dog Epiphany: How a Quintet of Badass Bichons Retrieved Our Joy,” From there New Bedford poet Erik Andrade joins The Culture Show to talk about poetry as activism. Erik Andrade is an award winning spoken word poet. Recently his work was included in “Black Fi…

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May 23, 2025 - Week in Review: Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese, Springsteen vs Trump, and remembering George Wendt 55:29

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Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and James Bennett II co-host our arts and culture week in review. First up, reconstructing the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese feud timeline, focusing on how the media are fanning the flames and how outside commentary about race is making this an ugly rivalry. From there it’s an analysis of another feud, Bruce Sp…

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May 22, 2025 - George Takei, B. Dylan Hollis, and a preview of Boston Calling 55:29

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Actor and activist George Takei joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut with the Boston Pops. He’s narrating a multimedia program that explores the intersection of music, space, and science fiction. This program was developed in partnership with the Museum of Science, Boston and its Center for Space Sciences. This concert also offers a post-…

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May 21, 2025 - Sebastian Smee, Dr. Greg Skomal on Jaws at 50, and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Chelsea Creek 55:29

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Sebastian Smee is a Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic at The Washington Post. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his recent piece, which breaks down Bob Dylan’s “Ballad of a Thin Man.” Sebastian Smee’s latest book is “Paris in Ruins: Love, War and the Birth of Impressionism.” From there Dr. Greg Skomal joins The Culture Show to talk about prep…

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May 20, 2025 - The Michelin Guide in Boston, JaJa's African Hair Braiding, and Mahesh Daas 55:29

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Marc Sheehan, Executive Chef and Owner of Northern Spy in Canton and Will Gilson, Chef and Partner of Cambridge Street Hospitality Group, join The Culture Show to talk about the Michelin Guide coming to Boston and what it will take for local restaurants that are contenders to prepare. From there playwright Jocelyn Bioh joins The Culture Show to tal…

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May 19, 2025 - Josh Simpson and Cady Coleman, the Boston Public Art Triennial, and Shakespeare in ASL 55:29

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The Sandwich Glass Museum is featuring the artistry of Josh Simpson in the exhibition “50 Years of Visionary Glass.” Josh and his wife, retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, will be signing books and giving a joint presentation on May 31st. Cady Coleman’s new book is “Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change.” Josh Si…

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May 16, 2025 - Week in Review: The Michelin Guide in Boston, Pete Rose, and the Giacometti bust 55:30

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Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons – artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council– go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week in review. First up, the Michelin guide will officially debut in Boston. From there Way…