Best Wgbh Educational Foundation Podcasts (2025)

1
Unbound Pages: Will Massachusetts be the next state to pass 'freedom to read' legislation? 27:28

5d ago27:28

27:28

Book bans have been on the rise across the country in recent years prompting lawmakers to pass legislation to protect libraries and librarians. “Freedom to read” legislation has been adopted in four states, aiming to safeguard access to diverse materials in public and school libraries, and some lawmakers are hoping to make Massachusetts the fifth s…

1
Black Catholics create connection between ancient Christian practice and today’s Black culture 30:32

5d ago30:32

30:32

Of the 50 million Catholics in America, only 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 Christianit…

1
Peter Straughan, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 37:04

6d ago37:04

37:04

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Screenwriter, and newly minted Oscar winner, Peter Straughan is fascinated by stories of loyalty and betrayal. In Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Cromwell’s loyalty is under question. Today, Peter joins the podcast to discuss adapti…

1
New children’s book tells the behind-the-scenes story of the first presidential Passover Seder 24:38

13d ago24:38

24:38

Each year, thousands of Greater Bostonians observe Passover through Seder, the ceremonial meal of prayers, blessings and wine retelling the story of the Jews' exodus from ancient Egypt. It’s a tradition passed down from generation to generation all over the world, but it didn’t reach the White House until 2009. Author Richard Michelson wrote about …

1
Paul Revere House and Old North Church reexamine its history in preparation of 250th anniversary of Revere’s ride 33:20

13d ago33:20

33:20

He’s known as a silversmith, a messenger and a patriot. But Paul Revere's role and contribution to the American Revolution was much more than a midnight ride.We take a walk through Revere’s neighborhood and visit two pivotal locations – the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church – to learn more about the revolutionary and the world in which he …

1
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 28:41

13d ago28:41

28:41

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Four of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Actor Damian Lewis is well-known to MASTERPIECE viewers for his iconic roles in The Forsyte Saga and Wolf Hall. He joins the podcast to discuss the sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and reflects on playing one of the most notorious kings in E…

1
The Most Dangerous Book 22:22

13d ago22:22

22:22

Are you in danger of being poisoned by an antique book? The Victorian era ushered in new bright vivid dye formulas that produced brilliant yellows, reds, blues, purples, and greens. Although an antidote to the pervasive soot and grime of the day, these new dyes were laced with poisonous heavy metals – the worst being Emerald Green containing arseni…

1
‘I’ve seen poetry save lives’: Local and Grammy-winning spoken-word poets celebrate their art 33:13

20d ago33:13

33:13

April is National Poetry Month! Enthusiasm for spoken-word poetry has skyrocketed in recent years, helping to increase the popularity of all poetry. We’re diving into the art form and the poets who use their voices and bodies in staged performances. Who are the lyrical wordsmiths at the top of their game, including here in Massachusetts? We speak w…

1
Poet Tiana Clark pairs gut-wrenching imagery with accessible language in ‘Scorched Earth’ 24:46

20d ago24:46

24:46

Poet Tiana Clark’s mastery of the language of emotions is fully displayed in “Scorched Earth,” her new deeply personal collection of poems, which takes readers from the charred landscape of divorce to searing moments where the intersection of history, race and gender explode on the pages. “Scorched Earth” is our April pick for Bookmarked: the “Unde…

1
Lilit Lesser, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 34:19

20d ago34:19

34:19

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Actor Lilit Lesser is a familiar face to MASTERPIECE audiences, appearing in both Wolf Hall and Endeavour. Lilit joins us today to discuss playing Lady Mary in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and examine how the character balances faith with forti…

1
From the pitch to the scrum, women’s pro sports are in high demand 33:47

27d ago33:47

33:47

It’s not a moment – it’s a movement. Women’s sports teams from the WNBA to women’s rugby teams are selling out games from coast to coast. Breakout stars like Olympian Ilona Maher, illustrious former collegiate turned pro players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and celebrity-backed teams like Angel City Football Club are in the spotlight. So are…

1
Boston Comedy Festival celebrates 25 years of laughter and competition 24:13

27d ago24:13

24:13

The Boston Comedy Festival has been showcasing comedic talent for 25 years! With so much competition from social media and digital platforms, what continues to make the festival a stand-up destination for comedians in greater Boston and across the country? We speak with the brother-sister duo who founded the festival and an up-and-coming comedian h…

1
Kirsten Claiden-Yardley, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 20:02

27d ago20:02

20:02

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Historian and production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley returns to the podcast to discuss the world of King Henry VIII and his court and distinguish fact from fiction in the first two episodes of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.…

1
A Fact Re-Checked 28:23

27d ago28:23

28:23

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW DETOURS kicks off Season 6 with a TV fact checker’s worst nightmare - an error pointed out by a keen ROADSHOW viewer. When the date of a painting depicting a quintessential Chicago scene of the activity on Michigan Avenue is called into question, host Adam Monahan begins a hunt for the truth and sets off a cascade of coincidences …

1
Hollywood banks on starry comebacks and nostalgic film reboots 33:47

1M ago33:47

33:47

Will Smith, Jonathan Majors and Lizzo are all traveling the same road: the comeback trail. Nostalgia continues to reign – everything old is new again! Reboots and returns on the big and little screen. And Bad Bunny bares all … well, mostly all. That and more on our pop culture roundtable!By GBH

1
Two eldest daughters and their mother strive for connection in ‘Her Portmanteau’ 24:13

1M ago24:13

24:13

Mfoniso Udofia’s nine-play Ufot Family Cycle forges on! The latest onstage installment, “Her Portmanteau,” hits Central Square Theater later this month. And it picks up a loose thread from the very first play — the story of Iniabasi, matriarch Abasiama’s true eldest daughter. We speak with the playwright and the actress who portrays the daughter as…

1
Lucy Worsley | MASTERPIECE Studio 35:43

1M ago35:43

35:43

Historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley brings us back to the 16th century to discuss the history of Tudor England. We talk about Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII’s reign, and how his eldest child, Mary Tudor, earned the nickname Bloody Mary.By MASTERPIECE

1
Local news: Why have businesses in Mattapan left liquor licenses on the table? 36:44

1M ago36:44

36:44

Boston’s former ICE office director is chosen as acting director of the national agency, the latest in the controversy about the MBTA Communities Act, and can new liquor licenses in Dorchester and Mattapan help existing businesses … or are they too much trouble for restaurants AND the neighborhood? It’s our local news roundtable!…

1
Gen Z drinking habits, social media and Irish interest fuel rise in Guinness’ popularity 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

Most beer-drinking Americans choose lagers – crisp, pale beers like Modelo Especial, Bud Light or Coors Light. But Gen Zers and celebrities like Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Kardashian have boosted renewed enthusiasm for the Irish stout, Guinness. We’ve drafted top beer experts to mark St Patrick’s Day with a heady discussion about Guinness’ …

1
Encore: Wolf Hall, a Recap of Season 1 | MASTERPIECE Studio 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall. We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall, the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character …

1
Antiques Roadshow Detours Season 6 Trailer 3:21

1M ago3:21

3:21

Ever wondered what happens to the treasures featured on America’s beloved ANTIQUES ROADSHOW after the cameras leave town? A new season of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW DETOURS tracks down the juicy afterlives of your favorite finds from PBS’s hit series. Hosted by longtime ROADSHOW producer Adam Monahan, this podcast dives deep into mysteries, secrets, and sur…

1
Unbound Pages: Artist Karen Moss raises book-banning awareness through a series of portraits 16:27

2M ago16:27

16:27

Artist and avid reader Karen Moss felt overwhelmed by the never-ending news of book bans happening all across the country. As she’d previously done in addressing other social justice issues, Karen used her canvas to make a statement — this time, intimate portraits of her loved ones and their favorite banned books. The portraits are showcased in a n…

1
Covid upended everyday life. What’s stuck around five years after lockdown? 41:32

2M ago41:32

41:32

It’s been five years since the Covid-19 lockdown of spring 2020. Covid changed every aspect of our lives – from the way we work, to how kids went to school and even some people’s views on science and vaccines. What changes have stuck around since the pandemic? And which will become so ingrained in our lives that future generations will forget they …

1
Encore: The First Japanese American 24:32

2M ago24:32

24:32

When GBH’s Antiques Roadshow visited Sacramento, CA in 2019 a red-covered two-volume book set was brought to the show by a guest eager to learn about a selection from her grandfather’s book collection. “The Narrative of a Japanese” by Joseph Heco was recognized immediately by appraiser Martin Gammon for its historical importance, but how would this…

1
Trump’s anti-trans executive orders face pushback from New England states 32:42

2M ago32:42

32:42

It’s been a little over a month since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.And since his first day in office, he has kept his promise when it comes to rolling back protections and rights for people in the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans, nonbinary, genderqueer and intersex people. But communities around the cou…

1
Beyond body glitter and Total Request Live: How the Y2K era changed America 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

The year 2000 ushered in an era of shiny newness – from metallic clothing and furniture to a computer evolution turned tech revolution – alongside generation-defining events: a housing and financial crisis, 9/11 and early public recognition of climate change. Author Colette Shade argues the socio-cultural shifts ushered in during the early 2000s re…

1
More than ‘mere representation’ needed for Asian and Asian-American stories in media 34:17

2M ago34:17

34:17

It’s been 7 years since the glitzy and glamorous romantic-comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” topped the box-office charts. The film helped break open a new era of Asian and Asian-American representation in film, streaming and TV. Has that increased representation lasted? We continue our annual conversation examining movie and streaming projects from the pa…

1
The Genius Next Door: Benjamin Van Mooy makes waves with his research on invisible sea organisms 23:41

2M ago23:41

23:41

He studies plankton, the smallest organisms in the ocean, from the Antarctic peninsula to Greenland, looking for signs of how the oceans are changing. Oceanographer Benjamin Van Mooy also created new techniques that helped reveal more precise information about the link between plankton and the changing oceans. The researcher is one of three New Eng…

1
Anna Madeley, All Creatures Great and Small Season 5 | MASTERPIECE Studio 33:45

2M ago33:45

33:45

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for All Creatures Great and Small Season 5. Actor Anna Madeley’s endearing Audrey Hall takes pride in what she does, from keeping Skeldale House running smoothly, to volunteering as a blackout warden for Darrowby, helping to keep the town safe during the war. Anna discusses how her character managed to balanc…

1
[BONUS] Introducing Scratch & Win Part 1: The Instant Ticket 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

The mob once controlled America's gambling empire. Until the government saw the money flowing and decided: they wanted a piece of the action. What happened next was more than a turf war. It was a battle between street corner bookies and bureaucrats in suits. And at the center of it all: one state lottery that would change gambling forever by invent…

1
Ufot Family Cycle continues with the world-premiere of ‘The Grove’ 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

The Huntington’s production of “Sojourners” in October 2024 marked the start of the two-year, city-wide production of Mfoniso Udofia’s nine-play collection, the Ufot Family Cycle. Now, the Nigerian-American Ufot family story continues 31 years later in “The Grove,” the world-premiere of the second play in the cycle. Callie speaks with playwright Mf…

1
Latinx news: Misinformation and ICE silence stoke mass-deportation fears 30:52

2M ago30:52

30:52

President Donald Trump promised drastic changes in immigration policy, particularly focused on mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, on Day 1 of his second administration. But with only a month into the new administration, local experts say it’s hard to judge if Trump is actually sticking to his promise. It’s our Latinx news roundtable!…

1
Rachael New, Miss Scarlet Season 5 Bonus | MASTERPIECE Studio 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Miss Scarlet creator Rachael New never shies away from a challenge. By Season 3 she was not only writing the show, but also made her directorial debut. This season Rachael challenged herself by stepping in front of the camera playing the stern headmistress Mary Agnes. R…

1
Environmental news: Will the aftermath of the LA fires affect Americans nationwide? 32:04

3M ago32:04

32:04

Now that the Los Angeles fires have been contained, Angelenos face health concerns from fire pollutants among many long-term consequences. Plus, President Donald Trump withdraws the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. Will Michael Bloomberg’s offer to pay for the U.S.’s portion of the group’s budget make a difference? And the homeowners’ insuran…

1
Big flavors and small wine lists are two of this year's culinary trends 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

Black limes, global spice mixes and an abundance of sauces – it’s all on tap for food trends in 2025. And when it comes to wine, odds are you’ve foregone the cheap entry-level bottle for a higher price-point white and you’ve noticed shrinking wine lists at restaurants. We’ve got the latest news from the culinary world featuring our food and wine ex…

1
Encore: To Bean or Not to Bean 32:17

3M ago32:17

32:17

In 1977, while preparing a move to New York to make it big as an artist, a young Keith Haring gifted a lithograph titled “Bean Salad” as a goodbye present to his friend Mike. Mike couldn’t bear to display the gift, but also couldn’t part with it, and after 45 years he took the lithograph to the Santa Fe recording of GBH’s Antiques Roadshow where it…

1
Tom Durant-Pritchard, Miss Scarlet Season 5 | MASTERPIECE Studio 30:27

3M ago30:27

30:27

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Actor Tom Durant-Pritchard joins the cast of Miss Scarlet this season as the hardworking and honest Inspector Alexander Blake. In this conversation, Tom takes us into the mind of Blake, and shares what might be behind his chilly exterior and how he grows to respect the …

1
Despite vitriol and threats, “That Librarian” Amanda Jones continues the fight against book bans 25:43

3M ago25:43

25:43

After librarian Amanda Jones spoke at a local public library board meeting to express her concerns about censorship in her small town of Livingston, she faced an organized campaign of harassment from groups with a mission to ban certain books in public and school libraries. But Jones fought back and is now telling her story in her new book, “That L…

1
Regional news: Massachusetts’ offshore wind future splits Cape residents 32:16

3M ago32:16

32:16

Is the re-elected Rhode Island State Senate President incapable of doing his job, as some senators claim? Cape Cod residents are divided over President Donald Trump’s declarations on offshore wind power. Should they be concerned about Trump’s claims of danger toward sea wildlife caused by wind turbines? Plus, a social security breach in Rhode Islan…

1
Felix Scott, Miss Scarlet Season 5 | MASTERPIECE Studio 28:11

3M ago28:11

28:11

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Actor Felix Scott’s character, Patrick Nash, once ran London’s most successful private detective agency, but this season of Miss Scarlet he finds himself behind prison bars. In this episode, we talk with Felix about his character’s rise and fall, and how he has unexpect…

1
“Destruction Yiddish”: How the Holocaust changed language 24:17

3M ago24:17

24:17

Yiddish is a language mostly spoken by Jews in the United States, Israel and Russia. But when Jewish prisoners were interned during the Holocaust, the Yiddish language went through a metamorphosis, changing and expanding to include new words about their brutal everyday existence. What emerged and lives on today are words that represent both cultura…

1
esperanza spalding and Jett Galindo's journey from Berklee to Grammys glory 33:43

3M ago33:43

33:43

Berklee College of Music alums have collectively won more than 300 Grammys so far. Two of those previous winners who’ve added to Berklee’s count are esperanza spalding and Jett Galindo – alums with previous wins who are up for awards at this year’s Grammys. We spoke with them about their journey from Berklee’s halls to the Grammys stage.…

1
Jeremy Swift, All Creatures Great and Small Season 5 | MASTERPIECE Studio 29:12

3M ago29:12

29:12

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of All Creatures Great and Small Season 5. Actor Jeremy Swift is no stranger to MASTERPIECE productions, appearing in both Downton Abbey and The Durrells in Corfu. Today, he joins us to discuss playing his most recent MASTERPIECE character, the regimented and sentimental air raid warden Mr. Bosw…

1
Encore: Yacht What It Looks Like 23:48

3M ago23:48

23:48

An astonishing maritime painting depicting a 19th century yacht race was brought to GBH’s Antiques Roadshow in Tampa, FL in 2005. Although unsigned, the extraordinary depiction of billowing sails and light-reflected sea spray clearly pointed to the work of artist James Buttersworth and was valued at $250,000 to $500,000 – the caveat being that more…

1
How the presidential inauguration became poetry's biggest stage 30:46

3M ago30:46

30:46

It’s an exclusive club that may or may not add to its members every four years: inaugural poets. There have only been six in the history of the United States, from Robert Frost in 1961 to Amanda Gorman in 2021. How did the tradition become part of the pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day? And what kind of message is central to inaugural poetry…

1
What defines a protest anthem? 27:14

3M ago27:14

27:14

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once described the freedom songs of the civil rights movement as “the soul of the movement.” What would the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, the Black Lives Matter movement be like without iconic songs like “We Shall Overcome,” the Plastic Ono Band’s “Give Peace A Chance” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Al…

1
New LGBTQ Congress members offer hope as anti-trans bills lead to anxiety 33:23

3M ago33:23

33:23

History is made in the 119th Congress as three new openly LGBTQ+ members join the House of Representatives, while leaders in the Republican majority announce plans to undermine LGBTQ legal protections through Title IX. Plus a new study reveals adolescents are rarely prescribed gender-affirming drugs, despite common misconceptions. And a newly enact…

1
'Crossing The Deep' connects Handel's choral works with spirituals by enslaved Africans 24:36

3M ago24:36

24:36

When the Handel and Haydn Society found records detailing iconic composer George Frideric Handel’s ties to the slave trade, it responded in a way only the organization could: through music and performance. Rather than “canceling” the composer or disavowing the history, two of the society’s staff members created “Crossing The Deep,” a special concer…

1
Encore: The Bob Ross Appreciation Society 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

Until 2023, zero paintings created by the beloved PBS artist Bob Ross had ever been brought to GBH’s Antiques Roadshow. That all changed at the show’s recent stop in Anchorage, Alaska when a whopping six made their way in front of the lights and cameras. Paintings by Ross almost never show up in the open market – so how did so many appear that day …

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Rachael New, Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1| MASTERPIECE Studio 31:03

3M ago31:03

31:03

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. For Miss Scarlet writer and creator Rachael New, Season 5 is one of change and vulnerability, but also exciting possibilities. In this conversation, we talk with Rachael about new beginnings for Eliza, her friends and colleagues, and Scotland Yard.…

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