The Common

Apr 16 2025 483 ep. 12 mins 147

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

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Redux: Slow runner? Join the club!

Apr 16 2025 14 mins

Martinus Evans' doctor told him he either had to lose weight or risk early death. So he took up running - both out of necessity and perhaps a little spite. Evans has since run several marathons. He also founded the Slow AF Run Club, which is an organization meant to inspire and encourage runners of all shapes and abilities. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture

Local libraries encourage readers to hop on a retro trend: zines

Apr 10 2025 12 mins

Little self-published booklets known as 'zines' have long been a staple of DIY and counter-culture movements. They have deep roots in underground music scenes like punk. Today, zines are having a renaissance, with more DIY-ers returning to the medium to spread information and stories - as well as to avoid increased censorship. The Common recently visited the Boston Public Library'

Priests, nuns and cat burglars: The surprising history of Boston's anti-war movement

Apr 03 2025 18 mins

Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards. The Common spoke to Host and Producer Brendan Patrick Hughes about his new podcast "Divine Intervention." Greater Boston’s weekly po

Repair shop offers trip down memory lane with decades-old tech

Mar 27 2025 14 mins

When Tim Colegrove decided to open a computer repair store in 2021, it was partially because he was interested in entrepreneurship. He also really needed a place to keep the vintage computers and gear that were piling up in his home. So, The BYTE Shop was born: A computer repair shop AND museum to the modern home computer in Jamaica Plain. The Common visited Tim at The BYTE Shop t

Symphony strings for the season of spring

Mar 20 2025 16 mins

WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins The Common to discuss classical music. The Somerville poet laureate and Fresh Air classical music critic also shares recommendations from his arts guide to Greater Boston classical events on offer this spring. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

JustBook-Ish in Dorchester is one of several bookshops popping up to provide a 'third place' in our community.

Mar 13 2025 11 mins

When you walk in the doors of justBook-Ish in Fields Corner, it is immediately clear that it is more than just a bookshop. The space invites patrons to stay for a while. There is a bar with a menu of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can take a seat at the communal table and chairs, or snuggle up in one of several window reading nooks. JustBook-Ish was founded by Porsha O

Comedian Bethany Van Delft on why Boston's comedy scene is 'hot' right now

Mar 06 2025 16 mins

Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment. Five years since the pandemic began, she reflects on how it has impacted the comedy industry today from sold-out shows to a fervent demand for standup over what she calls "weird" comedy. Here are Van Delft's recommendations for a good laugh: Favorite up-and-coming local comedian: Carolina

Answering burning questions in Worcester

Feb 27 2025 9 mins

WBUR's Darryl C. Murphy drives to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to see its world-class fire lab. He sits down with internationally-recognized fire expert and head of the fire engineering department, Albert Simeoni. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Author on John Lewis's legacy and the split within the civil rights movement

Feb 20 2025 27 mins

WBUR's Darryl C. Murphy sat down with Historian, Author and Newton-native David Greenberg to discuss his latest biography "John Lewis: A Life." The book offers a deep look into the life of the Late John Lewis. The iconic civil rights activist eventually became one of the most revered politicians of his time. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

For the first time, Boston residents get some say in how public money is spent

Feb 13 2025 17 mins

If you had $2 million to invest in your community, how would you spend it? If you’re a resident of Boston, you have until Feb. 15 to cast your vote in Boston’s first city-wide participatory budget. Participatory budgeting is when residents come together to collectively decide how to spend public dollars. Bostonians can vote for up to five projects from a list of 14 ideas prop