The Common

Mar 06 2025 477 ep. 12 mins 144
The Common Podcast artwork

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

  News
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


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

This February, celebrate Boston, Black icons and Bugs Bunny

Feb 06 2025 14 mins  
If you're looking for some indoor activities during the month of February, WBUR's Candice Springer has a few film screenings to tell you about. The Coolidge Corner Theatre celebrates Black icons, the Wang Theater highlights home and things get 'Looney' at The Brattle. Also, check out a calendar of upcoming events at WBUR's CitySpace. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news an

REWIND: Ringing in Lunar New Year with Boston's lion dancers

Jan 30 2025 10 mins  
This interview originally aired on The Common in 2024. Chinatown's streets will come to life on Feb. 9 with thunderous drums and a clang of cymbals as nine lion dance troupes celebrate the Year of the Snake in the Chinese New Year Parade. WBUR's Cici Yu joined The Common to talk about the vibrant history and tradition of the lion dance in Boston. Greater Boston’s weekly podca

In New England, climate change is moving fast. The fishing industry is not

Jan 23 2025 7 mins  
The seafood industry in New England generates more than $20 billion in sales each year and employs more than a quarter million people. But WBUR’s climate and environment correspondent Barbara Moran found it’s not moving fast enough to meet the challenges of climate change, and a new Trump presidency could make things more complicated. This story was produced as part of the Pul

Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in 2025

Jan 16 2025 20 mins  
On January 20th, President Elect Donald Trump will take the reins from outgoing President Joe Biden and make his return to the Oval Office. But this Inauguration Day is a little different than most others, because it also falls on Dr. Martin Luther King Day. We saw this as an opportunity to step back and look at King's legacy, how he's remembered, and if we'll ever truly see the p

Boston chefs say neurodiversity can be a superpower in the kitchen

Jan 09 2025 18 mins  
Boston Globe's food reporter Kara Baskin spoke to multiple local chefs and restaurateurs who struggled with ADHD and dyslexia in school but thrive in the restaurant industry. They said their differences are their superpower. Darryl C. Murphy spoke with Baskin and Dan Bazzinotti, head chef at Boston’s Blue Ribbon Restaurants and instructor at Johnson & Wales University, for Radio

New year, new goals, new can't-miss events

Jan 02 2025 24 mins  
What do a "rage room," a thought-provoking play, and sandwich recipes of yesteryear have in common? They're all recommendations from Candice Springer, assistant director of WBUR CitySpace, for kicking off 2025. Candice joins Darryl to discuss these events and experiences, as well as share personal goals for the new year that just might inspire some of your own. Out and About in Gre