Explain Boston to Me
Lee Stabert
Show overview
Explain Boston to Me has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 151 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 110 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 39 min and 50 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Society & Culture show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 6 days ago, with 25 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 54 episodes published. Published by Lee Stabert.
From the publisher
Podcaster and Philly transplant Lee Stabert learns about Boston. She'll never be a native, but she might just learn to speak the language.
Latest Episodes
View all 151 episodesRunning a restaurant in Boston with Nick Dixon
Polar Seltzer with Jacqueline Cain
Putting Boston on a T-Shirt with Chris Wrenn
Provincetown with Courtney Trautman
Summer on Cape Cod with Joe Fenti (REWIND)
Boston Market (IT'S BOSTON CHICKEN!!!) with Tanya Edwards
Boston's Spaghetti Streets with Andy Woodruff
Explain Boston to Me LIVE! at the Athenaeum
Mythbusting in Boston's Chinatown with Richard Auffrey
Don't Take Fenway Park for Granted with Glenn Stout
Roxbury with Dr. Rufus J. Faulk
Ep 140The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist with Geoff Kelly
The biggest art theft in history remains unsolved — but the former lead FBI agent on the case has some theories. That would be Geoff Kelly, author of the new book, Thirteen Perfect Fugitives: The True Story of the Mob, Murder, and the World's Largest Art Heist. He's here to tell us about what went down at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on the night of March 18, 1990. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum $80!!!!! Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 139John and Abigail Adams with Audrey Stuck-Girard
We're going deep on Boston's very own founding father. John Adams — and his wife Abigail — had a powerful impact on our nascent nation, even if Lin Manuel Miranda decided to yada yada his contributions. Helping us talk through this fascinating history is return guest Audrey Stuck-Girard. The Phanatic goes Colonial. Jordan's Furniture makes another big bet. EBtM: The Great Turkey Invasion. Listen to Cory Branan. Also, ME on Cory for the Nashville Scene back in 2012. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 138A new look at Irish immigration to Boston with Hidetaka Hirota
In this episode, we're talking about the wave of Irish immigrants that arrived in Boston in the 19th century — and how the response to their arrival led to policies and prejudices with an enduring impact on the region and the nation. Helping us talk through these thorny issues is Professor Hidetaka Hirota, author of Expelling the Poor: Atlantic Seaboard States and the Nineteenth-Century Origins of American Immigration Policy. RIP Isaiah Zagar. Philly versus the Robots. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 137Tufts University with Mark Buccella & Hannah Jiang
It's the first of our long-anticipated 'Local Colleges' series. We're chatting about Tufts University with alum Mark Buccella and senior Hannah Jiang. They let me in on the campus culture, the storied traditions, and the Jumbo of it all. Plus, a Gillette Stadium traffic rant and info on the first EBtM live event. Come see Explain Boston to Me LIVE at the Athenaeum! Tesiny is fire. "Everybody Hurts" Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 136Stuck in Boston traffic with Chris Dempsey and Jeff Speck (REWIND)
Boston was once declared the most congested metropolitan region in the country. So, yes, the traffic here is terrible — but what can we do about it? How can we change the structural incentives that keep people in their cars? Hint: the answer is not bigger roads. To traverse the conversational terrain of transit, congestion pricing, gas taxes, and bike lanes, we're joined by Chris Dempsey and Jeff Speck, the men behind the urban design firm Speck Dempsey. These guys really know what they're talking about, even if they've never seen the Cameron Crowe classic Singles. This conversation took place in April 2024 Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 135Inside Boston's Private Clubs with Ken Turino
We're going behind the doors of Boston's private clubs, a key part of the city's social life since the 19th century. Serving as our tour guide is Ken Turino, a member of the St. Botolph Club and The 'Quin House. What is the enduring appeal of these institutions? How are they modernizing? And what does their resurgence say about contemporary life? V.J. Edgecombe goes into the seats. The President's House gets its signs back. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 134The Puritans were misunderstood with Lori Rogers-Stokes
In this episode, we're reconsidering the Puritans with historian Lori Rogers-Stokes, author of Gathered Into a Church: Indigenous-English Congregationalism in Woodland New England. So much to learn! And so much to unlearn! This devout group of colonists had a tremendous influence on the culture and governance of New England, and the stereotypes don't do them justice. This one is a banger! Self-unite in Pennsylvania! Thanks, Quakers. The Simpsons go to Philadelphia. The Gold Medal-winning U.S. women's hockey team has a Boston flavor. Go to Comfort Kitchen! Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 133Jamaica Plain with Gretchen Grozier
In this episode, we're chatting about a Jamaica Plain, a beloved and eclectic Boston neighborhood. Longtime resident and amateur historian Gretchen Grozier talks about the area's long history, its major landmarks, and its particular charms. Zach Wheeler has rib in closet. (Bryce Harper removes blood.) Reading "Iced Coffees" Jordan's Furniture loves making sports bets. Norwegian skier crashes out. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 132South Shore Bar Pizza with Josh Davis
In this episode, guest Josh Davis is helping us go deep on a regional specialty: South Shore Bar Pizza. What makes a good one? What are some of the top spots? Where does this particular style fit in the pizza pantheon? Mexican pizza in Philly. 30 for 30: Philly Special trailer. Jordon Hudson! The shade!!!! Latest Ben Affleck Dunkin Super Bowl ad. Blech. Have feedback on this episode or ideas for upcoming topics? DM me on Instagram, email me, or send a voice memo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.