Explain Boston to Me

We're back from vacation and learning all about this iconic Boston neighborhood. Our guest Pat Toomey (not the former senator!) explains old working-class-Irish Southie and new frat-bro-central Southie, and even gets in a few digs at "The Departed."Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hope you're hungry! We're digging into this regional delicacy with the man behind a 50k-strong community dedicated to discussing North Shore roast beef. Andy Ferg tells me what makes a great sandwich — freshness matters — and why some of the most famous shops rest on their laurels. Warning: This episode contains adult language. Lots of it.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode we're joined by the host of GBH News' "The Big Dig" podcast to talk about the city's most infamous infrastructure boondoggle. Who were the major players? Why did America spend so much of the middle of the 20th century running highways through historic urban cores? And in the end, was The Big Dig worth it?Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, I'm learning about the Boston Pops, a beloved local institution. We're talking Arthur Fielder, we're talking John Williams, we're singing the Superman theme, we're hearing about the largest firework in history (spoiler: it was a dud), and the creation of the field of acoustics. Plus, giant pumpkins floating on the the Charles, Phillies talk, and musings on what it's like to live with the Liberty Bell. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're diving into Boston's comedy boom with Nick Zaino. The Boston Globe writer tells us about the legend of the Ding Ho, swears in the name of Dennis Leary, and awes me with the names of famous comedians that just happen to be from here. Plus, a story about how to make an enemy of host Lee Stabert: It involves being tall and wearing a large hat. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week I'm learning about how, in the 1970s, Boston became the poster child for desegregation strife in the North. Professor Matthew Delmont of Dartmouth University shares his insights on the deep structural issues that led to the busing crisis, the role of the media, and how the city's reputation as the "cradle of liberty" led to a fascination with its racial woes. Plus, I talk about the Phillies.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I'm joined by Leila Cohan, TV and movie writer extraordinaire, to talk about running errands in the suburbs, the joys of a bad mall, killing time in Copley Place, and how Legacy Place personifies the new, pricier, more chain-happy Boston metro. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you heard the phrase "Massachusetts Miracle," would you also assume it was a famous sports play? Please tell me I'm not alone. In this week's episode, we're joined by Cambridge native and history professor Lily Geismer to talk about Route 128, the associated tech boom, suburban liberals, and famous loser Michael Dukakis. Plus, I've got more to say about Duck Boats.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week I'm joined by a transit influencer, which is a thing I just made up. Fellow Boston transplant Jed Paul (@jeddeo1 on TikTok and Instagram) is a lifelong train enthusiast who has made it his mission to explore the MBTA, warts and all. Come for the deadpan, absurdist humor, stay for tales of the mysterious blue line, bulging walls in green line stations, and Mark Wahlberg. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are people in Boston — and New England more generally — especially obsessed with ice cream? Consider this an Explain Boston to Me investigation. To help me navigate these frigid waters, I'm joined by Judy Herrell, who has been in the business for over 40 years. We talk about Steve's Ice Cream in Somerville inventing the mix-in, how the ice house begat a local passion, and the resurrection of Hydrox cookies. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we're taking a walk down one of Boston's most iconic commercial corridors. Courtney Flynn is the second generation running Trident Booksellers & Cafe, which has been located on the "wrong side" of Newbury Street for almost 40 years. We chat about running a small business in a city notorious for red tape, Newbury Comics, and who you'd rather sit next to at a bar: a rabid Philly sports fan or a rabid Boston sports fan.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, I'm joined by two former Harvard Square Pit rats to talk about why suburban kids were drawn to this spot, the legacy of counter-culture in Harvard Square, and the spiritual — and physical — death of The Pit. We touch on the woes of gentrification, Soul Asylum, town versus gown tensions, and why it's always important to test out your vinyl shirt in a safe space before you wear it to high school. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Local writer Sean Maloney explains how the '70s scene in Boston set the stage for the Modern Lovers, and why Jonathan Richman continues to provide inspiration for some of the biggest acts of all time. He also claims it used to be cheap to live in Cambridge. What a life! In addition, we've got tangents on famous male virgins, coaching trees, and the local-music Mount Rushmore. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, things are taking a slightly more serious turn. It can’t be all orange dinosaurs and curbside sectionals over here. We’re talking about the Boston Marathon, and we can’t really do that without also talking about the 2013 Marathon Bombing. With help from journalist Kevin Koscwara, I learn about what this annual event means to the region . #BostonStrongSend us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re talking about the North Shore, and about Route 1 — that mecca of kitsch and nostalgia — in particular. To learn more, I spoke with a woman who’s mom was sent into labor by a lobster pie at Hilltop Steakhouse.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the first ever episode of "Explain Boston to Me," we’re talking about Allston Christmas, the smorgasbord of free curbside stuff that happens every September 1. To explain this phenomenon — and to give the overall scoop on Allston — host Lee Stabert is chatting with Matt Shearer, a reporter for WBZ News Radio. You might have heard him over the airwaves, but if you’re under 40 you’re probably more likely to have seen one of his viral “man on the street” segments pinging around the internet. Check him out @reportermatt on instagram or @WBZnewsradio on TikTok. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.