Show overview
The Big Dig Presents: Catching The Codfather has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 52 episodes, alongside 12 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 36 min and 52 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language History show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 27 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2026, with 27 episodes published. Published by GBH News.
From the publisher
A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against an overbearing state. So who is Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael really – a folk hero, a crook, a righteous rebel, a selfish conman? In Season 3 of The Big Dig podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break. --------------------------------------“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston.Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America. Season One: "The Big Dig" The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple. Season Two: "Scratch & Win" America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling. Season Three: "Catching The Codfather"A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state.--------------CREDITS:Host & Creator: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducer: Isabel HibbardStory Editor: Lacy Roberts Contact us as [email protected]
Latest Episodes
View all 52 episodesThe Staten Island Problem
Your Ultimate Big Dig Roadtrip Playlist
Highway Teardown Tour | 11. Boston, MA
Highway Teardown Tour | 10. Providence, RI
Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA
Highway Teardown Tour | 8. Baltimore, MD
Highway Teardown Tour | 7. Louisville, KY
Highway Teardown Tour | 6. Portland, OR
Highway Teardown Tour | 5. Seattle, WA
Highway Teardown Tour | 4. Austin, TX
Highway Teardown Tour | 3. Rochester, NY
Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Highway Teardown Tour | 1. New York, NY
Highway Teardown Tour | Enter Here
Introducing: The Cult Queen of Canada from CBC’s Uncover
In search of the perfect lobster roll
What you need to know when buying fish, with Roger Berkowitz
bonusBuying fish can be a puzzling process. It comes frozen and fresh, wild and farmed, from many different countries, and with all kinds of ratings and labels. So what does it all mean?For this bonus episode to “Catching The Codfather,” Ian sits down with a legend of New England seafood, Roger Berkowitz, to talk about his life in fish buying and what he’s learned along the way. Major sponsorship for “Catching The Codfather” is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.
Have we entered a new era for government regulation?
bonusJohn Vecchione represented a group of fishermen who challenged government regulations all the way to the Supreme Court. Together, they helped overturn the decades-old “Chevron Doctrine,” which has been cited thousands of times in federal court rulings. But Vecchione is not done, and you might be surprised to learn what regulations he is challenging next. For a very different take on the future of regulation after the fall of the Chevron Doctrine, check out this article from climate reporter Molly Taft: The Koch Brothers Are Getting What They Wanted: The Supreme Court Is Gutting Environmental Protections
S3 Ep 6Catching The Codfather | 6. It’s Your Job to Catch Me
A new revelation forces federal investigators to close down the case, fast. But what will taking down The Codfather mean for the port of New Bedford?Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.---------------------------Credits:Host and Scriptwriter: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian CossStory Editor: Lacy RobertsEditorial Advisor: Jenifer McKimFact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel HibbardIntern: Fiona Boyd Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian CossGraphic Design: Bill Miller
S3 Ep 5Catching The Codfather | 5. Painting Fish
When federal agents first meet with Carlos Rafael, the fishing mogul offers up a tantalizing clue: a special system for ‘painting fish.’ It’s the key to understanding the entire fraud, and why Carlos is the only one who could pull it off.Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.---------------------------Credits:Host and Scriptwriter: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian CossStory Editor: Lacy RobertsEditorial Advisor: Jenifer McKimFact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel HibbardIntern: Fiona Boyd Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian CossGraphic Design: Bill Miller