The Culture Show Podcast

Crossword constructor and writer Natan Last joins us to explore his new book, “Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle.” He traces the evolution of crosswords from early newspaper amusements to today’s culturally expansive grids. Last is a writer and immigration policy advocate. He writes bimonthly crosswords for “The New Yorker.” You can catch him at Harvard Book Store on December 10; learn more here.Filmmaker Vincent Straggas takes us inside “Life on the Other Planet,” his new documentary about Boston’s music scene in the 1970s and ’80s. Through interviews and archival footage, he captures the clubs, bands, and renegade energy that shaped a generation. To learn more about the film and upcoming screenings go here.Finally, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare returns to Somerville’s Rockwell for its 10th anniversary season with a drunken production of “Hamlet.” Actors Brett Milanowski and Noelle Scarlett join us to preview the show, which runs November 29 through February 14; to learn more go here.

Chef Pyet DeSpain brings her Indigenous and Mexican heritage to the forefront as she talks about her debut cookbook, “Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking.” She shares how traditional ingredients and family stories shaped her cooking and her path from winning Next Level Chef to building a career rooted in culture and community.Then, for the first time in 22 years, Merriam-Webster has released a new Collegiate Dictionary, adding thousands of updated terms and usage examples. Editor-at-Large Peter Sokolowski joins us to explain what made it in, what was retired, and what this new edition says about how English has evolved.And Boston’s dining scene just earned a major spotlight as Greater Boston joins the prestigious Michelin Guide. Devra First breaks down what this recognition means for chefs, diners, and the city’s growing culinary identity.

Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review. Greater Boston has officially entered the world of fine-dining prestige. For the first time, the Michelin Guide included the region in its Northeast Cities edition — awarding a coveted star, several Bib Gourmands, and even a cocktails honor. It’s a milestone moment for the local dining scene and a boost to the city’s culinary profile.As Boston celebrates its Michelin debut, Hollywood is serving up overdue recognition of its own. Tom Cruise — one of the industry’s most enduring blockbuster stars — has finally received an honorary Oscar.And from Oscar gold to Klimt’s Venetian Golden Age; at Sotheby’s, Gustav Klimt’s 1910 portrait of Elisabeth Lederer sold for a staggering $236.4 million, setting a new auction record for modern art.Plus Pope Leo XIV has taken a tangible step toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadian communities, as the Vatican Museums officially hand over dozens of artifacts collected by missionaries generations ago.Finally, we’re also getting into the holiday spirit with an all-things-Thanksgiving roundup, from the holiday traditions to the eternal Thanksgiving dinner debates.

FRONTLINE and the Associated Press return to Ukraine with “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a gripping new documentary from the Oscar-winning team behind “20 Days in Mariupol.” The film embeds with Ukrainian soldiers fighting to reclaim a village outside Kyiv, offering an unfiltered view of life — and loss — in a grinding, three-year conflict. FRONTLINE’s Editor-in-Chief and Executive Producer Raney Aronson-Rath joins The Culture Show to talk about the filmmakers, the collaboration, and the responsibility of documenting war. “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” premieres on November 25th on PBS and various streaming platforms. To learn more go here.Evan Dando, the Boston-born frontman of The Lemonheads, joins us to talk about a remarkable stretch of new work: “Rumors of My Demise,” his new memoir tracing the highs, lows, and chaotic detours of rock-star life. “Love Chant,” The Lemonheads’ first album of original music in nearly 20 years and a national tour that brings the band back home for a show at the Wilbur Theatre on November 26. To learn more about the show go here.After a catastrophic flood shut down its North End theater last March, Improv Asylum is officially back at 216 Hanover Street. Following months of rebuilding and reimagining, the company celebrated its Grand Reopening in October — and returned with its Main Stage revue, “The North End Justifies the Means.” Co-founder and CEO Norm Laviolette joins The Culture Show to talk about the flood, the comeback, and what’s next for the comedy institution. To learn more about all things Improv Asylum go here.

Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins us for her monthly episode, “AI Actual Intelligence.” This month she talks about the Department of Homeland Security’s use of Norman Rockwell’s paintings on their social media channels.Then we look at the Florida Highwaymen, the group of Black painters who turned Florida’s wild horizons into some of the most sought-after landscapes of the 20th century. Their vibrant scenes—sunrises, storm fronts, and stretching marshland—are now the focus of a major exhibition at the Addison Gallery. Curator Gordon Wilkins joins us to explore their artistry, their hustle, and the legacy they carved outside the mainstream. To learn more, go here.Chef Daniel Kenney, Executive Chef of Willow & Ivy at The Lenox Hotel, shares his approach to a lower-stress Thanksgiving: Willow & Ivy’s Take & Bake feast. The feast feeds a table of eight and eliminates the holiday heavy lifting. To learn more about this recipe for Thanksgiving Day success go here.

Playwright Ins Choi joins us to discuss Kim’s Convenience, his hit play now onstage at the Huntington Theatre Company (November 6–30, 2025). Drawing on his Korean-Canadian upbringing, the story follows a family running a corner store and the cultural and generational tensions that shape their lives. Choi originally played the son and now portrays the father, offering fresh insight into the world he created. Tickets and info: Huntington Theatre CompanyVisual artist Dread Scott—known for work that confronts power and scrutinizes America’s layered history—joins us to talk about "Fall of Freedom." The sweeping, multi-city project is being organized amid growing concerns about democratic backsliding. Dread Scott is part of a coalition of artists, which includes Ava DuVernay, John Legend, Jeffrey Wright, who are responding to rising threats to civil liberties and engaging the public in collective acts of resistance. “Fall of Freedom” is nationwide, with local arts organizations hosting events in Massachusetts. To learn more go here.Contributor Pedro Alonzo examines how tech consolidation, shrinking competition, and unchecked corporate power are reshaping daily life in America. For him, it echoes the Mexico he grew up in, where monopolies and political control once stifled innovation and opportunity. Pedro draws the parallels—and the warnings—these trends carry for the present moment.

Serj Tankian, the electrifying voice of System of a Down and a defining figure in alternative metal, steps into a new creative realm with The Art of Disruption: The Art and Impact of Serj Tankian at the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown. The exhibition, which is on view through Feb 28 2026, blends sound, color, and political urgency—and you can check it out here.Then Nora Burnett Abrams joins us. She is the Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston’s Ellen Matilda Poss Director. After fifteen years at MCA Denver, she brings a bold curatorial vision and a deep commitment to emerging artists. She joins us to talk about her plans for the ICA’s future.Finally it’s time for our recurring series “AI: Actual Intelligence.” Grammy-winning soprano Jane Eaglen joins us. A performer on the world’s greatest opera stages and now a faculty member at the New England Conservatory, she also serves as President of the Boston Wagner Society.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Callie Crossley go over the latest arts and culture headlines. First up, Pope Leo XIV has revealed his four favorite movies: “It’s a Wonderful Life” “The Sound of Music,” “Ordinary People” and “Life Is Beautiful.” He’s sharing his watchlist ahead of the Vatican’s first-ever “Meeting with the World of Cinema,” a Hollywood summit inside the Apostolic Palace that invites filmmakers and faith leaders to talk art, empathy, and storytelling.From there, Boston’s Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is set to honor a dozen musical legends who are responsible for some of the greatest music moments of the past century. The esteemed list of inductees includes some of the most notable names in folk, Americana, and roots music history, such as Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin and Muddy Waters. And “Walk My Way,” becomes the first AI-generated song to top the Country Music Billboard charts. Created by the artificial band Breaking Rust.. And it’s not alone: R&B’s newest sensation is the AI generated hit “How Was I Supposed to Know?” Finally, after more than two centuries in circulation, the penny is finally making a change of its own. The U.S. Mint has pressed its last one-cent coin, ending a 232-year run for the country’s smallest piece of currency.

Two Boston institutions come together to celebrate the life and legacy of artist Allan Rohan Crite, the city’s great chronicler of everyday Black life. His work—paintings, prints, and illustrations—captured the spirit of the South End and Roxbury for decades. Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory is on view at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum through January 19, and Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston is at the Boston Athenaeum through January 24. Guests Ted Landsmark, co-curator of “Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory” at the Gardner Museum, and Christina Michelon, curator of “Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston at the Athenaeum” discuss how these companion exhibitions illuminate his enduring impact.After more than twenty years as a principal dancer with Boston Ballet, John Lam begins his next act. He’s launched Lam Dance Works, a new company centered on collaboration and creative exploration. Its debut performance, Act II, takes place Friday, November 15 at the Emerson Paramount Center. Lam joins the show to share his vision for this new chapter in movement and artistry.Boston’s cocktail scene has long had a master behind the bar: Jackson Cannon, Beverage Director at ES Hospitality and the creative force at Eastern Standard. He joins the show to talk about Boston’s evolving bar culture and his upcoming holiday cocktail classes at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks on November 16 and December 14. Listeners can reserve a spot here.

The wizarding world returns to the stage as “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” casts its spell on Boston audiences. The Tony Award–winning play follows a grown-up Harry and his son Albus as they navigate family, friendship, and the legacy of magic. Actors Nick Dillenburg and Adam Grant Morrison join The Culture Show to talk about bringing these iconic characters to life at the Emerson Colonial Theatre through December 20. To learn more go here.In our ongoing series marking America’s 250th anniversary, we explore how art helps us understand the Revolution and its global context. This month, the Museum of Fine Arts highlights a rare mid-18th-century desk and bookcase crafted in Puebla, Mexico—an object that reveals the intertwined stories of trade, empire, and independence. Lucía Abramovich Sánchez, the MFA’s Carolyn and Peter Lynch Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture, joins us to unpack its history and meaning.Each month, The Culture Show’s “AI: Actual Intelligence” segment taps into fresh ideas from creative thinkers across the region. Culture Show contributor Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, discusses the ecological design philosophy of landscape architect Kongjian Yu. He became world renowned for conceptualizing "Sponge Cities," which uses parks, wetlands, and waterways to protect people while making cities more livable. A retrospective of his work is now on view at the BAC’s McCormick Gallery through January 16th. To learn more go here.

Regie Gibson, inaugural poet laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, join The Culture Show for a preview of “A Revolutionary Concert: Paul Revere, the Man, the Myth, and the Music.” Commemorating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride; it takes place November 13 at 7 p.m. at Boston’s Converse Hall. Admission is free with registration here. Playwright Patrick Gabridge and director Lisa Rafferty bring to life the voices of abolitionist women Lydia Maria Child, Maria Weston Chapman in “A Revelation of Character.” Commissioned by The Associates of the Boston Public Library and created with Plays in Place, the staged reading draws from letters in the Library’s Anti-Slavery Collection. Performances take place November 13-15 in Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library’s Copley Square branch. Admission is free with registration here.Pulitzer Prize–winning composer and conductor Tania León reunites with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of “Time to Time,” a new orchestral work co-commissioned by the BSO. León, a trailblazer who helped define the sound of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, continues to expand the reach of American music. Performances run November 13–15 at Symphony Hall, to learn more go here.

The Museum of Fine Arts,Boston has taken a historic step in confronting America’s past, returning two monumental stoneware vessels to the descendants of David Drake — an enslaved potter from South Carolina who inscribed his name and poetry into clay when literacy was forbidden. His fourth-generation granddaughter Pauline Baker and her son Yaba Baker join The Culture Show to reflect on Drake’s legacy and what this homecoming means for their family. To learn more go here.After a decade away from the spotlight, British musician Patrick Wolf returns with “Crying the Neck,” an album inspired by the rugged coastline of eastern England and a creative rebirth years in the making. He joins The Culture Show ahead of his performance tonight at The Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville at 7 p.m. To learn more go here.And five-time James Beard Award winner Dorie Greenspan brings sweetness (and some savoriness) to the everyday with her new cookbook “Dorie’s Anytime Cakes” — filled with loaves, Bundts and snackable slices. She appears tonight at Trillium Fort Point in the Seaport for a 6 p.m. Q&A and signing. To learn more go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council, go over the latest arts and culture headlines. First up, the Grammy nominations are out, and music’s biggest night is making history. For the first time in fifty years, the Recording Academy will honor album art alongside album of the year. And in the country categories, the field’s been split to recognize both traditional and contemporary country sounds.From there “People” has named “Bridgerton” star Jonathan Bailey the Sexiest Man Alive. The British actor, soon to appear in Wicked, becomes the first openly gay man to receive the title Then it’s onto Hollywood’s most glamorous sow; Miss Piggy is finally getting her own feature film, produced by Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone, with a script by Tony Award winner Cole Escola. Now the pressure’s on the diva to bring home the bacon at the box office.And after decades of planning, Egypt’s new mega-museum has opened near the Pyramids of Giza. The Grand Egyptian Museum will display the full collection of Tutankhamun’s tomb for the first time, with more than 50,000 artifacts showcased in cutting-edge galleries — a triumph of culture and ambition.Finally, Tom Brady’s latest play has him in the dog house — this time with ethicists and animal welfare advocates. The former quarterback revealed his new dog is a clone of his late pit bull mix, created through Colossal Biosciences — a biotech firm he invests in that’s also known for its efforts to resurrect extinct species.

Few people know more about art theft than Anthony Amore. As Director of Security and Chief Investigator at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, he’s spent decades pursuing the truth behind its legendary 1990 heist. His new book, “The Rembrandt Heist: The Story of a Criminal Genius, a Stolen Masterpiece, and an Enigmatic Friendship,” revisits another one of Boston’s great art crimes — the 1975 theft of a Rembrandt from the MFA — and the larger-than-life thief who pulled it off, Myles Connor. Tonight he’ll be at Wellesley Books at 7:00. To learn more go here.Marine Corps veteran turned poet and playwright Benjamin Fortier transforms the experience of war into art that probes topics such as memory, duty, and loss. His award-winning poetry collection “Phantoms” and his powerful monologue “Michael and the Saints” explore what lingers long after combat. The work will be featured November 10 at Hyannis Arts Hall as part of In Honor: A Grief Dialogues Experience, marking Veterans Day and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. To learn more go here.Writer, composer, and performer Justin Huertas reimagines the superhero origin story in “Lizard Boy,” a queer coming-of-age musical where dragon’s blood, heartbreak, and indie rock collide. Since premiering at Seattle Rep, it’s become a cult favorite for its humor, heart, and soaring sound. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company, “Lizard Boy” runs through November 22 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. To learn more go here.

Today we’re revving up the DeLorean for a trip “Back to the Future.” Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III co-host this month’s Wednesday Watch Party and revisit the 1985 sci-fi comedy that made time travel cool — and Michael J. Fox a star. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film became the top-grossing movie of the year and a pop-culture touchstone. Four decades later, the hosts ask: does this time-travel classic still stand the test of time — or has the future finally caught up to it?

Imari Paris Jeffries — President and CEO of Embrace Boston and co-chair of Everyone 250 — returns for another edition of “AI: Actual Intelligence,” which spotlights original, algorithm-free thinkers from the region’s sharpest minds. George Balanchine’s “Jewels” — the first full-length abstract ballet — returns to Boston Ballet for the first time in more than a decade. Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen reflects on the legacy of Balanchine, the music that animates each act, and why this glittering triptych still captivates dancers and audiences alike. “Jewels” is on November 6th through November 6- November 16, to learn more go here.As autumn settles in, Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture at Native Plant Trust, joins us to dig into the Leave the Leaves campaign — a call to rethink fall cleanup. He explains how fallen foliage nourishes the soil, shelters pollinators, and transforms our backyards into thriving habitats through the cold months ahead.

Comedian and actor Chris Grace returns to The Culture Show to talk about Sardines (A Comedy About Death), his autobiographical one-man show now at the Huntington Theatre through November 16. To learn more go here.Then actor, author, and filmmaker Crispin Glover joins The Culture Show to discuss his latest film, “No! You’re Wrong. or Spooky Action at a Distance.” For nearly two decades, Glover has been making and performing in films that defy convention—films that he writes, directs, and presents himself. He screens the new film tonight at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. To learn more about this and future screenings go here.And Matthew Shifrin, founder and CEO of Bricks for the Blind, returns for our “AI: Actual Intelligence” series. His Boston nonprofit translates LEGO instructions for builders with vision loss. Today he discusses how technology might help the visually impaired read facial expressions—and the emotions behind them.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has returned ownership of two monumental stoneware vessels to the descendants of David Drake — an enslaved potter.. It’s the first U.S. museum to resolve ownership for art made under slavery, linking creativity to accountability and justice.From repatriation to restitution — another story of art and accountability is unfolding overseas. French police have arrested additional suspects in the daylight robbery that stunned Paris last month, when thieves made off with royal jewels worth millions from the Louvre.From the galleries of Paris to the corridors of power in Washington: President Trump has fired all six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the body that advises on the design of national monuments, memorials, and federal buildings. And, grab your candy stash — The Culture Show is getting into the Halloween spirit. Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III dig into the season’s spookiest trends, from the hottest costumes of 2025 to the great candy controversies — plus a few ghost stories haunting New England’s history.

A century ago, the Wang Theatre—now part of Boston’s Boch Center—opened as a lavish movie palace, a cathedral to the golden age of entertainment. Since then, it’s hosted everything from vaudeville to Broadway, rock legends to symphony orchestras. As the Boch Center celebrates its 100th anniversary, President and CEO Casey Soward joins The Culture Show to reflect on the theater’s storied past and the next century of live performance in Boston. To learn more about their upcoming shows and events go here.For more than eight centuries, the Louvre has stood as both fortress and museum—home to masterpieces and mysteries alike. Journalist, former “New York Times Paris” bureau chief, and bestselling author Elaine Sciolino explores its history and allure in her new book, “Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum” She joins us to unpack the recent high-stakes jewelry heist and what it reveals about art, identity, and intrigue in modern France.What happens when Shakespeare’s witches get a modern reawakening? In “The 4th Witch,” Chicago-based collective Manual Cinema conjures Macbeth’s world through light, shadow, and live music—telling the story of a young refugee who transforms grief into power. Co-founder and Co-artistic Director Ben Kauffman joins The Culture Show to discuss the company’s handmade cinematic style and how this haunting new work reinvents one of literature’s darkest spells. “The 4th Witch,” is in Boston by way of ArtsEmerson, onstage at Emerson Paramount Center through November 9th. To learn more go here.

After her mother’s death, writer Alysia Abbott was raised by her father—poet Steve Abbott—in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury during the height of counterculture. Her memoir “Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father” captures that vivid, unconventional childhood and the complexities of growing up amid both liberation and loss. Now adapted into a feature film produced by Sofia Coppola, Abbott joins us to reflect on seeing her story come to life on screen. On November 1st there will be a special screening of “Fairyland” at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.” To learn more go here.Photographer Anthony Barboza returns to his hometown of New Bedford for a career-spanning retrospective at the New Bedford Art Museum. From James Baldwin to Betty Carter, his portraits have helped shape how Black creativity and culture are seen. The exhibition, “I Return With a Feeling of Us,” is on view through November 23 and celebrates his decades-long impact on American photography. Anthony Barboza and the New Bedford Art Museum’s Executive Director Suzanne de Vegh join The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more go here. Finally, acclaimed drummer and composer Allison Miller joins The Culture Show. She defies category, blending jazz, rock, and folk with fearless originality. A longtime bandleader and collaborator with artists like Brandi Carlile and Ani DiFranco she recently joined Berklee’s Harmony and Jazz Composition Department as the Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar in Jazz Studies. Her latest album is “Big & Lovely” by Allison Miller with the One O’Clock Lab Band.

As part of our ongoing “Countdown to 2026” series, we explore how Massachusetts is commemorating 250 years of American history. Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago joins us to discuss the new Massachusetts Veterans Legacy Trail, a statewide digital map linking more than 1,200 monuments and memorials that honor generations of service. Created by the Healey–Driscoll administration for the MA250 commemoration, the trail invites residents to engage with the Commonwealth’s military past — from the Revolution to today. To learn more about the trail go here.From there actress Lesley Ann Warren joins “The Culture Show” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic film “Clue.” The Oscar- and Golden Globe–nominated performer, who played the unforgettable Miss Scarlet, will be in Boston to host a special anniversary screening at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. To learn more go here.Finally travel writer Kiernan Schmitt takes us on a Halloween-inspired journey through the hidden and haunting corners of the city. His book “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide”uncovers the eerie and unexpected — from ghostly convents to abandoned zoos and the bizarre sculpture garden known as Ponyhenge. Schmitt, who co-hosts the travel podcast “Out of Office,” returns to the show to reveal the stories and curiosities hiding in plain sight.

Hockey historian Mike Commito joins The Culture Show to celebrate the Boston Bruins—one story at a time. His new book, Bruins 365, serves up a memorable moment for every day of the year, combining sharp research with the spirit of the game.From there it’s another edition of “Sound Files,” our ongoing series when we invite local musicians and cultural critics to zero in on one of their favorite entries in the US National Recording Registry. On tap today, Grammy Award–winning drummer, composer, and founder of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, Terri Lyne Carrington. She goes deep on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”Finally, roller derby veteran and author Erica Vanstone takes us inside her fast-paced, full-contact memoir “Don’t Let Them Eat the Baby: Why Roller Derby is the Greatest Sport Never Sold.” From the Camden rinks to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, Vanstone tells a story of resilience, rebellion, and the community that helped her—and a sport—find their soul.

Edgar B. Herwick III, Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons and Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik co-host this week’s arts and culture week-in-review.First up, the Louvre heist. Thieves disguised as maintenance workers pulled off a seven-minute jewel theft at the world’s most famous museum — raising questions about how security slipped for treasures worth nearly $100 million.From there a look at Hollywood’s fading star power: From Julia Roberts to Dwayne Johnson, A-list names aren’t guaranteeing box-office gold anymore. What’s dimming their shine?Plus Eric Lu’s Triumph. The Massachusetts-born pianist made history in Warsaw, becoming the first American in 55 years to win the International Chopin Competition.And the legacy of Allan Crite. Boston’s own “artist-reporter” is celebrated in a major exhibition from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Athenaeum, honoring his vivid portrayals of everyday Black life.

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David McCullough spent decades helping Americans see their past in human terms. A new collection, “History Matters”, gathers his essays and speeches on why history endures — edited by his daughter Dorie McCullough Lawson and longtime collaborator Mike Hill. She joins us ahead of her American Ancestors Headquarters event today at 5 p.m. To learn more go here. From there Mary Grant, president of MassArt joins us for her monthly appearance as part of our recurring series “AI: Actual Intelligence.”Finally Berlin-based baker Laurel Kratochvila joins the Culture SHow to talk about her new cookbook Dobre Dobre: Baking from Poland and Beyond. The book celebrates Poland’s baking traditions — from Jewish-diasporic classics to regional favorites — and reveals how migration and memory live on in every recipe. She’ll appear at Harvard Book Store tonight at 7 p.m. to learn more go here.

Halloween is lurking around the corner and the Coolidge Corner Theatre is preparing for its 24th annual Halloween Horror Marathon. Mark Anastasio, the Coolidge’s Program Director, joins us to preview twelve hours of horror classics, creature features, and surprise screenings — all shown on 35 millimeter film. To learn more go here.Then, author Gish Jen discusses her new novel, “Bad Bad Girl.” In this witty and deeply personal work, Jen blends fiction and autobiography to imagine her mother’s life and explore the distance between them — uncovering how storytelling can bridge what family history leaves unsaid. On October 25th you can catch her at a Boston Book Festival event at 3:00. To learn more go here.

It’s October in Salem, where history and Halloween converge. Peabody Essex Museum curator-at-large Paula Richter joins The Culture Show to talk about the Ropes Mansion — its role as “Allison’s House” in Hocus Pocus, and how the museum brings it to life each October. Starting October 23 and continuing through Halloween, the mansion’s exterior will once again be decorated in full “Hocus Pocus” style, drawing crowds to its front steps and gardens. To learn more about all things PEM, go here.Then, pastry chef and author Gesine Bullock-Prado on her new cookbook “My Harvest Kitchen: 100+ Recipes to Savor the Seasons.” From Hollywood lawyer to Vermont baker, she shares how cooking with what’s close at hand — and in season — can feed both body and spirit. Tonight she'll be at Trillium Fort Point in Boston’s Seaport at 6 p.m.for a Q&A and signing. To learn more go here.

As the only son of Johnny Cash and June Carter, John Carter Cash has carried forward one of America’s most enduring musical legacies. A Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and author, he’s worked with artists from Willie Nelson to Sheryl Crow while preserving his parents’ archives and spirit. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book, The Complete Johnny Cash: Lyrics from a Lifetime of Songwriting, which gathers more than five decades of his father’s words—offering insight into the man behind the Man in Black.From there it’s Cuban-born pianist, vocalist and composer Zahili Gonzalez Zamora. She brings a deep, cross-cultural fluency to her music—melding Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz improvisation, and storytelling. A faculty member at Berklee College of Music, she joins “The Culture Show” to talk about her forthcoming album “Overcoming,” which comes out this Friday; on Friday night she’ll be performing at Scullers Jazz Club at 7:00. To learn more go here.

Today Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council, go over the latest arts and culture headlines. First up, remembering Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress of “Annie Hall,” “The Godfather,” and “Something’s Gotta Give.” Over five decades, Diane Keaton redefined Hollywood stardom with her originality, and offbeat authenticity.From there we reflect on D’Angelo, the R&B singer, songwriter, and producer behind “Brown Sugar"and “Voodoo” who died at 51. And we honor Susan Stamberg, a founding voice of NPR, who has died at 86. Her curiosity, and signature cranberry relish became synonymous with the golden age of public radio and its spirit of storytelling.Plus actor Stephen Graham is expanding his Netflix series Adolescence into a new book on masculinity. His project invites fathers around the world to write letters to their sons about what it means to be a man today — continuing the conversation his show began.

Donnie Wahlberg — familiar to millions as “Blue Bloods’” Detective Danny Reagan — spent fourteen seasons trading barbs, saying grace, and solving crimes in New York City. Now Danny Reagan is back — but this time, he’s doing it Boston-style. “Blue Bloods” followed a multi-generational law-enforcement family bound by duty, faith, and those famous Sunday dinners. In "Boston Blue, " premiering this Friday on CBS, Wahlberg once again steps into Reagan’s shoes — this time moving the New York detective to Wahlberg’s own hometown. He joins “The Culture Show” to talk about a new chapter in the “Blue Bloods” universe and about his homecoming. To learn more about “Boston Blue” go here.From there it's comedian Hari Kondabolu. He's known for turning cultural critique into comedy. His documentary “The Problem with Apu,” took on stereotypes in “The Simpsons” and sparked a national conversation about representation. His new stand-up on race, parenthood, and the politics of everyday life takes aim at how we talk, what we laugh at, and who gets to tell the joke. He joins us ahead of his show at The Rockwell in Somerville. To learn more go here.

Acclaimed glass artist Josh Simpson crafts luminous worlds in miniature. His signature “Planets” —swirls of color and complexity sealed inside glass — reflect his lifelong fascination with space and science. Now, he’s received a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts grant to explore how lunar dust could be melted into glass for future Moon habitats, in collaboration with architect Martin Bermudez of Skyeports, LLC. Simpson’s new book, “Josh Simpson: 50 Years of Visionary Glass,” and his retrospective of the same is on view at the Sandwich Glass Museum through October. To learn more go here.From there we’re joined by Pedro Alonzo, independent curator and Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial and one of the Triennial’s featured artists, Patrick Martinez. His installation “Cost of Living.” Working with Breaktime, an organization that supports young adults experiencing homelessness, he’s created a series of illuminated signs. They look like storefront advertisements, but their messages — phrases like “People Over Property” — tell a different story: one about struggle, empathy, and being seen. To learn more go here.

Bobbi Brown built a beauty empire on simplicity and self-expression. Now, with her new book “Still Bobbi” she lays bare her lessons in reinvention, resilience, and redefining beauty on her own terms. Catch her at Emerson College on October 27, 2025 for “An Evening with Bobbi Brown” — learn more here.From there Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins us for a roundup of the plays and movies to see right now. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter, president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association and you can find her reviews on joyceschoices.comFinally, Tracy K. Smith. The former U.S. Poet Laureate discusses her forthcoming book “Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times” — an invitation to listen, reflect, and let poetry guide us through uncertainty. She’ll appear at TEDxNewEngland on October 30, 2025 — learn more & register TEDxNewEngland+1

Music legend Peter Wolf has had a long solo career and rose to recognition as former lead singer of the J. Geils Band–famous for its high-octane shows and top 40 hits. Wolf joins The Culture Show to talk about his new memoir “Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters and Goddesses.”. Regie Gibson, an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music and an instructor at Clark University, has been selected as Massachusetts’ first Poet Laureate. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how he’ll define this role, his path to poetry and to share some of his work. Gibson is a songwriter, author, spoken-word poet and former National Poetry Slam Individual Champion.

Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Joyce Kulhawik co-host this week’s arts and Culture week-in-review. Joyce Kulhawik is a Culture Show contributor, Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’s Choices.First up, In Danvers, a young-adult novel is sparking debate. “All American Boys”—the story of two teens, one Black and one white, whose lives collide after a violent encounter with police—has some parents objecting to its language and content. Teachers, meanwhile, argue its lessons on race, justice, and accountability are exactly what students should be reading.From there, Amazon’s new creative control of the James Bond franchise has fans shaken. The tech giant removed images of firearms from classic 007 artwork—erasing Bond’s trademark weapon from posters and box art. Critics say the world’s most famous spy has been stripped of his license to kill; Amazon insists it’s part of a broader effort to modernize the brand.Then country star Zach Bryan has ignited controversy with a teaser for his unreleased song “Bad News,” which takes aim at ICE raids and the fear they sow. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the lyrics “completely disrespectful,” and the agency fired back—posting arrest footage set to one of Bryan’s earlier songsFinally, thirty original Bob Ross paintings—the misty mountains and “happy little trees” that made The Joy of Painting a PBS classic—are heading to auction to support public television.

CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book "Race Against Terror," which tells the thrilling story of how prosecutors traversed the globe, tracking down evidence to convict terrorist "Spin Ghul" for killing American servicemen in Afghanistan. On October 16th he’ll be at WBUR’s CitySpace. To learn more go here. As a child Matthew Shifrin received a gift that changed his life -- a LEGO set with instructions hand-written in Braille. Today he is the founder and CEO of Bricks for the Blind. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how their free Text-based Building Instructions allows people with visual impairments to build LEGO sets . To learn more about Bricks for the Blind go here.Finally we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with Patricia Estorino, executive chef and co-owner of Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Café. Gustazo has expanded into two locations, Cambridge and Waltham. The restaurant has earned widespread recognition, including repeated spots on Boston Magazine’s 50 Best Restaurants list and multiple Best of Boston awards for Latin cuisine, brunch and most recently, Best Cuban Restaurant 2025. To learn more go here.

Actor and comedian Chris Grace joins The Culture Show to talk about his one-man show, “Sardines(A Comedy About Death),” which is onstage at The Huntington Theatre through November 16th. “Sardines” explores the tragic, hilarious, and important questions of our time: Can we enjoy life if we know how it ends? To learn more go here.From there, under a cloak of darkness, we head to Old Sturbridge Village, where history flickers to life at “Phantoms by Firelight: The Grand Season Finale.” It’s an immersive Halloween experience filled with ghost stories, lanterns, and the daring spectacle of Cyrkus Vampyr. Jim Donahue, CEO and President of Old Sturbridge Village and Rhys Simmons, their Director of Interpretation, Join the Culture Show for an overview.Finally Rebecca Kean, Operations Manager and co-owner of Jamaica Plain’s Brassica Kitchen + Cafe, along with co-chef, co-owner and designer Phillip Kruta join The Culture Show to talk about their expansion. To learn more go here.

Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show for his monthly segment “AI: Actual Intelligence.” This month we get his take on Bunny’s final concert in Puerto Rico, which Jeffries attended. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a homecoming and a moment of pride for millions across the diaspora. We’ll also get his take on the reaction that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show is already generating.From there we’re joined by Sam Kissajukian. In 2021 the Aussie comedian quit stand-up, rented an abandoned cake factory, and became a painter. Over the course of what turned out to be a six-month manic episode, he created three hundred large-scale paintings, unknowingly documenting his mental state through the process. He turned this experience into his one-man show “300 Paintings,” now onstage at the American Repertory Theater through October 25th; more information here.Finally we get a preview of Boston Baroque’s season opener “Baroque Masterworks." The acclaimed harpsichordist and conductor Christian Curnyn and Boston Baroque Executive Director Sarah Radcliffe-Marrs join The Culture Show. “Baroque Masterworks" is October 11th and October 12th at Jordan Hall; more information here.

We continue our “Countdown to 2026” series with the Museum of Fine Arts to look at the art reframing our understanding of the American Revolution. Ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we zoom in on Fritz Scholder’s “Bicentennial Indian.” Ethan Lasser, John Moors Cabot Chair, Art of the Americas and Marina Tyquiengco, Ellyn McColgan Associate Curator of Native American Art, lead the conversation.From there, Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore examines whether the U.S. Constitution still functions as a living document. Drawing on The Amendments Project—a vast archive of thousands of failed amendment proposals—Lepore argues that structural and political barriers have made constitutional change nearly impossible. In her new book, “We the People,” she traces how that paralysis has shifted the power to interpret and reshape democracy from citizens and lawmakers to the courts. You can catch Jill Lepore tonight at the First Parish Church at 7:00. The event is hosted by Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here.Finally filmmaker Tom Clement turns his lens on a new form of activism: light projections as protest. His documentary “Projecting Protest” follows artists and activists using buildings as canvases for messages that illuminate the ongoing battle between free expression, property rights, and public space. You can catch him tonight for a free screening at MassArt. The event is at 6:00. To learn more go here.

Today Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III drive our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Taylor Swift dropped her new album at midnight. “Life of a Showgirl” blends spectacle with storytelling, marking –and marketing–another milestone in her reign over pop culture.From there, Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, a career touchdown that also amplifies Latin music on the world’s biggest stage. While fans cheer the, MAGA critics are calling it a cultural mismatch.Plus Jane Fonda is resurrecting the Committee for the First Amendment, a Hollywood group her father once joined during the McCarthy era. With new battles over censorship raging, she says the fight to defend free expression is as urgent as ever.Finally we remember Jane Goodall, the trailblazing primatologist, has died at 91. Her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees transformed our understanding of animal intelligence and deepened our sense of responsibility toward the natural world.

Celebrated writer Walter Mosley joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book in his Easy Rawlins series, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery.” Easy has led readers through Los Angeles — from the 1940s to the turbulent 1970s — with stories that combine the pace of classic crime fiction and the depth of literary character. In “Gray Dawn” a search for a missing woman drags Easy back into secrets from his past. Tonight you can catch Walter Mosley at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here.From there we enter the moonlit world of “Viola’s Room.” The immersive experience, which is at The Shed in New York City through November 16th. Created by Punchdrunk, a pioneer in immersive theatrical experiences, we talk to founder and artistic director, Felix Barrett. To learn more about “Viola’s Room” go here.Finally, Oliver Jeffers—author-illustrator and studio artist – joins The Culture Show. His picture books live on nightstands worldwide; his portraits and projects test what we remember and what we miss. Now with a solo exhibition at Praise Shadows Art Gallery he joins us to talk about how he thinks about story, image, and time. “Dipped Paintings: Oliver Jeffers” is on view through November 8th. To learn more go here.

Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III host our inaugural Wednesday Watch Party with a comedy classic: Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America. The 1988 hit follows a prince who trades royal privilege for a crash course in Queens. At the time critics were divided, audiences were not. It was a box office smash at the time, now we ask you, nearly 40 years later, does it hold up. From there Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his monthly appearance. Today he’s discussing the best way to power AI: geothermal power. Boston Architectural College pioneered this over a decade ago with eight wells under their Green Alley. Mahesh Daas is the author of four books including Towards A Robotic Architecture and I, Nobot, a graphic novella exploring relationships among artificial intelligence, robotics, and cities.

We continue our Countdown to 2026 series with Andrea Puccio, Director of the Library at The Clark Art Institute. She gave us an overview of their new exhibition “Back Bay to the Berkshires: Celebrating 250 Years of Art in Massachusetts.” Russell Lord, Chief of Curatorial Affairs at the Norman Rockwell Museum, also joined us with a preview of their upcoming exhibition “Visions of a Nation: 250 Years from Revolution to Rockwell.”From there we looked at how Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has become the streamer’s most-watched film ever, showing the global pull of Korean pop culture. Ray Seol, Associate Professor of Professional Music at Berklee College of Music, helps us unpack how the movie builds on K-Pop’s history and what it reveals about Korean culture today.Finally, Henri Matisse. He’s known for paintings of light and joy, but his wartime years tell another story. Historian Christopher C. Gorham joins us to discuss his new book Matisse at War, which explores how the artist endured Nazi occupation, family hardship, and illness — transforming adversity into some of his boldest work. Tonight you can catch Christopher C. Gorham at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here.

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Greenblatt joins The Culture Show, to talk about his latest book, “Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival.” It traces the meteoric rise and violent end of Christopher Marlowe—playwright, poet, spy, and heretic—whose genius endures today. Stephen Greenblatt is the John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University.From there Courtney O’Connor, Producing Artistic Director for Lyric Stage Boston, gives us an overview of their production of “Our Town,” which is onstage through October 19th. To learn more go here.Finally dating coach Caitlyn Hana joins us to talk about her approach to helping people meet the right match. Her aim is to help smart, quirky people find love in Boston, the Bay Area, and New York. She runs Enchanted Analytics. To learn more go here.

Culture show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review. First up: Jimmy Kimmel is back on late night. After ABC pulled his show, he returned with a monologue defending satire and drawing his biggest audience in years.From there, Apple TV+ has postponed “The Savant,” Jessica Chastain’s thriller about infiltrating extremist circles. While Apple cites political tensions, Chastain says the show’s urgent themes need to be heard.Plus, Bad Bunny wrapped a historic 31-show residency in Puerto Rico with a finale streamed worldwide. His run was both a love letter to the island and a global cultural moment.Finally, food critic Marilyn Hagerty, whose glowing Olive Garden review went viral in 2012, has died. She spent decades championing small-town diners, truck stops, and chain restaurants.

Acclaimed filmmaker Simon Curtis joins The Culture Show to talk about directing “Downton Abbey:The Grand Finale.” To learn more go here.Boston comedian Tony V has collaborated with renowned musicians on “Rock Bottom: The Musical,” which debuts tonight as part of National Recovery Month. To learn more go here.McGonagle’s Pub has landed a spot on “The New York Times” list of America’s best restaurants, making it the first Irish pub to get this national recognition. Chef Aidan McGee joins The Culture Show to talk about how he is reimagining pub fare. Aidan McGee is the chef patron of The Dubliner and McGonagle's Pub.

Joyce Kulhawik joins the Culture Show with Balancing Acts, a look at the latest plays in the area with a focus on what to prioritize amid an abundance of productions. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter, president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association and you can find her reviews on joyceschoices.comFrom there we get a preview of Club Passim’s “Reimagining Lilith Fair.” The event celebrates women, queer, and gender expansive artists in the Greater Boston music scene, highlighting the next wave of feminism and the wide breadth of talent in our city. Created and curated by Naomi Westwater, they join us along with participating artist, Amanda Shea. Reimagining Lilith Fair is Saturday, September 27th. To learn more go here.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes on a virtual tour of Nubian Square where the public art is created for the community.. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and award winning photographer who is the creator of The Art Walk Project – a series of self-guided micro tours of art across Greater Boston.

Actor Barry Bostwick joins The Culture Show ahead of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular” at Emerson Colonial Theatre. The celebration includes the unedited film, a live shadow cast, audience participation, a costume contest, and VIP meet-and-greets— it’s the full midnight-movie experience. The event is on Wednesday, October 1st. To learn more go here.From there Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer of “MASTERPIECE” reflects on the legacy of “Downton Abbey” and she previews what’s next – from the costume drama “The Forsytes,” to the crime drama “The Gold,” and the return of fan favorites such as “All Creatures Great and Small.” To keep on top of all of MASTERPIECE’s programming go here.Finally, Jeremy Sewall, Chef and Owner of Row 34, shares recipes and stories from his new cookbook “Everyday Chef: Simple Dishes for Family and Friends,” which illustrates how restaurant expertise can translate into simple, satisfying meals at home.

Boston’s dining scene just scored a national spotlight: “The New York Times” has named La Padrona one of the best restaurants in America. The Back Bay restaurant is the vision of Eric Papachristos and chef Jody Adams. Eric Papachristos joins The Culture Show to talk about this recognition and the state of Boston’s restaurant scene; he’s a co-founder and CEO of A Street Hospitality Group.From there Film takes center stage with CineFest Latino Boston, running September 24–28 at venues across the city. The annual festival celebrates films by and about Latinos, showcasing stories that span countries, cultures, and genres. Sabrina Avilés, an independent filmmaker and the festival’s founder and executive director, joins us for a sneak preview. To learn more go here.Finally, Dawn M. Simmons, Artistic Director of SpeakEasy Stage joins The Culture Show to talk about the Pulitzer Prize–winning play “Primary Trust.” Written by Eboni Booth, it follows Kenneth, a man bound by years of routine, whose life opens up –for the better–in the face of an abrupt change. Staging. “Primary Trust’ is on through October 11th. To learn more go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III host our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Late-night just got quieter. ABC has yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked outrage from conservatives and the FCC.From there, after nearly 50 years, Jerry Greenfield is leaving Ben & Jerry’s, saying their parent company is silencing their social activism, despite promises to let them remain independentAnd we remember Robert Redford, the star, the storyteller, and the visionary who reframed American cinema.Finally, Somerville crowned Minerva, a black feline with a one-word platform—“Crime”—as its Bike Path Mayor.

For more than a quarter century, Richard Smith embodied Henry David Thoreau—donning the waistcoat and straw hat, walking the paths of Concord, and giving voice to one of New England’s most enduring thinkers. Now, after 26 years of living deliberately in another man’s shoes, Smith is stepping away from the role. Closing a chapter that made Thoreau’s world vividly real for thousands who visited Walden Pond.From there, If you think carving a pumpkin takes skill, imagine shaping one in glass heated to nearly 2,000 degrees. At MIT’s Glass Lab—a place where art meets science—students, faculty, and alumni practice the craft of glassblowing. It’s one of the only university studios of its kind. And each fall, the fruits of their labor gleam on the campus lawn in what is known as the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch, taking place September 27th at MIT's Kresge Oval. To learn more, go here.And, Chris Vognar, the Boston Globe’s new TV and pop culture critic is here. He’ll give us a preview of what to watch on the small screen this month, from the chilling sci-fi of Alien: Earth to the Jude Law-Jason Bateman brotherly bond in Black Rabbit. To read Chris' reviews, go here.

We continue our Countdown to 2026 series with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Each month we look at artworks that shed new light on the American Revolution and the people who shaped it. Today Layla Bermeo joins us to talk about Miguel de Herrera’s Portrait of Doña Feliciana Belendes y Ramirez. Layla Bermeo is the Kristin and Roger Servison Curator of Paintings, Art of the Americas.Singer-songwriter Will Dailey also joins us to talk about his latest album, Boys Talking and his $10 Song project, an experiment connecting fans directly to the music. You can catch him live this Saturday, September 20th, at 8:00 PM at Meadow Hall at Groton Hill Music Center. To learn more go here.And Somerville stirs up one of its sweetest celebrations—the annual “What the Fluff?” Festival. On Saturday, September 20th from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Union Square fills with music, games, and marshmallow mayhem in honor of the hometown invention that made the fluffernutter a legend. Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets, joins us for an overview. To learn more go here.