The Culture Show Podcast

Award-winning singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier joins The Culture Show ahead of her concert at The First Church in Belmont with special guest Jaimee Harris. Rooted in folk and country traditions, Gauthier has built a career on transforming hard experiences into songs that connect and heal. To learn more about this Friday’s concert go here.At Emerson College comedy is no laughing matter. Decades before it launched the nation’s first comedy degree, Emerson was sending performers like Jennifer Coolidge and Jay Leno into the spotlight. Now the school is reviving its American Comedy Archives, with candid new interviews featuring Bill Burr, Paula Poundstone, and others. Comedian and Emerson alum Eddie Brill, who lead these conversations, joins us for an overview. To explore the archives go here.Finally MassArt President Mary Grant joins us for her monthly appearance. Today she reflects on freedom of speech on college campuses.

First up, we recap the 2025 Emmy Awards with Callie Crossley, Culture Show co-host and host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik, Emmy Award–winning arts and entertainment critic and President of the Boston Theater Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’s Choices.At Boston’s historic King’s Chapel, a new Living Memorial is taking shape to honor the lives of 219 enslaved people once tied to the church. We’re joined by Harmonia Rosales, visual artist and creator of Unbound, and Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister at King’s Chapel.Finally, Jane Eaglen joins us for her take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” Jane Eaglen is a Grammy Award–winning soprano, faculty member at New England Conservatory and President of the Boston Wagner Society, explores if there are any traces of traditional opera in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on The Culture Show’s week-in-review.First up: Our local culinary scene. It’s having a moment; in its list of America’s 50 Best restaurants, The New York Times names five from New England. The list includes the upscale Italian fare at La Padrona in Boston’s Raffles Hotel and the modern twist on Irish pub food at McGonagle’s in Dorchester.From there, Banksy strikes again. The artist unveiled a new mural at the Royal Courts of Justice building in London, 48 hours after its discovery, it was removed. The irony: The mural was a commentary on the suppression of freedom of speech.Finally, we remember actress Polly Holliday who was best known as the wisecracking waitress Flo on the 1970s sitcom Alice. She died this week at age 88.

Award-winning actor, director, singer-songwriter and bestselling author David Duchovny joins The Culture Show to discuss “About Time: Poems,” a collection that reflects on love, family, aging, and the shifting nature of time. From there Robin Dawson, Executive Director of Boston Film Festival previews the 41st season, which kicks off on September 18th. To learn more go here.Finally Obie Award-winning playwright Kirsten Greenidge joins The Culture Show to discuss “The Kittie Knox Plays.” Presented by Plays in Place in collaboration with MassBike, the series kicks off on September 13th. To learn more about performance times and venues go here.

Joyce Kulhawik joins The Culture Show for our recurring feature, Stage and Screen Time–a look at the latest movies and plays in theaters now. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews on Joyce’s Choices.From there Maurice Emmanuel Parent joins us for a preview of Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning play “The Mountaintop. It reimagines events on the night before Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. While a fictional take on events, Hall creates a humanizing glimpse into the civil rights leader’s final hours, The Front Porch Arts Collective is opening its 2025/2026 season with this work. It’s directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent who is also the Porch's co-founder and Producing Artistic Director. To learn more go here.Finally internationally acclaimed artist Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez joins The Culture Show for an overview of his solo exhibition at Boston University At Galleries, Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There).The works on view include over a dozen original paintings that combine acrylic, oil, and custom textiles, with embellishments painted directly onto the gallery walls extending the artwork beyond the frame and into the space itself. The exhibition is on view through December 10. To learn more go here.

Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to preview this Saturday’s Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!” International Music Festival. It’s a celebration of music, culture, and social justice. To learn more go here.From there Molly Schwartzburg joins The Culture Show for an overview of a new exhibition “Edward Gorey: The Gloomy Gallery. It’s on view at Harvard’s Houghton Library through January 12th. Molly Schwartzburg is the Philip Hofer Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts. She co-curated this exhibition with Maggie Erwin. To learn more go here.Finally writer Nicholas Boggs joins The Culture Show to talk about his book, “Baldwin: A Love Story.” It's the first major biography of James Baldwin in three decades, revealing how the writer’s personal relationships shaped his life and work. Tonight Nicholas Baldwin will be at Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here.

Writer Ben Shattuck’s award-winning story “The History of Sound,” is now a feature length film. Set in World War I, it follows two young men who set out into the woods of Maine to collect folk songs before they vanish. The film is a love story, a time capsule, and a meditation on who gets remembered and how. He joins The Culture Show to talk about adapting his short story to the Silver Screen. “The History of Sound’s” theatrical release in the U.S. is September 12th. To learn more go here.From there writer David Baron joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America. David Baron is an award-winning journalist and author who writes about science, nature, and the American West. While writing “THE MARTIANS,” David Baron served as the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation.Finally, we get a jump on Mexican Independence Day with Veronica Robles. She and her all-female Mariachi band will perform this Sunday at The Charles Hotel Lower Courtyard in Harvard Square. The celebrations start at 4:00. To learn more go here. Veronica Robles is Mariachi singer, musician and Latin American folkloric dancer and choreographer. She is also the co-founder and Director of the Veronica Robles Cultural Center in East Boston.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review.First up, we look at the redesign of the Massachusetts state flag and seal. More than 1,150 public submissions have been narrowed down to just a few options for further review. From there we move to Florida now where Governor Ron DeSantis is taking his “war on woke” to the streets—literally. His administration has ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks, murals, and other community artwork across the state, calling them unsafe and politically charged. Finally we remember Giorgio Armani who died this week at 91. Armani changed fashion by making formal wear as comfortable as sportswear, with his signature unstructured jackets and streamlined style. His influence stretched from the runway to the red carpet, building a global brand that came to define modern elegance.

In 2015 renowned photographer Sally Mann published her memoir “Hold Still,” an inquiry into family history, the American South and the nature of creativity. Now, comes her book “Art Work: On the Creative Life.” It is laugh-out-loud funny. It’s irreverent. And it’s refreshingly practical as she guides the reader through her experience and process of being an artist. On September 8th Sally Mann appears at the Brattle Theater for an event sponsored by Harvard Book Store. Tickets are sold out but there is a waitlist. Also, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has announced that she’ll appear as part of the Shapiro Celebrity Lectures next February. “My First Ex-Husband” is an adaptation of true stories by Joy Behar, writer, comedienne and co-host of The View. The play explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex, and relationships. Ahead of its run at The Huntington Theatre, Joy Behar joins The Culture Show to talk about creating this work. “My First Ex-Husband” is onstage September 12 - September 28. To learn more go here. Finally we continue our series “Countdown to 2026” with Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, which is leading the Massachusetts 250 campaign, and Brian Boyles, the Executive Director at Mass Humanities. He sits on the state's Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and he co-chairs Everyone 250. To stay on top of all things MA250 go here.

Independent Curator and Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial Pedro Alonzo joins The Culture Show with Adela Goldbard. She is an interdisciplinary artist-scholar and educator from Mexico and an Associate Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. They’re previewing Goldbard’s Triennial pyrotechnic performance, which will happen at Boston City Hall Plaza, September 12, at 7:00. To learn more go here. From there mother and son duo Jyoti Mukharji and Auyon Mukharji, join The Culture show to talk about their new collaboration “Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen.” On September 4th you can catch them at Davoll’s General Store at 4:00 in South Dartmouth, MA. To learn more go here. You can also catch them at Brookline Booksmith on September 5th, more information on that event is here.Finally, Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College joins The Culture Show for his monthly appearance. Today he’s discussing the art and science of relocating a building, a conversation that was inspired by this story about a church on the move. 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.

Marianne Leone is an actress, author, and screenwriter. She joins The Culture Show to talk about her novel “Christina The Astonishing," a coming-of-age story about Christina Falcone and her desire to break free from Catholic school nuns, Italian mothers, and small-town Massachusetts. On September 10th she’ll be at Porter Square Books, in conversation with Chris Cooper. To learn more go here. From there we head to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for an overview of their new exhibition “Rachel Ruysch: Artist, Naturalist, and Pioneer.” Antien Knaap, the MFA’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, Curator of Paintings, Art of Europe, and Charles Davis, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University join The Culture Show.Finally Shana Carroll, the Co-Founding Artistic Director of the Montreal based circus company The 7 Fingers joins us to talk about “Passengers,” which is written, directed and choreographed by Carroll. “Passengers,” is a kinetic show about train travel as a metaphor for life that blends circus, music, dance and storytelling. It’s onstage at the American Repertory Theater’s Loeb Drama Center through September 26th. It is co-produced by TOHU and ArtsEmerson. To learn more go here.

Wendy Benchley joins The Culture Show. She is the wife of the late author Peter Benchley, who wrote the bestselling novel “Jaws.” Since the success of the book and subsequent film, Wendy Benchley has dedicated much of her life to conservation. She is an award-winning ocean advocate and scuba diver. She is cofounder of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. Along with Laura Bowling, Wendy Benchley is the Executive Producer of the new film “Jaws at 50: The Definitive Inside Story.” It's a National Geographic documentary produced in partnership with Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. To learn more go here.From there Anna Barber, Curator of Exhibitions at Martha's Vineyard Museum joins The Culture Show for an overview of their sprawling exhibition “Jaws’ at 50: A Deeper Dive,” It’s on view through September 7th. To learn more go here.Finally we end where we began, wading into the ocean with another look at “Jaws” at 50. Writer Christopher Shaw Myers joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of JAWS and Beyond.”

Director Carson Lund joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut feature film “Eephus,” a quintessentially New England baseball film. Find out more, here.From there Andy Husbands, chef and owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, has co-authored the “Quick and Easy Burger Cookbook,” which will bump your burger game with creative recipes. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how we can turn our nothing burger into a something burger. Finally we talk to John Flansburgh, one half of the iconic alt-rock duo They Might Be Giants. TMBG have charmed audiences with their eclectic, genre-bending style for decades. They’ve released countless albums, contributed music to TV shows such as “Malcolm in the Middle,” and wriggled their way into the public consciousness with songs like “Doctor Worm” and “Birdhouse in your Soul.”

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.

Ben Shattuck’s latest book, “The History of Sound: Stories” is a collection of interconnected stories that examine the lives and landscapes of New England where Shattuck spans centuries in these haunting and often humorous stories. From there it’s teacher by day, Cakeswagg by night. The Boston-based Lyricist and rapper joins us to talk about her sophomore album “Michelin Star.”Finally writer Andre Dubus III. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest work, a collection of personal essays, “Ghost Dogs: On Killers and Kin,” Andre Dubus III teaches writing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Best-selling author J. Courtney Sullivan joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest novel, “The Cliffs.” It is an intricately layered novel of family, spirits, and secrets set on the seaside cliffs of Maine.Then author Colm Tóibín joins us. He doesn’t like sequels. He thinks of them as kind of a literary copout. But 15 years after he published his critically acclaimed novel “Brooklyn,” he has written a follow up: the novel “Long Island.” He joins us to talk about the hold that his protagonist, Eilis Lacey has had on him. Finally it’s time for “Sound Files,” our recurring series where we invite local musicians and cultural critics to zero in on one of their favorite entries in the US National Recording Registry. Today Dart Adams, a journalist, historian and lecturer, has chosen to go deep on De La Soul’s “3 Feet High and Rising.”

Interdisciplinary artist Dread Scott joins The Culture Show. In 1989, the US Senate outlawed his artwork and President Bush declared it "disgraceful" because of its transgressive use of the American flag. Dread became part of a landmark Supreme Court case when he and others burned flags on the steps of the Capitol. He is a revolutionary artist who gives us a new way to see some ugly truths about America. From there the acclaimed author André Aciman joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Room on the Sea: Three Novellas.” Finally, it’s another episode 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, Janie Barnett has chosen to go deep on Cyndi Lauper’s “She’s So Unusual.” Janie Barnett’s latest album is “Under My Skin: Reimagining Cole Porter.”

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on The Culture Show’s week-in-review.First up, fashion backward. We look at a new trend, people wearing vintage clothing with styles inspired by period dramas such as “The Gilded Age” and “Downton Abbey.” From there we analyze the “Sex in the City,” sequel, “And Just Like That.” The series finale was this week and it left fans feeling flat. Then it’s off to the box office where comedies are having a comeback. In recent years they have been sidelined to streaming platforms. Now, with movies such as “The Naked Gun” and “Freakier Friday “ emerging as box office hits, will there be more comedic films having theatrical releases? Finally, we look at how recreational reading rates have steadily declined in the US over the last 20 years, and we’ll look through some of the latest words entered into the Cambridge Dictionary this year.

From Greenwich Village nightclubs to “The Tonight Show” to Hollywood’s red carpets, Joan Rivers made and remade her career through triumph and tragedy. Now the highs and lows of her life and career come together in the play “JOAN.” The executive producer is Melissa Rivers, an actress, writer and TV host. Melissa Rivers joins The Culture Show to talk about bringing the essence of her mother to the stage. “JOAN” is onstage at the Cape Playhouse September 3rd through September 20th. To learn more go here.From there, we look at where history meets contemporary art. Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour through Charlestown Navy Yard, home of the USS Constitution and its new neighbor: The Boston Public Art Triennial. 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.Finally, we stay outdoors with Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture at Native Plant Trust. He joins The Culture Show to talk about welcoming native plants into your garden, late-season perennial blooms, the value of veteran trees and the scourge of beech leaf disease. To learn more about Native Plant Trust go here.

Bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest thriller, ”All This Could Be Yours,” The book centers on debut sensation Tessa Calloway. She’s on a whirlwind book tour for her instant bestseller, But there's a chilling problem—she soon discovers she is being stalked by someone who's obsessed not only with sabotaging her career, but also with destroying her perfect family back home. “All This Could Be Yours,” hits bookstores on September 9th. To learn more go here.From there we are joined by Kevin Levesque as Miss Conception, who has been delighting audiences around the world for more than 23 years. Miss Conception gives us an overview of her current comedic drag show “Make America Gay Again,” which is onstage in Provincetown at The Art House through September 13th. To learn more go here.Finally Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins us for our recurring feature, Stage and Screen Time–a look at the latest movies and upcoming plays. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews on Joyce’s Choices.

Twice-a-Day Ray is an original cover band that’s too busy saving lives to write their own songs. That’s because the band is made up of three emergency doctors and an emergency medicine PA. Ahead of their August 22nd show at the Cantab Lounge in Central Square, guitarist Colin Devonshire and lead vocalist Kayla Ninteau join The Culture Show. To learn more about Twice-a-Day Ray check them out here. And to keep abreast of everything going on in Central Square this go here.From there Culture Show contributor Jane Eaglen, a Grammy-winning dramatic soprano, joins us to talk about opera as a contact sport and the Wagnerian legacy of Jim Steinman. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society. Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show for her monthly appearance. Today, she joins us with a message for arts students as the 2025-2026 school year begins.

The Sandwich Glass Museum is featuring the artistry of Josh Simpson in the exhibition “50 Years of Visionary Glass.” Josh and his wife, retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. Cady Coleman’s new book is “Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change.” Josh Simpson’s new book is “Josh Simpson: 50 Years of Visionary Glass.” They join The Culture Show to talk about their complementary careers.From there National Book Award–winning writer Imani Perry joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People.” It’s a meditation on the color blue and its role in Black history and culture.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour through Kendall Square with a look at SciArt. 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.

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on The Culture Show’s week-in-review.First up, Amazon’s “War of the Worlds” reboot earns a rare 3% rating on the movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. It’s also being criticized as pro-tech propaganda.From there they’ll discuss Taylor Swift entering a new era, announcing the release of her 12th studio album “The Life of a Showgirl.”Then it’s off to Washington D.C. as President Trump reviews eight of the Smithsonian Institutions' museums to determine if their exhibitions align with his historical vision ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. We’ll also go over his Kennedy Center honorees.Finally, Callie Crossley, ever the trendsetter, unveils the hot summer trend: the mini fan.

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall joins The Culture Show to talk about her new book, “A Protest History of the United States.” Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is an American civil rights attorney, author, playwright, essayist, and professor of Constitutional Law at CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice.From there Aisha Muharrar joins The Culture Show to talk about her debut novel “Loved One.” She’s an Emmy Award–winning writer and producer who has worked on “Hacks,” “Parks” and “Recreation,” and “The Good Place.”Finally, acclaimed music photographer Henry Diltz joins The Culture Show to talk about his show “Legends in Focus: The Photography” which is tonight at 7:00 at an event hosted by Emerson College and ArtsEmerson. To learn more go here.

Josh Ritter, the prolific singer-songwriter, joins The Culture Show to talk about his forthcoming album, “I Believe in You, My Honeydew,” and to preview his upcoming performance at the Lowell Summer Music Series. He’ll be performing with The Royal City Band on August 24th. To learn more go here.From there Ian Coss, an award-winning podcast producer joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest podcast, “We’re Doing ‘The Wiz’,” which he co-created, co-hosted and co-produced with Sakina Ibrahim. To learn more go here.Finally Erica Hirshler, the Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, joins The Culture Show for our recurring series, “American Revolution: Frame by Frame.” Each month the curators and experts from the MFA join the show to talk about works in their collection that offer insight into the American Revolution. This is an extension of Museums 250. This month the focus is on John Singleton Copley’s “Watson and the Shark.”

We reflect on the legacy of the late NASA astronaut Jim Lovell with Cady Coleman. She’s a retired NASA astronaut, U.S. Air Force colonel, scientist, pilot and musician. She spent months working and living aboard the International Space Station. Her latest book is titled “Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change.” We’ll also get her take on what the future of space exploration and education will be if President Trump’s proposed budget cuts to NASA become a reality.From there Culture Show contributor Pedro Alonzo joins us for his monthly appearance. He is a Boston-based independent curator who specializes in public art projects. He is also the Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial.Finally we head to the North End by way of the 115th annual Fisherman’s Feast, which kicks off August 14th and runs through August 17th. Domenic Strazzullo, the president of the Fisherman’s Feast, and The Boston Guido, one of the meatball competition judges, join us for the ultimate overview. To learn more go here.

The Broadway hit “The Wiz” is onstage at Citizens Opera House August 12 through August 24 by way of Broadway in Boston. The book was updated by comedian, writer and actress Amber Ruffin. She joins The Culture Show to talk about giving the musical a contemporary spin. Amber Ruffin hosted the late-night talk show, “The Amber Ruffin Show” on Peacock. She has been a writer for “Late Night with Seth Meyers” since 2014. To learn more about this production of “The Wiz,” go here.From there Armenian-Lebanese restaurateur Nina Festekjian, Founder and Executive Chef of Anoush’ella, joins The Culture Show to talk about their pop up experience Cafe Anoush. Every Thursday they will provide an open air dining experience at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center. To learn more, go here. Finally Eric Rosen, Artistic Director of The Cape Playhouse, joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for the historic theater and to give an overview of upcoming productions. To learn more go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review.First up, the Palace de Versailles is bringing some of its statues to life, using AI to make them interactive. From there, it’s been 10 years since Hamilton bounded on to Broadway. We’ll look at how it changed the way people think about musicals and produced them.Plus with Great Gatsby 100 years old this year we’ll endeavor to decode its iconic book cover.And Steve Martin is the ambassador for the Frick Collection, filming a series of videos encouraging visitors to return to the Fri’s revamped home on 5th Avenue.

Michael Ansara spent years as an activist and an organizer, starting with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, going on to be a regional organizer for Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). He spent 10 years organizing opposition to the war in Vietnam. For 15 years, he was a community organizer, including directing Mass Fair Share. He has worked on political campaigns, coordinated voter registration efforts, and trained many organizers. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his new memoir “The Hard Work of Hope,” which takes us into his days of activism. Ansara is also a published poet and co-founder of Mass Poetry. To learn more about his upcoming book events go hereChristine Baranski has played a variety of strong women on stage and screen, including Agnes van Rhijn in HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and attorney Diane Lockhart on “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight.” She joins The Culture Show ahead of “The Gilded Age’s” season finale and to preview her event tonight, headlining a special edition of the John G. Winslow Lecture at The Elms, one of the famous Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. To learn more go here.Finally Katie Hanson, William and Ann Elfers Curator of Paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits.” It’s on view through Sep 7, 2025. To learn more, go here.

Dennis Lehane, known for writing literary crime novels such as “Mystic River,” “Gone, Baby, Gone,” and “Shutter Island,” joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest collaboration with Apple TV+, the new crime series “Smoke.” Created by Dennis Lehane, the nine-episode drama – inspired by true events – follows an arson investigator who teams up with a police detective to stop two serial arsonists. The series is gripping, full of twists, secrets, and believably complex characters. Lehane also serves as writer and executive producer. Episodes drop every Friday. The series finale is on August 15th. To learn more go here.From there we look at the Boston Mayoral candidates and their vision for Boston’s arts and culture sector. Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative, joins The Culture Show to recap last week’s Mayoral forum on arts and culture, which was organized by MASSCreative as part of its Create the Vote Boston 2025 campaign.Finally, Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College joins The Culture Show to talk about development and construction in Boston and what the city’s skyline can accommodate when it comes to building skyscrapers. Mahesh Daas is a Culture Show contributor who joins us monthly. He is co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

Robert Reich served in three presidential administrations, including as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton. He’s served as an advisor– endeavoring on behalf of working people exploited by the system. As a professor he has been the ultimate explainer about rising inequality. As a public intellectual he pulls no punches–calling out the bullies: anyone and any institution that threatens democracy and human decency. It’s a life’s work on which he reflects in his new book “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America.” He joins The Culture Show to talk about it. On September 2nd he’ll be at Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here.From there the filmmaking duo, brothers Frank Ciota and Joe Ciota, join The Culture Show to talk about their years of collaboration and their new film, “Cassino in Ischia.” It’s a romantic comedy that follows the misadventures of Nic Cassino, a fading action hero who is fighting for an ultimate cinematic comeback. Finally comedian and story teller Phoebe Potts joins The Culture Show to talk about her one-woman show “Too Fat for China,” centers on the ups and downs of her quest to adopt a child. It’s onstage at Central Square Theater August 7th through August 10th. To learn more go here.

Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to talk about the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project, in partnership with Embrace Boston, a life-size bronze monument of W.E.B. Du Bois was recently unveiled in Great Barrington, MA, Du Bois’ hometown and birthplace. The unveiling marks the beginning of a statewide initiative through the Everyone250 coalition – a statewide effort to commemorate untold stories and elevate inclusive history as part of the U.S. Semiquincentennial.From there Culture Show producer Kate Dellis takes us to Woonsocket, Rhode Island for a night at Chan’s Home of Egg Rolls and Blues, one of the best jazz and blues venues hiding in plain sight.Finally we’re joined by Elijah Wald. On August 6, the musician and historian, whose book inspired the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," will perform his show "Bob Dylan in Greenwich Village" at Club Passim. In this historical concert, Elijah will weave together music and storytelling to trace Dylan's evolution from a young folk and blues singer into the iconic voice of a generation. To learn more go here.

Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III host our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Elon Musk releases “Ani,” an AI anime sexualized chatbot. From there we look at how an anti-pronography group has pressured Itch.io and Steam to de-index thousands of titles that have adult and NSFW content.Then we head to DC to look at Republican lawmakers' push to rename the Kennedy Center after President Trump, and we’ll look at Trump’s plans to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House.Plus American Eagle and Dunkin’ have stirred things up with ads that focus on genetics, perpetuating notions about beauty norms, on that front Vogue has introduced an AI model, furthering unrealistic notions of beauty.Finally we raise a glass to the “Golden Girls.” The sassy sitcom is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

David M Stewart joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book is “There's No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme.” Stewart is a film journalist who teaches film and media studies at Emerson College, Plymouth State University, South College and Southern New Hampshire University. His latest book is “There's No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme.” He has some upcoming book events: On August 4th he’ll be in New York City at the Bryant Park Reel Talks Series and on August 7th he’ll be in Concord, New Hampshire at Gibson's Bookstore. You can find him on social media @filmnerddave.From there Emily Falk joins The Culture Show to talk about her recent piece for the New York Times, which explains the science behind doomscrolling. Emily Falk is a leading neuroscientist and expert in the science of behavior change. She is a professor of communication, psychology, and marketing at the University of Pennsylvania and Vice Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication. Her new book is “What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change.” Finally we enter Zone 3 on Western Ave. Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the public art hotspot. She’s 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.

“Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out,” is a concert and discussion series celebrating protest music. The series is inspired by James Sullivan’s book Which Side Are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs. James Sullivan, a journalist, author and longtime contributor to the Boston Globe, joins The Culture Show to talk about his book and this series. The next event is scheduled for August 13th at The Lizard Lounge. To learn more go here.From there Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their current exhibition “Presidential Pets.” To learn more go here.Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show for her monthly appearance. Today she discusses how President Trump is changing the arts and culture landscape, as well as the continued impact of federal funding cuts on higher education.

The Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s production of Theresa Rebeck’s "The Understudy," is onstage at Club Café through August 2nd. Paula Plum, a five-time Elliot Norton Award winner, is directing the play. The acclaimed actor, director, writer and educator joins us for an overview, To learn more about the production go here.From there sociologist and writer Tiffany Jenkins joins The Culture Show to talk about her new book, “Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Privacy.” From ancient times to our digital present, Jenkins takes us through the emergence of private life and the forces – from social media to surveillance – that are now threatening it.Finally we continue our series “Countdown to 2026.” Ashley Payne, Director of Tourism & Marketing for the City of New Bedford, joins The Culture Show to talk about the role that the whaling city played in America’s fight for independence.

Lightroom and Paquin Entertainment Group have brought The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks to Boston. This is an immersive experience combining storytelling and rare NASA archival footage to bring the stories of the Apollo missions to life. It is narrated and co-written by Tom Hanks. Producer Richard Slaney, CEO of Lightroom, joins The Culture Show for an overview. This exhibition is on view at the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza. To learn more go here. From there Culture Show contributor Jane Eaglen, a Grammy-winning dramatic soprano, joins us to talk about opera as a contact sport. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society. Finally we head to Boston’s North End with a look at Old North Church’s exhibition “Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids.” Emily Spence, Director of Education at Old North Illuminated and Nadia Kline, Public Archaeologist for the City of Boston, join The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more about this exhibition go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review.First up, the latest developments in Coldplaygate. From there it’s onto Netflix, which has decided to not renew their $100 million contract with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The Streaming network also has a hit on its hands with “K-Pop Demon Hunters”Then we review UNESCO’s 2025 list of World Heritage Sites, which doesn’t include anything in the United States because the Trump administration has withdrawn from the organization for a second time.Finally, it’s a huge loss for pop culture this week. We reflect on the legacies of three major figures who died this week starting with actor and director Malcolm Jamal-Warner who was best known as the teenager Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show;” Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness who was a heavy metal icon and reality TV star; finally, Hulk Hogan, the man who became the face of pro-wrestling and popularized the theatrical sport.

Elisa New joins The Culture Show to talk about her recent op-ed in the New York Times, “Walt Whitman Would Have Hated This,” a reflection on how the poet would have responded to federal cuts to humanities education. Elisa New is the Director and Host of the PBS series “Poetry in America,” and she leads the Educational Media Innovation Studio at Arizona State University.From there Robin Givhan joins The Culture Show to talk about her new book “Make it Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh.” Robin Givhan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and the Washington Post’s senior critic-at-large, writing about politics, race and the arts. To learn more about “Make it Ours,” go here.Finally former Boston City Councillor Mike Ross joins The Culture Show to talk about his father, Holocaust survivor Steve Ross, When Steve Ross was 14 years-old he was liberated from the Dachau concentration camp. One of the first people he encountered was Lt. Steve Sattler, an American tank commander. Lt. Sattler embraced Steve, offered him food, and gave him a small American flag. Now Mike Ross and his sister Julie Ross are donating this flag to the Holocaust Museum Boston.

Anna Barber, Curator of Exhibitions at Martha's Vineyard Museum joins The Culture Show for an overview of their sprawling exhibition “Jaws’ at 50: A Deeper Dive,” It’s on view through September 7th. To learn more go here.From there Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins us for our recurring feature, Stage and Screen Time–a look at the latest movies and plays in theaters now. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews on Joyce’s Choices.Finally we continue our “Countdown to 2026,” with Zara Anishanslin on her latest book “The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution.” Zara Anishanslin is a Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware. To learn more go here.

Vanessa Bumpus, Exhibit Coordinator at Museum of Worcester, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their permanent installation celebrating Worcester’s industry since the early 19th century. It’s an expansive survey of the innovators, workers, investors who have made industry the story of Worcester. To learn more go here. From there, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company brings “As You Like It,” to the Parkman Bandstand for their annual - and free - Shakespeare on the Common production. Actress Nora Eschenheimer, who stars as Rosalind, and actor Michael Underhill, who stars as Orlando, join The Culture Show for an overview. “As You Like It” runs July 23rd through August 10th. To learn more go here.Finally, Culture Show contributor Pedro Alonzo takes us on a tour through Europe, with stops at museums and art installations in rural Spain, Berlin and beyond. Pedro Alonzo is an independent curator and the Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial.

Actor and playwright William Jackson Harper is known for his Emmy Award-nominated performance as Chidi Anagonye on “The Good Place.” He also has an esteemed film and theater career. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Dr. Astrov in the Broadway revival of “Uncle Vanya.” He joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest role, playing Jim in Tennessee Williams' rare prison drama, “Not About Nightingales." It’s onstage through August 3rd as part of Williamstown Theatre Festival’s current season. To learn more about Williamstown Theatre Festival and “Not About Nightingales,” go here.From there Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Richard Russo joins The Culture Show, to talk about his new book "Life and Art.” It’s a COVID-era meditation on his childhood, adulthood and what it means to be an artist. Finally we head to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for an overview of their exhibition “Ming Fay: Edge of The Garden.” Gabrielle Niu, the Gardner’s Assistant Curator of the Collection and Exhibitions, leads the way. To learn more about the Ming Fay exhibition go here.

Today Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review.First up, we look at the future of public media now that Congress has stripped more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.From there it’s “Fight for America!,” a live, immersive performance centered around a large-scale tabletop wargame that explores the events of January 6th at the U.S. Capitol. It’s onstage in London and will land in Washington DC next January.Then we review the notable Americans who president Trump will honor in his National Garden of American Heroes. And speaking of heroes, how the super hero “Superman” movie is sparking controversy among conservative critics who say it’s a super woke.Finally a piece of cinematic history, Rosebud the sled from Citizen Kane, sells at auction for $14.75 million.

Science Journalist and author Chris Berdik joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back.” It details our chronic exposure to noise, how it's affecting our health, and the people who are working to bring the noise down and improve our quality of life.From there it’s another episode 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, Janie Barnett has chosen to go deep on Cyndi Lauper’s “She’s So Unusual.” Janie Barnett is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her latest album is “Under My Skin: Reimagining Cole Porter.” Finally, the acclaimed flute player Emi Ferguson joins us to talk about her collaboration with the baroque ensemble Ruckus. They’ve released a new album “Fly the Coop: Bach Sonatas and Preludes.” On July 25th they'll be performing at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. The show is presented by Music Worcester. To learn more go here.

Adam Aleksic—founder and former president of the Harvard Undergraduate Linguistics Society, and content creator posting educational videos as the “Etymology Nerd”—joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language.” Tonight he’ll be at the Harvard Book Store. To learn more go hereIn 1985 Marty McFly skateboarded onto the silver screen — and into cinematic history — with the blockbuster, “Back to The Future.” In this sci-fi classic, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown turns a DeLorean into a plutonium-powered time machine. Then, in an experiment gone awry, Marty McFly finds himself taking a ride of his lifetime, going back to 1955 where he meets his parents when they were teenagers. Now audiences can time travel back to 1985 by way of “Back to the Future, The Musical.” It’s onstage at Citizens Opera House by way of Broadway in Boston through July 20th. To learn more go here.Finally, artist Steve Locke. His exhibition at Mass MoCA, “The Fire Next Time,” is a nod to James Baldwin’s 1963 book by the same name. Like Baldwin, in this exhibition Steve Locke contemplates American history, racism and violence directed at Black and queer people. Steve Locke is a professor of fine art at Pratt Institute. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his work.

What happened to young Elphaba before she was saddled with the wicked mantle? Almost 30 years after the publication of “Wicked,” Gregory Maguire offers readers Elphaba’s origin story in a new book titled “Elphie: A Wicked Childhood.” He joins The Culture Show to talk about it.From there comedian, actress and singer-songwriter Margaret Cho joins The Culture Show to talk about her new album “Lucky Gift.”Finally, the film “Maria,” tells the story of a diva in decline: Maria Callas, one of history's most celebrated opera sopranos. The reviews from film critics are mixed, but what does Jane Eaglen, the Grammy award-winning soprano think about the biopic? Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society.

Reginald Dwayne Betts is an award-winning poet, a lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads, a first of its kind organization working to transform access to books in prisons. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Doggerel: Poems.” From there David Grann, author of “The Wager,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon," is a #1 “New York Times” best selling author and an award-winning staff writer at “The New Yorker” magazine. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his writing and reporting process, and adapting his work for the screen.Finally comedian, television host, advocate and New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Handler joins The Culture Show to talk about her new book “I’ll Have What She’s Having.” It’s a collection of hilarious and heartfelt essays that detail what it took for her to become the woman she always wanted to be.

Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, the cofounders of the new wave band Devo join The Culture Show to talk about cultural de-evolution, the genesis of their band, how they came to be one of the most original groups in the history of rock music.From there “New York Times” bestselling author Alison Bechdel joins The Culture Show to talk about her new comic novel “Spent.” Finally James Parker, a staff writer at “The Atlantic,” joins The Culture Show to talk about his piece “When Robert Frost was Bad.” James Parker runs the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and he edits “The Pilgrim,” a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston. His latest book is “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes.”

Today writer Noah Gittell joins The Culture Show to talk about his book “Baseball: The Movie.” Gittell, a sportswriter and film critic, takes us through the history of the baseball movie; tracking how they have changed over the years from being mostly feel good to nostalgic to to cynical. Gittell says that the way the baseball film has changed reflects how American values have changed. From there we launch our inaugural episode in our series “Sound Files.” We’ll be inviting local musicians and cultural critics to zero in on one of their favorite entries in the US National Recording Registry. First up, Dart Adams. The journalist, historian and lecturer has chosen to go deep on De La Soul’s “3 Feet High and Rising.” Finally, Medford’s new poet Laureate, Max Heinegg joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for making poetry more accessible. Heinegg is a high school English teacher, published poet, recording artist and he co-owns Medford Brewing Company. To learn more go here.

Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theater with support from The Huntington present the fifth installment of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, “Kufre n’ Quay.” Mfoniso Udofia joins The Culture Show to talk about reaching the midpoint of her none-play cycle. “Kufre n’ Quay” is onstage July 10 - July 26th. To learn more go here.From there artist, arts-educator and co-founder of Street Theory Collective Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs joins The Culture Show to talk about an upcoming exhibition, From The Page To The Stage. This is a dynamic mural exhibition by the Street Theory Collective. The Wagner Foundation is partnering with them to host this exhibition, which is on view July 10th through December 5th at the Wagner Foundation Gallery in Central Square. The opening reception is tomorrow night. To learn more go here.Finally we continue our ongoing series “Countdown to 2026,” our recurring dive into the events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. Today we look at the experiences of Black Americans during the Revolutionary War period; it’s the focus of a new exhibition at the Museum of African American History titled “Black Voices of the Revolution.” Dr. Noelle Trent, President and CEO of the Museum of African American History, joins The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more about the exhibition go here.