The Culture Show Podcast

Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to talk about what it means to honor Black History Month amid President Trump’s DEI rollbacks.From there Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of Boston Ballet, joins The Culture Show for a preview of their upcoming production of “Swan Lake,” which is onstage at the Citizens Opera House February 27th through March 16th.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes on a virtual tour of the three works of public art that will fill anyone with hope and joy. 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.

“New York Times” bestselling author Joseph Finder joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book, “The Oligarch’s Daughter,” which tells the story of Paul Brightman, a man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town with a million-dollar bounty on his head. The suspenseful thriller takes us into the worlds of global intelligence, Wall Street and Russian Oligarchs.From there we mark the 20th anniversary of the CatalystCollaborative@MIT. The partnership between MIT and Central Square Theatre is the longest-running collaboration between a research institution and a professional theatre. Two of the co-founders, Alan Lightman and Debra Wise, join The Culture Show to talk about its trajectory and their current play “SPACE,” which is presented by Central Square Theater as part of the Brit d’Arbeloff Women in Science and Catalyst Collaborative@MIT production. Finally we remember poet Danielle Legros Georges who died last week. She was born in Haiti and moved to the United States with her family when she was six. She grew up in Boston and left an indelible mark here as only the city’s second Poet Laureate, serving from from 2015 to 2019. She taught Creative Arts at Lesley University, and was a translator and published poet. She joined The Culture Show recently to talk about her latest book, “Three Leaves,Three Roots: Poems on the Haiti-Congo Story.”

Culture Show co-hosts Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and James Bennett II go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, President Trump purges the Kennedy Center and appoints himself Chair of the Board. From there, it’s the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which just unveiled its list of the 2025 nominees. Patti Smith announces a sprawling tour schedule to mark the 50th anniversary of her album “Horses,” Paul McCartney wows fans with a surprise performance at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. Finally, this weekend marks SNL’s 50th anniversary and they are going big with events spanning the entire weekend.

Amor Towles. The bestselling author of “Rules of Civility,” “A Gentleman in Moscow,” and “The Lincoln Highway,” jins The Culture Show to talk about his new bestseller, “Table for Two”From there, we get an inside perspective on how Notre Dame was rebuilt. Vermont timber framer Will Gusakov, owner of Goosewing Timberworks, was among the international craftspeople tapped to work on the cathedral’s reconstruction effort. He shares what it meant to be a part of history.Finally, Ayodele Casel. The trailblazing tap dancer and choreographer talks about her show, “Diary of a Tap Dancer,” which traces her life, from the Bronx to Puerto Rico, celebrating the women dancers who broke the tap ceiling along the way.

Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic for The Washington Post, Sebastian Smee joins the Culture Show to talk about his new book, “Paris in Ruins,” which takes us to 19th century Paris, where the horrors of government corruption, civil war, and rampant destruction were beyond brutal. Smee also details how it created a generation of artists who responded to the despair by using vivid colors and swift brushstrokes to create beauty and brilliance. It led, he writes, to Impressionism. From there, a golden opportunity for illustrator Dale Stephanos: designing the Betty White Postage Stamp. He joins The Culture Show to talk about fulfilling a life-long dream and what it took to capture the essence of the beloved actress and golden girl.Finally, James Beard award-winning chef Christina Tosi. Founder of Milk Bar and her famed Milk Bar pie, she joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest cookbook, which features more than 100 sweet and savory recipes.

Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy discusses his film “Small Things Like These,” which he produced and starred in. He also gives us a preview of the Peaky Blinders movie.From there, Annette Gordon-Reed. She’s an historian, lawyer and Pulitzer-prize winning writer. Her latest book, “On Juneteenth,” explores the holiday commemorating the day Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. Finally, famous for its role in the historic ride, Boston’s Old North Church has embarked on its own journey to restore the artwork that graced its walls during the American Revolution. Culture Show Producer Kate Dellis brings us the story with a behind-the-scenes look at this restoration.

Actor and author Marianne Leone joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book, “Five-Dog Epiphany: How a Quintet of Badass Bichons Retrieved Our Joy,” From there New Bedford poet Erik Andrade joins The Culture Show to talk about poetry as activism. Erik Andrade is an award winning spoken word poet. Recently his work was included in “Black Fire This Time Vol. 2,” a groundbreaking anthology celebrating the legacy and future of the Black Arts Movement. Finally, the music duo Eric and Will. Eric Vloiemans is a Dutch trumpet sensation, Cambridge native Will Holshouser is an accordion master – together they create original, evocative compositions that build on jazz, classical and folk music.

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, Emilia Pérez. Two weeks ago the movie seemed destined for Oscars gold with 13 nominations. Now leading actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s Academy Award campaign is in tatters amid a string of controversies that has Netflix distancing itself from her.Plus some of the greatest poets have called Massachusetts home– from Robert Frost to Robert Pinsky, Emily Dickenson to Tracy K. Smith, but the state didn't have a home for them. That all changed on Monday when Governor Healey signed an executive order, creating a poet laureate of Massachusetts. And McDonald's Shamrock Shake is back and so is its long lost mascot–who looks like he’s gathered some moss–the verdant Uncle O'Grimacey. Finally, it’s an auction with strings attached. A Stradivarius violin could fetch a record 18 million dollars.

Chelsea Spear, the poet with the golden ukulele joins The Culture Show for an in studio performance and to talk about her latest endeavor. She is the creative force behind the ukulele power pop project “Travels with Brindle” Her latest album, “No. 1 in Heaven Starring Travels With Brindle,” will be released on March 7th. On February 7th she drops her title track followed by a single release party that evening at the Lilypad in Cambridge. To learn more about the single release party go here. To explore her music, go here.From there, Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins us for another edition of “Stage and Screen,” which is a roundup of the plays and movies in theaters 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 at Joyce’sChoices.

Filmmaker Bruce David Klein discusses his latest documentary “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.” Its Boston premiere is February 7th at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. Bruce David Klein will be there for a Q and A. To learn more about the event go here.From there Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his recurring feature “AI: Actual intelligence,” where we tap into the most interesting thinkers in our region. His insights and observations are totally original and algorithm free. This month we’re talking about what it will take to rebuild Southern California in the wake of the wildfires. Mahesh Daas is the co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

The Tony and Emmy-award winning actor, writer and singer Alan Cumming joins The Culture Show to talk about his hit reality TV series, “The Traitors,” which kicked off season three last month. To keep abreast of everything Alan Cumming is up to, go here.From there the thrash metal band from Waipu, New Zealand, Alien Weaponry, joins The Culture Show ahead of tonight’s 7:00 show at the Royale. To learn more about the concert, go here.Finally, independent filmmaker, actor and author Joyn Sayles joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest novel “To Save the Man,”which sheds light on an American tragedy: the Wounded Knee Massacre, and the ‘cultural genocide’ experienced by the Native American children at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. On February 5th you can catch John Sayles at 6:00 in East Sandwich at an event at Titcomb’s Bookshop. To learn more go here, On February 6th you can catch him at the Duxbury Senior Center at 3:00, and on February 7th he’ll be in Guilford, CT at the Guilford Free Library at 6:00.

Courtney Swain, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, songwriter and sound artist joined The Culture Show for an in-studio performance. We were also joined by Nicole Taney, Artistic Director at Celebrity Series. On February 11th Courtney Swain will be performing at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville, as part of the contemporary music festival, Stave Sessions, which is presented by Celebrity Series. To learn more about the show go here.From there the innovative photographer Abelardo Morell joins The Culture Show to talk about his technique and his exhibition, now on view at the Clark Art Institute through February 17th, “Abelardo Morell: In the Company of Monet and Constable.” To learn more about the exhibition go here.Finally, we get an overview of “The Life & Times of Michael K,” with puppet master Craig Leo and actress Sandra Prinsloo. It’s a theatrical adaptation of JM Coetzee's 1983 novel, using exquisite puppetry to bring the story to life. A collaboration between South Africa’s Baxter Theater and Handspring Puppet Company, it’s presented by ArtsEmerson, onstage at the Emerson Paramount Center through February 9th. To learn more, go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week- in- review.First up, the Smithsonian Institution. They’re closing their DEI office and freezing federal hiring, following President Trump’s mandate. Even though the Smithsonian is not a federal agency, it gets a big chunk of funding from federal appropriations. So what will this mean for its many museums?And while representation might be purged from federal agencies, the opera house is a different story. After 138 years of hiding in plain sight, the first complete opera by a Black American composer gets its debut.Plus, Mona Lisa has something to smile about. Amid renovations at the Louvre, she’s going to get a room of her own.Finally, a recap of FireAid, the benefit concert raising funds for wildfire recovery and prevention.

Fabiola Méndez, the celebrated Puerto Rican cuatrista and singer, joins The Culture Show for an in-studio performance. Méndez and her ensemble are performing February 8th, as part of CROMA Space’s 2025 season. CROMA Space, which is located in Boston’s historic Arlington Street Church, is dedicated to Latin American cultural diversity. To learn more about this upcoming show go here.From there, Oren Etzioni. The computer scientist and Artificial Intelligence pioneer is a self-described AI optimist. He’s also a realist who is alarmed by the downsides of AI, such as disinformation. He recently founded TrueMedia.org, which offers tools for fighting A.I.-manipulated content, such as deep fakes.Finally, it’s time for Actual Intelligence with Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, Executive Director of Roxbury International film Festival. She discusses all things movies, from the Oscar nominations to Sundance to the local film series that are showing across Boston, including two upcoming events featuring Lisa Simmons 1) Amplifying Voices Film Festival at The Cabot this weekend. To learn more, go here. And next weekend Lisa Simmons will moderate a panel following the screening of “Look Into My Eyes,” at Emerson Paramount Center. To learn more, go here.

The musical “Funny Girl,” is coming to town by way of Broadway in Boston. We get a preview with actress Hannah Shankman who stars as Fanny Brice. “Funny Girl” is onstage at Citizens Opera House February 4th through February 16th. To learn more go here.From there, the Boston Athenaeum has launched its newest exhibition, “Frank M. Costantino: Visionary Projects,” presenting the drawings of eminent Boston-based architectural illustrator Frank M. Costantino. Lauren Graves, Associate Curator at the Boston Athenaeum and Frank M. Costantino join The Culture Show for a preview. To learn more about the exhibition, which is on view through May 3rd go here.Finally, The Boston Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with Boston Lyric Opera, presents Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s “Die tote Stadt.” Showcasing soprano Christine Goerke in her role debut, Goerke joins The Culture Show along with Tony Fogg, the BSO's Vice-President of Artistic Planning, for an overview. “Die tote Stadt” will be performed on January 30th and February 1st at Symphony Hall. To learn more go here.

Playwright Jordan E. Cooper joins The Culture Show to talk about his play “Ain’t No Mo,’” a satirical take on racism in America, which garnered six Tony award nominations. “Ain’t No Mo’” is a co-production by SpeakEasy Stage Company and Front Porch Arts Collective. It’s onstage through February 8th at Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion. To learn more, go here.From there, storied independent record label Run For Cover Records is celebrating its 20th anniversary – teaming up with The Bowery Presents – for “Something In The Way,” a two-day indie rock, emo, and shoegaze festival taking place at Roadrunner this weekend, February 1st and 2nd. Tom Chiari, label manager at Run For Cover Records, joins The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more go here.Finally, 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. Tonight at 6:00 she’ll be at The Brattle Theatre at an event sponsored by Harvard Book Store. To learn more about the event, go here.

Alton Brown, the television personality, food show presenter, food scientist, author, voice actor, and cinematographer joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations.” It’s a debut collection of personal essays defined by his flair, wit, and insight. On February 8th at 1:00 you can catch Alton Brown at a book signing event at Harvard Book Store, more details here. Brown will return to Boston by way of his “Last Bite” tour at the Boch Center Wang Theatre on March 14th. To learn more go here.From there Beth Gilligan, Deputy Director at Coolidge Corner Theatre, previews their upcoming series “Cary Grant: The Man From Dream City,” which runs February 4th through February 25th. To learn more go here.Finally Kate Hamill, actor and playwright, joins The Culture Show to talk about “The Odyssey. ” Commissioned by the American Repertory Theater, Hamill turns a contemporary lens on Homer’s “Odyssey,” reimagining the stories of both Odysseus and his wife, Penelope, and asking how we can learn to embrace healing and forgiveness in order to end cycles of violence and revenge. “The Odyssey,” is onstage at ART’s Loeb Drama Center February 9th through March 16th. 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, the Oscar nominations are out and “Emilia Pérez” breaks the record for the most Oscar nominations for a foreign language film. “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” aren’t far behind, with each movie garnering 10 Oscar nods. We’ll look at the other surprises, snubs and snoozers.And, “The Brutalist” might be shining at the Oscars, but the light is going out on modern architecture with President Trump’s executive order, mandating classical architecture for all federal buildings.Plus it’s a tabloid takedown, with Prince Harry settling a legal battle with Rupert Murdoch –winning an apology and an eight figure sum. Finally, The Doobie Brothers, George Clinton and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins are among the Songwriter Hall of Fame 2025 inductees.

The documentary film, “Resistance: They Fought Back” tells the little-known story of how widespread and prevalent Jewish resistance to Nazi barbarism was during World War II. The film’s Executive Producer Paula Apsell joins The Culture Show to talk about it ahead of its premiere on PBS, January 27th, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. To learn more about how to watch it, go here. Paula Apsell is a Senior Executive Producer Emerita of “Nova” and “Nova Science Now” and CEO of Leading Edge Productions.From there Chemehuevi photographer Cara Romero joins The Culture Show to talk about her first major solo exhibition at the Hood Museum of Art, Cara Romero: Panûpünüwügai (Living Light). Spanning the past decade of her work, this exhibition presents a thematic examination of Romero's complex and layered images, which celebrate the multiplicity, beauty, and resilience of Native American and Indigenous experiences.Finally we look at the state of the craft brewing industry. In a recent New York Times article, Joshua M. Bernstein writes about its breakneck growth over the decades, and its decline. 2024 marked the first time since 2005 that more breweries closed than opened. Joshua M. Bernstein is an award-winning writer and beer, spirits, food and wine journalist. His latest book is “The Complete Beer Course.”

The dynamic dining duo, Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa join the Culture Show to go over the local restaurant acne, from the latest openings, to the latest closings and must-have meals. Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa are co-hosts of NESN's "Dining Playbook" and "Meet Boston with Billy and Jenny.” Their new book is “A Taste of Boston: The Definitive Cookbook of the City We Love.” From there it’s countdown to the Boston Public Art Triennial. It will feature 18 large-scale public art commissions, by local, national and international artists. Including the artist collective and self-proclaimed “public secret society,” New Red Order, whose work imagines what an Indigenous future could look like. Multimedia artist Jackson Polys is one of the core members. Polys and culture show contributor Pedro Alonzo, who is Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial, join The Culture Show.Finally, we get an overview of the Boston Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge to read a book by an author from each of six geographic regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. Veronica Koven-Matasy, the reader services supervisor at the central library in Copley Square, joins The Culture Show for an overview.

“Forbidden Broadway,” is a Tony award-winning show that skewers Broadway musicals with love. It’s the brainchild of playwright and parodist Gerard Alessandrini. Debuting in 1982, Alessandrini has created multiple iterations of “Forbidden Broadway.” His latest production is “Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song. “ Alessandrini, a Needham native and founding father of the spoof “Spamilton” joins The Culture Show for a preview of “Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song,” which is onstage at the Emerson Colonial Theatre for three performances, February 8th and 9th. To learn more, go here.From there we’re joined by Mumbai-based writer and director Payal Kapadia, Her debut dramatic feature film, “All We Imagine as Light” has garnered international acclaim, which includes the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. Closer to home, she recently received The Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award. Her film will be opening in multiple theatres across Boston this Friday, January 24th. For a deeper look at the film, on February 9th “All We Imagine as Light,” will be featured at West Newton Cinema’s “Behind the Screen” event. To learn more, go here.Finally, writer Karen Valby joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book, “The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History,” It is among the New York Times’ 100 Notable books of 2024.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III discuss President Trump’s inauguration through the lens of arts and culture. They’ll also focus on what Trump’s presidency will mean for the arts and culture sector.From there we mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a conversation about The Embrace memorial and sculpture on Boston Common, which honors Martin Luther King, Jr., Correta Scott King and their fight for civil rights. Jha D. Amazi joins us to talk about the collaborative effort that went into creating The Embrace, which was crafted by MASS Design Group in partnership with artist Hank Willis Thomas. Jha D. Amazi is a senior associate at MASS Design Group, and Director of the Public Memory and Memorials Design Lab. Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a public art tour of the public art throughout Greater Boston that honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders. 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.

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 Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision upholding a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell the platform in order for the app to continue operations in the United States. What could this mean for the social media juggernaut, and for free speech?From there, we remember the legacy of the innovative and industrious filmmaker, artist and composer David Lynch, who died at age 78. He radicalized film and influenced a generation of actors and directors. And California is still ablaze, leaving a number of architectural landmarks in ashes and disrupting awards season, prompting a debate if they should be televised–or even happen– amid the devastation.Finally, Bad Bunny returns to his roots with a concert residency in Puerto Rico.

In 1991 New England Law Professor Mary Joe Frug was murdered in Harvard Square. More than 30 years on, the case remains unsolved. Michael Cassidy was a prosecutor in Massachusetts when the crime was committed. He’s been haunted by the slaying ever since. One way to grapple with it, write a legal thriller based on the case. His inaugural novel is titled “‘When the Past is All Deception.” He joins The Culture Show to talk about writing the legal thriller. Michael Cassidy is a nationally recognized expert in criminal law and legal ethics and a professor of law at Boston College Law School.From there it’s cooking up a new way to teach, literally. Erica Pernice, an adjunct faculty member at Rhode Island School of Design, is teaching her industrial design students product development in the kitchen. It’s a place where they can learn how to Iterate, critique, and control one variable at a time and iterate again, and again.Finally Andrés Holder, Executive Director of Boston Children’s Chorus joins The Culture Show to preview their 22nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute concert, “Road to Freedom,” which explores the legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The performance is on January 20th at 4:00 at Symphony Hall. To learn more, go here.

Pianist and composer Barron Ryan joins “The Culture Show” ahead of his January 17th concert at the First Congregational Church in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. His latest album is “There Arises Light in the Darkness.” To learn more about Barron Ryan’s concert go here.Tara Sellios is a Boston based artist whose photographs highlight the beauty of the grotesque. Sellios creates still life vignettes from organic materials including animal bones, insect specimens, and dried flowers which she photographs using a large format 8 X 10 camera. Her new exhibition, "Tara Sellios: Ask Now the Beasts" is on view at the Fitchburg Art Museum January 18, 2025 - January 18, 2026. To learn more, go here.WINTERACTIVE is back. The free, walkable art experience features more than 15 artworks and interactive play elements. Michael Nichols and Mike Geiger join The Culture Show for an overview. Michael Nicols is the President of the Downtown Boston Alliance, which is hosting and producing WINTERACTIVE in partnership with Quebec-based curatorial partners and independent artists working in Boston, Canada, and beyond. Mike Geiger is an artist whose light installation, “Nature’s Glow,” is featured among the WINTERACTIVE works of public art.

Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to preview Embrace Boston’s Imari Paris Jeffries of Embrace honors MLK gala, which celebrates the legacies of outstanding civic, business, and community leaders in Boston and across the country. The gala is Sunday, January 19th, To learn more, go here.From there we get a preview of Le Prestige’s upcoming show at Lizard Lounge. Chris Forkey, the band's leader, composer and bassist along with John Glenshaw, the band’s drummer, join The Culture Show to talk about their music. Le Prestige will be performing on January 22nd. To learn more, go here. Finally David Malan joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for Arlington’s Regent Theatre. He is professor of computer science at Harvard university and he recently joined the historic Regent Theatre in Arlington as its operator.

Choreographer Mark Morris joins The Culture Show to talk about “The Look of Love,” which is an homage to the music of Burt Bacharach. The show features music newly arranged by jazz pianist, composer, and Mark Morris Dance Group’s musical collaborator Ethan Iverson. The show is a fusion of dance and music with an ensemble of vocals, piano, trumpet, bass, and drums, led by singer, actress, and Broadway star Marcy Harriell. The Look of Love is presented by Global arts live. It is onstage at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre January 23rd through January 26th. To learn more, go here.From there we’re joined by contemporary artist Kay WalkingStick. A member of the Cherokee Nation who is also of European descent, her paintings of the American landscape explore relationships between people and the earth. She discusses an exhibition now on view at the Addison Gallery of American Art through February 2nd, “Kay WalkingStick/Hudson River School”Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show to remember president Jimmy Carter as a president for the arts. She also discusses the Berkshires arts scene, plus her top art experiences of 2024.

The Culture Show's co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III talk through the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up - Southern California is ablaze, and unprecedented wildfires have spared no one. Hollywood celebrities - from Billy Crystal to Paris Hilton – are posting images of how the flames have destroyed their homes. Could their platform help to amplify both the environmental emergency and the heroism of the firefighters in a race to save people’s lives?From there, Amazon is set to release a new documentary about Melania Trump, which promises to be an “unprecedented behind-the-scenes look” at the incoming first lady’s life” Skeptics call it a “vanity project” since the former future first lady is the film’s executive producer. Plus, as Silicon Valley prepares for another Trump Presidency, Mark Zuckerberg is unfriending fact-checks, saying they curb censorship. . Fact-checkers say he’s got his facts on how fact-checking actually works all wrong, From there - Jennifer Coolidge fans are in disbelief as they claim the White Lotus actress dropped her act and used her "real voice" in a recent interview.

The movie “Maria,” the biopic about the famed soprano Maria Callas, has received mixed reviews from movie critics. We want to know what someone familiar with opera thinks about the film. Enter Jane Eaglen, a Grammy-winning dramatic soprano who’s performed on the world’s greatest stages. She joined The Culture Show for her take on “Maria.” Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society. From there, we look at an underground art movement, literally. Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the MBTA’s subway art scene. 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, James Parker joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes: Odes to Being Alive.” He’s a staff writer at “The Atlantic.” Since 2011 he has been running the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and editing “The Pilgrim,” a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston.

The City of Lynn, Massachusetts, has opened an application process to select its inaugural Poet Laureate. LaCrecia Thomson, Arts and Culture Planner for the City of Lynn. joins The Culture Show, to talk about how this endeavor will help to deepen Lynn’s cultural legacy. The application process is open through January 31st. To learn more, go here.From there it’s artist and designer Beau McCall. He creates wearable and visual art by hand-sewing clothing buttons onto mostly upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects. Beau McCall’s first-ever retrospective “Buttons On!” is on view at the Fuller Craft Museum through February 2nd. The retrospective showcases pieces from McCall’s nearly forty-year career, the debut of several new works, and select archival material. Organized into several themes, the exhibition explores McCall’s mastery of the button and commentary on topics such as pop culture and social justice. To learn more about the exhibition, go here.Finally Mahesh Daas, President of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his analysis of “The Brutalist.” The critically acclaimed film centers on a Jewish architect who arrives in America after WWII hoping to build a new life. 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.”

Tomasina Ray, Director of Collections at RMS Titanic Inc., joins The Culture Show with an overview of “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.” The exhibition brings us face to face with the dramatic maritime disaster. Visitors encounter artifacts from all manner of life aboard the Titanic, all recovered from the ocean floor. “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,” is on view at The Castle at Park Plaza through Memorial Day.Michael Berthaud is a 23 year old video game designer and multimedia artist born and raised in Boston. He joins the Culture Show to talk about his interactive public art installation “Sweet Spot.” It’s on view outside the Nubian Square Library in Roxbury through Jan. 31, as part of the Boston Public Art Triennial Accelerator program.Finally Erica Wall, Director of the Lunder Institute for American Art, an initiative of the Colby College Museum of Art, joins the Culture Show to talk about how she has been convening a conversation among numerous art institutions about the state of American art and what needs to be done to make it more accessible.

The New Bedford Art Museum in partnership with the New Bedford Free Public Library and Look North Gallery presents: “Arctic Voices,” an exhibition representing artistic responses to the arctic region across time and cultures. One of the featured artists, Betsey Biggs, joins The Culture Show along with Suzanne de Vegh, executive director of the New Bedford Art Museum. The exhibition features Betsey Biggs’ piece “MELT,” a remix of her immersive music film, titled “MELT: The Memory of Ice.” "Arctic Voices" is on view through February 23rd. To learn more, go here.From there we talk to Erika Rumbley, co-founder and director of The New Garden Society, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The non-profit is run by horticulturists, landscapers and farmers who are working to expand green industry opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in Greater-Boston. Erika Rumbley is also the director of horticulture at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.Finally it’s screen time with Ned Hinkle, the creative director of The Brattle Theatre. He joins The Culture Show to preview their upcoming series “(Some of) The Best of 2024.” The series runs January 15th through January 30th. To learn more go here.

The Culture Show's co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III talk through the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Popeye the Sailor is famous for his catchphrase “I yam what I yam.” Now he’s whoever you want him to be. Popeye –along with Heminginway’s “Farewell to Arms,” and George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” are among the thousands of creations whose copyrights expired this week. From there it’s President Jimmy Carter, the prolific writer. He wrote over 30 books, ranging from poetry, novels and memoirs. We’ll look at his literary legacy. Plus in 2024 moviegoers were truly repeat offenders. Nine of the top 10 box office hits this year were sequels. And number 10 was the prequel, “Wicked.”Speaking of spinoffs, has Walmart bested the Birkin Bag with its budget-friendly “Wirkin Bag"?Finally, the photography of Robert Frank. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has acquired his work capturing life in Paris in the 1940’s.

Curt DiCamillo joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “A British Country House Alphabet,” which explores intriguing historical events tied to country houses in the UK, with stunning illustrations.Three volumes in total, the first covers the letters A through H. Curt DiCamillo is an American architectural historian and a recognized authority on the British country house. He is also the Curator for Special Collections at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston.From there it’s all aboard the Pequod. Amanda McMullen, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum joins The Culture Show to preview the 29th annual Moby-Dick Marathon. With related events kicking off on January 3rd, the Moby-Dick Marathon features a 25-hour read-a-thon from Saturday to Sunday, interspersed with exciting Melville-inspired activities. To learn more about the marathon experience, go here. Last but not least, comedian, actor and writer Tony V joins The Culture Show. He discusses the state of Boston’s comedy scene and what it means to be a comedian when comedy, once exempted from cultural norms, has been subjected to political correctness and cancel culture.

The three-time US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky has been lauded as one of the last civic poets. Yes, he’s an esteemed professor and renowned critic of poetry, but he is first and foremost a poet’s populist. It has been his mission to bring poetry to the people and the people to poetry. Robert Pinsky joins The Culture Show to discuss a new collection of work called: “Proverbs of Limbo.” From there, it’s rapper Cakeswagg. By day she is a theater teacher working with youth, and by night, she puts her theatrical skills to use, assuming her larger-than-life alter ego, Cakeswagg. After making a splash at Boston Calling she joins us to talk about her sophomore album, “Michelin Star.”Finally, artist Keefer Glenshaw has turned playing cello into an endurance sport. He’s performed for 24 hours straight. And, with a prompt from Yoko Ono, he performed another work that took him into the woods of Lexington. He joins The Culture Show with a performance and to talk about his creative pursuits.

Coinneach MacLeod is better known as The Hebridean Baker. His simple living, Scottish accent, and photographs of Scotland’s rugged landscape have made him an international bestseller. And then there are his bakes. He joins us to talk about his latest cookbook, “The Hebridean Baker at Home”From there, we head to the North End to find out what makes a perfect meatball and if it’s served with gravy or sauce.Finally, we’ve moved well beyond clam chowder and baked beans. Boston is now a foodie town and a new cookbook, “A Taste of Boston: The Definitive Cookbook of the City We Love,” by Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa, celebrates both our culinary landscape and the chefs who built it.

Today we cross into the underworld by way of “Eurydice.” It’s a hell raising opera, truly. With music by Matthew Aucoin and based on the play “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl, it’s a retelling of the myth of Orpheus, from the perspective of his bride. In this adaptation we follow Eurydice’s descent into the underworld, where her encounters are humorous, and heartbreaking–especially when she reunites with her father…a bond that proves hard to break. Eurydice had its Metropolitan Opera premier in 2021. Then it came here by way of Boston Lyric Opera which debuted a new orchestral arrangement. Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl join The Culture Show to discuss.From there, it’s viva la diva! Have we got it all wrong when it comes to throwing around the terms Diva and Prima Donna? Grammy award-winning diva, I mean soprano Jane Eaglen joins us to break down the opera parlance. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society. Finally, countertenor Reginald Mobley joins The Culture Show for an in-studio performance and to talk about his album, Because.

Ben Shattuck’s latest book, “The History of Sound,” is an extraordinary collection of interconnected stories that examine the lives and landscapes of New England. From a farm on Nantucket to the orchards of Hattfield and Barnstable to a logging camp in New Hampshire, Shattuck spans centuries in these haunting, tender and often humorous stories. From there, artist Alex Buchanan, a Coast Guard veteran and former mariner, rope is now his medium of choice. He literally weaves it and other maritime materials together to figuratively weave the threads of waste, ocean health and maritime culture.Finally, artist Jamie Wyeth. He takes us into the darker corners of the world, not to mention his imagination, by way of a collection of works that he says represent unsettling times, from his own personal upheaval to public unrest.

Today on The Culture Show, the one-man media conglomerate: Matt Farley. For him quality IS quantity. The Danvers based singer-songwriter is prolific. He’s written, produced and recorded more than 25,000 songs. He also makes movies, hosts podcasts and writes books. Then, it’s music to environmentalists’ ears. We check in with Adam Gardner. The lead singer of Guster is also leading the way to make the music industry more sustainable. Finally, how many pianos does it take to Celebrate Charles Ives? The pioneer in avant-garde music was recently celebrated at New England Conservatory with a series of concerts marking his 150th birthday. NEC’s Stephen Drury joins us to talk about Ives’ genius and where we can hear his influence today

It’s a story for the past, present and future: Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Though it was a reflection of Dickens’ times, the struggle between selfishness and selflessness endures. In Ebeneezer Scrooge, Dickens created both an antagonist and protagonist who went from being a covetous curmudgeon to a repentant man. Today we’re serving up two scoops of Scrooge with actors David Coffee and Karen MacDonald about what it takes to the iconic character.From there we hit the pause button on the Santaland soundtrack to make room for Blue Heron. The vocal ensemble takes us back to 15th century England with medieval music that will put you in the holiday spirit of yore.Finally, the gift that keeps on giving, the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ that’s been wowing audiences in Worcester for years.

Today on The Culture Show Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Callie Crossley are decking the airwaves this hour with a holiday spectacular.First up, the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s a film about second chances. It’s a film about gratitude. It’s also a great romance story. In Mr. Potter we have one of the best villains in cinematic history. And along the way we get a lesson in banking and New Deal values.From there it’s the film that people love, and actually love to hate: “Love Actually.” The rom com makes people laugh, makes people cry and makes some of you grinches out there cringe. We look at why it’s firmly in the cannon as the ultimate Christmas comfort watch. And Finally, the Christmas colossus known as The Hallmark Channel. It’s only November and Hallmark is already halfway through its “Countdown to Christmas,” broadcasting 40 new holiday films this season. We’ve made our holiday list and we’re checking it twice.

Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson make up the critically acclaimed, genre-defying band DWIGHT & NICOLE. They trace their musical roots through blues, R&B, and soul with a little roots rock, alternative, and Americana sprinkled in. On New Year’s Eve they'll take the stage at Regattabar to perform hits from their acclaimed album, “The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake.” Dwight & Nicole join The Culture Show ahead of their Regattabar show for a preview and in-studio performance. To learn more about their New Year’s Eve show, go here.From there we fast track it to Malden. Edgar B. Herwick III takes us to Charles Ro Supply Company. The nation’s largest model train store triples as a museum, a depot for train hobbyists, and a perfect place for holiday shoppers. FinallyCulture Show contributor Lisa Simmons joins us with her list of holiday films: “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” “This Christmas,” “Last Holiday,” “The Best Man Holiday,” “Meet Me Next Christmas,” “The Holiday,” and “ The Christmas Chronicles.” Lisa Simmons is the artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council.

Today 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, Boston City Hall. Whether you think it’s a masterpiece or a monstrosity, the Boston Landmarks Commission has voted to recognize one of the city’s most iconic and controversial structures as an historic landmark. But that’s not set in concrete until Mayor Michelle Wu and the City Council weigh in on its artistic significance.From there, a googly eyed bandit is running around Bend, Oregon, outfitting public art with big, cartoonish eyes…and the prankster is still at large.Plus, if you like plunging your hand into a sandworm or the mouth of a wolverine, you’re not alone. We have officially reached peak popcorn bucket with movie theater chains making big bucks by filling novelty items, such as a “Lord of the Rings” hammer or a “Gladiator II” coliseum replica with popcorn.

Ayodele Casel is a trailblazing tap dancer and choreographer. Her tap dancing is at once percussive and poetry in motion. She joins The Culture Show to talk about the world-premiere production, “Diary of a Tap Dancer.” It traces her life – from her first steps in the Bronx and Puerto Rico– and along the way it celebrates the extraordinary and often-overlooked women dancers who broke the tap ceiling. “Diary of a Tap Dancer” is onstage at the American Repertory Theater through January 4th. To learn more, go here.From there we look at the historic restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was made possible by the collective achievement of thousands of craftspeople, builders, firefighters, engineers, and architects. Among them was Will Gusakov. He’s a Vermont woodworker who was part of a New England team helping to rebuild Notre-Dame, working on the timber frame medieval roof system that was first built in 1200. Will Gusakov owns a timber framing company in Lincoln, Vermont, Goosewing Timberworks. He joins us to talk about being part of this remarkable undertaking.Finally, the best-selling author and literary columnist Nina MacLaughlin has written a meditation on the cold, the dark, the solitude that descends on us this time of year in her award winning essay book, “Winter Solstice.” She joins The Culture Show to talk about it.

Today on The Culture Show Mary Grant, President of MassArt, joins us for our recurring feature “AI: Actual intelligence,” where we tap into the most interesting thinkers in our region whose insights and observations are totally original and algorithm free. This month we discuss stories at the intersection of art, society and education, from a recent study on the brain benefits of seeing real works of art, to the MassArt Common Good Awards.From there The Culture Show’s co-hosts Callie Crossley, Jared Bowen and Edgar B Herwick III convene a holiday cocktail party with Jonathan Pogash, founder and owner of The Cocktail Guru, leading the way. Jonathan Pogash will return to GBH on February 14th for Valentine’s Day Soiree. To learn more about that event and how you can attend, go here. For the cocktail recipes featured on the show, visit our Instagram page.

Today on The Culture Show Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins us for his monthly segment: “AI: Actual intelligence,” where we tap into the most interesting thinkers in our region. Their insights and observations are totally original and algorithm free. Today Imari Paris Jeffries discusses President Biden commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes through the lens of Martin Luther King. Jr.’s legacy.. He also previews next month’s Embrace Honors MLK, which is on January 19th. To learn more about the event go here.From there we’re joined by singer-songwriter Les Sampou and composer, musician and songwriter Ed Grenga. Based in Massachusetts, they discuss their new album, “Best Day of the Year: Original Holiday Classics,” and what it’s like to score holiday films for Hallmark and Lifetime.Finally the innovative photographer Abelardo Morell joins The Culture Show to talk about his technique and his exhibition, now on view at the Clark Art Institute through February 17th, “Abelardo Morell: In the Company of Monet and Constable.” To learn more about the exhibition go here.

Tony award-winning musical “Six,” in all of its exuberant defiance, reclaims history for Henry VIII’s six wives. Now the queendom reigns at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre by way of Broadway in Boston. Today two of the queens – Danielle Mendoza who stars as Anne of Cleves and Alizé Cruz who stars as Catherine Howard – join The Culture Show. Six is onstage through December 29th. To learn more go here.From there Edgar B. Herwick III is joined by Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, Peter Sokolowski about the word of the year: “polarization.” They talk about how Merriam-Webster decides on the word of the year, how they track linguistic trends and some history behind the famed dictionary.Finally, we tap into a holiday tradition, “Midwinter Revels.” This year’s theme merges the Irish and Cabo Verdean cultures and seasonal customs in “The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman.” Director and Revels’ interim artistic director Debra Wise, Revels’ music director Elijah Botkin, vocalist and musician Liz Hanley and David Coffin, Revels’ artist-in-residence, join us for an overview. “Midwinter Revels: The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman” is onstage at Sanders Theatre through December 28th. To learn more go here.

Today on The Culture Show, Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III, and Callie Crossley go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up this week is Luigi Mangione. As soon as his unmasked face was made public and once people knew the name of the suspected gunman who allegedly killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson – fandom flooded the internet and the memes followed. From look-alike contests to combing through his reviews on GoodReads, Mangione has truly captured this cultural moment. What does that say about us when an alleged murderer becomes an instant movie-star-like celebrity?From there, we'll discuss the Museum of Fine Arts' decision to sell 20 Dutch and Flemish paintings from its collection. The museum plans on selling several deaccessioned Dutch and Flemish pieces. And finally, we'll remember the poet and public intellectual Nikki Giovanni who died earlier this week at age 81.

Engelbert Humperdinck is a multi-platinum legendary singer whose “Last Waltz Farewell Tour,” lands at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford where he performs on December 12th. Engelbert Humperdinck's latest album All About Love, is a collection of his own versions of some of some classic love songs. He joins The Culture Show to talk about it all.From there we get a preview of Revolutionary Spaces’ commemoration of the 251st anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. They’ll be staging with a world-class reenactment of the Meeting of the Body of the People at Old South Meeting House! Experience this pivotal moment in our nation’s history as you watch the vigorous debate that led to the destruction of tea on December 16, 1773. Matthew Wilding, Director of Interpretation & Education at Revolutionary Spaces joins us for an overview. To learn more about the reenactment and to get tickets go here.Finally, Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his recurring feature “AI: Actual intelligence,” where we tap into the most interesting thinkers in our region. Their insights and observations are totally original and algorithm free. This month we’re talking about Notre-Dame de Paris, and the five-year restoration that went into resurrecting it from the ashes after it was damaged by a fire in 2019. Mahesh Daas is the co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

The chamber ensemble Musicians of the Old Post Road is celebrating the holiday season with “Christmas Far and Wide,” a concert of festive 18th-century yuletide music from across the Western Hemisphere, making stops in Ireland, France, England. Poland, Mexico and more. They have two upcoming performances, one on December 14th at Trinity Lutheran in Worcester and another performance on December 15th at Old South Church in Boston. They both kick off at 4:00 PM. The co-Artistic directors, Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan join The Culture Show for an overview. Suzanne Stumpf is a flutist. Daniel Ryan is a cellist. We’re also joined by violinist and violist Sarah Darling. To learn more about the upcoming concerts go here.From there we’re joined by designer John Derian. He has a passion for vintage illustration, particularly 18th and 19th century imagery of the natural world. He joins us to talk about his latest book, John Derian Picture Book II. This Friday he’ll be in Roslindale Square at Joanne Rossman purveyor of the unnecessary & the irresistible for a book signing event, which kicks off at 4:00. To learn more go here.Finally, In what has become an annual tradition, the Jewish Arts Collaborative brings the Greater Boston community together to celebrate Hanukkah at the Museum of Fine Arts for “Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights”. Thousands of people gather each year for the annual celebration. And with MFA’s opening of its first gallery dedicated to Judaica last year, there’s even more depth, tradition and culture in the celebration. The Festival of Lights happens tomorrow, December 12th. Laura Mandel, Executive Director of JArts and Simona Di Nepi, Curator of Judaica at the Museum of Fine Arts, join The Culture Show for a preview. To learn more about the event go here.