Under the Radar with Callie Crossley

Rapper and business mogul Jay–Z has been booking the musical acts for the Super Bowl Halftime Show for 7 years. Next year, he’s booked himself to headline the pinnacle showcase of the NFL. How is this playing out with fans, especially after announcing the move during the 10-year anniversary of former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest? Plus, romantasy fans around the world celebrate the launch of Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Splintered Harmony,” artificial intelligence research company Anthropic is sued for allegedly using Elvis songs to train its AI agents, and British singer Raye wins a major award for her genre-bending album It’s our pop culture news roundtable! Guests Michael Jeffries, a professor of American studies at Wellesley College and the author of four books about race, culture and politics. Angelika Beener, award-winning journalist, DJ, producer and host of the podcast, “Milestones: Celebrating the Culture,” from New Jersey’s WBGO.

For four decades, Tom French climbed the proverbial career ladder, ascending to the top with great success. But as the 60-year-old faced his mandatory retirement, he realized he was ready to summit a different mountain by returning to the long-held dream of his youth: climbing Mt. Everest. How he made the decision and prepared for a journey few have dared to tackle is the riveting story of his new book that’s part adventure tale, part memoir and part outdoor travelogue. “The Gap Years: Climbing, Skiing, and the Journey Back” is our November selection for Bookmarked: the “Under the Radar” book club. Guest Tom French, a lifelong mountaineer, cross-country skier, and lover of the outdoors, senior partner emeritus of McKinsey & Company, board chair of the Trustees of Reservations, a director of Corning Incorporated, and author of “The Gap Years: Climbing, Skiing, and the Journey Back.”

*This episode addresses the elements, practices and mechanics of sex both on- and off-screen, including details about intercourse, nonconsensual sex and sexual health.* In last month's installment of "How We Love," we learn all about intimacy coordination with experts Lizzy Talbot ("Bridgerton," "Babygirl") and Robbie Taylor Hunt ("Red, White & Royal Blue," "Pillion.") For this special episode, we are joined by veteran intimacy coordinator Ita O'Brien, who has taught countless intimacy coordinators around the world and created the Intimacy On Set Guidelines. She is also the author of "Intimacy: A field guide to finding connection and feeling your deep desires." Ita tells us about her approach to intimacy coordination and the "body dance," her thoughts on how intimacy coordination has changed artistic performances for the better, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the sex scenes on shows like "Normal People," "Sex Education" and "I May Destroy You." Check out all the installments of "How We Love":…

This year marks one decade since Massachusetts voters made recreational cannabis for adults legal in the Commonwealth. In the last 10 years, the legal marijuana industry has taken off, with more than $10 billion in gross sales, about 18,000 jobs created, and nearly 3 million Bay State residents who reported using cannabis annually for a variety of reasons, including medicinally and recreationally. But there are also questions about the use and effects of cannabis on people like seniors — the fastest-growing population of marijuana users: Is there such a thing as cannabis overuse? How do we prevent potential harms to this particular age group and also its opposite: teens and young adults? With Question 8 on the November ballot, which would roll back legal cannabis in Massachusetts, we’re taking a closer look at cannabis use in youth and seniors with two local experts.

What’s scarier than no internet access? A time before the proliferation of cellphones, Wi-Fi and the magic of Google is at the heart of some of the buzziest media in recent years, including the critically acclaimed, “I Saw The TV Glow,” the experimental indie film “Skinamarink” and this year’s summer box-office hit “Backrooms,” alongside streaming shows like, “It: Welcome to Derry,” and reboots, remakes and sequels like “Scream 7.” They all fall into the category of nostalgia horror: a microgenre growing in popularity thanks to millennials and Gen Z.

The city of Chelsea may forgo its long-standing policy of guaranteed parking spots to boost new housing construction. A proposed update to the safe driving law would target motorists recording themselves while driving. And City Councilor John FitzGerald is leading a community fight to keep the Fields Corner Post Office open. It’s our local news roundtable! Guests: Katie Lannan, editor at MASSterList; Mike Deehan, reporter at Axios; Jennifer Smith, senior reporter at Commonwealth Beacon and co-host of its weekly podcast, The Codcast.

It’s the perpetual challenge: getting kids off their digital screens and out into the analog world. On its face, the nonprofit organization Girls on the Run is doing just that: encouraging girls to lace up their sneakers and get active while making new friends. But the program also includes lessons on empathy, setting goals, and building confidence in girls between the 3rd and 8th grades – essential topics for the age range when science has shown a sharp decline in girls’ belief in themselves. Coaches, participants and their parents tell us why they think Girls on the Runs is growing in popularity, what keeps them coming back year after year, and what its like to run a 5K in freezing rain! Learn more about Girls on the Run of Greater Boston: girlsontherunboston.org

School policies around the country are zeroing in on trans students, a new report states that basic protections for queer people are now increasingly dependent on where the person lives, and it’s LGBTQ+ history month – a time to honor queer trailblazers! It's our LGBTQ+ news roundtable!

In her new book, poet, author and Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander invokes the power of poetry, history and truth to explore courage and love in these tumultuous times. We talk to her about what she says are “the questions poets ask.” Her latest book, “Signals Across Vast Distances: Essays and Tales,” is our October selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

Asian American and Pacific Islanders – or AAPI – are the fastest-growing major racial and ethnic group in the United States. With more than 25 million Asian Americans living in the U.S. and the tremendous success of movies like “K-Pop Demon Hunters”; streaming shows like “The Summer I Turned Pretty”; the popularity of sports stars like Olympic skater Alyssa Liu and baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani; plus the worldwide fandom of bands like BTS, it’s surprising how little representation for Asian and AAPI stories there is on-screen. In a 2025 study by The Asian American Foundation, 37 percent of Americans said they couldn’t think of ONE film with an Asian American character. So what’s the status on Asian representation on the big and little screen?

Maine Senator Susan Collins faces bribery allegations and calls a ProPublica investigation a “political hit job." Will Cape Cod institute its own “Taylor Swift” tax on million-dollar second homes? And a Rhode Island lawmaker moves out of state with no plans of leaving office! It’s our regional news roundtable! Guests: Arnie Arnesen (WNHN in New Hampshire), Ted Nesi (WPRI in Rhode Island), Jennette Barnes (CAI on Cape Cod)

They’re now a regular part of the production crew of movies, television and streaming shows – intimacy coordinators: specialists in the safety and artistry of those sexy scenes on our screens. But what does the role actually entail? We learn all about this important, groundbreaking role from two people actually doing the work as part of our year-long series, How We Love. Guests: Lizzy Talbot ("Bridgerton," "Babygirl," "Hunting Wives") and Robbie Taylor Hunt ("Red, White and Royal Blue," "Pillion," "Heartstopper Forever.")

It's an Oprah’s Book Club special! The celebrity mogul’s book club is turning 30, so we’re sharing two of our twin picks — books and authors both Callie and Oprah have featured on their shows. First, we have Callie’s 2020 conversation with Robert Kolker; author of “Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family,” a nonfiction account of the Galvin family, in which six of the 12 children had schizophrenia. Then we have Callie’s 2018 conversation with Tayari Jones about her book, “An American Marriage,” a novel about a young couple separated by mass incarceration after the husband is wrongly accused. It’s the first time we had Tayari on the show; we had her again this past spring for her latest novel, “Kin,” which was also selected for Oprah’s book club. After each interview, we have short updates we recorded this summer giving us more insight into what it was like for Robert and Tayari to be selected by Oprah, how it changed the trajectory of their books and careers, and what they’re up to now.

Massachusetts is a leader in the nationwide effort to reduce food waste, setting statewide standards on food scraps, supporting community-led efforts for food recovery, and ramping up assistance to schools and businesses. With fresh new insights and creative solutions, the fight against food waste is drawing new enthusiasts to an old environmental issue. How effective are the policies to reduce, donate and divert food waste?

Don’t throw out your leftovers; they might be the best part of your next meal! Repurposing leftovers and using food scraps in recipes is part of the movement to reduce food waste. Cookbook authors Tamar Adler and Anne-Marie Bonneau join Callie Crossley to make the case for low and zero-waste tasty recipes that’ll save home chefs time and money while being environmentally friendly.

On September 11, 2001, Americans experienced the worst attack on U.S. soil in the country’s history. Millions witnessed the event in-person or on television, with wall-to-wall coverage the entire day. News about what happened, why it happened and who was responsible flooded the media, creating a chaotic and often confusing timeline of events detailing what unfolded before our eyes. And just as quickly arose new narratives: conspiracy theories claiming the attack was secretly performed by the U.S. government, sacrificing nearly 3,000 American lives for its own causes. 25 years later, those false narratives persist, now more mainstream than ever before. So how do we combat these dangerous, deplorable misinformation campaigns in order to preserve the true story of September 11?

In 2023, America celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the global cultural and music genre created by young artists like 18-year-old DJ Kool Herc and 14-year-old Grand Wizard Theodore who birthed the genre’s signature breakbeat and record-scratching techniques. Five decades later, the teens are elders. Murray Forman explores what it means in his latest book, “Old in the Game: Aging With And In Hip Hop." It’s our September selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

Depictions of polyamorous relationships are all over popular culture. But the idea of multiple partners isn’t new, especially in Massachusetts, where some cities are home to massive polycules and legislation protecting multiple-partner relationships. So what is polyamory? What are the challenges, pitfalls and joys? And what's it like to be in a long-term polyamorous relationship? We're dedicating the whole hour to exploring this topic as part of our year-long series, How We Love.

It’s been 30 years since the iconic rapper Tupac Shakur died after being shot in Las Vegas in September 1996. Three decades later, the trial against Duane Davis, also known as Keefe D, is underway. Why are people still so invested in who killed Tupac? Plus, a new adaptation of “Little House on the Prairie” features the voices and stories of Native Osage people for the first time, the Grammys rethink their new Best Asian Pop category, Spotify identifies AI artists and the beloved sitcom “A Different World” gets a reboot. It’s our pop culture roundtable!

Finding a romantic partner is tough enough. So what’s it like to navigate the dating world while on the autism spectrum? We hear more about romance on the spectrum from those working directly with – or those in – the autism community as part of our yearlong series, How We Love.

With a thriving concert and club scene, some of the best music schools in the country, and the explosive growth of the Boston Calling Music Festival, Massachusetts is one of the go-to places for performers of all genres. Musicians Alisa Amador and Kemp Harris join us to talk about their careers, inspirations and making a living as an artist in 2026.

To hardcore music fans, Fort Apache Studios is known for recording some of the biggest names in ‘90s rock. But before they became go-to producers, Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie, and Jim Fitting were just three friends with a dream and the lease to an abandoned laundromat. They join us 40 years after the founding of their legendary studio to give us its behind-the-scenes story.

Governor Maura Healey signs legislation ensuring protections for immigrants against ICE, a Latina Power hat sells out after causing a political debate and how are candidates trying to mobilize the Latino vote this fall? It’s our Latinx news roundtable!

Nothing says summer more than fresh produce: juicy peaches, sweet strawberries, crisp corn on the cob, bright and fragrant herbs. Why not add this delicious harvest to an already beloved warm-weather treat: ice cream? We speak with two local ice cream shops -- Third Time Together in Cambridge and Far Out Ice Cream in Boston and Cambridge -- honoring the season with its inventive, unique flavors.

There’s still time to indulge in your perfect summer read! In this special edition of Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar Book Club,” we’re cracking the spine of one of book lovers’ favorite genres: books about books. We spend the full hour speaking with authors Meg Anderson ("The Memory of Borrowed Books"), Katie Holt ("The Last Page") and Kirsten Miller ("Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books") to learn all about their work in this beloved microtrope.

A recent poll shows 75 percent of Massachusetts voters want AI regulations, a Pittsfield hospital is sued after a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease last summer, and a new Western Massachusetts network for alums and students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities kicks off in Springfield -- it’s our Massachusetts news roundtable!

Nothing says summer like dining al fresco, and East Boston may be the best place to do it! Salt bread and Brazilian pao de queijo are taking over local bakeries. And pop that bottle of red in the fridge – chilled red wine is IN! Our culinary experts tell us the latest food and wine trends.

It’s been a heat-wave summer this year, with triple-digit temperatures striking the U.S. and Europe. Americans used more electricity than ever to keep cool, but the U.S. power grid met the challenge, supported by clean energy. New York becomes the first state to ban AI data centers. Could Massachusetts be next? And is your free-range cat chomping on more than birds and mice? It’s our environmental news roundtable!

In 2015, Amy Bass’s book “One Goal: A Coach, a Team, and the Game that Brought a Divided Town Together” told the remarkable true story of how a high school soccer team that integrated young Somali refugees into its ranks united the town of Lewiston, Maine. The team would go on to have an undefeated season and win the state championship in 2015, which sparked a massive wave of interest in soccer in Lewiston – and across the entire state of Maine – unlike ever before. Back then, soccer was largely underappreciated by American sports fans. But this year, the US embraced the World Cup, bringing soccer fans from all over the globe to enjoy the beautiful game. We thought it was the perfect time to check in on Lewiston and its soccer community. Has it stuck around or fizzled out?

For decades, designers were told to “shrink it and pink it” when it comes to products for women, ignoring their different needs and leading to missed opportunities, discomfort or even injury. On this episode, we meet two women exposing gender bias in product design and who are working to eliminate it from our world – from the office to the soccer pitch and even in space.

The sun is out and so is Boston’s new citywide mixtape – “Dear Summer: Vol. 4.” Get ready to discover your new favorite local artist as part of the playlist you’ll be listening to all summer long! We speak with the co-curators and co-executive producers who give us a behind-the-scenes look into the mixtape's creation.

Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain residents continue to be angry about the construction of White Stadium, and they let city officials know in a heated public meeting with a few choice expletives. New zoning rules for Chinatown will protect its historic buildings, while promoting small-business development. And how community TreeKeepers are trying to cool down one of the hottest cities in the Commonwealth. It’s our local news roundtable!

A work-distracted wife hiding secrets, a fatal accident, and an experimental therapy combine to upend the lives of a young couple. What happens next puts them on a path for a second chance at a new life together. But is it too late? “The Romance Revival” is the latest novel by bestselling romance writing co-authors Christina Lauren. This sweet and spicy love story with a sci-fi twist is our July selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

It’s the original food of America – the fruits, fish, and meat foraged, hunted and preserved by Native Americans for thousands of years before the colonists arrived on New England shores. We unpack the history and culture of Indigenous food – the first American farm-to-table culinary approach – and its connection to New England's Yankee cuisine as part of our celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

Does it really matter if there is a significant age gap between adult partners in romantic relationships? The number of couples living out the ‘age is only a number’ mantra is on the rise, and their reality is increasingly reflected in novels, films, and music =We dive into the world of age-gap romances with relationship expert Susan Winter and clinician and sex therapist Dr. Lee Kinsey as part of our yearlong series, "How We Love."

A double-barrel attack on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, as billionaires and their spouses AND super PACs back longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. Three New England states pass on President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair And looking for a fixer-upper? Cape Cod’s historic bridges are up for adoption! It’s our regional news roundtable!

The years have flown by for Abasiama Ufot -- the once student-immigrant is now an octogenarian. At 80, she still reigns as the matriarch of the Nigerian-American family, but she is also content to live a quiet, reflective life alone in Worcester, Massachusetts. That’s where we find Abasiama in the eighth of the nine-part Ufot Family cycle of plays: ” In Old Age.” Playwright Mfoniso Udofiya and actress Ebony Marshall-Oliver join us to discuss the penultimate chapter of the cycle.

While a handful of states are “rebranding” June as anti-Pride Month, some big brands are doubling down on their support. Colorado pushes back on so-called conversion therapy with new protective laws. And parents of transgender kids take on the Department of Justice to stop its efforts to obtain their children’s medical records. It’s our LGBTQ+ news roundtable!

About 60 percent of Gen Z is thinking about forgoing a traditional college degree to become electricians, carpenters, plumbers, or other skilled tradespeople. Even so, the trades are still considered a “boys club,” with women, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ people as the minority in the industry. Now, a local initiative is trying to create a space for them to network professionally and build community. We hear from three local tradespeople about the new Queer Contractors Collective as we mark Pride Month.

It’s the "Under the Radar" annual summer reading special! Three of our Greater Boston librarians are back with their recommendations, offering plenty of choices for the season – including thrillers, biographies, young adult stories, romance and mysteries. Get ready to add a LOT of new picks to your to-be-read list! For the full reading lists from Callie Crossley, Robin Brenner, Veronica Koven-Matasy and Jane Philbrick, go to gbhnews.org/UTR

Cranberries have been a staple of Indigenous culture in North America for hundreds of years – and not just as food. Soon, European settlers also found the benefits of the berry, which would eventually become the state fruit of Massachusetts. These days, cranberries hold a special place on our Thanksgiving tables, but also in everyday baked goods, granolas and, of course, as a delicious, tart juice. In honor of our ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re boiling down the long history of cranberries in the United States.

One has a tall ship, some rowers, a fishing boat … and a giant lobster crashing through the water in Boston Harbor, defending a goal from an incoming soccer ball. The other features a blend of Celtic punk, classic rock, boy-band beats and classical scoring – some of the musical styles defining Boston. The colorful images and innovative sound remix featured in the Boston World Cup poster and sonic ID are emblematic of the best of Boston – two representations created by local artists to showcase our city to soccer fans worldwide. We speak with two of the artists behind the iconic Boston imagery and sounds.

*This episode addresses the existence of sex and sexual health.* In last month's installment of "How We Love," we dove deep into the world of ethical nonmonogamy and polyamory. For this special episode of "Under the Radar," we meet Justin, Debbie and Alex: three people in a legal domestic partnership, which is only recognized in certain towns in Massachusetts. They live together with their children, cohabitating in a familial structure many may question but that has worked for them for years. So what's their day-to-day like? How did they meet? And how do they push back on stereotypes, myths and side-eyes thrown their way? Check out all the installments of "How We Love": https://www.wgbh.org/culture/series/how-we-love

President Donald Trump’s endorsement resulted in primary victories for loyalists and a political poison pill for dissenters, critics are calling out Massachusetts lawmakers who are making thousands of dollars on top of their base salaries through committee appointments and reflecting on the massive impact and legacy of the late Representative Barney Frank: It’s a full hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!

There is no national museum of AAPI history in Washington, D.C. But last year, Rhode Island became home to a one-of-a-kind AAPI History Museum, right in the heart of Providence. We learn more about the mission of the museum – and how visitors have responded – from its founder and executive director, and a New England scholar.

144 tiles, often green and white in color, always clicking and clacking throughout the strategic, four-person game. It’s been around since the 1800s, and it crossed the biggest ocean in the world to arrive here in America, where decades later, it’s become a phenomenon. Mahjong is taking over social clubs, senior centers, kitchen tables and even breweries around the country – and here in Boston. Two local experts give us the inside scoop on all things Chinese mahjong.

Some of President Trump’s most loyal Cuban followers are starting to backslide. Hispanic candidates are winning seats in local elections at an unprecedented rate. And Alex Cora is out as the manager of the Red Sox. What’s the reaction from local Latinos? It’s our Latinx news roundtable! RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Mother’s Day is a holiday not easily ignored. Though it is not the most popular holiday, it is one of the most commercially successful, with the ubiquitous marketing of flowers, cards, restaurants and jewelry. But for the millions of Americans who are motherless, it’s a sharp reminder of their loss. What is the meaning of Mother’s Day for those who no longer have mothers? And how can they honor memories of their mothers as they manage their grief? RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Two new drugs offer hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer, how communities around the country are pushing back on proposed data centers and after more than two decades, the Cape Cod herring run is back in action. It’s our inaugural science and tech news roundtable! RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

Her funny and frank books for kids, tweens, teens and young adults have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, resulting in a loyal, multigenerational fandom. So how did Judy Blume, a mother and homemaker, become one of the most successful and beloved children’s authors in history? Author Mark Oppenheimer chronicles her life and career in his new biography, “Judy Blume.” It’s our May selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club. RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon