Is Government Waste Really So Bad? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 3, 2026 · 51 MIN

Is Government Waste Really So Bad?

from The Curiosity Desk · host GBH News

The challenge of effectively targeting and cutting government waste, one year out from DOGE’s initial tear through Washington, with MIT economist Jon Gruber. The "Secret Ingredient" today is celery root. Chefs Irene Li and Chris Anderson will make you fall in love with ugliest of the root vegetables.And in honor of America 250, we learn the story of fugitive slaves Ellen and William Craft. Their extraordinary escape from Georgia in the 1840s is told in Ilyon Woo's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Master Slave Husband Wife. (Interview part 2 of 2.)---------Have something you’re curious about? Leave us a voicemail anytime at 877-301-8970, or submit questions via the form on our landing page at GBHNews.org.Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content and exclusive videos.

The challenge of effectively targeting and cutting government waste, one year out from DOGE’s initial tear through Washington, with MIT economist Jon Gruber.  The "Secret Ingredient" today is celery root. Chefs Irene Li and Chris Anderson will make you fall in love with ugliest of the root vegetables. And in honor of America 250, we learn the story of fugitive slaves Ellen and William Craft. Their extraordinary escape from Georgia in the 1840s is told in Ilyon Woo's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Master Slave Husband Wife. (Interview part 2 of 2.) --------- Have something you’re curious about? Leave us a voicemail anytime at 877-301-8970, or submit questions via the form on our landing page at GBHNews.org. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content and exclusive videos.

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Is Government Waste Really So Bad?

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This episode was published on February 3, 2026.

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The challenge of effectively targeting and cutting government waste, one year out from DOGE’s initial tear through Washington, with MIT economist Jon Gruber. The "Secret Ingredient" today is celery root. Chefs Irene Li and Chris Anderson will make...

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