Under the Radar with Callie Crossley
by GBH News
"Under the Radar with Callie Crossley" looks to alternative presses and community news for stories that are often overlooked by big media outlets. In our roundtable conversation, we aim to examine the small stories before they become the big headlines with contributors in Boston and New England. Learn more about our show on our website: gbhnews.org/utrCheck out all the stories in our year-long series, Unbound Pages: gbhnews.org/unboundpagesFollow us on X @CallieCrossley and Facebook: facebook.com/UndertheRadarGBH
Episodes
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Pop culture news: Jay-Z once backed Kaepernick. Now he's headlining the Super Bowl.
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...
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Author Tom French details his post-retirement Everest climb in his new book, 'The Gap Years'
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...
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How We Love: The art of the 'body dance' with trailblazer Ita O'Brien
*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,"...
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How do we prevent cannabis overuse in young adults and seniors?
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…
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VHS tapes, no cellphones and evil mascots: Nostalgia horror is having a moment
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...
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Local news: Allston's USPS branch has closed. Is Fields Corner next?
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...
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Girls on the Run teaches confidence, empathy and teamwork alongside physical activity
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…
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LGBTQ+ news: Mass. AG and NH youth push back on Trump anti-trans policies
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!
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Elizabeth Alexander's 'Signals Across Vast Distances' encourages readers to reflect and act
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…
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Is Asian representation in media going beyond supporting roles?
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...
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Regional news: Could bribery allegations affect Maine Sen. Susan Collins' chance at re-election?
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…
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How We Love: Meet two experts behind those steamy onscreen sex scenes
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...
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Celebrating 30 years of Oprah's Book Club with Robert Kolker and Tayari Jones
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...
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ENCORE: Efforts to reduce food waste in Mass. inspire innovation and community action
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…
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ENCORE: Low-waste chefs craft exciting new recipes as readers grow hungry for change
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…
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25 years later, 9/11 conspiracies rage on. How do we elevate the truth?
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...
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Old heads vs. young blood: 'Old In The Game' explores aging in hip-hop
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...
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How We Love: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Polyamory (But Were Afraid To Ask)
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,...
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Pop culture: AI artists on Spotify, 'A Different World' reboot and Tupac's murder trial
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…
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How We Love: Dating on the autism spectrum
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.
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How family, purpose and the Bay State led to success for two local musicians
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,...
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Sex, drugs, laundry: Looking back at Fort Apache’s Roxbury rock empire 40 years later
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…
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Latinx news: As ICE increases airport arrests, PROTECT Act aims to limit their powers
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!
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This summer, scream for seasonal, artisanal ice cream!
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...
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Books about books: Three authors on writing every bookworm’s favorite subgenre
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...
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Massachusetts news: Legionnaires lawsuit in Pittsfield and statewide support for AI regulations
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...
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Pickled blancs, tinto de verano and cheesy Brazilian bread: What to eat and drink this summer
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.
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Clean energy kept the U.S. grid on through the heat waves. Could this change future energy policy?
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...
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Eight years after ‘One Goal,’ Lewiston, Maine is still united in soccer and culture
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…
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‘Man-Made’ reveals how gender bias in product design ranges from insulting to deadly
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…
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Annual mixtape ‘Dear Summer: Vol. 4’ features Boston’s top emerging musical talent
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…
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Local news: Chelsea’s ‘heat islands’ and White Stadium’s parking problem
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…
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Love, science and resurrection collide in Christina Lauren’s ‘The Romance Revival’
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...
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Clam chowder, johnnycakes and baked beans: The Indigenous roots of New England cuisine
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 –…
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How We Love: Trophy wives, sugar daddies and cougars – dispelling age-gap relationship myths
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...
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Regional news: Campaign season heats up with big bucks, Cape bridges up for ‘adoption’ and more
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…
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Now in her golden years, Ufot matriarch Abasiama takes center stage in ‘In Old Age’
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…
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Nuclear Family Month? GOP-led states rebrand Pride Month as new poll shows decline in LGBTQ+ support
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...
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Queer Contractors Collective connects and creates community of LGBTQ+ tradespeople
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...
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Need a summer read? Here are the books you need to add to your must-read list!
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…
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How did a tough, resilient, bitter berry become the backbone of Massachusetts’ agricultural history?
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...
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Boston’s cultural identity shines through World Cup poster and sonic ID created by local artists
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...
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How We Love: An inside look into the life of a polyamorous family
*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...
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Mass Politics Profs: Trump-backed candidates win big, Barney Frank’s legacy and a DNC nothingburger
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…
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AAPI History Museum in Providence highlights untold stories of Asian Americans
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...
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Cultural appropriation or appreciation? Tracing the history of mahjong in America
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…
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Latinx news: Local election triumphs, Cuban-Americans question Trump and local Puerto Ricans react to Cora firing
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…
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Navigating Mother’s Day while being motherless
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...
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Science and tech news: Return of the river-herring run, Musk vs. Altman and new pancreatic cancer drugs
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...
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‘Judy Blume: A Life’ traces the rise of the beloved children’s author from housewife to household name
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…
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About this show
"Under the Radar with Callie Crossley" looks to alternative presses and community news for stories that are often overlooked by big media outlets. In our roundtable conversation, we aim to examine the small stories before they become the big headlines with contributors in Boston and New England. Learn more about our show on our website: gbhnews.org/utrCheck out all the stories in our year-long series, Unbound Pages: gbhnews.org/unboundpagesFollow us on X @CallieCrossley and Facebook: facebook.com/UndertheRadarGBH
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