Say More

4.3 (82)
News Commentary
Weekly

Say More is The Boston Globe’s weekly ideas podcast, where journalists and guests unpack the biggest stories shaping Boston and beyond. Each episode goes deep into politics, culture, and current events with sharp reporting, smart analysis, and candid conversations that help listeners understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters.

Oct 28

Why Lee Pelton Went Public about his Alzheimer’s

Before Lee Pelton was CEO of the Boston Foundation, the Harvard-educated academic spent decades in higher education, notably as president of Emerson College. Now, he’s decided to come forward to discuss his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Some things he does remember, like his community-rich childhood in Wichita, Kan. and his love for his roots. On this episode of Say More, Lee shares with Anna Kusmer the sadness and anxiety of losing his memory, and the beautiful things that bring him solace. Email us at saymore@globe.com.
Oct 21

Coming out as Richard Pryor’s Daughter

For years, Smith College historian Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor kept her famous identity away from the classroom. She is the daughter of Richard Pryor, the groundbreaking Black comedian. Then, a classroom encounter forced her to reckon with her dad’s legacy and her complicated relationship to it. Pryor grew up primarily in Boston with her mom, and through the years, developed a strong bond with her dad, who lived in California and died in 2005. On this episode of Say More, Pryor discusses her memoir “Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.” She talks to host Anna Kusmer about how her dad used the n-word to challenge audiences, why he eventually disavowed the word, and what this journey reveals about racism in America. Email us at saymore@globe.com.
Oct 15

AI Doesn’t Care About You. MIT’s Sherry Turkle on “Artificial Intimacy”

Fears about AI are everywhere you look. Maybe the technology will come for our jobs. Maybe it will come for our potable water. But the biggest loss may be even more crucial: AI is coming for our relationships. It’s nothing less than a “state of emergency,” says Sherry Turkle, a sociologist at MIT, and founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, who has spent nearly 5 decades studying the culture of technology and the ways computers affect our emotional lives. Her new book is called “Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines.” She discusses the digital divide, “pretend empathy” and the emotional impact of chatbots for kids with Anna Kusmer on Say More. Email us at saymore@globe.com
Oct 7

Joe Perry (& Aerosmith) are Not Done Rocking

This week, Boston-born Aerosmith announced they were reuniting for two shows, surprising fans after fears they would never play again. This week on Say More, Shirley is joined by Aerosmith’s lead guitarist Joe Perry (who hails from Central Massachusetts) about Aerosmith’s early days playing gigs at proms in the Boston suburbs. They discuss Steven Tyler’s health, Johnny Depp’s house, and what it takes to be a 76-year-old rock star. Email us at saymore@globe.com.
Oct 1

POLITICS PANEL: Is Woke Dead? Is Healey in Trouble? Could New England Decide the US Senate? (plus Seth Moulton)

A story about a lesbian bar in Greenfield broke the internet this week. What does it tell us about the future of the Left? Is woke dead? Or did a quirky community story get blown out of proportion? Governor Maura Healey seems overly anxious about her MAGA-adjacent challenger Mike Minogue. Then, the politics panel discusses two key Senate races in New England. PLUS an exclusive interview with Congressman Seth Moulton about his big primary loss against Senator Ed Markey. Email us at saymore@globe.com
Sep 24

Cancel Culture Killed the Radio Star. A Sit-Down with Matty in the Morning.

Matt Siegel’s 41-year radio run was longer than most marriages. He was the star of Boston radio's top-rated show, Matty in the Morning, on KISS 108. In 2022, he disappeared from the airwaves. Siegel harbors deep feelings about how his legendary career ended, and he’s ready to talk about it. This week on Say More, Siegel discusses Demi Lovato, getting older, and the “woke stuff” that ended his career. Email us at saymore@globe.com.
Sep 17

Larry Edelman says Massachusetts Needs Another Miracle.

Massachusetts is full of riches. We have the best schools, world class hospitals, and a great quality of life. So why are tens of thousands of people leaving every year - and taking their companies with them? Where has our mojo gone? This week on Say More, host Shirley Leung talks to Larry Edelman, author of the Trendlines newsletter, about whether Massachusetts can pull off another ‘miracle.’ email us at saymore@globe.com.
Sep 9

Lindsay Clancy, Intrusive Thoughts, and Moms on Trial

The Lindsay Clancy Trial is over, for now, but we can’t stop wondering how and why a mother killed her children after months of psychiatric treatment, appointments, and doctors. This case has brought new international attention for its focus on postpartum mental health. In her kitchen, Clancy had a book called, “Good Moms have Scary Thoughts,” written by a postpartum mental health expert, and used as evidence by the defense that Clancy was seeking help. The author of that book, Karen Kleiman, joins host Anna Kusmer on Say More to discuss the book, intrusive thoughts, and moms on trial. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

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Trailer

Introducing Say More

Since the founding of the Republic, Greater Boston has been a center of American thought, culture, politics, innovation, and science. On Say More, longtime Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung builds on that grand tradition by bringing you intimate conversations with the doers and thinkers behind the biggest ideas and debates of our time. Find us online at bostonglobe.com/opinion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4.3

out of 5

82 Ratings

Cancer podcasts

06/02/2025

Old lady Marie

I learned a lot and appreciate you all sharing your experiences.
Great conversation

05/02/2025

BakingNinja

Really appreciated the first episode on cancer - hugely insightful, empathetic, and humane.
Mediocre Libs Without Insight

01/10/2025

Logical Thinker 2

Tried to listen to the “war on the administrative state” episode. Recognizing that noted deep thinker Shirley Leung was absent, this one was really bad. Lots of feelings and vibes and straw men and very shallow analysis. No understanding of separation of powers and administrative law. Apparently the guest went to law school, not sure if it was ABA accredited. Then tried the Karen Read episode. Shirley has a perfect voice for a newspaper. She really should say less because it’s mostly fluff. Then tried yet again with the Biden biographer with the effeminate and annoying voice. Mild criticism of Brandon but after as if he was a competent President, which is beyond belief.
Not worth it

08/04/2024

Bcm7

If you want to be lectured by a liberal who uses a lot of buzzwords this is the podcast for you!

Say More is The Boston Globe’s weekly ideas podcast, where journalists and guests unpack the biggest stories shaping Boston and beyond. Each episode goes deep into politics, culture, and current events with sharp reporting, smart analysis, and candid conversations that help listeners understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters.