The Common

WBUR

4.7 (77)
NEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

6D AGO

Priests, nuns and cat burglars: The surprising history of Boston's anti-war movement

Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards. The Common spoke to Host and Producer Brendan Patrick Hughes about his new podcast "Divine Intervention." Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

19 min
MAR 27

Repair shop offers trip down memory lane with decades-old tech

When Tim Colegrove decided to open a computer repair store in 2021, it was partially because he was interested in entrepreneurship. He also really needed a place to keep the vintage computers and gear that were piling up in his home. So, The BYTE Shop was born: A computer repair shop AND museum to the modern home computer in Jamaica Plain. The Common visited Tim at The BYTE Shop to talk about the store's fully operational computer history exhibit (that is open for the public to come and try), as well as how community and sustainability play into its mission. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

14 min
MAR 20

Symphony strings for the season of spring

WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins The Common to discuss classical music. The Somerville poet laureate and Fresh Air classical music critic also shares recommendations from his arts guide to Greater Boston classical events on offer this spring. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

17 min
MAR 13

JustBook-Ish in Dorchester is one of several bookshops popping up to provide a 'third place' in our community.

When you walk in the doors of justBook-Ish in Fields Corner, it is immediately clear that it is more than just a bookshop. The space invites patrons to stay for a while. There is a bar with a menu of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can take a seat at the communal table and chairs, or snuggle up in one of several window reading nooks. JustBook-Ish was founded by Porsha Olayiwola, who is a former Boston Poet Laureate, and Bing Broderick, who previously served as the executive director at Haley House. Porsha and Bing wanted to provide a 'third place' in the neighborhood. The concept of a 'third place' is one that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It refers to a space that isn’t work or school or home, where folks can relax and connect with their community. The Common recently took a trip to justBook-Ish to talk to Porsha about why our community needs more 'third places' and why that drives their mission. Here are other bookstores and 'third places' to check out: Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury Street Narrative Bookshop in Somerville Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

12 min
MAR 6

Comedian Bethany Van Delft on why Boston's comedy scene is 'hot' right now

Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment. Five years since the pandemic began, she reflects on how it has impacted the comedy industry today from sold-out shows to a fervent demand for standup over what she calls "weird" comedy. Here are Van Delft's recommendations for a good laugh: Favorite up-and-coming local comedian: Carolina Montesquieu A venue for a good show: Goofs Comedy Club in Somerville Comedy show producers: Men in Comedy and Don't Tell Comedy Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

17 min
FEB 27

Answering burning questions in Worcester

WBUR's Darryl C. Murphy drives to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to see its world-class fire lab. He sits down with internationally-recognized fire expert and head of the fire engineering department, Albert Simeoni. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

9 min
FEB 20

Author on John Lewis's legacy and the split within the civil rights movement

WBUR's Darryl C. Murphy sat down with Historian, Author and Newton-native David Greenberg to discuss his latest biography "John Lewis: A Life." The book offers a deep look into the life of the Late John Lewis. The iconic civil rights activist eventually became one of the most revered politicians of his time. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

28 min
FEB 13

For the first time, Boston residents get some say in how public money is spent

If you had $2 million to invest in your community, how would you spend it? If you’re a resident of Boston, you have until Feb. 15 to cast your vote in Boston’s first city-wide participatory budget. Participatory budgeting is when residents come together to collectively decide how to spend public dollars. Bostonians can vote for up to five projects from a list of 14 ideas proposed by fellow residents. Kendra Patterson is a steering committee member of the Better Budget Alliance, a local coalition advocating for greater democratic control over Boston’s budget. She joined WBUR's The Common to discuss this year's projects and the role of participatory budgets in a democracy. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

18 min

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TRAILER

Introducing 'The Common,' Boston's daily news podcast

The Common is WBUR’s daily podcast where local news and culture meet. Hosted by Darryl C. Murphy, The Common delivers in-depth conversations about Greater Boston with an ear toward the stories that reflect how our region is changing. Listen every weekday morning starting Nov. 7. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

10/31/2022

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1 min

4.7

out of 5

77 Ratings

John Lewis

Feb 20

MotherDebz

TYSM for highlighting Congressman John Lewis. If he hadn’t been so ill, and his successor not listened to Pelosi or McConnell or hadn’t trusted Article 3 to hold officials accountable for abuses of power when it suited their own policy goals, all of the corruption would have been charged before the first impeachment, I think. He would’ve agitated Nadler for quicker movement and aggressive defense of the Congress, and the People.
Great Addition to My Morning Commute

02/24/2024

Hallowen or Bust

Fantastic show. I love the quick, 15-minute podcast segments highlighting state and local news. Keep up the good work!
Skip

05/21/2024

CCK901

This “news” podcast provides problematic, one-sided, and incomplete coverage of various news events. Reporters fail to challenge guests and interviewees when they provide incorrect or even offensive information.
Needs to be more in-depth

04/27/2024

GeorgeWREG

I’ve listened to several shows. They’re done but just so surface level. I’d prefer much better questions from the host and more in depth