The Big Dig

GBH News

“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston. Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America.  Season One: "The Big Dig"  The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple.   Season Two: "Scratch & Win"  America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling.  Season Three: "Catching The Codfather" A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state. -------------- CREDITS: Host & Creator: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producer: Isabel Hibbard Story Editor: Lacy Roberts  Contact us as thebigdig@wgbh.org

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  1. Catching The Codfather | 1. Red Lobster

    Episode 1

    Catching The Codfather | 1. Red Lobster

    Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael dominates the most valuable fishing port in the United States, and no one is quite sure how he did it. But in 2015, when undercover federal agents offer to buy his business, Carlos opens his books. Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd  Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    56 min
  2. Catching The Codfather | 2. I Hope Those People Sink

    Episode 2

    Catching The Codfather | 2. I Hope Those People Sink

    How did Carlos Rafael become “The Codfather”? It starts in the 1980s, when a bitter strike divides the city of New Bedford and its famed fishing fleet. But Carlos manages to turn the strike to his advantage. Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd  Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    54 min
  3. Catching The Codfather | 3. Punch in the Kisser

    Episode 3

    Catching The Codfather | 3. Punch in the Kisser

    The west has cowboys, the east has fishermen – it's a job defined by freedom and self-reliance. But in 1991 a contentious lawsuit forces the government to step in, setting Carlos Rafael and the regulators on a collision course. You can watch the full film of “A Fish Story” on YouTube.  Major sponsorship for “Catching The Codfather” is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    49 min
  4. Catching The Codfather | 4. Mosquitos on the Balls of an Elephant

    Episode 4

    Catching The Codfather | 4. Mosquitos on the Balls of an Elephant

    A new regulatory system is meant to end overfishing, but Carlos Rafael exploits it to accumulate even more boats and power – drawing resentment from other fishermen, and attention from the feds.  Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd  Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    53 min
  5. Catching The Codfather | 5. Painting Fish

    Episode 5

    Catching The Codfather | 5. Painting Fish

    When federal agents first meet with Carlos Rafael, the fishing mogul offers up a tantalizing clue: a special system for ‘painting fish.’ It’s the key to understanding the entire fraud, and why Carlos is the only one who could pull it off. Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd  Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    1hr 1min
  6. Catching The Codfather | 6. It’s Your Job to Catch Me

    Episode 6

    Catching The Codfather | 6. It’s Your Job to Catch Me

    A new revelation forces federal investigators to close down the case, fast. But what will taking down The Codfather mean for the port of New Bedford? Major sponsorship for "Catching The Codfather" is provided by Roger’s Fish Co. --------------------------- Credits: Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss Story Editor: Lacy Roberts Editorial Advisor: Jenifer McKim Fact-checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard Intern: Fiona Boyd  Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss Graphic Design: Bill Miller

    1hr 8min
  7. Introducing Season Three: Catching The Codfather

    Season 3 Trailer

    Introducing Season Three: Catching The Codfather

    A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against an overbearing state. So who is Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael really – a folk hero, a crook, a righteous rebel, a selfish conman? In Season 3 of The Big Dig™ podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break. For instant access to the whole season, join The Big Dig membership program. Learn more at wgbh.org/hovlane.  Major sponsorship for Catching The Codfather is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.

    4 min
  8. HOV Lane Ahead

    Bonus

    HOV Lane Ahead

    Your official invitation to join The Big Dig membership program. Listen on for details, sign up at wgbh.org/hovlane

    6 min
  9. The Big Dig is ON TOUR

    Bonus

    The Big Dig is ON TOUR

    Every American city is divided by crumbling old highways. Every city is trying to figure out what to do with them. Join us live in 10 American cities for The Big Dig “Highway Teardown Tour.” Details at wgbh.org/bigdiglive.

    3 min
  10. Have we entered a new era for government regulation?

    Bonus

    Have we entered a new era for government regulation?

    John Vecchione represented a group of fishermen who challenged government regulations all the way to the Supreme Court. Together, they helped overturn the decades-old “Chevron Doctrine,” which has been cited thousands of times in federal court rulings. But Vecchione is not done, and you might be surprised to learn what regulations he is challenging next.  For a very different take on the future of regulation after the fall of the Chevron Doctrine, check out this article from climate reporter Molly Taft: The Koch Brothers Are Getting What They Wanted: The Supreme Court Is Gutting Environmental Protections

    43 min
  11. What you need to know when buying fish, with Roger Berkowitz

    Bonus

    What you need to know when buying fish, with Roger Berkowitz

    Buying fish can be a puzzling process. It comes frozen and fresh, wild and farmed, from many different countries, and with all kinds of ratings and labels. So what does it all mean? For this bonus episode to “Catching The Codfather,” Ian sits down with a legend of New England seafood, Roger Berkowitz, to talk about his life in fish buying and what he’s learned along the way.  Major sponsorship for “Catching The Codfather” is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.

    34 min
See All Season 3 (11)

Trailers

Hosts & Guests

About

“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston. Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America.  Season One: "The Big Dig"  The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple.   Season Two: "Scratch & Win"  America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling.  Season Three: "Catching The Codfather" A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state. -------------- CREDITS: Host & Creator: Ian Coss Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins Producer: Isabel Hibbard Story Editor: Lacy Roberts  Contact us as thebigdig@wgbh.org

Information

  • Creator
    GBH News
  • Episodes
    43
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2023 WGBH Educational Foundation
  • Show Website
    The Big Dig

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