Best Locally-Focused Podcasts About Boston
Though podcasting has been around for more than a decade now, it has recently gained a lot of popularity and is finally coming into vogue. Ever since the epically popular podcast "Serial," people have been itching to find intriguing audio that is both well written and topical. Whether you want stories, history, career advice or news, there is a Boston-based podcast or radio series that is just right for you. These five podcast choices are the perfect remedies for a long commute, a cleaning day, a flight, or a few hours of office busy work. Each series is thought-provoking and will definitely make for interesting dinner table conversation.
radioboston.org
Radio Boston is the most in-depth locally focused radio show and podcast. It airs live on WBUR every day, but for those who prefer listening on their own schedule, listeners can also play the shows whenever they want from the radio Boston website or the WBUR website. This is the perfect way to make a commute more enjoyable, or even make busy work fly by. The host, Meghna Chakrabarti, truly captures Boston's authentic voice and diverse opinions on pretty much everything — but especially timely, and culturally relevant topics.
wers.org
Many Bostonians listen to WERS, Emerson College's award-winning radio station, for its great music shows like All A Capella, but the station also has a fabulous talk and opinion segment called You Are Here. Each of their episodes are made available online as a podcast via Soundcloud. You Are Here covers a variety of topics relevant to Boston city dwellers, particularly students and young people. All of the reporting is done by passionate Emerson students, which gives the show a fun, youthful, but still informative feel.
www.techinboston.co
Probably Boston's most widely popular tradition-style podcast, Tech in Boston is a great inspirational, career-focused series. Each episode is an interview with a Boston area tech CEO or influencer. Interviewees share their career path, tips on maintaining work/life balance, and explanations of their companies. Recent interviewees include some of Boston's most well respected people including Diane Hessan, Amy Quigley, Kit Hickey and many, many more. This show is a perfect reflection of Boston's highly educated population and vibrant technology sector.
www.lorepodcast.com
Lore is a great podcast for horror story lovers. Lore traces the truth behind New England's creepiest urban legends and old wives tales. From the Danvers State Mental Hospital to the Hoosac Tunnel in Western Massachusetts, author Aaron Mahnke explores the folklore, history and tragedy behind the Boston area's most notorious mysteries and hauntings. With new episodes every other week, Lore keeps listeners coming back; after all, sometimes the "truth is more frightening than fiction!"
www.thefreedomtrail.org
Love stories about Massachusetts history but don't want the scariness of Lore? Try the Official Freedom Trail Podcasts. Each episode details a different historically significant site along Boston's famed Freedom Trail. It is a great audio tour of the city for people that want to do the Freedom Trail in person, but even for those who can't make it into town will find the episodes rich, interesting and thorough. Learn things you never knew before about Paul Revere's house, the U.S.S. Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument and others.
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Cameron Bruns is the founder of BostonGreenBlog.com and co-author of Just Us Gals Boston. She lives in Boston's North End, where her goal is to promote ethical, stylish, and sustainable lifestyle choices to all Boston residents. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
