Host of WBUR's news and culture podcast The Common

Boston chefs say neurodiversity can be a superpower in the kitchen

Boston Globe's food reporter Kara Baskin spoke to multiple local chefs and restaurateurs who struggled with ADHD and dyslexia in school but thrive in the restaurant industry. They said their differences are their superpower.

Darryl C. Murphy spoke with Baskin and Dan Bazzinotti, head chef at Boston’s Blue Ribbon Restaurants and instructor at Johnson & Wales University, for Radio Boston about why the industry supported him in a way the traditional education system never did.

New year, new goals, new can't-miss events

What do a "rage room," a thought-provoking play, and sandwich recipes of yesteryear have in common? They're all recommendations from Candice Springer, assistant director of WBUR CitySpace, for kicking off 2025.

Candice joins Darryl to discuss these events and experiences, as well as share personal goals for the new year that just might inspire some of your own.

"You can go in, you can suit up, and you can smash the heck out of things," Candice Springer says of this "rage room" in Fitchburg. Bu...

New biography on hip-hop legend MF DOOM shines light on Boston influence

MF DOOM was a legendary emcee known for wearing a mask and keeping a distance from fame in a genre where artists usually embrace the spotlight.

DOOM passed away in 2020, but his life is documented in a biography recently released called The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Hip-hop’s Masked Iconoclast. In the book, Writer and journalist S.H. Fernando Jr aka SKIZZ sheds light on DOOM’s story, which includes his time spent right here in Boston.

Today on The Common, Darryl's conversation with SKIZZ...

Cozy up with a movie or comic book this December

It's been a minute, but Candice Springer, assistant director for WBUR CitySpace, is back to give you the low down on what's happening in the city this December.

After a quick recap of the biggest musical movie event of the year ("Wicked"), here's what Candice recommends:

Now in its 15th year, MICE is New England's longest-running independent comics expo. At this totally free event there is something for everyone: workshops for artists of all levels, panel discussions and, of course, a marketpl...

A closer look at abortion care

When a 2022 Supreme Court ruling ended nationwide protection for abortion access, Massachusetts abortion rights advocates predicted an influx of people from out of state seeking abortions.

Now, WBUR's Martha Bebinger found the number of people who obtained abortion care from Massachusetts providers was up at least 37% in 2023. The increase was mostly driven by patients from outside the state.

Today on The Common, Martha and Dr. Angel Foster, co-founder of Cambridge Reproductive Health Consulta...

How a second Trump presidency could impact Massachusetts

It's been a little over a week since President-elect Donald Trump won a second term in office over Vice President Kamala Harris. Regardless of how you feel about it, another Trump presidency is almost certain to leave a lasting impression on our political reality, including here in deep-blue Massachusetts.

Today on The Common, WBUR Senior Politics Reporter, Anthony Brooks and WBUR State House Reporter, Walter Wuthmann, join us to discuss reactions since the election and look ahead to what the r...

As other newspapers demur, why the Boston Globe is making endorsements

Less than a week after the Washington Post announced it would not endorse a candidate for president this year, the newspaper has lost more than a quarter million subscribers.

Over that same time period, the Boston Globe has reportedly experienced "exponential" subscriber growth.

Jim Dao, editor of the Globe's editorial page, joins Radio Boston to discuss why his page endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, and made endorsements in a host of down-ballot contests.

Don't be spooked by this election's BOO-llot questions

Happy Halloween! We wish you safe and spooky celebrations this week. That said, Tuesday, November 5th is the 2024 general election. And there is nothing scarier than getting to the polls unprepared.

Five statewide ballot questions are before voters this November, and frighteningly, there are quite a few misconceptions about them.

Evan Horowitz, director of The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University, joins us in breaking down each question and outlines what is being asked of voter...

New biography on hip-hop legend MF DOOM shines light on Boston influence

Four years ago, on Halloween day, one of hip-hop’s most revered artists died.

His name was Daniel Dumile but he went by the stage name MF DOOM. The British-American rapper wore a mask that became synonymous with his legacy. His lyrics were both complex and conversational, and his persona was that of a beloved supervillain.

WBUR's Radio Boston spoke to S.H. Fernando Jr. — also known as SKIZ — who wrote a new biography on MF DOOM. Boston journalist, historian and author Dart Adams also joined to...

Is the Mass. hospital system prepared to deal with extreme weather caused by climate change?

Hospitals around the country are still in need of IV fluids after Hurricane Helene damaged a manufacturing facility in North Carolina that produces about 60% of the vital solution nationwide. The Category 4 hurricane killed more than 200 people across North Carolina and other states, and it caused billions of dollars in damages.

Mass General Brigham buys its IV fluids fromBaxter International Inc, which operates the damaged facility. Last week, the hospital system had to reschedule elective sur...

An up-close look at Mass' first offshore wind project

Offshore wind projects like Vineyard Wind are set to be a huge part of our state’s energy future.

But for such a huge infrastructure project, it’s not that easy to get out and see for yourself. For one thing, you need to charter a boat to take you out to look at the Vineyard Wind turbines located miles offshore.

This is exactly what a group of New England reporters did in September – including WBUR’s own senior climate reporter, Miriam Wasser. She joins The Common to tell us about the experien...

How Black Out performances promote inclusion in Boston theater

Boston's theater-goers are overwhelmingly white: 89%, according to a report by the nonprofit ArtsBoston. At the same time, more than half of the city's residents are people of color.

Some theater companies are fostering inclusion with Black Out nights. Performances are taken off sale to the general public and made accessible with a code distributed to Black organizations and social media groups.

Maurice Emmanuel Parent is an actor, educator and co-founder and co-producing artistic director of...

Meet three of this year's "Makers," artists of color who are building community in Greater Boston

Each year, WBUR highlights a group of artists of color in Greater Boston. These "Makers" are spreading joy and building community while practicing their craft. We meet three of the artists from this year's cohort.

Dancer Beth Mochizuki is helping dancers bring more of themselves to the stage with her company, the Asian American Ballet Project. Saxophonist Jonathan Suazo is combining his Puerto Rican identity with his Dominican heritage through jazz. Musician Pranav Swaroop is fusing classical I...

Mass. coastal chemical sites lack basic safeguard against hurricanes

Experts say climate change is increasing the risk of a “double disaster” — a large-scale chemical spill caused by extreme weather. Massachusetts is especially vulnerable, as a coastal state with industrial ports.

WBUR's senior investigative reporter Patrick Madden took a closer look at this risk in New Bedford, a city with a high concentration of warehouses that use chemicals for cold storage in the fishing industry.

Stop and Shop wants you to stay and shop

On this episode of  The Common, Boston Globe Reporter Diti Kohli breaks down the evolution of Stop and Shop, and where the grocery store is headed. Then, listen to an excerpt from host Darryl C. Murphy's WBUR CitySpace interview with Chef and TikTok influencer Jon Kung.

Listen to the podcast to hear the full episode.

Stop and Shop opened a swanky upgraded location in Allston Yards this summer. A couple of weeks later, the company announced that it would be closing more than 30 of its stores in...

Why hormone therapy is a lifeline for some women before and during menopause

As women approach menopause, their bodies produce fewer hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This causes many people to feel a range of symptoms, some of the most common being hot flashes, sleeplessness and mood changes.

One option to treat those symptoms is what's known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Simply put, HRT puts hormones back in the body through methods like patches, injections or pills. The therapy was popular in the later half of the 20th century, but after one big study...
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