Nightside With Dan Rea

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhile marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, it’s not legal everywhere across the United States. Studies show that there are some medicinal benefits of marijuana and many use marijuana to treat various ailments like depression and anxiety, epilepsy, chronic pain and more. Should cannabis be federally legal? Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as an instructor at Harvard Medical School has 25 years of experience specializing in cannabis medicine joined Bradley to talk about the pros and cons of cannabis.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideIt seems like every U.S. state has some outdated or downright weird laws that are surprisingly still on the books and Massachusetts is no exception. For example, did you know it’s illegal to put tomatoes in clam chowder? Or that it's illegal to give beer to a hospital patient unless it's prescribed by a doctor! 

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhat is a harbor pilot? A harbor pilot is a mariner responsible for the navigation and maneuvering of vessels, particularly in congested or challenging waters such as harbors, rivers, and canals. When a big container ship, cruise ship, or tanker comes into Boston Harbor, the law says that a licensed Boston Harbor pilot must guide the ship through the harbor. Somebody must get that pilot to the ship so they can bring it in or go pick the pilot up after they have gotten the ship out of the harbor. That's where the Boston Pilot boat captains come in. They deliver and retrieve the pilots. Captain Shawn Kelly of Boston Pilots joined Bradley to share the details of their high-risk life on the harbor.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideBiographer, critic, and musician Bill Janovitz detailed the formation, rise, and career of the hit band, The Cars in his book, “The Cars: Let The Stories Be Told.” Bill joined Bradley in studio to discuss the impact The Cars had on New Wave music and the musical, cultural, and commercial impact of the band.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideBiographer, critic, and musician Bill Janovitz detailed the formation, rise, and career of the hit band, The Cars in his book, “The Cars: Let The Stories Be Told.” Bill joined Bradley in studio to discuss the impact The Cars had on New Wave music and the musical, cultural, and commercial impact of the band.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideHave you ever wondered where some of the weird phrases we use originated from? For example, chances are you've heard the phrase, "over my dead body" or "riding shotgun". How about the term “hungover”? Why do we use such bizarre expressions or terms? Bradley discussed these phrases and terms and their origins! We also want to hear your example of an odd expression you might hear a lot!

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideHave you ever wondered where some of the weird phrases we use originated from? For example, chances are you've heard the phrase, "over my dead body" or "riding shotgun". How about the term “hungover”? Why do we use such bizarre expressions or terms? Bradley discussed these phrases and terms and their origins! We also want to hear your example of an odd expression you might hear a lot!

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhat general tricks do companies use to get you to purchase something or sign up for something you don't want? Kevin Brassler, the Executive Editor of Consumers’ Checkbook joined us to discuss consumer red flags. In addition, Kevin can give examples of throwing away money on services and items that, while marketed as useful, are bad buys as well as worthwhile services and products that you could get for free.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhat general tricks do companies use to get you to purchase something or sign up for something you don't want? Kevin Brassler, the Executive Editor of Consumers’ Checkbook joined us to discuss consumer red flags. In addition, Kevin can give examples of throwing away money on services and items that, while marketed as useful, are bad buys as well as worthwhile services and products that you could get for free.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideThe New York Times is telling the world and Bostonians alike what the top 25 restaurants in Boston are with their “Where to Eat: Boston” list. Are we going to listen to what NEW YORK has to say about our restaurants? What do real Bostonians think are the best restaurants in town?

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWrestling is mankind’s oldest and most basic form of recreational combat, tracing its origins back to the dawn of civilization. The WWE has made international stars out of wrestlers like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, local John Cena, and Killer Kowalski to name a few. Author and former host of the radio program Wrestle Radio, USA, joined us to talk about the evolution of pro wrestling!

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideCultural archivist David Bieber, who was an important part of WBCN and WFNX, joined us to chat about items in his archive that helped define Boston in the 70's. Included will be the detailed recounting of the night that Mayor Kevin White likely prevented a riot at the Boston Garden by springing the Rolling Stones from jail and getting them to the Garden in time to do the show! David was at that show and has the ticket stub. What events, venues, stores, restaurants, and more pop into your mind as helping define the seventies in Boston?

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideCultural archivist David Bieber, who was an important part of WBCN and WFNX, joined us to chat about items in his archive that helped define Boston in the 70's. Included will be the detailed recounting of the night that Mayor Kevin White likely prevented a riot at the Boston Garden by springing the Rolling Stones from jail and getting them to the Garden in time to do the show! David was at that show and has the ticket stub. What events, venues, stores, restaurants, and more pop into your mind as helping define the seventies in Boston?

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhat does life look like in war torn Ukraine? How has the ongoing war with Russia impacted financial, cultural, and political institutions in Ukraine? Jason Jay Smart is a special correspondent for the Kyiv Post who is currently living in Kyiv. Jason checked in to paint a picture of what life is currently like for those living in Ukraine.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideWhat is nuclear energy and how does it work? Physicist and astronomer Doug Arion used to assess nuclear sites to see if they could withstand strikes from Russia or any political foe. Doug joined Bradley to discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy and how it’s changed over the years.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideThe city of Boston is considered one of the country’s oldest cities and it’s filled with a lot of history. Boston played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Suffolk University Professor Bob Allison, an expert on Boston history specializing in Revolutionary Boston, joined us to share some secrets of Boston historical sites, including the iconic ship, USS Constitution.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideThe city of Boston is considered one of the country’s oldest cities and it’s filled with a lot of history. Boston played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Suffolk University Professor Bob Allison, an expert on Boston history specializing in Revolutionary Boston, joined us to share some secrets of Boston historical sites, including the iconic ship, USS Constitution.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideFollowing an Alaska meeting between President Trump and Russian Pres. Putin, Trump says he’s setting up a second meeting between Putin and Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy. Will anything be accomplished because of the meeting? Can Russia and Ukraine find peace and put an end to the war? Russia appears to be taunting Ukraine in a new viral propaganda video that shows a Russian military vehicle flying a U.S. flag. Political expert Dan Snell joined us to discuss.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideFollowing an Alaska meeting between President Trump and Russian Pres. Putin, Trump says he’s setting up a second meeting between Putin and Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy. Will anything be accomplished because of the meeting? Can Russia and Ukraine find peace and put an end to the war? Russia appears to be taunting Ukraine in a new viral propaganda video that shows a Russian military vehicle flying a U.S. flag. Political expert Dan Snell joined us to discuss.

Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideHave you ever wondered what it’s really like living under the world’s most repressive regime? For citizens of North Korea, life is restrictive to say the least, where they have limited freedoms and are subject to government surveillance and propaganda. Author Barbara Demick wrote a book titled: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which follows and tells the real-life stories of 6 North Korean residents and all they endured over a 15-year span. Demick joined us to discuss life in North Korea as well as her latest book, an equally powerful and engaging real life story: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins?