Best Boise State Public Radio Podcasts (2024)

1
President Biden steps down: What's next for Idaho and the nation 44:18

39m ago44:18

44:18

President Joe Biden, right, walks with Vice President Kamala Harris on May 13, 2021, in Washington. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, July 21, ending his bid for reelection following a debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.(Evan Vuc…

1
"The Demon Of Unrest" By Erik Larson 30:10

4h ago30:10

30:10

An interview with Erik Larson, author of the new book, The Demon of Unrest. The book examines the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War.By Bob Kustra

1
Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: July 19, 2024 44:15

1h ago44:15

44:15

(City of Toronto / CC by 2.0) A new law has put restrictions on library book challenges, there are a growing number of evictions in the Treasure Valley, reading scores for Idaho students are still lagging, improvement is needed in the Forest Services fire program and we take a look at Project 2025's plan for education. It’s Friday, which means it's…

1
How the Bench Lake Fire is impacting popular summer recreation spots 15:40

1d ago15:40

15:40

Water-scooping aircraft collecting water from Redfish Lake takes photo of the Bench Lake Fire on July 14.( U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest) One week ago, a wildfire broke out eight miles south of Stanley, next to Idaho's iconic Redfish Lake. The fire is still relatively small by Gem State’s standards, at about 2,000 acres, but it’s thr…

1
Idahoans travel to Montana for abortion care 23:51

29m ago23:51

23:51

(blawton44 / Flickr) The number of Idahoans traveling to Montana to receive abortion care has tripled in the last year. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in 2022, 32 Idahoans traveled to Montana to get an abortion. In 2023, the year our state’s abortion ban went into to…

1
Former BYRDS cyclist competes in the Tour de France 7:08

32m ago7:08

7:08

(Johnson Purimitla / Flickr) This weekend, cyclists from around the world will compete in the last two stages of the Tour de France race. Among these athletes is Boise native Matteo Jorgenson, who attributes his start in the sport to BYRDS, a youth cycling program here in the Treasure Valle…

1
Remembering Idaho Sen. Frank Church nearly 100 years after his birth 32:31

1h ago32:31

32:31

Three counsels to U.S. President Gerald Ford meet with members of the Select Senate Committee on Intelligence in Washington, D.C., June 26, 1975. They brought White House files with them to aid panel's investigation into where orders to assassinate Cuban Premier Fidel Castro originated. From left are: seated, James Wilderoffer, counsel; Roderick Hi…

1
A new film explores the issue of ranked choice voting 8:39

1h ago8:39

8:39

(The Flicks / via Facebook) Idahoans will be considering an open primaries initiative this November, which includes a ranked choice voting component. A new film called "Majority Rules" looks at this issue and there’s a sold out special screening on Wednesday, July 17, at The Flicks in Boise, which will include a panel discussion after the film. For…

1
Idaho State University and AmeriCorps team up to fight poverty and food insecurity in Idaho 9:04

1d ago9:04

9:04

( ISU AmeriCorps Programs) More than 20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, September 11 has become the biggest day of service in America. It’s a day when many give back to their communities to honor those lost that day. Last year, Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health got a grant from AmeriCorps to plan commun…

1
How Idaho's new director of Health and Welfare plans to make change 44:36

1h ago44:36

44:36

Alex Adams and Idaho Governor Brad Little after Little signed the “Promoting Families and Protecting Children Act,” on June 7, 2024.(Idaho Governor's Office) Idaho has a new Health and Welfare Director. Alex Adams faces a growing Medicaid budget and has already cut some vacant positions. On day one, he made adoption a top priority and said he wants…

1
Boise Rescue Mission weighs in on recent U.S. Supreme Court homelessness ruling 14:27

1d ago14:27

14:27

FILE - In the Sept. 21, 2017, file photo, tucked in a sleeping bag, Danny, a 60-year-old homeless man who only gave his first name, lies on an overpass above the 101 Freeway, one of the nation's busiest freeways, in Los Angeles. A federal appellate court says cities can't prosecute people for sleeping on the streets if they have nowhere else to go.…

1
Addressing Alzheimer's in Idaho 12:04

1d ago12:04

12:04

(Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images) Here in Idaho, there are nearly 30,000 people living with Alzheimer's, a disease that many are calling a public health crisis. And as that number continues to grow, experts are working to raise awareness. Which is why the Alzheimer's Foundation of America will be hosting an educational conference this week, provid…

1
Snake River Stampede returns to Nampa 10:09

8d ago10:09

10:09

(Snake River Stampede ) This year marks the 109th anniversary of the Snake River Stampede Rodeo! This weeklong event brings thousands of cowboys and spectators to Nampa for everything from bull riding to barrel racing to mutton busting! The stampede is a big money-maker for Canyon County and a tradition for families that spans generations. Clint Ch…

1
Idaho athlete aims to compete in 2024 Paralympics 9:29

1h ago9:29

9:29

(cdn.slacker / Flickr) Boise native Annie Carey could be heading to the Paralympics in Paris this August. She currently holds the long jump world record in her classification as well as the U.S. record in the 200 meters, and last year she competed in the Parapan American Games, bringing home…

1
"I Will Show You How It Was" By Illia Ponomarenko 41:09

10d ago41:09

41:09

An interview with Illia Ponomarenko, author of the new book, I Will Show You How It Was. The book is powerful and personal chronicle of the war in Ukraine from the front lines.By Bob Kustra

1
Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: July 12, 2024 39:44

3d ago39:44

39:44

(Murphy Woodhouse / Mountain West News Bureau ) The Open Primary Initiative is headed to the ballot, there's a petition from the Attorney General's office to hear the Hecox v. Little case, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean has voiced her support for President Biden and we a look at firework laws. It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtab…

1
New collaboration shows way to get help with ‘insatiable’ prescribed fire need 4:03

20h ago4:03

4:03

A low-intensity burn on the recent Crawford prescribed fire near Cascade, Idaho(Steve Vigil / The Nature Conservancy ) On a Thursday morning in May, Forest Service staff and crew leaders gathered in the Cascade Ranger District Office for a briefing. They were putting a plan together for the nearby, nearly 100-acre Crawford burn on the Boise Nationa…

1
Could making schools phone-free improve our kids mental health? 21:22

6d ago21:22

21:22

(Canva ) Across the country, many parents and educators are struggling with the same question: "Should cell phones be kept out of school?" Well, for more than 200 families in the Boise School District, the answer may be yes. As more research emerges linking technology and social media to poor mental health, parents are in search of solutions, looki…

1
What to Watch: Movie recommendations that will help you cool down 23:22

2d ago23:22

23:22

(Louis A Habash / Flickr) If you're hoping to stay out of the heat, a good movie or series may be the answer! Our resident movie critic, George Prentice, joined Idaho Matters to help us figure out What to Watch.By Samantha Wright, George Prentice

1
Idaho Matters Doctors Roundtable: July 10, 2024 28:59

3d ago28:59

28:59

Boise, Idaho Wastewater SARS-COV-2 data.( City of Boise) The level of COVID-19 is up in Boise, at least according to the spike of the disease found in the city's wastewater. Plus, we know bird flu is hitting Idaho's dairy cows, but what about beef cattle? Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, joined Idaho Matters to talk more abou…

1
When wildfires destroy homes, who pays the bill? 7:53

12d ago7:53

7:53

(Canva ) When a power line falls and sparks a wildfire that burns through homes and neighborhoods, who pays for the destruction? That’s the question being asked in several states, including Idaho, after the deadly Santiam fire in Oregon. Four years ago, the fire killed 11 people and burned more than 5,000 homes and buildings. PacifiCorp, which prov…

1
Extreme heat poses risk to Idaho's unhoused 9:27

7d ago9:27

9:27

(CATCH ) With an excessive heat warning in place through Saturday, many people are trying to stay out of the sun but for people experiencing homelessness, this can be hard to do. Which is why the local nonprofit CATCH is requesting essential items to help keep this vulnerable community safe. Connor O'Hora, CATCH's outreach team lead, and Cassidy La…

1
What protections do pregnant mothers have in the workplace? 13:47

4d ago13:47

13:47

(JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images/Tetra images RF) Last year, a new law went into effect, expanding the rights of pregnant workers across the U.S. Now, regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act have been finalized, offering clearer guidelines on what protections can be expected in the workplace. Charlotte Burrows, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employ…

1
Boise Mayor McLean visited Morning Edition to talk housing, cops, jobs, abortion and more 11:52

4d ago11:52

11:52

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean ( City of Boise) Boise Mayor Lauren McLean says she’d “like nothing more than to weigh in” on controversial rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court. But that’s not going to stop her, she says, from making clear that a number of those decisions directly impact Boise. “When I knock on doors and talk to our residents, I’ve talked…

1
Opera in the Park returns for its fourth year 15:32

4d ago15:32

15:32

( Opera Idaho) This weekend, Opera in the Park is returning to downtown Boise for an evening of music that you won't soon forget. Stacey Trenteseaux, the general director of Opera Idaho, and soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez join Idaho Matters to talk more about the upcoming event.By Hannah Gardoski

1
Idaho dogs show off their talent at annual Puptricks event 4:16

4d ago4:16

4:16

( Roseanna Marcum) In March of 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Nampa was looking for a way to connect with the community without spending time indoors. That’s when Puptricks was born. This local dog gathering brought together neighbors and their pups, allowing people to have some fun while their dogs showed off their tricks…

1
How a recent supreme court ruling will impact Idaho's homeless 16:31

5d ago16:31

16:31

( U.S. Supreme Court) It’s now legal again to give someone a ticket for sleeping or camping on public property. This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Grants Pass v. Johnson case. The city of Oregon wanted to fine people sleeping in public parks and possibly put them in jail if they refused to comply, and the court said that was not "…

1
How one camp is making a difference for kids with cancer 11:30

5d ago11:30

11:30

Kids at Camp Rainbow Gold partake in a food fight. ( Camp Rainbow Gold) When it comes to making memories, there's no better place to do so than summer camp. But for kids with medical conditions, this experience can feel out of reach. Which is why the work that Camp Rainbow Gold does is so important. For over 40 years, the nonprofit has been creatin…

1
The impact of Idaho's growing outdoor recreation industry 9:02

5d ago9:02

9:02

(Larry Reis / Flickr) When you think of fast-growing industries in Idaho, you might think of tech businesses or agriculture. But one of the fastest-growing industries and job markets is fish and wildlife, which employs more than 4,000 people in Idaho. These jobs include everything from wildlife conservation to fishing guides, manufacturing jet boat…

1
An overview of the 2023 activity in Yellowstone National Park 9:57

5d ago9:57

9:57

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 Annual Report.( USGS) Last year, four and a half million people flocked to Yellowstone National Park: a 37% increase over 2022. They came to camp to fish, watch the wildlife, and check out the thermal geysers that spew hot water and rock out of what is a very active geologic site. While Yellowstone seems like a …

1
"The Meat Paradox" By Rob Percival 30:15

8d ago30:15

30:15

An interview with Rob Percival, author of The Meat Paradox: Eating, Empathy, and the Future of Meat. The book offers a vital and nuanced investigation into the current debate around meat.By Bob Kustra

1
Remembering Harriet Beecher Stowe and Harriet Tubman 26:24

8d ago26:24

26:24

A statue of Harriet Tubman at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Maryland.(Craig James) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on April 30, 2024. When it comes to American history, especially around the 1850s, two women stand out as lightning rods for dramatic change in society. Harriet Beecher Stowe's best-selling an…

1
Why author Patrick Hinds is embracing failure 23:45

8d ago23:45

23:45

Failure on board. (contrastwerkstatt/contrastwerkstatt) This episode of Idaho Matters originally aired on April 30, 2024. You may know Patrick Hinds as one of the voices behind the tremendously successful podcast "True Crime Obsessed." What you may not know is that Patrick is also a self professed failure, something he looks at in his new book "Fai…

1
"Coming To Terms With John F. Kennedy" By Stephen F. Knott 33:54

15d ago33:54

33:54

An interview with Stephen F. Knott, author of Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy. The book offers a broad view of the young President, and shows how politicians on both sides of the aisle distorted JFK's record for their own purposes.By Bob Kustra

1
"The Year Of The Locust" By Terry Hayes 38:33

22d ago38:33

38:33

An interview with Terry Hayes, acclaimed author of the new book, The Year of the Locust. A thriller set in the borderlands of the Middle East, the novel follows a CIA spy as his plans to extract a source are complicated by a powerful adversary.By Bob Kustra

1
"The Revenge of Power" By Moisés Naím 34:15

1M ago34:15

34:15

An interview with Moisés Naím, author of The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century. The book examines the future of freedom and how to contain and defeat the autocrats popping up around the world.By Bob Kustra

1
"The End Of Reality" By Jonathan Taplin 37:23

1M ago37:23

37:23

An interview with Jonathan Taplin, author of The End of Reality. The book is a scathing critique of the worldview being sold by four American billionaires.By Bob Kustra

1
"Three-Inch Teeth" By C.J. Box 30:23

2M ago30:23

30:23

An interview with writer C.J. Box, joining us to talk about his new novel, Three-Inch Teeth. In the book, game warden Joe Pickett contends with a vicious grizzly bear and an ex-convict out for revenge.By Bob Kustra

1
"Sunny Days" By David Kamp 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

Note: This is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The episode originally aired in October 2020.By Bob Kustra

1
"Fire Weather" By John Vaillant 34:16

2M ago34:16

34:16

An interview with John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather. The book offers a terrifying account of a colossal wildfire and an exploration of the rapidly changing relationship between fire and humankind.By Bob Kustra

1
"How To Sell A Poison" By Elena Conis 32:01

2M ago32:01

32:01

An interview with Elena Conis, author of How to Sell a Poison. The book tells the tangled story of DDT, a corporate-backed poison that decimated wildlife and left behind toxic bodies.By Bob Kustra

1
"Once There Were Wolves" By Charlotte McConaghy 32:16

3M ago32:16

32:16

An interview with Charlotte McConaghy about her new novel, Once There Were Wolves. The book is about the looming threat of environmental collapse and the bold and flawed humans working to avert it.By Bob Kustra

1
"A Day In The Life Of Abed Salama" By Nathan Thrall 36:01

3M ago36:01

36:01

An interview with Nathan Thrall, author of the new book, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama. The book tells the story of a deadly accident outside Jerusalem that unravels a tangle of lives, loves, and histories over the course of a single day.By Bob Kustra

1
"Tired Of Winning" By Jonathan Karl 37:16

3M ago37:16

37:16

An interview with Jonathan Karl, author of Tired of Winning. The book explores how Donald Trump remade the Republican Party in his own image, baggage and all.By Bob Kustra

1
"Camera Man" By Dana Stevens 37:30

3M ago37:30

37:30

An interview with Dana Stevens, author of Camera Man: Buster Keaton, The Dawn of Cinema and the Invention of the Twentieth Century. In the book, Stevens places acclaimed filmmaker Buster Keaton’s unique creative genius in the context of his time.By Bob Kustra

1
"Tyranny of the Minority" By Steven Levitsky (Part II) 31:54

4M ago31:54

31:54

An interview with Steven Levitsky, co-author of Tyranny of the Minority. The book offers important context for our volatile times and a framework for how to protect our democracy from an authoritarian backlash.By Bob Kustra

1
"Tyranny of the Minority" By Steven Levitsky (Part I) 30:39

4M ago30:39

30:39

An interview with Steven Levitsky, co-author of Tyranny of the Minority. The book offers important context for our volatile times and a framework for how to protect our democracy from an authoritarian backlash.By Bob Kustra

1
"The Violin Conspiracy" By Brendan Slocumb 32:18

4M ago32:18

32:18

An interview with Brendan Slocumb, author of the novel, The Violin Conspiracy. Part literary thriller and part mystery, the book is a gripping coming-of-age story about the love of music and a young man’s resilience.By Bob Kustra

1
"The Big Fail" By Joe Nocera 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

An interview with Joe Nocera, co-author of The Big Fail. Co-written by Bethany MacLean, the book offers new answers for why and how America become the world leader in COVID deaths.By Bob Kustra

1
"White House Wild Child" By Shelley Fraser Mickle 34:54

5M ago34:54

34:54

An interview with Shelley Fraser Mickle, author of the new book, White House Wild Child. The book is a fascinating biography of outspoken first-daughter Alice Roosevelt, sometimes dubbed the Jackie O of the early 20th century.By Bob Kustra

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