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Artwork for Explain Boston to Me

Explain Boston to Me

Lee Stabert
Boston
The Departed
Gentrification
Good Will Hunting
Philadelphia
Cambridge
Boston Red Sox
American Revolution
South Boston
Kowloon
Boston Brahmins
Harvard University
Boston Culture
Paul Revere
Boston Massacre
Fenway Park
Boston Dive Bars
Dunkin' Donuts
The Town
Irish Immigration

Podcaster and Philly transplant Lee Stabert learns about Boston. She'll never be a native, but she might just learn to speak the language.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes144Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & CulturePlaces & Travel

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Artwork for Explain Boston to Me

Latest Episodes

Explain Boston to Me took to the stage at the Boston Athenaeum, a storied institution that reflects the history and values of its home city. Guests Leah Rosovsky and John Buchtel spoke about 19th century Boston, the origins of the Athenaeum, and the ... more

In this episode, we're exploring the origins of Boston's vibrant Chinatown — and reexamining myths around the city's first Chinese restaurant — with lawyer and historian Richard Auffrey aka The Passionate Foodie. From the first Chinese immigrant to B... more

We're learning about a true Boston icon: Fenway Park. According to author Glenn Stout, this baseball paradise "changed his life" — it also would have been unrecognizable to current fans back in 1912 when it opened. The ballpark's transformation over ... more

It's time to talk about, as our guest puts it, "Bobby Brown Boston." Dr. Rufus J. Faulk loves Roxbury deeply and has plenty to say about its people and its history. After all, this town-turned-neighborhood that has been vital to local culture since 1... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Auffrey
Food writer and historian, The Passionate Foodie
The Passionate Foodie
Episode: Mythbusting in Boston's Chinatown with Richard Auffrey
Glenn Stout
Writer and Fenway Park historian
Author, Fenway Park histories (Red Sox Century, Fenway 1912)
Episode: Don't Take Fenway Park for Granted with Glenn Stout
Dr. Rufus Jackson Faulk
Adjunct professor at Roxbury Community College; restaurant owner in Dorchester; former senior policy advisor
The Mix (Dorchester); Roxbury Community College; City of Boston
Episode: Roxbury with Dr. Rufus J. Faulk
Geoff Kelly
Retired FBI agent; lead investigator on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist for 22 years
FBI
Episode: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist with Geoff Kelly
Hidetaka Hirota
Associate professor of history, UC Berkeley; expert on 19th century US immigration history
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: A new look at Irish immigration to Boston with Hidetaka Hirota
Mark Buccella
Tufts alum; former student and current observer of Tufts culture
Tufts University (alum)
Episode: Tufts University with Mark Buccella & Hannah Jiang
Hannah Jiang
Current Tufts senior; tour guide and crew team member
Tufts University
Episode: Tufts University with Mark Buccella & Hannah Jiang
Ken Turino
Executive search professional; museum culture specialist; Tufts/Harvard teaching
Museum Search and Reference; Tufts; Harvard
Episode: Inside Boston's Private Clubs with Ken Turino
Gretchen Grozier
Lives in Jamaica Plain since 1999, president of the Jamaica Plain Historical Society since 2007
City of Boston IT Department
Episode: Jamaica Plain with Gretchen Grozier

Hosts

Lee Stabert
Podcaster focusing on Boston culture and history; hosts most episodes.
Pat Toomey
Returning guest and South Boston native; appears across episodes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 153 ratings
  • Explain Philly to Me?

    I enjoy the podcast, but it feels more like a podcast about Philadelphia half the time. I was a regular listener, but the excessive talk about Philadelphia on a podcast that’s about Boston is tiring. The guests can be great, but some topics are not researched enough and the takes can be a hit or miss. There’s a lot of surface level topics that don’t focus on the intricacies of our communities. One person cannot be an expert on a neighborhood - maybe you’re missing a wider perspective from others... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    G.Tucker
    United States2 months ago
  • Stop Talking About Philly

    Disappointing. I couldn’t get through 90 secs of this.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RunHappy818
    United States3 months ago
  • Thanks!

    Hi Lee. Thank you for this podcast. I live in Seattle now, but I was born in Marblehead and grew up in Brookline and Newton. My dad was a big time lawyer in the 80s and we lived on Hammond St. by BC. I also went to high school with Dan Dain. I’ve always carried Boston in my heart, though my family no longer lives there, and your podcast has not only taught me all I never learned while I was a native but also helps me feel close to home. Patriots vs. Seahawks… Gotta route for the Pats 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jessmandell
    United States3 months ago
  • Falling in love with Boston

    Started listening before moving to Boston, and your history and tips have really lit a fire for me! Thank you so much for teaching me about my adopted home town!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sportyspicesage
    United States4 months ago
  • Should be titled “Explain Philadelphia to Me”

    I’m confused - who is the audience for this pod? Boston people? Philadelphia people? If you’re going to opine on Philly, please keep it brief and find ways to make a meaningful connection to Boston.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sorry annotFindANickname
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners enjoy new city perspectives from outsiders who still capture authentic Boston vibes.
Positive sentiment about the show's depth on local culture, with occasional critiques about guest variety.
Listeners appreciate the Boston-focused storytelling and guest diversity, with many praising accessible, engaging history explanations.
Some reviews note occasional unevenness in guest depth or topic handling, and a few compare content to another city, which isn't always relevant.
Fans highlight the host's ability to connect personal anecdotes with broader Boston lore, making complex history feel relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mythbusting in Boston's Chinatown with Richard Auffrey
Q: What was the first Chinese restaurant in Boston and where was it located?
The earliest restaurant claims are murky, but Hong Far Low is often cited as an early establishment, with evidence suggesting it opened around 1879 and served chop suey, though later archival work casts doubt on the exact opening date and founders; other early restaurants appeared on Harrison Avenue by the 1880s.
Mythbusting in Boston's Chinatown with Richard Auffrey
Q: Can you introduce yourself and explain why you're qualified to speak on Boston culture and Chinatown's origins?
I'm Richard Auffrey, a lifelong Massachusetts resident and food writer with an extensive background researching Boston's Chinatown; I've written an 18-part series on its history and numerous articles on Chinese dishes and their origins, supported by newspaper and archival sources.
Roxbury with Dr. Rufus J. Faulk
Q: How has Roxbury changed, and what does the future look like?
He notes demographic shifts toward renters, rising housing costs, and new amenities, while stressing that the community must leverage advocacy and coordinated city-wide action to ensure inclusive growth, affordable housing, and local economic development.
Roxbury with Dr. Rufus J. Faulk
Q: Tell me about the Roxbury of your childhood and how the neighborhood shaped you.
The guest describes growing up in Roxbury, the sense of community, local institutions like WIOD and Franklin Park, and the enduring pride of Black Boston. He emphasizes how the neighborhood fostered identity, opportunities, and a drive to give back, even amid challenges like gang violence and disinvestment.
A new look at Irish immigration to Boston with Hidetaka Hirota
Q: Where does this story begin, and what era does the Irish immigration narrative to Boston start?
The narrative starts well before the 19th century, with Irish presence in colonial and revolutionary periods, but the most transformative era for Boston's Irish population begins in the 1840s during and after the Great Potato Famine.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Explain Boston to Me

What is Explain Boston to Me about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners get a rich tour of Boston through culture, history, food, sports, and neighborhood life. Episodes frequently explore historic events, local institutions, and everyday traditions, often weaving in personal anecdotes and guest expertise to illuminate how Boston's past shapes its present. A standout trait is the host's outsider's perspective paired with deep local curiosity, producing approachable yet deeply informed conversations about clubs, seafood, urban development, and distinctive Boston stories that feel both educational and entertaining. The show often features prominent local historians, chefs, journalists, and community figures, delivering a vibrant mix of archival context and contemporary insights that can appeal to native... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Explain Boston to Me?

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1. Fresh Air
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
4. The Big Dig Presents: Catching The Codfather
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Explain Boston to Me are there?

Explain Boston to Me launched 3 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Explain Boston to Me?

Recent guests on Explain Boston to Me include:

1. Richard Auffrey
2. Glenn Stout
3. Dr. Rufus Jackson Faulk
4. Geoff Kelly
5. Hidetaka Hirota
6. Mark Buccella
7. Hannah Jiang
8. Ken Turino

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