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Artwork for The Big Dig

The Big Dig

GBH News
Massachusetts Lottery
Scratch Tickets
The Big Dig
Scratch & Win
Gambling Industry
Carlos Rafael
Boston
Bob Crane
Gambling
Proposition 2.5
John Coza
Sports Betting
Organized Crime
World War II
Antiques Roadshow
Peabody Awards
Beverly Wilshire Hotel
Cambridge Savings Bank
Joe's Market
Instant Lottery Tickets

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in projects that attempt to address the harm done by urban highways – covering them up, transforming them into boulevards, or removing them entirely. But even as the problems with these structures are easy to see, the right solution for any given city is usually not obvious. Often, it’s contentious.

Two years ago, GBH News released the acclaimed ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes43Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Big Dig

Latest Episodes

How did the Austin City Council find themselves locked in a ‘death match’ over what to do about Interstate 35? Two councilors and two journalists talk through the fraught politics of so-called highway caps. 

Guests: Megan Kimble, Nathan Bernier, Jos... more

Once the highway is gone, can the divisions these structures created actually be healed? Can the people on either side become neighbors again? Rochester, NY is trying to answer that question.

Guests: Erik Frisch, Brian Sharp, Shawn Dunwoody, Suzanne... more

Is it possible to re-write the Interstate map and send highways around cities instead of through them? Syracuse, NY is doing just that. 

Guests: Marie Therese Dominguez, Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, Joe Driscoll

Recorded live in partnership with WRVO and... more

What to do with the BQE? It’s a one of a kind highway in desperate need of repair, but no one can agree how to fix it. 

Guests: Polly Trottenberg, Lara Birnback, Stephen Nessen

Recorded live at WNYC’s Greenspace.

Archival audio courtesy of Municip... more

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Recent Guests

Erik Frisch
Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Rochester
City of Rochester
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 3. Rochester, NY
Shawn Dunwoody
Board member of Hinge Neighbors, community organizer
Hinge Neighbors
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 3. Rochester, NY
Suzanne Mayer
Board member of Hinge Neighbors, community organizer
Hinge Neighbors
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 3. Rochester, NY
Lanessa Owens-Chaplin
Director of the Racial Justice Center at the New York Civil Liberties Union
New York Civil Liberties Union
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Marie Therese Dominguez
Commissioner for the New York State Department of Transportation
New York State DOT
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Joe Driscoll
Interstate 81 City Project Director for the City of Syracuse
City of Syracuse / DOT partnership
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Betsy Parmley
Regional Director / Project Director for NYSDOT
New York State DOT
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Polly Trottenberg
former Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Commissioner of NYC DOT (2014-2020)
U.S. Department of Transportation, NYC DOT
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 1. New York, NY
Lara Birnback
Executive Director of the Brooklyn Heights Association
Brooklyn Heights Association
Episode: Highway Teardown Tour | 1. New York, NY

Host

Ian Coss
Host & Creator; GBH News

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Amazing, thoughtful, brilliantly paced and masterfully produced. This is one of the best podcasts out there for anyone who is interested in transportation, community, history, and local politics. I'm not from New England but that doesn't matter - the stories are compelling, the characters are interesting, and the facts are astounding.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    nbeam
    14 days ago
  • Great blend of reporting and story telling

    I’ve enjoyed all three seasons of The Big Dig. Even though I’m not from Boston or even New England, I appreciate how these “local” stories tell us about bigger issues in our society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moliravioli
    United States2 months ago
  • True Crime!

    This is a true crime story you can't even make this up. And very well told with colorful characters, complicated relationships, feds undercover as Russian mobsters and more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a boston dad
    United States2 months ago
  • A good catch

    This show is exactly the kind of storytelling that reminds you why long-form audio journalism matters.

    Commercial fishing is one of those worlds most Americans know nothing about. The politics, the regulatory battles, the sheer hard-scrabble culture of the docks — it’s a world that feels like it belongs to another era, almost forgotten by the rest of us. The fact that Coss brings it back to life so vividly, and pulls a general audience through all of it without losing them, is genuinely impressi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    oldsoulsound
    United States2 months ago
  • Compelling, enlightening

    Very well done. A great listen whether you know much about the fishing industry or not.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mikeytheright
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners note high production quality and engaging interviewees.
Fans praise the deep-dive storytelling and local history focus.
Audiences appreciate nuanced portrayal of a controversial figure and regulatory debates.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#92
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#146
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#172
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#175
Belgium/History
Apple Podcasts
#202
Norway/History
Apple Podcasts
#209
Mexico/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Highway Teardown Tour | Enter Here
Q: Could you just tell me your name?
Margaret introduces herself as a resident being interviewed.
Catching The Codfather | 6. It’s Your Job to Catch Me
Q: How did you hear that he was arrested?
The information came through a fuel supplier who heard rumors and then confirmed Carlos Rafael's arrest as authorities carried out the operation, illustrating how rumors can spread before formal announcements.
Have we entered a new era for government regulation?
Q: How did you hear the fishermen would have their case heard before the Supreme Court, and why did they decide to bring Relentless in as a supporting or strategic case?
Relentless was brought to create a circuit split possibility, which increases the chance the Supreme Court would take the matter, and it also ensured a key justice would be available for the argument; it was a tactical move to align with Loper-Brite and broaden the discussion about deference.
Have we entered a new era for government regulation?
Q: Do you remember where you were when you got the news about the Supreme Court taking the Relentless case?
I was in a familiar spot, getting the notice on the electronic filing system and realizing the moment could redefine how Chevron is treated; it was a mix of disbelief and excitement as I prepared for briefing and argument.
Catching The Codfather | 1. Red Lobster
Q: Can you tell me about how you did ultimately get arrested?
Carlos shares the troubles he faced as he wanted to sell his business, revealing the complexities of his life and decisions leading to his arrest.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Big Dig

What is The Big Dig about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Season-long investigative storytelling follows a controversial fishing magnate in New Bedford as federal scrutiny and regulatory overhaul collide with community livelihoods. Across seasons, the show examines how government policy, industry dynamics, and local culture shape big-influence decisions, often through immersive, character-driven reporting. Noteworthy is the way it blends on-the-ground reportage with broader legal and political questions, making local clashes feel relevant to national debates on regulation, accountability, and economic survival. The narrative approach—filmed through dockside interviews, undercover tensions, and courtroom-style moments—helps listeners understand complex policy battles through human stories and concr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Big Dig?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Big Dig:

1. The Big Dig
2. This American Life
3. 99% Invisible
4. Radiolab
5. Revisionist History

How many episodes of The Big Dig are there?

The Big Dig launched 3 years ago and published 43 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 The Big Dig?

Recent guests on The Big Dig include:

1. Erik Frisch
2. Shawn Dunwoody
3. Suzanne Mayer
4. Lanessa Owens-Chaplin
5. Marie Therese Dominguez
6. Joe Driscoll
7. Betsy Parmley
8. Polly Trottenberg

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