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Artwork for The Big Dig

The Big Dig

GBH News
Massachusetts Lottery
Scratch Tickets
The Big Dig
Gambling Industry
Scratch & Win
Bob Crane
Proposition 2.5
Gambling
John Coza
Sports Betting
Organized Crime
Cambridge Savings Bank
Beverly Wilshire Hotel
Peabody Awards
Joe's Market
Instant Lottery Tickets
Local Government Funding
Property Taxes
Patronage
Barney Frank

“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.”

Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America.

Season One: ... more

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes26Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Big Dig

Latest Episodes

NEW name. NEW art. NEW season. NEW events. NEW mailing list. Listen for all the updates and a preview of what's to come.

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A few links to share:

Sign up for our mailing list at: wgbh.org/thebigdig

Email us at: thebigdig@wgbh.org

*LIVE EVENT* i... more

American Experience Presents stops by to share the fascinating story of Joseph McCarthy. From humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm, to leveraging his military service after World War II to launch a successful Senate bid, McCarthy's story is one of a... more

The team from Antiques Roadshow Detours stops by to share a historical fact that they just can’t seem to get right. This is one for the architecture and urban design enthusiasts. 

You can find all episodes of Antiques Roadshow Detours wherever you l... more

Last week, we heard about a movement to challenge the authority of government agencies and push power down to the people. This week, the story of a central figure in that movement: Ralph Nader. 

This episode comes from NPR’s Throughline, co-hosted b... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ralph Nader
Consumer advocate and activist known for his role in consumer protection and auto safety legislation.
Episode: BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Joan Claybrook
Former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and advocate for consumer safety.
Episode: BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Marc Dunkelman
A fellow at Brown University and author of 'Why Nothing Works'.
Brown University
Episode: BONUS: Why do some parts of government work better than others?
Lily Geismer
Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College
Episode: BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Barney Frank
Former Congressman and supporter of legalized gambling
Episode: Scratch & Win | 8. The Other Massachusetts Miracle
Dawn Hayes
Lottery host for Massachusetts, previously an assistant at AM radio
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Jack Connors
Ad executive, co-founder of Hill Holiday
Hill Holiday
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Tony Winch
Creative director at Hill Holiday
Hill Holiday
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Andy Solari
Telecommunications technician for the lottery
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of

Host

Ian Coss
Host and scriptwriter, skilled in engaging storytelling with an emphasis on historical context and social issues.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Can’t wait for the next season!

    Both seasons are so well-edited, well-researched, and engaging. The storytelling makes subjects that could be perceived as dry into deep dives into the unexplored but ever-present aspects of our social fabric. The sense of place and how uniquely Boston/MA the stories are is really interesting, too. Makes me wish there were well-reported podcasts like this one about other states!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katieeefrankooo
    United States20 days ago
  • Wonderful

    Amazing research and great presentation. Engaging as could be.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Slslslslsl
    United Statesa month ago
  • Riveting

    Even though I lived through these times, I learned so much from listening to both seasons. Looking forward to the next season.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moochonski
    United Statesa month ago
  • More Solid, Entertaining Reporting about Massachusetts

    I love both seasons for being high-quality and important for MA residents to know about. Good pacing, good characters, great stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    torreswannabe
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great show. Worth every minute.

    My title sums it up. Just what you need for long drives, thoughtful questions and something interesting to talk about in conversation (unrelated to the ridiculous stuff on the news)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alpinecowboy
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is lauded for making history come alive, utilizing personal anecdotes and sound design to enhance engagement.
Listeners appreciate the thorough research and engaging presentation, often highlighting the unique storytelling capabilities of the host. Many express surprise at how captivating topics like political history and public policy can be, emphasizing the relatability and depth of the narratives.
Viewers commend the high production quality, often noting its importance for understanding complex issues that affect their lives.
Comments regarding the innovative approach to topics reflect a collective appreciation for the narrative style that often brings in perspectives from historical figures and events.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#176
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#178
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#81
Taiwan/History
Apple Podcasts
#114
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#130
Saudi Arabia/History
Apple Podcasts
#143
Philippines/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Q: Do you feel like the results of the elections we've seen ever since, where we are today, validates your run, or further gives way to the people who criticized you?
Scapegoating by the two parties is a form of political bigotry that says to reform-minded third-party candidates, no, we're not going to let you appeal to the voters.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: I'm curious, do you permit yourself some nostalgia for the days of patronage in smoke-filled rooms?
I am nostalgic for the idea of the deep connections that came from that vision of politics.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: Could you talk about how does Tip O'Neill get into politics?
He built connections through local party structures and close ties to his constituency.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: So, tell me about the culture of the Democratic Party in the 1960s and 70s.
The Democratic Party during that time was a dominant coalition, largely working-class, with ties to labor and various other demographic groups.
BONUS: Why does sports betting feel different?
Q: Do you feel like PASPA ultimately caused just a lot of harm and chaos?
Yes, it put a stopper on the inevitable growth of sports betting which had clearly been building over decades.

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?

The podcast explores various facets of modern American society, tackling seemingly dry topics like infrastructure, gambling, healthcare, and food through a gripping narrative lens. It uncovers the complex interplay between history and contemporary issues, revealing how past decisions shape present realities. Each season presents a deep dive into specific subjects: the first season examines the controversial highway project known as the Big Dig, while the second season focuses on the Massachusetts State Lottery, particularly the development of scratch tickets and the dramatic clash between mafia bookmakers and government officials. This unique storytelling approach transforms ordinary subjects into compelling political dramas that resonate w... more

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How many listeners does The Big Dig get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Big Dig has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Big Dig?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Big Dig:

1. This American Life
2. Slow Burn
3. 99% Invisible
4. Criminal
5. Antiques Roadshow Detours

How many episodes of The Big Dig are there?

The Big Dig launched 2 years ago and published 26 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Big Dig?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Big Dig?

Recent guests on The Big Dig include:

1. Ralph Nader
2. Joan Claybrook
3. Marc Dunkelman
4. Lily Geismer
5. Barney Frank
6. Dawn Hayes
7. Jack Connors
8. Tony Winch

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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