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Massachusetts
Housing Crisis
Education
Primary Care
Affordable Care Act
Climate Change
Trump Administration
Minimum Wage
Commonwealth Beacon
Massachusetts Healthcare
Healthcare Access
Affordable Housing
MBTA
Donald Trump
Private Equity
Legislation
MCAS
Boston
Transportation
Covid-19

Tune into spirited debate, local stories, and insightful analyses with The Codcast. Hosted each week by a CommonWealth Beacon reporter, the half-hour policy podcast delves into the heart of Massachusetts’s most pressing and intriguing topics. Hear newsmakers, historians, and policy experts tackle statewide housing struggles, immigration policies, little-known histories, surprising political fights... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes500Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for The Codcast

Latest Episodes

What does the latest executive order aimed at changing how people cast their votes mean for Massachusetts? Two lawsuits are currently working their way through District Court in the state challenging a directive from President Trump that the US Posta... more

Policymakers in Massachusetts are increasingly eager to impose tighter restrictions on how young people use social media like Instagram and TikTok, repeatedly slamming the platforms for exploiting minors and fueling malaise. This week on The Codcast,... more

On April 12, 2006, at Faneuil Hall, Gov. Mitt Romney signed the Massachusetts Health Insurance Reform Act, commonly known as Chapter 58 or "RomneyCare." The groundbreaking legislation established the Massachusetts Health Connector, it expanded Medica... more

This week on The Codcast, we dig into the new partnership between Massachusetts and OpenAI to roll out an AI assistant to help with daily governmental tasks. Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon, is joined by Technology Secretary Jason Sn... more

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Recent Guests

Cheri Andes
Independent consultant; former lead organizer of GBIO
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO)
Episode: 20 years later: The grassroots story that changed health care
Jason Snyder
Commonwealth Secretary of Technology
Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Episode: What it means that a state “AI assistant” will handle your data (with Technology Sec. Jason Snyder)
Barbra Rabson
Executive Director, CEO of Mass Health Quality Partners
Mass Health Quality Partners
Episode: How is your experience of primary care?
Matt Noyes
Director of State and Federal Advocacy for CHAPA
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)
Episode: The Massachusetts angle into the US Senate’s housing bill
Hallie Claflin
Gateway Cities reporter for Commonwealth Beacon, contributor to The Codcast
Commonwealth Beacon
Episode: Immigration enforcement ramps up and school enrollment tumbles
Kyle Murray
Director of State Program Implementation in Massachusetts at the Acadia Center
Acadia Center
Episode: The energy affordability crisis: How did we get here?
Dan Dolan
President of the New England Power Generators Association
New England Power Generators Association
Episode: The energy affordability crisis: How did we get here?
Amy Kershaw
Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Episode: How 'universal' is universal pre-K? | with Amy Kershaw & Amy O'Leary
Amy O'Leary
Executive Director of Strategies for Children
Strategies for Children
Episode: How 'universal' is universal pre-K? | with Amy Kershaw & Amy O'Leary

Host

Jennifer Smith
Host/Reporter for Commonwealth Beacon

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 53 ratings
  • Good show needs new host

    Love the content of this show but please find a host with an ounce of charisma.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jwalsh9
    United States9 months ago
  • Codcast not balanced

    Commonwealth magazine and the codcast used to be politically balanced. Unfortunately it’s now just a left wing liberal echo chamber and sucking up to those in power instead of informing the public. How can you do shows without talking about the downsides of the subjects you highlight. No journalism here. Just endless ring kissing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Conscience of the Commonwealth
    United Statesa year ago
  • The podcast companion to Commonwealth Magazine, The Codcast serves up interviews with a wide variety of movers and shakers in Massachusetts politics and policy. I like it!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    evanescent
    4 years ago
  • In-depth local news

    We need more of this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebekah39
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

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

A few reviews call for more charisma from the host
Some listeners feel the balance has shifted left and desire more diverse viewpoints
Overall, it's seen as strong on in-depth local news
Balanced local focus can be valuable for listeners seeking state-level context
Listeners appreciate deep dives into funding mechanisms and implementation

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

20 years later: The grassroots story that changed health care
Q: What was the rationale behind pursuing a ballot initiative as a safety valve, and how did it influence the final bill?
The ballot initiative acted as a strategic tool to exert pressure if the legislature failed to pass a strong bill; it served as a commitment device that gave the coalition a concrete route to act, while also motivating lawmakers to negotiate a robust package to avoid a costly referendum.
20 years later: The grassroots story that changed health care
Q: How did GBIO first become involved with Health Care for All's campaign for Chapter 58?
GBIO's long history with housing and workers' rights combined with John McDonough's outreach created an unexpected but powerful alignment; Cheri Andes describes how a Labor Day 2004 meeting began collaborative negotiations, with GBIO bringing a broad coalition of faith groups and providers to the table and a shared sense that health care reform could be advanced through a coordinated campaign.
What it means that a state “AI assistant” will handle your data (with Technology Sec. Jason Snyder)
Q: How widespread is AI integration in Massachusetts state government right now?
AI is being rolled out broadly with a focus on training, governance, and strategic use; many applications are being covered under a framework, but there is a defined emphasis on training and human oversight rather than a fully automated system.
When medical access is a legal puzzle (with Matt Selig)
Q: What are the major program areas you work on?
Key areas include health insurance enrollment, access to mental health services for children, school-based supports, services through state agencies, and addressing medical debt and discrimination in health care.
When medical access is a legal puzzle (with Matt Selig)
Q: How do you decide who to take as a client?
We use three main criteria: residency in Massachusetts, income within our guidelines (up to three times the federal poverty level), and a legal issue we can handle, with screening by our paralegal team.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Codcast

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

The show focuses on Massachusetts policy debates, with a clear emphasis on housing affordability, transportation funding, health care, and budget decisions. Episodes frequently feature policymakers, researchers, and advocates who dissect funding mechanisms, regulatory changes, and implementation challenges across state and local levels. A notable pattern is a tendency to pair journalists with subject-matter experts to unpack complex policy topics, often highlighting real-world impacts on families and communities. The vibe blends data-driven analysis with on-the-ground insights, making it useful for listeners who want practical context on state governance, public services, and civic outcomes.

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How many listeners does The Codcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Codcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Codcast 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 Codcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Codcast:

1. The Horse Race
2. The Daily
3. Fresh Air
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Tradeoffs

How many episodes of The Codcast are there?

The Codcast launched 10 years ago and published 500 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 Codcast?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Codcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Codcast?

Recent guests on The Codcast include:

1. Cheri Andes
2. Jason Snyder
3. Barbra Rabson
4. Matt Noyes
5. Hallie Claflin
6. Kyle Murray
7. Dan Dolan
8. Amy Kershaw

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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