Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards.

The Common spoke to Host and Producer Brendan Patrick Hughes about his new podcast  <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divine-intervention/id1628876978">"Divine Intervention."</a>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The Common spoke to Host and Producer Brendan Patrick Hughes about his new podcast  &lt;a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divine-intervention/id1628876978"&gt;"Divine Intervention."&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Boston Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards. 

Catholic nuns and priests led Boston's anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. A new podcast tells the story of the lengths many Irish Catholics went through to protest the war — including breaking into official buildings to steal draft cards.

The Common spoke to Host and Producer Brendan Patrick Hughes about his new podcast  <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divine-intervention/id1628876978">"Divine Intervention."</a>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Priests, nuns and cat burglars: The surprising history of Boston's anti-war movement

When Tim Colegrove decided to open a computer repair store in 2021, it was partially because he was interested in entrepreneurship. He also really needed a place to keep the vintage computers and gear that were piling up in his home. So, <a href="https://byteshop.io/">The BYTE Shop</a> was born: A computer repair shop AND museum to the modern home computer in Jamaica Plain.

The Common visited Tim at The BYTE Shop to talk about the store's fully operational computer history exhibit (that is open for the public to come and try), as well as how community and sustainability play into its mission.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

<description>&lt;p&gt;When Tim Colegrove decided to open a computer repair store in 2021, it was partially because he was interested in entrepreneurship. He also really needed a place to keep the vintage computers and gear that were piling up in his home. So, &lt;a href="https://byteshop.io/"&gt;The BYTE Shop&lt;/a&gt; was born: A computer repair shop AND museum to the modern home computer in Jamaica Plain.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Common&lt;/em&gt; visited Tim at The BYTE Shop to talk about the store's fully operational computer history exhibit (that is open for the public to come and try), as well as how community and sustainability play into its mission.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Tim Colegrove has been repairing computers for a long time. He eventually opened The BYTE Shop in Jamaica Plain. But it's more than a repair shop. It's a trip down tech memory lane and an homage to the history of the personal computer. 

When Tim Colegrove decided to open a computer repair store in 2021, it was partially because he was interested in entrepreneurship. He also really needed a place to keep the vintage computers and gear that were piling up in his home. So, <a href="https://byteshop.io/">The BYTE Shop</a> was born: A computer repair shop AND museum to the modern home computer in Jamaica Plain.

The Common visited Tim at The BYTE Shop to talk about the store's fully operational computer history exhibit (that is open for the public to come and try), as well as how community and sustainability play into its mission.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Repair shop offers trip down memory lane with decades-old tech

WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins The Common to discuss classical music.

The <a href="https://somervilleartscouncil.org/your-community/poetlaureate/lloyd-schwartz/">Somerville poet laureate</a> and <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/4781320/lloyd-schwartz">Fresh Air classical music critic</a> also shares recommendations from his <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/03/10/2025-spring-classical-music-guide">arts guide</a> to Greater Boston classical events on offer this spring.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

<description>&lt;p&gt;WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins &lt;em&gt;The Common&lt;/em&gt; to discuss classical music.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href="https://somervilleartscouncil.org/your-community/poetlaureate/lloyd-schwartz/"&gt;Somerville poet laureate&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/people/4781320/lloyd-schwartz"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Fresh Air&lt;/em&gt; classical music critic&lt;/a&gt; also shares recommendations from his &lt;a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/03/10/2025-spring-classical-music-guide"&gt;arts guide&lt;/a&gt; to Greater Boston classical events on offer this spring.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins The Common to discuss classical music around Boston.

WBUR contributing arts critic Lloyd Schwartz joins The Common to discuss classical music.

The <a href="https://somervilleartscouncil.org/your-community/poetlaureate/lloyd-schwartz/">Somerville poet laureate</a> and <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/4781320/lloyd-schwartz">Fresh Air classical music critic</a> also shares recommendations from his <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/03/10/2025-spring-classical-music-guide">arts guide</a> to Greater Boston classical events on offer this spring.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Symphony strings for the season of spring

<div class="mceTemp"></div>
When you walk in the doors of <a href="https://www.justbook-ish.com/">justBook-Ish</a> in Fields Corner, it is immediately clear that it is more than just a bookshop. The space invites patrons to stay for a while. There is a bar with a menu of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can take a seat at the communal table and chairs, or snuggle up in one of several window reading nooks.
<div class="mceTemp"></div>
JustBook-Ish was founded by Porsha Olayiwola, who is a former Boston Poet Laureate, and Bing Broderick, who previously served as the executive director at Haley House. Porsha and Bing wanted to provide a 'third place' in the neighborhood. The concept of a 'third place' is one that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It refers to a space that isn’t work or school or home, where folks can relax and connect with their community.
The Common recently took a trip to justBook-Ish to talk to Porsha about why our community needs more 'third places' and why that drives their mission.
Here are other bookstores and 'third places' to check out: 
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://tridentbookscafe.com/">Trident Booksellers & Cafe</a> on Newbury Street</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.narrativebookshop.com/">Narrative Bookshop</a> in Somerville</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/23/lovestruck-books-romance-harvard-square">Lovestruck Books</a> in Harvard Square</li>
</ul>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;div class="mceTemp"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
When you walk in the doors of &lt;a href="https://www.justbook-ish.com/"&gt;justBook-Ish&lt;/a&gt; in Fields Corner, it is immediately clear that it is more than just a bookshop. The space invites patrons to stay for a while. There is a bar with a menu of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can take a seat at the communal table and chairs, or snuggle up in one of several window reading nooks.
&lt;div class="mceTemp"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p class="p1"&gt;JustBook-Ish was founded by Porsha Olayiwola, who is a former Boston Poet Laureate, and Bing Broderick, who previously served as the executive director at Haley House. Porsha and Bing wanted to provide a 'third place' in the neighborhood. The concept of a 'third place' is one that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It refers to a space that isn’t work or school or home, where folks can relax and connect with their community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Common&lt;/i&gt; recently took a trip to justBook-Ish to talk to Porsha about why our community needs more 'third places' and why that drives their mission.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Here are other bookstores and 'third places' to check out: &lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://tridentbookscafe.com/"&gt;Trident Booksellers &amp; Cafe&lt;/a&gt; on Newbury Street&lt;/li&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.narrativebookshop.com/"&gt;Narrative Bookshop&lt;/a&gt; in Somerville&lt;/li&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/23/lovestruck-books-romance-harvard-square"&gt;Lovestruck Books&lt;/a&gt; in Harvard Square&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

JustBook-Ish in Dorchester is one of several bookshops popping up to provide a "third place" in our community. 

<div class="mceTemp"></div>
When you walk in the doors of <a href="https://www.justbook-ish.com/">justBook-Ish</a> in Fields Corner, it is immediately clear that it is more than just a bookshop. The space invites patrons to stay for a while. There is a bar with a menu of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can take a seat at the communal table and chairs, or snuggle up in one of several window reading nooks.
<div class="mceTemp"></div>
JustBook-Ish was founded by Porsha Olayiwola, who is a former Boston Poet Laureate, and Bing Broderick, who previously served as the executive director at Haley House. Porsha and Bing wanted to provide a 'third place' in the neighborhood. The concept of a 'third place' is one that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It refers to a space that isn’t work or school or home, where folks can relax and connect with their community.
The Common recently took a trip to justBook-Ish to talk to Porsha about why our community needs more 'third places' and why that drives their mission.
Here are other bookstores and 'third places' to check out: 
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://tridentbookscafe.com/">Trident Booksellers & Cafe</a> on Newbury Street</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.narrativebookshop.com/">Narrative Bookshop</a> in Somerville</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/23/lovestruck-books-romance-harvard-square">Lovestruck Books</a> in Harvard Square</li>
</ul>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

JustBook-Ish in Dorchester is one of several bookshops popping up to provide a 'third place' in our community.

Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment.

Five years since the pandemic began, she reflects on how it has impacted the comedy industry today from sold-out shows to a fervent demand for standup over what she calls "weird" comedy.

Here are Van Delft's recommendations for a good laugh:
<ul>
 	<li>Favorite up-and-coming local comedian: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolinamontesquieu/?hl=en">Carolina Montesquieu</a></li>
 	<li>A venue for a good show: <a href="https://www.goofscomedy.com/">Goofs Comedy Club</a> in Somerville</li>
 	<li>Comedy show producers: <a href="https://therockwell.ticketspice.com/men-in-comedy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYX-m3_KYsEeHD-I7nzhfhLfWKlo5J3Q3CoC7-vqVG-suvS2N7RlWc_L2U_aem_K0LNiOzVMMOZudRGxnCCpw">Men in Comedy</a> and <a href="https://www.donttellcomedy.com/cities/boston/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabt6EVWq2GRGFCmNcpEyKam3R9yhvvahzz1iR1RbS0FcY-FiZk2bGe4qPM_aem_l1ka04S8T3S4kPQlUPkKYA">Don't Tell Comedy</a></li>
</ul>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Five years since the pandemic began, she reflects on how it has impacted the comedy industry today from sold-out shows to a fervent demand for standup over what she calls "weird" comedy.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Here are Van Delft's recommendations for a good laugh:&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;Favorite up-and-coming local comedian: &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolinamontesquieu/?hl=en"&gt;Carolina Montesquieu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;A venue for a good show: &lt;a href="https://www.goofscomedy.com/"&gt;Goofs Comedy Club&lt;/a&gt; in Somerville&lt;/li&gt;
 	&lt;li&gt;Comedy show producers: &lt;a href="https://therockwell.ticketspice.com/men-in-comedy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYX-m3_KYsEeHD-I7nzhfhLfWKlo5J3Q3CoC7-vqVG-suvS2N7RlWc_L2U_aem_K0LNiOzVMMOZudRGxnCCpw"&gt;Men in Comedy&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.donttellcomedy.com/cities/boston/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabt6EVWq2GRGFCmNcpEyKam3R9yhvvahzz1iR1RbS0FcY-FiZk2bGe4qPM_aem_l1ka04S8T3S4kPQlUPkKYA"&gt;Don't Tell Comedy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment. She shares her top recommendations for a good laugh in the city. 

Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft thinks the Boston comedy scene is having a moment.

Five years since the pandemic began, she reflects on how it has impacted the comedy industry today from sold-out shows to a fervent demand for standup over what she calls "weird" comedy.

Here are Van Delft's recommendations for a good laugh:
<ul>
 	<li>Favorite up-and-coming local comedian: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolinamontesquieu/?hl=en">Carolina Montesquieu</a></li>
 	<li>A venue for a good show: <a href="https://www.goofscomedy.com/">Goofs Comedy Club</a> in Somerville</li>
 	<li>Comedy show producers: <a href="https://therockwell.ticketspice.com/men-in-comedy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYX-m3_KYsEeHD-I7nzhfhLfWKlo5J3Q3CoC7-vqVG-suvS2N7RlWc_L2U_aem_K0LNiOzVMMOZudRGxnCCpw">Men in Comedy</a> and <a href="https://www.donttellcomedy.com/cities/boston/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabt6EVWq2GRGFCmNcpEyKam3R9yhvvahzz1iR1RbS0FcY-FiZk2bGe4qPM_aem_l1ka04S8T3S4kPQlUPkKYA">Don't Tell Comedy</a></li>
</ul>

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Comedian Bethany Van Delft on why Boston's comedy scene is 'hot' right now

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

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