>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": THE "WASHINGTON POST'S" JASON REZIAN, WHO WAS KIDNAPPED AND HELD PRISONER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF IN IRAN, ON HIS CONCERNS FOR WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER, STAR BRITTNEY GRINER, DETAINED IN RUSSIA, AND OTHER U.S. CITIZENS CURRENTLY HELD ABROAD.

THEN, LATER, HARVARD JUNIOR AND NPR'S YOUNGEST-EVER HOST, EMMA CHOI, ON HER NEW PODCAST FROM THE GREAT "WAIT, WAIT, DON'T TELL ME" -- IT'S CALLED "EVERYONE AND THEIR MOM."

AND, FINALLY, BOSTON'S NEWEST MUSIC VENUE IS NOW OPEN.

GBH NEWS' ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER JAMES BENNETT JOINS ME ON THAT AND HIS INTRODUCTION TO TOWN.

♪♪ >> Braude: AS RUSSIA BOMBS KYIV, STRIKING YET ANOTHER CIVILIAN TARGET, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY ADDRESSED THE U.S. CONGRESS TODAY, DIRECTLY PLEADING WITH LAWMAKERS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN TO DO MORE TO HELP HIS COUNTRY FEND OFF PUTIN'S ATTACKS.

>> TODAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE THE LEADER OF THE NATION.

TODAY TAKES TO BE THE LEADER OF THE WORLD.

BEING THE LEADER OF THE WORLD MEANS TO BE THE LEADER OF PEACE.

PEACE IN YOUR COUNTRY DOESN'T DEPEND ANYMORE ONLY ON YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE.

IT DEPENDS ON THOSE NEXT TO YOU.

>> Braude: IN A GRAPHIC VIDEO, ZELENSKYY SHOWED CONGRESS A PAINFUL BEFORE AND AFTER OF HIS COUNTRY AND HIS COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN AND REITERATED CALLS FOR THE U.S. TO ENFORCE A NO-FLY ZONE OVER UKRAINE AND PROVIDE FIGHTER PLANES TO HELP HIS FORCES FIGHT BACK.

THEY'RE TWO REQUESTS BIDEN HAS SIGNALED HE'S UNLIKELY TO APPROVE, THOUGH HE DID ANNOUNCE THE U.S. WOULD SEND UKRAINE $800 MILLION MORE IN MILITARY SUPPORT.

>> THE WORLD IS UNITED AROUND OUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND OUR DETERMINATION TO MAKE PUTIN PAY A VERY HEAVY PRICE.

PUTIN IS INFLICTING APPALLING, APPALLING DEVASTATION AND HORROR.

>> Braude: IN RESPONSE TO THOSE HORRORS, TODAY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE HAS ORDERED RUSSIA TO HALT ITS ATTACKS IN AN ORDER THAT'S LEGALLY BINDING BUT STILL ISN'T EXPECTED TO GET PUTIN TO STAND DOWN.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING RUSSIA'S AGGRESSION BEYOND UKRAINIAN BORDERS, WITH ITS DETAINING OF U.S. CITIZEN AND WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER, WHO WAS ARRESTED AT THE AIRPORT IN MOSCOW THREE WEEKS AGO ON WHAT, I FEEL QUITE CONFIDENT IN SAYING, WERE CONVENIENT CHARGES.

ACCORDING TO HER CONGRESSWOMAN, RUSSIA HAS REFUSED TO GIVE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ANY ACCESS TO GRINER, WHICH HE SAID WAS "UNUSUAL AND EXTREMELY CONCERNING."

MY NEXT GUEST IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED, TOO.

"WASHINGTON POST" JOURNALIST JASON REZIAN WAS KIDNAPPED AND HELD PRISONER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF IN IRAN.

IN A NEW OP-ED, HE URGES US TO LOOK AT GRINER'S CASE WITH "A CRITICAL EYE," WRITING, "MORE AMERICANS ARE BEING WRONGFULLY DETAINED ABROAD, ESPECIALLY IN MOMENTS OF TENSION OR CONFLICT.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, HOSTAGE-TAKERS ARE ALLOWED TO SEIZE CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE, WHILE HOSTAGES' GOVERNMENTS AND EMPLOYERS ARE LEFT FLAT-FOOTED."

JASON REZIAN JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: JASON, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> Braude: WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY HOSTAGE-TAKERS ARE ALLOWED TO SEIZE CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE?

>> WELL, LOOK, AS SOON AS THE MUGSHOT OF BRITTNEY GRINER WAS RELEASED, AND THE CHARGES THAT SHE SUPPOSEDLY HAD POSSESSION OF DRUGS, WERE MADE BY THE RUSSIA STATE MEDIA, WHICH, AS WE KNOW, IS NOT AN HONEST BROKER.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT VERSION OF EVENTS BECOMES THE DOMINANT.

THAT PICTURE OF BRITTNEY IN A MUGSHOT, AND HEADLINES ACROSS THE WORLD JUST REPEAT THIS IDEA THAT SHE IS GUILTY OF SOMETHING.

I, FOR ONE, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS FALSELY CHARGED OF ESPIONAGE, YOU KNOW, I PUSHED BACK ON THIS.

I BELIEVE IN THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE, AND I'M GOING TO CONSIDER BRITTNEY GRINER INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.

>> Braude: THEY SEIZED CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE BECAUSE WE LET THEM.

IF WE, IN THE MEDIA, DIDN'T JUST REPEAT THIS MINDLESSLY, AND HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO READ ABOUT THE FACTS THE REASON SHE PLAYED IN RUSSIA IS BECAUSE SHE WASN'T PAID AS MUCH IN THE WNBA, AS IF THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING -- WE'VE SEEN THE ENEMY AND IT IS US, NO?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE QUESTION ABOUT PAY AND EQUALITY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS ARE GOOD DISCUSSIONS TO HAVE, BUT LET'S HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WHEN SHE IS BACK HOME.

>> Braude: THIS CONCERN THAT HER CONGRESSMAN AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE, IN THE KNOW, ARE ALLEGEDLY BEING DENIED ACCESS TO THE CONSULT, I BELIEVE THAT IS A BIG DEAL, NO?

>> THAT'S THE FIRST RED FLAG.

AGAIN, THE IDEA THAT RUSSIA PUT THIS INFORMATION OUT THERE, THEY ARRESTED HER, AND THEY WAITED SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL THEY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER THE U.S. BEGAN PUTTING PRESSURE AND SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA OVER THEIR INVASION OF UKRAINE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE A CONGRESS PERSON -- MULTIPLE CONGRESS PEOPLE -- SAYING THAT BRITTNEY GRINER IS BEING DENIED CONSULAR ACCESS.

THOSE ARE TWO VERY BIG RED FLAGS THAT THIS COULD VERY WELL BE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> Braude: AND ANOTHER THING THAT MAKES IT SO SCARY TO ME, IN ADDITION TO THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED, IS THAT YOUNG, COURAGEOUS WOMAN WHO WENT ON THE SET OF CHANNEL ONE WITH THE HAND SIGN, NO WAR; DON'T BELIEVE THE PROPAGANDA.

SHE WAS NOT MENTIONED TO AFTER.

AND THE FACT WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT GRINER, NOR HAVE WE SEEN HER, IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING?

>> YES.

EXACTLY.

I SPENT 29 DAYS IN SOLIDARITY CONFINEMENT WHILE THE RUSSIA PROPAGANDA WERE ABLE TO SPIN THEIR OWN EVENTS.

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAYING WE SHOULD KEEP THIS QUIET, RUSSIA MAY BE LOOKING FOR A FACE-SAVING WAY OUT OF THIS -- HOSTAGE HOSTAGE-TAKERS ARE NOT LOOKING FOR PEACE.

>> Braude: I ATTEND TO AGREE WITH YOU IN AN ARM'S LENGTH PERSPECTIVE, BUT WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFICULT IS THE PEOPLE SAYING PLAY IT LOWER KEY ARE PARTICULARLY HER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

IT IS NOT LIKE A GOVERNMENT.

IT IS PEOPLE CLOSEST TO HER, WHICH MAKES IT HARDER TO TAKE ANOTHER TACT, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

IT MAKES IT MUCH HARDER.

AND THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO TAKE ITS CUES FROM A FAMILY AND FROM EMPLOYERS.

AND IF THEY ARE BEING ADVISED TO KEEP IT QUIET, THEY MIGHT NOT BE INCLINED TO SIGN OFF ON PRIVACY WAIVERS THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT REQUIRES IN THESE CASES TO TALK ABOUT THEM PUBLICLY.

SO THERE IS KIND OF A VOID OF INFORMATION.

AND I DON'T WANT TO JUMP TO ANY CONCLUSIONS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, AS I KEEP SAYING, WE HAVE TO GIVE HER THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE AT A TIME WHEN SHE IS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK FOR HERSELF.

>> Braude: OF COURSE.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS, SINCE WE'RE DOING A MIA CULPA, THE OTHER THING I'M EMBARRASSED ABOUT, UNTIL THE GRINER S-I DON'T THINK I HAD EVER MENTIONED PAUL OR TREVOR, WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY TO LOWER-PROFILE AMERICANS WHO HAVE BEEN HELD I THINK FOUR AND THREE YEARS RESPECTIVELY, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I DO APPRECIATE YOU, JIM, FOR MENTIONING THEIR CASES.

I MEAN, THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO GET MORE ATTENTION ON THEM FOR YEARS NOW.

TREVOR, IN PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW, IS IN POOR HEALTH.

HIS FAMILY BELIEVES HE MIGHT HAVE TUBERCULOSIS, MIGHT HAVE COVID.

THE CONDITIONS ARE DEPLORABLE.

THE JUDICIARY MACHINATIONS THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH ARE RIDICULOUS.

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT NORMAL AMERICANS IN THE PUBLIC KNOW MUCH ABOUT.

>> Braude: AND IT IS ALSO PRETTY DISTURBING THAT IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS WEEK, AFTER THE GRINER THING AND THE THING IN RUSSIA, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SPOKE TO THE GRINER CASE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> Braude: I MENTIONED THE HOSTAGE-TAKERS SEIZING THE NARRATIVE, AND THE HOSTAGES' GOVERNMENTS CAUGHT FLAT-FOOTED.

YOU ARGUE FOR A MORE ROBUST RESPONSE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> TWO PARTS: FIRST OF ALL, CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

AS SOON AS WE COME OUT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ARREST OF THIS AMERICAN.

WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT.

WE'RE FOLLOWING IT VERY CLOSELY.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS AS IT IS.

WE HAVE REAL BOUNCE OVER THE CHARGES, AND THERE IS A REAL GOOD INDICATION THEY'RE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

RELEASE HER RIGHT NOW.

AT A MINIMUM, GIVE HER CONSULAR ACCESS.

ON THE BACK END, AND THIS IS WHEN IT GETS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME, THERE AREN'T AFFECTIVE COSTLY MEASURES IN PLACE TO MAKE IT FOR GOVERNMENT TO MOVE FORWARD.

UNTIL GOVERNMENTS FEEL THERE IS MORE OF A RISK AND COST TO THEM THAN THERE IS A BENEFIT, THEY'LL KEEP DOING THIS.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE A CONCERTED, MULTI-NATIONAL APPROACH.

UNFORTUNATELY, MOST GOVERNMENTS WHO HAD TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE-TAKING OF THEIR CITIZENS, HAVE DECIDED TO DO IT IN A BILATERAL WAY.

THEY DON'T WANT IT TO GUM UP OTHER NEGOTIATIONS.

OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

>> Braude: GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OR TWO OF A DETERRENT MESSAGE THAT YOU WOULD EMBRACE?

>> YOU HAVE THE GLOBAL MINISKI ANXIETIES, WHICH ANXIETIES ISKI ANXIETY ISKI SANCTIONS, AND YOU CAN SEIZE THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE IN COURTS AROUND THE WORLD.

SECOND, THERE ARE AMPLE NUMBER OF JUDGMENTS IN U.S COURTS AGAINST HOSTAGE-TAKING STATES AND ENTITIES.

THOSE SHOULD BE ENFORCED, AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE THEM IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND, AGAIN, MAYBE A CONVENTION OF LIKE-MINDED NATIONS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM SAYING, IF ONE OF YOURS IS TAKEN, IT IS THE SAME AS ONE OF OURS BEING TAKEN.

AND OTHER FEELINGS CAN GRIND TO A HALT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT THAT IS NAIVE TO THINK THAT THAT IS POSSIBLE.

I DON'T THINK SO.

WE HAVE THIS UNDERSTANDING THAT CITIZENSHIP STILL MATTERS AND CARRIES WEIGHT IN WESTERN EUROPE, BUT WE HAVE TO UPHOLD THOSE IDEALS AND SHOW OUR OWN CITIZENS AND OUR ADVERSARIES, THAT YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE PEOPLE HOSTAGE THAT ARE INNOCENT AND USE THEM AS POLITICAL WAGES.

>> Braude: AND NOT TO CALL PEOPLE LIKE GRINER A WRONGFUL DETAINEE -- >> CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

>> Braude: EXACTLY.

>> AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS BEING HELD AROUND THE WORLD ON LEGITIMATE GROUNDS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A VERY SPECIFIC SUBSET OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING HELD FOR REASONS WELL-BEYOND THEIR OWN POWER.

>> Braude: AFTER HAVING SPENT 544 DAYS IN AN IRANIAN PRISON, HOW HARD ARE THESE KINDS OF STORIES FOR YOU PERSONALLY WHEN THEY HAPPEN?

>> LOOK, IT TAKES ME BACK TO THOSE ORIGINAL MOMENTS OF MY IMPRISONMENT EVERY TIME.

THE LONGER THAT THESE GO ON -- IT'S SAD FOR ME TO SAY THAT 544 DAYS IS IN SOME WAYS THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO.

MOST OF THESE PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVE BEEN HELD MUCH LONGER THAN I HAVE.

BUT ADVOCATING FOR THEM AND SHINING A LIGHT ON THEIR CASES MAKES ME FEEL THAT THAT 544 DAYS WAS NOT WORTHLESS.

I CAN TRY TO DO SOMETHING FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND GET A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO BRING THEM HOME.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING AT THE "WASHINGTON POST" IN MY REPORTING, IN A FILM WE EXECUTIVE-PRODUCED ABOUT AMERICANS BEING HELD IN IRAN RIGHT NOW.

AND IT REALLY HAS BECOME PART OF MY LIFE'S MISSION.

>> Braude: YOU'RE DOING A TERRIFIC JOB AT IT, JASON.

IT IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JIM.

WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT HAVING YOU, I REALIZED YOU'RE THE YOUNGEST NPR HOST EVER, AND I MAY BE THE OLDEST NPR HOST ON A MEMBER STATION RIGHT NOW, SO THE TWAIN HAS MET -- >> WHY A CROSS-OVER EVENT.

I LOVE IT.

>> Braude: I'LL TELL YOU, IT REALLY IS.

THE STORY GOES THIS ALL GREW OUT OF AN INTERNSHIP AT "WAIT, WAIT, DON'T THE TELL ME."

IS THAT TRUE?

>> YES.

IT WAS ON MY 21st BIRTHDAY, AND NOW I'M A HOST.

WHICH IS KIND OF CRAZY.

>> Braude: I READ THE "WAIT, WAIT, DON'T TELL ME" STORY, AND IT WENT ON TO SAY IT REALLY GREW ON A POWERPOINT.

IS THAT ALSO TRUE?

>> THAT IS ALSO TRUE.

>> Braude: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> YEAH -- THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

PART OF THE INTERN'S JOB IS TO DO A POWERPOINT ON THE GUESTS WE HAVE ON.

YEAH, SO I DECIDED TO JAZZ IT UP A LITTLE BIT AND LOOK AT EXPLOSIVE, KIND OF CRAZY, POWERPOINTS.

AND IT GOT KIND OF CRAZY OVER THE YEARS.

>> Braude: YOUR POWERPOINT PROPOSALS AT SHOW MEETINGS BECAME SO POPULAR THAT SOMEBODY SAID GIVE THIS WOMAN A PODCAST?

IS THAT REALLY WHAT HAPPENED?

>> IT WAS PART OF IT.

THESE ARE NOT YOUR NORMAL POWERPOINTS.

IT WAS ONLY A LITTLE ABOUT THAT, AND IT WAS CRAZY, AND A LOT WAS ABOUT, LIKE, MY LIFE AND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME.

AND IT WAS ALSO REALLY GOOD TIMING BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING TO EXPAND A LITTLE AT THAT TIME.

AND I WAS ALREADY DOING A MINI SHOW EVERY WEDNESDAY.

SO IT REALLY WORKED OUT.

>> Braude: WHILE YOU'RE DOING THIS -- I THINK I READ THIS IN THE HARVARD NEWSPAPER, YOU DO IMPROV AT HARVARD OR YOU HAVE DONE IMPROV AT HARVARD?

>> YES.

I WAS ON THE IMPROV FOR THREE YEARS.

>> Braude: THAT GIVES ME HIVES.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LISTENED TO "EVERYONE AND THEIR MOM," WHICH IS TERRIFIC, CAN YOU GIVE A PICTURE OF WHAT THE PODCAST IS ALL ABOUT?

>> FOR SURE.

EVERY WEEK WE CHOOSE ONE REALLY STUPID NEWS STORY THAT WE LOVE, AND WE TALK TO A PANELIST FROM "WAIT, WAIT," JUST ABOUT THE STORY AND WE KIND OF GO DOWN INTO A DEEP, DARK WORM HOLE INTO ALL OF THE FACETS OF THAT.

IT IS EXPLORATION OF COMEDY AND FUN THINGS.

>> Braude: THE TITLE, "EVERYONE AND THEIR MOM," IF PEOPLE THINK IT IS JUST RETORRETORICAL, IT IS NOT.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR MOM AND HER KIMCHI.

>> BEFORE YOU GET MAD AT ME FOR MAKING FUN OF MY GRANDMA'S KIMCHI, MY MOM WILL BACK ME UP.

LISTEN.

HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THE PERFECT KIMCHI?

>> I THINK SINCE WE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES, 1978.

>> SO, WHAT, LIKE 40 YEARS?

>> I THINK SO.

>> Braude: AND HOW DID YOUR GRANDMOTHER TAKE THIS?

>> SHE LOVED IT.

>> Braude: SHE DID?

>> YEAH.

WE MADE ABOUT SEVEN PILOTS BEFORE WE AIRED THE ACTUAL FIRST EPISODE.

AND THEY HAD BEEN ON, LIKE, HALF OF THOSE EPISODES.

AND THEY HAD GOTTEN REALLY USED TO BEING ON A PODCAST.

THEY LOVE BEING ON, AND MY GRANDMA LOVED HEARING HERSELF -- SHE BARELY UNDERSTANDS ENGLISH, AND SHE KEPT ASKING ME WHAT A PODCAST WAS.

>> Braude: YOU HAD ON A GUY WHO IS A FRIEND OF MY, T.J. DOUGLAS, WHO WITH HIS WIFE OWN A WINE PLACE.

AND HE IS ONE OF THE FINEST SAMALIS IN AMERICA -- >> I DON'T KNOW HE IS ONE OF THE FINEST SAMALIAS IN AMERICA -- HE WAS SO GAME AND AWESOME.

>> Braude: AND ANOTHER FAVORITE, WHICH WE TOUCHED ON THE RADIO, EXPLAIN HOW MARVIN GAYE WORKED HIS WAY INTO YOUR FIRST EPISODE.

>> A MONK KE MONKEY FOREST IN ENGLAND HAS ENDANGERED MONKEYS, AND THEY PLAYED MARVIN GAYE -- >> Braude: AND THAT'S TRUE?

>> ALL OF THE STORIES ARE TRUE.

>> Braude: ARE YOU NERVOUS -- EVERYBODY IS NERVOUS WHEN THEY START SOMETHING NEW, BUT YOU'RE SORT OF THE STANDARD BEARER FOR YOUNG HOAFORTS YOUNG HOSTS ON NPR.

DO YOU FEEL A BURDEN OR YOU JUST DO IT?

>> I SHOULD, BUT MY TEAM IS SO GREAT.

AND THEY REALLY SHELTER ME FROM THE OUTER, NETWORK STUFF.

TO ME, I'M JUST MAKING A SHOW WITH MY FRIENDS, AND IT IS SO FUN.

AND PART OF THE FUN OF THE SHOW IS JUST THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE HAVING FUN AND IT IS SUPER CASUAL.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO BE A YOUNG NPR HOST IN THE WORLD.

>> Braude: IT IS EXCITING TO LISTEN TO A YOUNG NPR HOST ON A TERRIFIC SHOW.

EVERY EPISODE WEDNESDAY A NEW EPISODE DROPS?

>> YES.

>> Braude: EMMA, CONGRATULATIONS.

IT IS GREAT AND REALLY NICE TO MEET YOU.

I WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK.

I'LL KEEP LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> Braude: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Braude: YOU CAN LISTEN TO "EVERYONE AND THEIR MOM" WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS, WITH NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY.

>>> NEXT, NEARLY THREE YEARS AFTER BREAKING GROUND, BOSTON'S NEWEST MUSIC VENUE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

ROADRUNNER HOSTED ITS INAUGURAL SHOW LAST NIGHT, AND LUCKY FOR ME, IT'S JUST FEET FROM WHERE I AM SITTING NOW.

AND AS YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED, IT TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE MODERN LOVERS' ODE TO BOSTON: ♪ ROADRUNNER, ROADRUNNER, GOING FASTER MILES AN HOUR ♪ GONNA DRIVE PAST THE STOP 'N SHOP ♪ ♪ WITH THE RADIO ON ♪ ♪ I'M IN LOVE WITH MASSACHUSETTS ♪ >> Braude: WITH ONE JUST DOWN THE STREET, YOU JUST MIGHT DRIVE PAST A STOP AND SHOP.

GBH NEWS' ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER, JAMES BENNETT, WAS AT ROADRUNNER'S OPENING LAST NIGHT.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: JAMES, IT IS GREAT TO MEET YOU.

>> GREAT TO MEET YOU, TOO.

>> Braude: WHILE WE'RE ALL WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THESE PERFORMANCE VENUES ARE GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, A NEW LARGE ONE IS OPENING.

TELL US ABOUT ROADRUNNER.

>> YEAH, SO THE TIMING ON THIS WAS WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL GRATUITOUS.

ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY OF 2019, THERE WAS NO WAY YOU COULD HAVE READ INTO THAT METAPHOR BACK THEN.

OBVIOUSLY 2020 CAME ALONG WITH THE PANDEMIC, AND CONSTRUCTION WAS HALTED BY THE CITY.

BUT THINGS WERE ABLE TO GET PICKED UP AGAIN AFTER ADDITIONAL SETBACKS.

AND IT OPENED LAST NIGHT, SOME THREE YEARS LATER, JUST IN TIME NOT ONLY FOR THE EASING OF THESE RESTRICTIONS, BUT ALSO KIND OF IN TIME FOR SUMMER, TOO.

>> Braude: GREAT POINT.

>> SO EVEN AFTER THE DELAY, IT IS STILL KIND OF SPOT-ON FOR AN OPENING.

>> Braude: EVERYTHING I'VE READ ABOUT THIS, THE MANDATORY THING TO SAY IS NO OBSTACLE, UNBELIEVABLE SIGHT LINES.

IS THAT TRUE OR IS THAT JUST A MANTRA.

>> I WENT IN LAST NIGHT FOR THE OPENING CONCERT, WHICH WAS BILLY STRINGS.

AND I MADE A POINT TO SIT IN THE MEZZANINE OFF OF STAGE RIGHT, JUST TO KIND OF TEST OUT THAT THEORY.

AND IT WORKED.

THERE AREN'T A LOT OF RIGHT ANGLES, SO YOU'RE NEVER REALLY IN A POSITION WHERE YOU HAVE TO CAREEN YOUR NECK AROUND OTHER CONCERT-GOERS OR PEER OVER THE SIDE OF THE BALCONY TO LOOK AT THE STAGE.

>> Braude: I HATE BLUEGRASS MUSIC, BUT I HAPPEN TO LOVE HIM.

WAS IT FULL?

>> IT WAS VERY FULL.

>> Braude: LIKE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FULL?

>> YEAH.

I GOT THERE PRETTY EARLY, MAYBE AROUND 7:00 OR SO, AND I SAW A LOT OF FOLKS OUTSIDE GETTING A READ ON A READ ON WHAT THE VIBE WOULD BE.

AND YOU COULD SEE THE MEZZANINE FILL UP.C I WENT TO THE BATHROOM AND I COME BACK, AND, BOOM, THERE IS A SEA OF PEOPLE.

HE CAME OUT MAYBE 15, 20 MINUTES LATE, AND IT WAS FULL.

IT WAS, LIKE, YEAH.

>> Braude: AND THE DROP KICKS ARE PLAYING FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY, WHICH I HEARD YOU DON'T CELEBRATE.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: YOU DON'T NEED TO BE IRISH OR WHITE TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S.

I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO YOU LATER.

I KNOW YOU'RE NEW TO TOWN, BUT ARE YOU TOO NEW TO ARGUE WHETHER THE STATE'S SONG SHOULD BE ROADRUNNER OR "DREAM ON" BY AERO SMITH?

>> I AM PROBABLY TOO NEW FOR THAT, BUT I ENCOURAGE A CIVIC DEBATE ON WHAT A STATE SONG SHOULD AND COULD BE, IF IT SHOULD EVEN BE UPDATED AT ALL.

I TALK TO MY FRIENDS ABOUT HOW A LOT OF NATIONAL ANTHEMS ARE STATELY, AND IT IS NOT REALLY CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF WHATEVER QUALITY IT IS TRYING TO REPRESENT.

COME ON, WHY NOT?

>> Braude: SINCE YOU ARE NEW TO TOWN, FROM BROOKLYN, I SHOULD SAY, WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BOSTON, PARTICULARLY THE BEAT YOU COVER, COMING FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

>> IT IS MAKING ME WORK, LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

>> Braude: WERE WHAT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> IN NEW YORK, YOU WALK OUT AND YOU CAN STUMBLE INTO SOMEBODY, WHETHER IT IS SOMEBODY BUSTING.

BUT BOSTON, IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE MUCH MORE INTENTIONALLY SET UP.

TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN'T JUST KIND OF WALK OUTSIDE AND FALL INTO SOMETHING, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN THE CITY.

WHERE I AM IN MY SLICE OF DORCHESTER, IT IS CERTAINLY DIFFICULT.

SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A POINT TO TALK TO PEOPLE, TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING DOWN.

LAST NIGHT ON THE TRAIN, ACTUALLY, I WAS TALKING TO THIS DUDE WHO CAME BACK FROM A METAL SHOW AT A VENUE I CAN'T REMEMBER.

I ASKED, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO SEE THESE SHOWS, MAN?

AND HE GAVE ME A LIST OF PLACES TO CHECK OUT.

AND THAT'S THE JOB.

I'M OBLIGED NOW TO GO AND SEE OTHER ACTS -- >> Braude: SO YOU'RE A STRANGER TALKING TO PEOPLE -- YOU'RE INTO THAT?

TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE "T"?

>> I JUST TALKED TO MY THEY WERE PISTTHERAPIST ABOUT THIS, ACTUALLY, LITERALLY TWO HOURS AGO.

[LAUGHTER] >> YEAH, I AM.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTERESTING, SO I DO.

>> Braude: ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE THAT YOU DO, PARTICULARLY SINCE YOU'RE NEW, AND EVERYTHING HAS TO BE SO INTENTIONALLY, AS YOU'RE DESCRIBING, YOU DO THIS MONTHLY THING ABOUT THINGS TO DO.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM SINCE YOU ARE -- SINCE EVERYTHING IS NEW TO YOU?

HOW DO YOU PULL IT TOGETHER?

>> THAT IS WHAT I FIRST ENGINEERED.

THAT IS A PRODUCT OF ME BEING NEW IN TOWN SAYING, WHAT CAN I DO THIS MONTH?

AND THE TRICKY PART TO BALANCE, REALLY, IS YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE NEWCOMER.

HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, AND HERE ARE THE COOL THINGS, AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THEM.

YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY THERE IS THIS TINY PARK SOMEWHERE OR A COOL BAR THAT I FOUND -- YOU DIDN'T FIND THAT.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT.

I'M THINKING, WHAT ARE SOME SHOWS, WHAT ARE SOME EVENTS, THAT ARE GOING DOWN THAT I WANT TO CHECK OUT, AND NOT REALLY ENCOURAGE ON THEIR SPACE.

>> Braude: AND I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR DECADES, FROM NEW YORK, BY THE WAY, AND I'VE LEARNED SOME THINGS FROM YOUR LIST.

I LOVE -- I THINK EVERY MONTH YOU INCLUDE A VOLUNTEER THING, DO YOU NOT?

>> YEAH.

>> Braude: AND WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM?

>> UM... >> Braude: WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?

WHY DO YOU DO IT?

I LOVE THAT YOU DO IT.

>> I THINK IT STARTED, AGAIN -- FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME, WHO IS NEW HERE, TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PLACE THEY'RE IN -- IT IS A REPORTER IN ANY CAPACITY BEING IN A SEPARATE PLACE FROM THE BEAT OR THE SCENE THAT YOU'RE COVERING.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A MATTER OF TAKE.

ALL OF THIS IS CONSUMPTION, WHETHER IT IS A RESTAURANT OR A MUSIC VENUE, YOU'RE CONSUMING SOMETHING.

FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD AND IT IS JUST GIVING.

IT IS VARIANCE WITH A NET POSITIVE.

>> Braude: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FROM HERE TO LOVE A SHOW THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE A WHILE, BUT IS ACTUALLY GOING OFF IN A CONVENTIONAL WAY, TO LOVE ARTHUR.

THAT WOULD BE THE AARDVARK FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR.

I THINK YOU WROTE THAT YOU CAN THOROUGHLY IDENTIFY WITH THE CHARACTER.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> ARTHUR WASN'T PERFECT, AND HE WASN'T THE BEST AT ANYTHING.

HE WAS JUST A THIRD GRADER WITH FRIENDS, UM, WHO WAS TRYING TO MAKE IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I WENT THROUGH -- I DON'T WANT TO GET TO INTO IT, BUT I THINK FOR A LOT OF KIDS, THERE IS THIS CRISIS OF BEING -- OF, LIKE, DO I HAVE TO BE THE MOST ATHLETIC OR THE MOST MUSICAL OR THE SMARTEST OR THE TRENDIEST OR THE COOLEST.

AND ARTHUR WASN'T ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

HE JUST KIND OF MADE IT WORK FOR HIM.

I APPRECIATED HE WAS IN TOUCH OF HIS OWN EMOTIONS.

HE WASN'T THIS PAR PARAGON OF INTEGRITY.

>> Braude: JAMES, IT IS GREAT TO MEET YOU.

THANKTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

HE'S BEEN THE RIGHT-HAND MAN TO TWO BOSSES, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND TONY SOPRANO.

STEVE VAN ZANDT, A JERSEY KID VIA WATERTOWN, JOINS ME ON BEING THE EPITOME OF COOL AND HIS NEW MEMOIR: "UNRIQUITED INFATUATIONS" IN TOW.

THAT AND MUCH MORE TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

♪♪ ♪♪ Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org