The Codcast

CommonWealth Beacon•commonwealthbeacon.org

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, and even take to the sea to visit rising offshore wind turbines.

Last refreshed: July 14th, 2025 at 8:36 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Jon Santiago’s path to Secretary of Veterans' Services

One month into his tenure as the first state Secretary of Veterans' Services, Dr. Jon Santiago has a lot of work to do to rebuild trust in the beleaguered agency. He talks with CommonWealth’s Jennifer Smith about his path from Puerto Rico to a cabinet level secretary in Massachusetts, and the jobs and passions he’s juggled along the way.

Apr 03, 2023•27 min

Should Massachusetts legalize teachers’ strikes?

Educators in four Massachusetts school districts went on strike over the past year, despite it being illegal in the state. A re-filed bill on Beacon Hill looks to change that, giving public employees the right to strike after six months of failed negotiations. CommonWealth’s Jennifer Smith talks through the case for and cost of strikes with bill sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch and Tom Scott, Executive Director of Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

Mar 27, 2023•28 min

Chambers of Commerce fear not being heard, band together

Chambers of Commerce fear not being heard, band together by CommonWealth Beacon

Mar 20, 2023•26 min

Health Equity Compact trying to 'boil the ocean'

Health Equity Compact trying to 'boil the ocean' by CommonWealth Beacon

Mar 13, 2023•29 min

The curious state of Massachusetts’ rent control debate.

Real estate groups are launching broadsides against Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's rent control home rule and attempts to lift the statewide rent control ban are once again hitting Beacon Hill. Greg Vasil, CEO of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, and Rep. Sam Montaño of the 15th Suffolk District, join CommonWealth to break down Boston’s controversial rent control proposal.

Mar 06, 2023•25 min

How far will Healey go on tax competitiveness?

How far will Healey go on tax competitiveness? by CommonWealth Beacon

Feb 27, 2023•26 min

Meet the leaders of the state's two health care conversion foundations

Meet the leaders of the state's two health care conversion foundations by CommonWealth Beacon

Feb 20, 2023•30 min

The debate over Massachusetts vocational high school admission policies

Should vocational high schools be able to continue using selective criteria, including middle school grades and attendance record, to award seats, or move to a lottery system that gives all applicants an equal chance at admission?

Feb 13, 2023•32 min

Michelle Wu makes the case for her planning and development overhaul

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says it's time to remake the city's antiquated development and planning system, which dates to the late 1950s and isn't serving the needs of a 21st century city.

Feb 06, 2023•35 min

Addressing the nitrogen challenge on Cape Cod

Addressing the nitrogen challenge on Cape Cod by CommonWealth Beacon

Jan 30, 2023•28 min

Two Democrats debate state of Mass Dems

Two Democrats debate state of Mass Dems by CommonWealth Beacon

Jan 23, 2023•30 min

GBH host Brian O’Donovan faces bleak prognosis with ‘poetry and prayers’

GBH host Brian O’Donovan faces bleak prognosis with ‘poetry and prayers’ by CommonWealth Beacon

Jan 16, 2023•24 min

Lawmakers walk tightrope on wind power contracts

Bruce Mohl talks to State Senator Mike Barrett of Lexington and State Rep. Jeff Roy of Franklin, Massachusetts.

Jan 09, 2023•27 min

'Political hobbyism' arrives at the workplace

'Political hobbyism' arrives at the workplace by CommonWealth Beacon

Jan 01, 2023•25 min

Bump says DiZoglio is being ‘well-schooled’ in auditor’s duties

Bump says DiZoglio is being ‘well-schooled’ in auditor’s duties by CommonWealth Beacon

Dec 26, 2022•24 min

Could Marylou Sudders be staying on?

Could Marylou Sudders be staying on? by CommonWealth Beacon

Dec 19, 2022•31 min

Lessons learned from guaranteed income experiments

Lessons learned from guaranteed income experiments by CommonWealth Beacon

Dec 12, 2022•27 min

Epidemiologist lays out her COVID-19 ‘campaign of honesty’

Epidemiologist lays out her COVID-19 ‘campaign of honesty’ by CommonWealth Beacon

Dec 05, 2022•24 min

Dreyfus sounds alarm about health care costs

Dreyfus sounds alarm about health care costs by CommonWealth Beacon

Nov 28, 2022•29 min

After four decades as Democratic foot soldier, Kate Donaghue will be a first-term state rep

After four decades as Democratic foot soldier, Kate Donaghue will be a first-term state rep by CommonWealth Beacon

Nov 21, 2022•28 min

The return to one-party rule on Beacon Hill

The return to one-party rule on Beacon Hill by CommonWealth Beacon

Nov 14, 2022•22 min

Avangrid's Kimmel says wind farm needs 'very modest' price increase

Avangrid's Kimmel says wind farm needs 'very modest' price increase by CommonWealth Beacon

Nov 07, 2022•24 min

Suburbs stymie new housing growth

Suburbs stymie new housing growth by CommonWealth Beacon

Oct 31, 2022•25 min

Devaux says Health Policy Commission needs more power

Devaux says Health Policy Commission needs more power by CommonWealth Beacon

Oct 24, 2022•31 min

Betty Francisco & Mike Leyba on closing the racial wealth gap

Betty Francisco & Mike Leyba on closing the racial wealth gap by CommonWealth Beacon

Oct 17, 2022•40 min

Two key lawmakers say MBTA needs money, but also change

Two key lawmakers say MBTA needs money, but also change by CommonWealth Beacon

Oct 10, 2022•26 min

Two takes on MCAS and its value in driving school improvement

Two takes on MCAS and its value in driving school improvement by CommonWealth Beacon

Oct 02, 2022•37 min

Top Baker aide sees 'herd mentality' in press corps

Top Baker aide sees 'herd mentality' in press corps by CommonWealth Beacon

Sep 26, 2022•28 min

Bumps in the road for cannabis delivery

Bumps in the road for cannabis delivery by CommonWealth Beacon

Sep 18, 2022•26 min

Did Charlie Baker win last week's state primary?

Did Charlie Baker win last week's state primary? by CommonWealth Beacon

Sep 12, 2022•28 min

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