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American legend Johnny Appleseed was from here. He hailed from North Central Massachusetts, just a couple miles down the road from Isaac Fitzgerald, a contemporary writer whose first memoir “Dirtbag, Massachusetts” told the story of his misspent youth in the teenage pregnancy capital of the state. This week on Say More, Fitzgerald joins Anna Kusmer to discuss his new book, “American Rambler” which follows the footsteps of Appleseed from New England to Indiana, in search of nature, camaraderie, and some truths about America. Email us at saymore@globe.com. To read Isaac's piece in the Boston Globe, click here: The best rest stop in America is in Lancaster, Mass.

Asians are disproportionately gambling at Massachusetts casinos. They are also disproportionately addicted, in debt, and in trouble. A recent Globe investigation found that casinos have extensive strategies to target Asians and encourage them to gamble more than they can afford. While the state spends millions to help with gambling addiction disorders, most of the resources are not reaching Asian problem gamblers. Reporter Chris Serres talks to Say More’s Shirley Leung about what can be done. Email us at saymore@globe.com. Read "A Losing Bet" from The Boston Globe here.

We bring you a BONUS episode of Say More this week, because a debate is raging among Boston Globe columnists Larry Edelman and Shirley Leung. Larry wrote a column applauding Fidelity Investments for ordering its workers back to the office 5 days a week - saying this move is what’s needed to revitalize downtown Boston. Shirley wrote a rebuttal saying hybrid work is here to stay. Employees cannot go back to the way it was. Who do you agree with? Email us at saymore@globe.com. To sign up for Larry Edelman’s Trendlines newsletter, click here. To sign up for Shirley Leung’s newsletter Power Play, click here.

You might know him from his best-selling book “Say Nothing,” about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Patrick Radden Keefe, a staff writer at The New Yorker, writes nonfiction page-turners about crime and family secrets. Keefe’s new book “London Falling” employs his signature story-telling magic to unravel the story of a 19-year-old kid who fell to his death from a luxury apartment building in London. This week on Say More, Keefe talks to Anna Kusmer about how this story tells a wider tale about how the mega-wealthy operate in the world’s richest cities. They also discuss Keefe’s Boston upbringing and his literary influences. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict may be 5,000 miles away, but it’s also central to US politics at the moment, showing up in primary races across the country. Democrats are split, and many see it as a litmus test for other issues. This week on Say More’s political panel, opinion editor Jim Dao sits down with Ideas writer Abdallah Fayyad and editorial writer Shira Schoenberg to discuss American foreign policy, Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu, and the shared future of Palestinians and Jews the world over. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

If you lived around Massachusetts in the 1980s, you might remember hearing ads for 1-877-JOE-4-OIL. Joe Kennedy II dedicated much of his life to delivering discounted oil to families in need through his organization Citizens Energy. Now his son, former Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy III is picking up the mantle, and helping the organization shift to renewables – think solar panels. The younger Kennedy joins Shirley Leung on Say More to talk about his new energy ventures, family politics, and the public’s enduring fascination with the Kennedys. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

For years, the New Bedford docks were home to one of the most notorious fraudsters in Massachusetts fishing history. His name is Carlos Rafael, but you might remember him as “The Codfather.” Besides being an exciting yarn full of conspiracy and crime, Carlos’s story ends up being a fascinating window into the challenge and perils of regulating fisheries in the US. This week on Say More, GBH News host and producer Ian Coss talks to host Shirley Leung about his new podcast series, “Catching the Codfather.” You can listen to the series here.

Murder makes demands. It’s a phrase underpinning THE KEEPER, the newest novel by Tana French, an author known best for her Dublin Murder Squad series. French was born in Vermont, but grew up all over the world. She landed, finally, in Ireland, where she fell in love with the humor and story-telling culture. This week on Say More, French talks to host Anna Kusmer about her latest trilogy which melds together western and mystery genres, set in the Irish countryside. French also reveals whether or not she is a dog person. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

For the first time in 30 years, a Boston policeman is facing manslaughter charges for the shooting of an unarmed carjacking suspect who was trying to flee in his car. With this move, in an important election year, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden is garnering praise and condemnation. By his side, is Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, whose recent acts of political retribution are drawing parallels with her predecessor, Mayor Tom Menino, a famous holder of grudges. This week on Say More’s political panel, opinion editor Jim Dao sits down with Ideas writer Abdallah Fayyad and opinion columnist Joan Vennochi to talk about these topics, and the insurgent oyster farmer, Graham Platner who is leading the polls in Maine’s senate primary. Email us at saymore@globe.com.

Emily Oster, Brown University economist and author of ParentData newsletter, headlined Boston’s Globe second annual Working Mothers Summit this month. In a special live recording, Oster talks with Say More producer Anna Kusmer about why making parenting decisions feels even harder now than ever before. (Hint: social media isn’t helping) Oster, author of best-selling books EXPECTING BETTER and CRIBSHEET, stirred controversy during the pandemic for her controversial takes on school reopening. She says she has no regrets. Email us at saymore@globe.com. learn more about Boston Globe events here. https://events.bostonglobe.com/