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The Big Dig Presents: Catching The Codfather

GBH News
Massachusetts Lottery
Scratch Tickets
The Big Dig
Gambling Industry
Scratch & Win
Bob Crane
Proposition 2.5
Gambling
John Coza
Sports Betting
Organized Crime
Cambridge Savings Bank
Beverly Wilshire Hotel
Peabody Awards
Joe's Market
Instant Lottery Tickets
Local Government Funding
Property Taxes
Patronage
Barney Frank

“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.”

Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America.

Season One: ... more

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes27Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Catching The Codfather

Latest Episodes

A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against an overbearing state. So who is Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael really – a folk hero, a crook, a righteous rebel, a selfish conman? 

In S... more

Your official invitation to join The Big Dig membership program. Listen on for details, sign up at wgbh.org/hovlane

NEW name. NEW art. NEW season. NEW events. NEW mailing list. Listen for all the updates and a preview of what's to come.

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A few links to share:

Sign up for our mailing list at: wgbh.org/thebigdig

Email us at: thebigdig@wgbh.org

*LIVE EVENT* i... more

American Experience Presents stops by to share the fascinating story of Joseph McCarthy. From humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm, to leveraging his military service after World War II to launch a successful Senate bid, McCarthy's story is one of a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ralph Nader
Consumer advocate and activist known for his role in consumer protection and auto safety legislation.
Episode: BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Joan Claybrook
Former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and advocate for consumer safety.
Episode: BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Marc Dunkelman
A fellow at Brown University and author of 'Why Nothing Works'.
Brown University
Episode: BONUS: Why do some parts of government work better than others?
Lily Geismer
Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College
Episode: BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Barney Frank
Former Congressman and supporter of legalized gambling
Episode: Scratch & Win | 8. The Other Massachusetts Miracle
Dawn Hayes
Lottery host for Massachusetts, previously an assistant at AM radio
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Jack Connors
Ad executive, co-founder of Hill Holiday
Hill Holiday
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Tony Winch
Creative director at Hill Holiday
Hill Holiday
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of
Andy Solari
Telecommunications technician for the lottery
Episode: Scratch & Win | 6. The Game Dreams Are Made Of

Host

Ian Coss
Host & Creator, known for his narrative style and ability to weave politics with personal stories, creating engaging and relatable historical explorations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Great long-form storytelling

    Really thoughtful well done stories on how government works and does not. And greet Boston flavor. I miss Boston.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Midwestern Michael
    United States12 days ago
  • new favorite podcast

    so interesting - I’ve been telling everyone to listen! Can’t wait for season 3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stevedechips
    United States2 months ago
  • Modern history

    What a great show! The research and story telling is impeccable. I love the journey this took me on and everything I learned.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DBBest
    United States3 months ago
  • Essential listening for anyone living in Boston

    Absolutely astounding podcast, storytelling, and essential history for anyone in Boston.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J756833
    United States3 months ago
  • Interesting and entertaining

    From what the outset doesn’t really sound like an overly interesting topic, especially not being from the USA, this was a great podcast season. Very well researched and written, it was genuinely entertaining and interesting. Season one was also fantastic so I can’t wait for three!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dino cakes
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the superior storytelling and production quality that transforms complex topics into engaging narratives.
Several reviewers highlight the relatability of the subject matter to residents of Massachusetts, enhancing their personal connection to the stories told.
Many express an appreciation for the deep historical insights and how they connect to contemporary social issues, indicating profound engagement with the theme of the podcast.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#118
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#234
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#55
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#148
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#189
Saudi Arabia/History
Apple Podcasts
#196
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: How to sue the government, and win
Q: Do you feel like the results of the elections we've seen ever since, where we are today, validates your run, or further gives way to the people who criticized you?
Scapegoating by the two parties is a form of political bigotry that says to reform-minded third-party candidates, no, we're not going to let you appeal to the voters.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: I'm curious, do you permit yourself some nostalgia for the days of patronage in smoke-filled rooms?
I am nostalgic for the idea of the deep connections that came from that vision of politics.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: Could you talk about how does Tip O'Neill get into politics?
He built connections through local party structures and close ties to his constituency.
BONUS: Should we be nostalgic for machine politics?
Q: So, tell me about the culture of the Democratic Party in the 1960s and 70s.
The Democratic Party during that time was a dominant coalition, largely working-class, with ties to labor and various other demographic groups.
BONUS: Why does sports betting feel different?
Q: Do you feel like PASPA ultimately caused just a lot of harm and chaos?
Yes, it put a stopper on the inevitable growth of sports betting which had clearly been building over decades.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Catching The Codfather

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

The content showcases stories that transform seemingly dry subjects such as infrastructure, gambling, food, and healthcare into gripping narratives filled with political intrigue and social commentary. It paints a picture of modern America through the intertwined tales of historical and contemporary figures, giving listeners insights into how these topics influence society at large. Notably, the approach is characterized by deep research and rich storytelling that blends personal anecdotes, historical context, and intricate socio-political dynamics, appealing to those interested in understanding the underlying frameworks that shape communities.

Where can I find podcast stats for Catching The Codfather?

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Which podcasts are similar to Catching The Codfather?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Catching The Codfather:

1. Decoder Ring
2. 99% Invisible
3. This American Life
4. Search Engine
5. Throughline

How many episodes of Catching The Codfather are there?

Catching The Codfather launched 2 years ago and published 27 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Catching The Codfather?

Recent guests on Catching The Codfather include:

1. Ralph Nader
2. Joan Claybrook
3. Marc Dunkelman
4. Lily Geismer
5. Barney Frank
6. Dawn Hayes
7. Jack Connors
8. Tony Winch

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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