Nightside With Dan Rea

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder last week, the fallout has the country very publicly and politically divided, arguably even more so than we already were. To pay respects to Charlie, President Trump ordered all flags across the nation, at military posts, and at embassies to remain flown at half-staff until Sept. 14th. In Lexington, MA, police are investigating alleged vandalism after someone raised the flag at the Battle Green back to full staff on Saturday by cutting the flag's rope and adding more rope to hoist it back to the top of the pole. The Battle Green is a national historical landmark and one of the only places in the United States where Congress authorizes the American flag to fly 24 hours a day. Dan addressed the divisive nature our country is in right now and asked the question, whether there is anything we can do to meet in the middle.

Daryl Davis is a civil rights activist and author who has devoted his life to bridging the gap between racial divide by seeking out the roots of racism. In doing so, Daryl has attended countless Ku Klux Klan rallies, come face-to-face with Klansmen and Klanswomen and as a result successfully been the impetus for over 200 Klan members to leave their hatred behind and hang up their robe. Daryl joined us on NightSide to share his fascinating and inspiring life's work of turning hatred, racism and bias into friendship and admiration. He literally has a closet full of robes and hoods of KKK members who he helped reverse course away from racism and a life of hatred! You don’t want to miss this hour of radio!

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder last week, the fallout has the country very publicly and politically divided, arguably even more so than we already were. To pay respects to Charlie, President Trump ordered all flags across the nation, at military posts, and at embassies to remain flown at half-staff until Sept. 14th. In Lexington, MA, police are investigating alleged vandalism after someone raised the flag at the Battle Green back to full staff on Saturday by cutting the flag's rope and adding more rope to hoist it back to the top of the pole. The Battle Green is a national historical landmark and one of the only places in the United States where Congress authorizes the American flag to fly 24 hours a day. Dan addressed the divisive nature our country is in right now and asked the question, whether there is anything we can do to meet in the middle.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!With more than 4 million New Englanders avoiding gluten, the demand for safe, trusted options is huge. Wicked Gluten Free’s New England Expo, coming September 20 to Fitchburg, brings 100+ vetted vendors, samples and experts together under one roof! Guest: Abby Helman Kelly - founder of Wicked Gluten Free Are You Quiet Cracking? The Latest Workplace Trend Is Growing… Guest: Dr. Kamin Samuel, PhD in Positive Neuropsychology The share of workers taking mental health leave is up 300% from pre-pandemic levels. Guest: Dr. Ashley Nazon – licensed clinical social worker & owner of "A Holistic Therapy Group, LLC Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame Presents Wasn’t That a Time: The Boston Folk Revival 1958 – 1965. One-Day Symposium September 27, 2025, at the Arrow Street Arts Center in Cambridge. Guest: Deana McCloud - curator of the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame & founding Executive Director of

Dan wants to help cool down the temperature of the country and enouraged listeners to take a pledge to reach out to people whom they've broken or lost contact with over political disagrements and come together. 

After a 33-hour manhunt, authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder. The suspect has been identified as a 22-year-old man from Utah. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while conducting an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. The suspect is being held without bail.

After a 33-hour manhunt, authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder. The suspect has been identified as a 22-year-old man from Utah. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while conducting an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. The suspect is being held without bail. Former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative Eric O'Neill joined us to discuss the investigation and arrest.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!TSO’s 2025 tour, “Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More” will be an ALL NEW SHOW and promises to be the biggest & best TSO tour to date! Coming 11/29/25 to Worcester, MA - DCU Ctr. Guest: Jeff Plate – Member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - drums / original member InBoston Magazine’s Latest Edition, Featuring Dan Rea! Guest: AnnMarie LaFauci – Editor of InBoston Magazine New results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal a 4-point drop for 8th graders in science, reinforcing the urgent need to expand high-quality, engaging science education for all K–12 students. Guest: Christine Cunningham - Senior Vice President, STEM Learning, Museum of Science and National Assessment Governing Board MemberThe electricity is back at Fenway. And so is the late Luis Tiant. Guest: Rich Tenorio – Boston Globe journalist

Governor Healey called for all public schools to teach students about 9/11, as many of them today weren't around then. Dan is all on board. What do you think? Should it be mandatory?

Governor Healey called for all public schools to teach students about 9/11, as many of them today weren't around then. Dan is all on board. What do you think? Should it be mandatory?

In 2001, Salem-native Ron Gaudette was working as a pharmacist at Mass General Hospital and had recently joined a group called the International Medical Surgical Response Team, which provides critical care to areas impacted by disasters. This specialized volunteer team was soon deployed to the World Trade Center, making it Gaudette’s inaugural mission. He spent 11 days at Ground Zero and shared his experiences 24 years later.

Who killed Ruth Bayla Pearson? A cold case from 1975. Guest: Emily Sweeney – Boston Globe Cold Case Files Reporter What kids can get out of humanities education with many parents looking for a return on investment. An English professor writes a book sharing his account of how he helps skeptical first-year students discover the transformative, real-world value of a humanities education.Guest: Carlo Rotella - Professor of English at Boston College. A regular contributor to the New York Times Magazine, he has written books about cities, boxing, music, and literature. Here comes the bridal panhandler! How Bachelorette parties are flooding small businesses with shameless requests for free merchandise! Guest: Jeff Jacoby – Boston Globe Columnist Red Bull Cliff Diving Returns to the ICA in Boston's Seaport- 9/19 and 9/20 as Only US Stop and Final Stop! World’s best cliff divers to dive up to 90 feet off of Institute of Contemporary Art!Guest: James Lichtenstein – Red Bull Pro Cliff Diver

Continued conversation about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA’s CEO and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was about 20 minutes into his presentation when a single shot rang out and hit him in the neck. This was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s planned 14-city American Comeback Tour. Dan shared updates throughout the night and invited callers to express their thoughts.

Continued conversation about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA’s CEO and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was about 20 minutes into his presentation when a single shot rang out and hit him in the neck. This was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s planned 14-city American Comeback Tour. Dan shared updates throughout the night and invited callers to express their thoughts.

Turning Point USA’s CEO and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot today during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was about 20 minutes into his presentation when a single shot rang out and hit him in the neck. President Donald Trump posted messages of sympathy on Truth Social. This was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s planned 14-city American Comeback Tour. Dan shared updates throughout the night and invited callers to express their thoughts.

8:05PM:  Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience: Opens in Worcester Sept. 11. The life of artist Monet and how his most renowned work did not begin till be turned 50 years old!Guest: John Zaller - Executive Producer, Exhibition Hub's "Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience," a curator and distributor of world-renowned immersive exhibition. 8:15PM:  Irish Music/Dance Sensation taps its way into Massachusetts and New Hampshire this Month!Guest: Brittany Pymm – dancer and member of the Taste of Ireland Dance Team 8:30PM:  Broadway superstar Mandy Gonzalez joins Keith Lockhart & The Boston Pops to perform Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Everything I Know.” Premiere on Sept. 20th at Boston Symphony Hall.Guest: Mandy Gonzalez – Broadway singer, actor, performer 8:45PM:  Protein is everywhere amid a new cultural obsession. How much do we really need?Guest: Paul Fulford – healthy living expert with a company called Cynosure Lutronic

Continued conversation about the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack that rocked our nation and whether the history of 9/11 should be a mandatory part of the MA public schools curriculum.

This Thursday is the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack that rocked our nation. In collaboration with the city of Boston and the state of MA, the Mass 9/11 Fund will hold their annual MA 9/11 Commemoration. Pat Bavis, a member of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund and brother of a 9/11 victim, joined the program to discuss the upcoming Commemoration at the State House. In addition, the history of 9/11 is not part of the mandatory curriculum for MA public schools. Should it be?

On Tuesday, Boston voters headed to the polls for the preliminary election to vote for mayor and city council. Four candidates are running for mayor: incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa, and Robert Cappucci. Discussion included the latest election results and Christopher Anderson, President of Massachusetts High Tech Council, also joined to discuss ballot questions being proposed in 2026.

8:05PM: State Treasurer’s office seeks to return 6 Purple Hearts found in unclaimed safe deposit boxes.Guest: Deb Goldberg – MA State Treasurer8:15PM: New Study Reveals Dusky Sharks Preying on Seals for the First Time Off the Coast of Nantucket. What are dusky sharks?Guest: John Chisholm - Adjunct Scientist with the New England Aquarium8:30PM: Things only people from New England say or do!Guest: Stacy Milbouer – Reporter for The Granite Post8:45PM: 4 types of bad bosses — and how to work with each oneGuest: Brandy Schade - workplace expert and Gallup-Certified Executive Leadership Performance Consultant