In our post-election episode, we recap what happened on November 6th, 2018. Which candidates won? What were the results for the ballot questions, especially for Question 3? And what do these results mean for citizens in Massachusetts?This is th

S3 Episode 4: Beyond a Bathroom Bill

Oct 30th, 2018 22m 34s

In our final regular episode, we’re talking about how the 2016 public accommodations law is more than just a bathroom bill. We look to other states to understand how the implications of this vote on Question 3 go beyond just transgender people.

S3 Episode 3: Direct Democracy vs Bureaucracy

Oct 23rd, 2018 23m 8s

Are ballot questions really a form of pure direct democracy? Or are they a more complicated process?Today, we’re unpacking some arguments you don’t hear very much - arguments against the ballot question process itself. In what ways can this pro

S3 Episode 2: Strategy and Persuasion

Oct 16th, 2018 22m 44s

As we approach Election Day, how are the Yes and No campaigns reaching their bases of support? What strategies are they using in October to educate voters about Question 3? And what does it mean for transgender citizens in Massachusetts if this

S3 Episode 1: Put It on the Ballot

Oct 9th, 2018 23m 32s

What are ballot measures? Where do they come from, and who campaigns for them? And what does it say about our democratic process when we’re asked to vote on questions of civil rights? In our first episode, we give an overview of Question 3 and

Season 3 Trailer: Backyard Massachusetts

Oct 2nd, 2018 2m 31s

This election season, Backyard Cambridge is covering the politics of our bigger backyard.Check back for Episode 1 on Tuesday, October 9th.Visit our website: www.backyardcambridge.comSubscribe to the weekly newsletter for more election coverage:

S2 Episode 4: The local, global issue of climate change

Apr 26th, 2018 25m 46s

Climate change is a global issue, but it’s also a local one. Cities around the world are developing policy responses to reduce their carbon footprint and prepare for the climate change effects we expect will happen in the coming decades. In thi

I’m the Mayor, Ask Me Anything #3: How can I get involved and make a difference?

Apr 9th, 2018 15m 45s

We ask Mayor McGovern questions about different ways Cantabridgians can get involved and engage with City officials.The Mayor's Office contact pageCommonwealth Connect appMayor Marc McGovern’s email: [email protected] Manager Louis

S2 Episode 3: What’s it like to build housing in Cambridge? (Housing Part 2)

Mar 23rd, 2018 28m 16s

In the second part of our series on affordable housing in Cambridge we ask, how do we build enough housing? Why is it so difficult to build in the city? And how do we balance density and the concerns of neighbors? We take a look at a couple of

I’m the Mayor, Ask Me Anything #2: What’s with the Red Line delays?

Mar 9th, 2018 15m 15s

We ask Mayor McGovern about the City’s environmental initiatives and protected bike lanes, the delays on the Red Line, and more in our second episode of our “I’m the Mayor of Cambridge, Ask Me Anything” series.The Mayor's Office Contact page: h

S2 Episode 2 : Why is the rent so damn high? (Housing Part 1)

Feb 27th, 2018 24m 48s

Backyard Cambridge tackles arguably the biggest issue in Cambridge local politics today - affordable housing. We’re spending the next two episodes looking at the issue from all sides. Our goal is to figure out why it’s so difficult to find affo

I'm the Mayor of Cambridge, Ask Me Anything (Mayor AMA # 1)

Feb 9th, 2018 13m 55s

The City Calendar: https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendarThe Mayor's Office Contact page: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/mayorsofficeDo you have a question for the Mayor? Submit it to us for our next episode.Tell us your first name,

S2 Episode 1: Why is it so hard to create universal access to Pre-K in Cambridge?

Jan 23rd, 2018

Backyard Cambridge is back! In Season 2, we spend each episode taking a close looking an issue that's affecting the lives of the people living in Cambridge. First up is the topic of universal pre-Kindergarten. Specifically, what's holding back

Episode 7: What happened?

Nov 14th, 2017 22m 30s

What happened on November 7th, 2017 in the Cambridge City Council election? In this episode of Backyard Cambridge we look at who won, who lost, and what exactly went wrong with the vote tallying process. Then we look beyond this election to see

Episode 6: The Review Session: What do I need to know before I vote?

Nov 3rd, 2017 23m 45s

If you want to understand the 2017 Cambridge City Council election and you only have time to listen to one episode of Backyard Cambridge, make sure it's this one.In our final episode before the election on Tuesday, November 7th, we do a recap o

Episode 5: Who are the upstarts?

Oct 31st, 2017 40m 53s

In Episode 5, we finish our profiles of the candidates running for City Council by discussing the "upstarts" - candidates who were motivated to jump into local politics recently, most of them after the 2016 presidential election. They range fro

Episode 4: Who are the new generation?

Oct 27th, 2017 47m 24s

This episode, Backyard Cambridge looks at what we've dubbed "the new generation" - seven candidates who are somewhat younger, but who have experience in policy, politics, or advocacy. They're looking to take the next step in their political car

Episode 3: Who are the incumbents?

Oct 24th, 2017 41m 23s

Who are the six incumbents running to keep their seats on City Council? We profile each of them, from the one-term former community organizer all the way to the City Councillor who’s served for 27 years. We ask these candidates about their back

Episode 2: How do I choose someone for City Council when there are 26 candidates?

Oct 20th, 2017 18m 54s

In our second episode, we explain the structure of Cambridge’s local government, including City Council; the three categories we’ve created to think about the 26 different candidates; the pros and cons for having each type of candidate serve on

Episode 1: What the heck is going on, and why should I care?

Oct 20th, 2017 11m 44s

The first episode of Backyard Media's series about the City Council elections in Cambridge, MA. We'll tell you about why local matters, introduce you to key some players in city politics, and dive into the debate on affordable housing. The epis

Backyard Cambridge Teaser

Oct 11th, 2017 1m 29s

We're excited to share a bit of our new Backyard Media podcast, Backyard Cambridge! This series will follow the 2017 city council election in Cambridge, MA. We'll inter

Rate