Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Big Dig: Daily Summaries Delivered
by GBH News
There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its ever-increasing price tag, this massive highway tunneling effort was once ridiculed as the Big Mess, the Big Hole, the Big Pig, the Big Lie. But now, decades later the story looks more complicated. So how did the narrative around this project go so horribly wrong? And what lessons can it offer for the ambitious projects of today?
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Jul 22, 202637 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 10. Providence, RI
The Big Dig in Boston was a fluke, a unicorn, something we may never see again. But there are simpler and cheaper ways to rethink our urban highways – Providence, RI tried one. Guests: Edward Fitzpatrick, Zack Cunha, Mike LewisRecorded live with Globe Rhode Island at CIC ProvidenceHear the full Washington Bridge Blues playlist here
- Jul 22, 202640 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 11. Boston, MA
The final chapter of the Big Dig story is what happened to the land after the highway was gone. Like the rest of the project, it was messy, and other cities would be wise to learn from it. Guests: Stephanie Pollack, Chris CookRecorded live at the MIT Museum
- Jul 22, 202640 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 11. Boston, MA
The final chapter of the Big Dig story is what happened to the land after the highway was gone. Like the rest of the project, it was messy, and other cities would be wise to learn from it. Guests: Stephanie Pollack, Chris CookRecorded live at the MIT Museum
- Jul 22, 202637 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 10. Providence, RI
The Big Dig in Boston was a fluke, a unicorn, something we may never see again. But there are simpler and cheaper ways to rethink our urban highways – Providence, RI tried one. Guests: Edward Fitzpatrick, Zack Cunha, Mike LewisRecorded live with Globe Rhode Island at CIC ProvidenceHear the full Washington Bridge Blues playlist here
- Jul 15, 202642 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA
Even as cities try to heal the damage of the interstate era, we are also continuing to expand our urban highways, continuing to turn parks and neighborhoods into new lanes and new off-ramps. So why is it so hard to stop?Guests: Inga Saffron, Daniel Pearson, Leslie RichardsRecorded at The Pen & Pencil Club with support from Miles Bryan and Tom Grahsler
- Jul 15, 202642 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA
Even as cities try to heal the damage of the interstate era, we are also continuing to expand our urban highways, continuing to turn parks and neighborhoods into new lanes and new off-ramps. So why is it so hard to stop?Guests: Inga Saffron, Daniel Pearson, Leslie RichardsRecorded at The Pen & Pencil Club with support from Miles Bryan and Tom Grahsler
- Jul 8, 202643 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 8. Baltimore, MD
This episode is about a very different kind of teardown – one that came suddenly, tragically, and without warning. But within this utterly unique story there are some universal questions about how we build for the present and the future.Guests: Johnny Olszewski, Samantha Biddle, Wambui Kamau, Arkia Wade, Klaus PhilipsenRecorded live with WYPR at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
- Jul 8, 202643 min
Highway Teardown Tour | 8. Baltimore, MD
This episode is about a very different kind of teardown – one that came suddenly, tragically, and without warning. But within this utterly unique story there are some universal questions about how we build for the present and the future.Guests: Johnny Olszewski, Samantha Biddle, Wambui Kamau, Arkia Wade, Klaus PhilipsenRecorded live with WYPR at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Get The Big Dig summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The Big Dig Season 4: Mitt & Ted, a healthcare story
Mitt Romney and Ted Kennedy's opposing views on healthcare evolved into a shared legacy shaping U.S. health policy.
Murder in Boston Podcast
A 1989 Boston murder case unravels racial tensions, media frenzy, and a web of lies that reshaped the city's legacy.
Beyond All Repair: The Clancy Trial
A reporter covers the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who killed her three children, focusing on her mental health and legal questions of sanity.
Curb Enthusiasm
Explores innovations and challenges in transportation and urban planning with global experts and city leaders.
Spilling the T
An inside look at the MBTA’s operations, covering infrastructure, service issues, safety, and staff efforts to improve public transit.
American Scandal
Examines major American scandals in politics, business, and society, exploring the lies, corruption, and downfalls of powerful figures.
The Binge Cases: Doctor Billions
A journalist investigates a massive healthcare fraud involving counterfeit spinal implants and a man named Michael Drobot.
The Burden
A documentary series exploring corruption in law enforcement and the criminal justice system through real investigations and insider accounts.
Talking Headways: A Streetsblog Podcast
A weekly podcast exploring sustainable transportation, urban planning, and economic development through expert interviews and analysis.
Spectacular Failures
A deep dive into infamous business failures, exploring what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
Slow Burn
Examines pivotal political and cultural moments in American history through archival audio and firsthand accounts.
Crimetown
Each season investigates how crime, race, industry, and politics shaped a different American city, beginning with Detroit.
About The Big Dig
There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its ever-increasing price tag, this massive highway tunneling effort was once ridiculed as the Big Mess, the Big Hole, the Big Pig, the Big Lie. But now, decades later the story looks more complicated. So how did the narrative around this project go so horribly wrong? And what lessons can it offer for the ambitious projects of today?
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Big Dig in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Big Dig daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Big Dig as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Big Dig podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Big Dig product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by GBH News.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Big Dig release new episodes?
The Big Dig publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Big Dig cover?
The Big Dig covers topics including History. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Big Dig summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.