
The Big Dig
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Podcast Overview
<p>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? </p><p><br></p><p>In Season 3 of The Big Dig podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break. </p><p><br></p><p>--------------------------------------</p><p><br></p><p>“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston.</p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Season One: "The Big Dig" </strong></p><p>The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Season Two: "Scratch & Win" </strong></p><p>America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Season Three: "Catching The Codfather"</strong></p><p>A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>--------------</p><p>CREDITS:</p><p>Host & Creator: Ian Coss</p><p>Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins</p><p>Producer: Isabel Hibbard</p><p>Story Editor: Lacy Roberts </p><p>Contact us as <a href="mailto:thebigdig@wgbh.org"><strong>thebigdig@wgbh.org</strong></a></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/13/2023
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Recent Episodes

June 3, 2026
Highway Teardown Tour | 3. Rochester, NY
Erik Frisch and Brian Sharp interview Shawn Dunwoody and Suzanne Mayer about Rochester, NY's efforts to heal community divisions after highway removal.

May 27, 2026
Highway Teardown Tour | 2. Syracuse, NY
Host [Host Name] interviews Marie Therese Dominguez, Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, and Joe Driscoll about Syracuse's innovative highway teardown project, offering insights into urban planning and community revitalization.

May 20, 2026
Highway Teardown Tour | 1. New York, NY
Polly Trottenberg and Lara Birnback discuss the challenges and potential solutions for repairing New York City's BQE highway in this interview with Stephen Nessen.
59 total episodes available with 24 transcripts
Recent guests on The Big Dig
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Erik Frisch
Guest
Brian Sharp
Guest
Shawn Dunwoody
Guest
Suzanne Mayer
Guest
Marie Therese Dominguez
Guest
Lanessa Owens-Chaplin
Guest
Joe Driscoll
Guest
Polly Trottenberg
Guest
Lara Birnback
Guest
Stephen Nessen
Guest
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- What is The Big Dig?
<p>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? </p><p><br></p><p>In Season 3 of The Big Dig podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break. </p><p><br></p><p>--------------------------------------</p><p><br></p><p>“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston.</p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Season One: "The Big Dig" </strong></p><p>The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Season Two: "Scratch & Win" </strong></p><p>America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Season Three: "Catching The Codfather"</strong></p><p>A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>--------------</p><p>CREDITS:</p><p>Host & Creator: Ian Coss</p><p>Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins</p><p>Producer: Isabel Hibbard</p><p>Story Editor: Lacy Roberts </p><p>Contact us as <a href="mailto:thebigdig@wgbh.org"><strong>thebigdig@wgbh.org</strong></a></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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