Podcast
KQED's Forum
Hosted by KQED · EN
Forum tells remarkable and true stories about who we are and where we live. In the first hour, Alexis Madrigal convenes the diverse voices of the Bay Area, before turning to Mina Kim for the second hour to chronicle and center Californians’ experience. In an increasingly divided world, Mina and Alexis host conversations that inform, challenge and unify listeners with big ideas and different viewpoints.
Want to call/submit your comments during our live Forum program Mon-Fri, 9am-11am? We'd love to hear from you! Please dial 866.SF.FORUM or (866) 733-6786 or email forum@kqed.org, tweet, or post on Facebook.
156episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
‘Liar's Kingdom:’ Andrew Weissmann on Democracy and Deception
3d ago00:54:45Tap to summarizeFormer federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann spent years inside some of the country’s most consequential investigations, from the Justice Department’s fraud unit to Robert Mueller’s election interference investigation. In his new book “Liar’s Kingdom,” Weissman argues the U.S. needs new laws to stem the corrosive effects of political deception. We talk with Weissmann about his case for reform and how we can make our democratic institutions more resilient. We’ll also talk to him about efforts to stop the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and recent upheavals at the Department of Justice. Guests: Andrew Weissmann, professor, NYU Law School; former federal prosecutor and general counsel to the FBI; author, "Liar's Kingdom: How to Stop Trump's Deceit and Save America" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Zinzi Clemmons on the Complicated Notion of ‘Freedom’
3d ago00:54:46Tap to summarizeIn her new essay collection, “Freedom,” novelist and UC Davis creative writing director Zinzi Clemmons examines what freedom means in “a world buckling from the consequences of centuries of interlocking injustices.” She grapples with the complicated legacies of Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and the #MeToo Movement — and explains why she’s no longer an Afropessimist. Clemmons joins us to talk about what it means to consider freedom today for Black Americans, women and oppressed people around the world. Guests: Zinzi Clemmons, director of creative writing, UC Davis; author of the novel “What We Lose” and the new essay collection “Freedom" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Waymo’s Growing Pains
6d ago00:54:47Tap to summarizeSelf-driving car companies like Waymo say their autonomous vehicles are dramatically safer than human drivers. But a new CNN investigation found that when things do go wrong, they tend to go wrong in decidedly un-human ways: being incapable of responding to instructions from first responders, driving through crime scenes, and even attempting to traverse entirely flooded streets. As Waymo expands into new markets nationwide, we’ll examine these safety issues — and hear why a lot of passengers love self-driving cars anyway. Guests: Yahya Abou-Ghazala, reporter and producer, CNN's investigative unit Rya Jetha, senior reporter covering physical AI and robotics, Business Insider Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →A History of LGBTQ Music from 1969-2000
6d ago00:54:48Tap to summarizeIn his new book “Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000” music critic Barry Walters looks at how music produced and performed by gay and straight musicians has been embraced, celebrated, and defined by queer culture. As he notes, queer musicians “have made an art of saying what can’t be overtly said” and their LGBTQ listeners “have learned to hear what others can’t.” Walters traces the influence of rockers, pop stars, country crooners, R&B artists and disco queens from David Bowie to Sylvster, the Village People to the Petshop Boys, Grace Jones to k.d. lang. We talk to Walters and hear from you: What’s a song that helped define queer culture for you? Guests: Barry Walters, author, "Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →What Have We Learned From 10 Years of Medical Aid in Dying in CA?
1w ago00:54:44Tap to summarizeCalifornia’s End of Life Option Act, which allows people with certain terminal illnesses and a life expectancy of less than six months to receive medication that ends their life, turns 10 this month. Yet despite polling showing the policy is popular, access remains complicated and controversial, and few eligible patients actually pursue the option. We’ll discuss how the program has worked in California and examine the shifting national support for medical aid-in-dying policies. Guests: Paula Span, adjunct professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; writes the New Old Age column, a co-production of The New York Times and KFF Health News Dr. Lonny Shavelson, physician and director of education, Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine; medical doctor who's provided aid-in-dying care for 7 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Dave Eggers Centers Artists in New Novel ‘Contrapposto’ and His Initiative to Preserve the Bay’s Art Scene
1w ago00:54:49Tap to summarizeWriter Dave Eggers, who’s been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, draws inspiration for the first time from his own art school experience and his classical training as a visual artist in his new novel, “Contrapposto.” The novel, which centers the working lives of artists, comes as Eggers opens a new center in San Francisco, Art + Water, that offers local artists free studio space and mentorship. Eggers joins us to talk about what it means to be an artist, in fiction and in practice, here in the Bay Area. Guests: Dave Eggers, founder, McSweeney's; co-founder, 826 Valencia; author of many books including "The Eyes and the Impossible" and "The Circle"; his new novel is "Contrapposto" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Unpacking the 2026 California Primary
1w ago00:54:41Tap to summarizeCalifornia voters cast their ballots in key races across the state on Tuesday, with the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom drawing a massive field of candidates. We break down that race, in which Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer led the pack of Democrats facing off against Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton, and look at results for the state’s Congressional primaries, including the race to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Join us for a recap of the results and what they mean going into November’s general election. Guests: Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, KQED's Political Breakdown Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Sydney Johnson, general assignment reporter, KQED News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →911 ... Please Hold
1w ago00:54:46Tap to summarizeOakland’s 911 system is perennially understaffed, frequently leading to long wait times for callers facing life and death emergencies or trying to report fires or crimes in progress. The problem has persisted for more than a decade, and we’ll talk to Oakland’s city auditor, an investigative reporter and a 911 dispatcher to explore why, despite a decade of audits and grand jury reports, Oakland’s emergency response system still lags behind national and state standards. Guests: Byard Duncan, investigative journalist, Type Investigations; his piece, "911... Please Hold" was done in partnership with Reveal/Center for Investigative Reporting Michael Houston, city auditor, City of Oakland Antoinette Blue, dispatcher, Oakland Police; president, SEIU Local 1021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Why Pope Leo Wants to ‘Disarm’ A.I.
1w ago00:54:40Tap to summarizePope Leo XIV’s first encyclical letter focuses on safeguarding humanity amid the rise of artificial intelligence. In the letter, which is essentially a policy document from the Vatican, the Pope urges tech companies and policymakers worldwide to place human and moral concerns over profit. Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah spoke at the Pope’s release of his letter in Vatican City, signaling an intention of collaboration and dialogue, but Silicon Valley leaders more broadly seem skeptical of the guidance. Will the pope’s recommendations impact the development and deployment of A.I.? Guests: Cade Metz, technology reporter, The New York Times; author, “Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought A.I. to Google, Facebook, and The World" Kim Daniels, director, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →High School Grads on Navigating a Changing World
1w ago00:54:47Tap to summarizeGraduating from high school marks a time when young people will, many for the first time, have to make their own decisions about their future. It’s a time filled with celebrations, optimism and anxiety about the future, and often sadness at leaving their younger selves behind. We’ll talk with high school seniors, their families and experts about this defining moment and how to navigate it in a rapidly changing world. Guests: Vincent Topete, graduating senior, Santa Clara High School Elise Desai, graduating senior, Miramonte High School Olga Chan, graduating senior, Terra Linda High School Joseph Gorga, vice president of equity and instruction, Diablo Valley College Oscar Garcia, founder and chief empowerment officer, Aspira Consulting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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