KQED's Forum
KQED
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 55min
California ER Doctors Reflect on ‘The Pitt’ Effect
Dr. Sarah Medeiros, UC Davis emergency physician and EM Pulse podcast host, reflects on emotional toll and compartmentalization. Dr. Patil Armenian, UCSF Fresno toxicologist, discusses realism, substance use, and language/access barriers. Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief at Zuckerberg SF General, talks ER operations, pandemic effects, and rising workplace violence. They explore media’s impact on public understanding and ER practice.
Jan 27, 2026 • 55min
What Should Replace San Francisco Centre?
Michael Covarrubias, CEO of TMG Partners, talks redevelopment economics and policy levers. Lisa Wang, design director at Gensler, offers ideas on building reuse and streetscape activation. Laura Crescimano, co-founder of Sight Lab, explores placemaking and mixed-use concepts. J.K. Dineen, Chronicle housing reporter, gives on-the-ground context about downtown decline and reuse possibilities. They debate phasing, interim uses, and civic reconnection.
Jan 26, 2026 • 55min
With Rare Candor, FBI Employees Sound Alarms about Kash Patel’s Leadership
Jill Fields, former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst from Los Angeles who resigned over internal shifts. Emily Bazelon, New York Times Magazine writer and investigative reporter. They discuss a radical change in bureau priorities, reassignment and silencing of analysts, politicized investigations, halted civil rights probes, and risks to civil liberties and institutional independence.
Jan 26, 2026 • 55min
Heather Cox Richardson on Trump's Impact on Democracy
Heather Cox Richardson, a political history professor and author known for the newsletter Letters from an American, outlines how current events reflect long-term democratic strains. She connects historical parallels to modern unrest. She examines federal deployments, civil resistance tactics, voting rights threats, and how institutions and narratives shape political loyalty and reform.
Jan 23, 2026 • 55min
Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen on Freeing Ourselves from Metrics
C. Thi Nguyen, philosopher and author of The Score, explores how rankings and simple metrics can replace our deeper values. He contrasts playful, self-chosen scoring with institutional metrics that hijack meaning. Short, lively takes cover climbing, gamification, screen time, healthcare quotas, and why some measurements make life feel emptier.
Jan 23, 2026 • 55min
Meklit Hadero Reimagines Ethiopian Folk Songs: Live in Studio
Meklit Hadero, an Ethiopian-born, San Francisco–based singer-songwriter and Ethio-jazz composer, reimagines folk songs with modern arrangements. She performs live with her band, explores Ethiopian scales and the krar, and reflects on diaspora, musical continuity, and creating the Immigrant Orchestra. The session blends tradition, jazz influence, and joyful communal singing.
Jan 22, 2026 • 55min
Orphaned Ukrainian Children Navigate Loss and Recovery Amid War
Anna Nemtsova, an Eastern Europe correspondent, shares her insights from interviewing orphaned Ukrainian children who bear the scars of war. She highlights stories of young caregivers, like 18-year-old Vyshyslav, who take on adult responsibilities after tragic losses. Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, offers a diplomatic perspective on the ongoing conflict, discussing Ukraine's challenges and potential negotiation paths. The conversation also touches on the rising violence among Russian youth and the dire humanitarian impact of the war.
Jan 22, 2026 • 55min
Could Greenland Become the 51st State?
Eliot Cohen, a strategy expert and commentator, and Susan Glasser, a seasoned political journalist, join Jeffrey Gettleman, a global correspondent for The New York Times, to dissect Trump's controversial interest in acquiring Greenland. They explore Trump's longstanding fixation and the geopolitical implications of such a move. Cohen analyzes the strategic value of Greenland, while Glasser discusses the political motives behind Trump's actions. Meanwhile, Gettleman sheds light on local sentiments and historical ties to Denmark, revealing the complexities of this potential acquisition.
Jan 21, 2026 • 55min
Should California Impose a Tax on Billionaires?
Suzanne Jimenez, chief of staff at SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, advocates for a one-time 5% wealth tax on California billionaires to fund healthcare amid federal cuts. Marisa Lagos analyzes the political landscape, highlighting Governor Newsom's concerns that it might harm the economy. Tech reporter Ryan Mac discusses the mixed reactions from billionaires, including threats to relocate, and the financial complexities of taxing assets primarily held in stock. The conversation circles around wealth inequality and the implications for future tax policies.
Jan 21, 2026 • 55min
What the Closure of California College of the Arts and Vanderbilt Expansion Mean for the Bay Area
Sarah Hotchkiss, a CCA alum and KQED Arts and Culture editor, shares insights on the shocking closure of California College of the Arts and its impact on the local arts scene. Jeff Selingo, a higher education expert, discusses the national implications of college closures and shifts in institutional finances. Laura Waxman of the San Francisco Chronicle reveals how the city aims to revitalize downtown through Vanderbilt's new campus. Together, they explore the losses faced by the community and the evolving landscape of arts education in the Bay Area.
