KQED's Forum

Mary Ziegler, a law professor specializing in reproductive rights, and Shefali Luthra, a reproductive health reporter, dive into California's complex legal battles over abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade. They discuss how lawsuits are threatening providers and patients alike, the controversial decision of major retailers like Costco to avoid stocking abortion medications, and the tension between healthcare practices and religious beliefs. With a focus on the implications for both Californians and national trends, the conversation sheds light on the shifting landscape of reproductive healthcare.

Buffy Wicks, a California State Assembly member driving CEQA reforms, joins industry expert Patrick Kennedy and policy analyst Sarah Karlinsky. They discuss the challenges of California's housing crisis, highlighting the urgent need for new policies to accelerate development. Aditi Bandlamudi provides insights into local housing issues, emphasizing the impact of environmental regulations on building costs. The panel debates whether recent legislative changes can truly ease the housing shortage while balancing community concerns with sustainability.

Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and director at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute, joins Edward Fishman, global energy policy expert and Columbia adjunct professor. They delve into Trump's controversial meeting with Putin in Alaska, discussing potential ceasefire ideas like 'land swaps.' The conversation highlights Ukraine's exclusion from talks, ongoing military tensions, and the shifting public sentiment in Ukraine amid war fatigue. They also explore the challenges facing U.S.-Russia relations and the implications for international diplomacy.

Ethan Elkind, Director of the Climate Program at UC Berkeley, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, dive deep into California's ongoing struggle between housing development and environmental protection. They explore the recent CEQA reforms aimed at streamlining housing production. The conversation highlights the tension between legislative measures and ecological concerns, emphasizing the need for modernized regulations to address both climate change and housing demands effectively.

Remember the flexed arm hang? The mile run? The Presidential Fitness Test – a battery of physical challenges that has prompted both dread and pride in students since the Eisenhower administration – is getting a reboot under the current administration. We’ll look at what California is currently doing to encourage youth fitness and what we’ve learned from more than 50 years of health data collected by school fitness tests, including the updated version that took hold under the Obama administration in 2012. And we want to hear from you: what are your memories of the Presidential Fitness Test? What do you think about its return? Guests: Hannah Thompson, assistant research professor of Community Health Sciences, UC Berkeley; incoming director for the UC Nutrition Policy Institute Taylor Tobin, freelance journalist who writes about food, health and lifestyle Renata Simril, CEO and President of the LA84 Foundation, and President of the Play Equity Fund Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the surface, being a perfectionist may not seem so bad. What’s wrong with wanting straight A’s or an impeccable home or conflict-free relationships? But, therapists have long warned that not managing perfectionism properly can lead to anxiety, depression and a wide range of other problems. Perfectionism manifests in various ways. Sometimes people expect themselves to be perfect or feel like they will never be good enough for others. Sometimes they expect the people around them to be perfect and end up disappointed. We’ll talk about the different kinds of perfectionism with experts who can help you keep it in check. Guests: Leslie Jamison, author; her recent article in The New Yorker is titled, "The Pain of Perfectionism" - her books include "Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story" and "The Empathy Exams" Sahaj Kaur Kohli, therapist, writer, speaker, and founder, Brown Girl Therapy; author of the book, "But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures" Angela Li, licensed clinical psychologist, Based in San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaweed Kaleem, an education reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Eric Kelderman, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Siobhan Braybrook, an associate professor at UCLA, dive into the contentious $1 billion fine and grant freeze imposed by the Trump administration on UCLA. They discuss allegations of antisemitism and discrimination in admissions that have sparked significant backlash. The trio also explores how these developments may affect higher education, the strain on academic programs, and the tension between university funding and political pressures.

Neale Mahoney, a Stanford economist and former White House policy advisor, discusses the broader economic impacts of Trump’s tariff policies. Tracy Alloway, a financial journalist from Bloomberg, highlights how these tariffs are affecting consumer prices, from coffee to clothing. Bastian Schoell, owner of The Spanish Table, shares firsthand insights about the struggles faced by small importers due to rising costs. The conversation reveals the complex relationship between tariffs, inflation, and consumer spending habits.

David Quackenbush oversees a Medi-Cal health system in California's Central Valley, while Miranda Dietz analyzes healthcare policy effects. Mitesh Popat leads the Venice Family Clinic focused on accessible care, and Jo Campbell serves a rural community at Hill Country Community Clinic. They discuss the chilling impact of recent Medicaid cuts on California's health clinics, particularly for low-income and immigrant populations. The leaders share urgent concerns about healthcare access, enrollment challenges, and the advocacy needed to navigate this impending crisis.

Brian Merchant, a tech journalist and author of "Blood in the Machine," Matt Honan, editor-in-chief at MIT Technology Review, and Zoë Schiffer, WIRED's business coverage lead, explore the colossal investments Big Tech is making in AI infrastructure, likening its impact to the railroad boom. They discuss AI's role in geopolitical tensions, like the controversial Nvidia deal with China. Meanwhile, the underwhelming launch of ChatGPT-5 raises questions about AI expectations and its societal implications, revealing a mix of excitement and disappointment surrounding its performance.