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
Dec 11, 2025 • 55min
What’s Behind President Trump’s Aesthetic?
Naftali Bendavid, a senior national political correspondent at The Washington Post, and Jessica Winninger, an anthropology professor at Northwestern University, dive into the opulent aesthetic of Trump's presidency. They discuss the planned gold ballroom and the changes in architectural norms, comparing Trump’s style to historical authoritarian aesthetics. Winninger explains how this spectacle appeals to supporters and serves as a political tool. They highlight the risks of cultivating a cult-like following through extravagant visuals and the potential legacy of these choices.
Dec 11, 2025 • 55min
Fatal UCSF Stabbing Heightens Concerns About Health Worker Safety
Annie Vainshtein, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter, and Cammie Chaumont Menendez, a CDC epidemiologist, delve into the tragic stabbing of social worker Alberto Rangel. They discuss the alarming rise of workplace violence in healthcare, highlighting security lapses at UCSF and the impact of pandemic stress. Personal stories reveal the emotional toll on colleagues, while Cammie offers evidence-based prevention strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for better safety measures and innovative non-police interventions in healthcare settings.
Dec 10, 2025 • 55min
Calls Escalate for Release of Caribbean Boat Strike Video
In this discussion, Julian Barnes, an intelligence and national security reporter for The New York Times, and Tess Bridgeman, co-editor-in-chief at Just Security and former legal adviser to the National Security Council, delve into the controversial U.S. boat strike that resulted in fatalities. They analyze accusations of war crimes, implications for the law of war, and the Pentagon's shift from law enforcement to military action. The duo also highlights concerns about political accountability and the potential erosion of safeguards in U.S. military operations.
Dec 10, 2025 • 55min
How NIH Funding Cuts Are Slowing the Search for Cures
Megan Molteni, a sharp science writer from STAT News, and Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, delve into the significant impact of NIH funding cuts on medical research. They discuss how these cuts hindered progress in HIV and cancer research, affecting vulnerable populations. Molteni explains the administration's shift to multi-year funding and the resulting competition for grants, while Gandhi highlights the dire consequences for minority-focused studies. Together, they emphasize the critical need for advocacy to restore funding and support the scientific community.
Dec 9, 2025 • 55min
Investigation: Lax State Oversight Endangers California’s Child Farmworkers
Robert J. Lopez, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, joins Erica Diaz-Cervantes, a former child farmworker and advocate, to discuss the harsh realities faced by California’s child farmworkers. They reveal alarming details about minimal enforcement of labor laws, unsafe conditions, and inadequate wages as children as young as 12 pick crops. Lopez shares his findings from interviews with young workers detailing fears of retaliation, while Diaz-Cervantes recounts her own grueling experiences. Together, they highlight urgent calls for better protections and legislative action.
9 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 55min
Mobile Homes Provide Affordable Housing, But Their Future Is at Risk
In this insightful discussion, Bruce Stanton, a legal advocate for manufactured home residents, shares concerns about corporate takeovers of mobile home parks. Mariah Thompson, a senior litigator, highlights the lack of statewide rent control and the plight of low-income residents. Resident Mary Curry recounts her experiences living in a city-owned mobile home community, emphasizing the need for affordable housing. Randy Keller explores cooperative ownership as a promising solution. Together, they highlight the critical issues facing mobile home communities in California.
Dec 8, 2025 • 55min
Would You Erase a Painful Memory, if You Could?
Steve Ramirez, a pioneering neuroscientist at Boston University, dives into the fascinating world of memory manipulation. He reveals groundbreaking experiments where he can turn memories on and off in mice, and even implant false memories. Ramirez grapples with the ethical implications of potentially erasing painful memories in humans, spurred by personal grief after his colleague's death. He also discusses the challenges of understanding the physical basis of memory and the risks of misuse in society. Prepare to rethink what memories are and could be!
6 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 55min
How Private Soundtracks Are Changing Public Life: The New Normal of Constant Headphone Use
Jenny Odell, an artist and critic known for her work on attention and time, joins Gloria Mark, a Professor Emerita of Informatics at UC Irvine and author of 'Attention Span.' They dive into the impact of constant headphone use on our attention, relationships, and social interactions. Topics include how personal soundtracks reshape public spaces and foster isolation, the cognitive costs of audio consumption, and the contrast between mediated listening and nature's ambient sounds. They also discuss the need for intentional listening and reclaiming silence in our noisy world.
Dec 5, 2025 • 55min
Patricia Lockwood on How Illness Can Give You ‘Another You’
Patricia Lockwood, a novelist and poet acclaimed for her deeply personal works, shares her surreal journey with long COVID. She describes navigating bizarre symptoms like 'Brian fog' and repetitive song refrains while trying to write 'a masterpiece about being confused.' Lockwood talks about the fear of losing her identity, the solace she found in K-dramas, and how writing helped her process the experience. She emphasizes the power of shared illness in strengthening relationships and reflects on her transformative recovery.
Dec 5, 2025 • 55min
How Are You Managing Giftflation this Holiday Shopping Season?
Amanda Mull, a consumer culture columnist for Bloomberg, dives deep into the implications of giftflation on holiday shopping. Taylar Hagan-Colyar, founder of Sip Shop Eat, shares insights on the rising popularity of craft fairs as more cost-effective avenues for vendors and shoppers. Sarahjane Bernhisel, co-founder of Bay Made, discusses the challenges small businesses face amid inflation but highlights the unique value of local goods. The trio explores alternative gifting ideas, emphasizing meaningful experiences and local finds while navigating this season's economic challenges.
