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
Oct 13, 2025 • 55min
Hustle Culture is Back in Silicon Valley. But Can Workers Sustain a 996 Grind?
Carolyn Chen, an Associate Professor at UC Berkeley and author of *Work, Pray, Code*, discusses how Silicon Valley’s hustle culture resembles a religion, complete with devotion to work. Journalist Laura Kelly sheds light on the 996 work trend—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—and its rise in the tech industry. Economist Ara Karazian analyzes data revealing a spike in weekend work as companies expect employees to embrace the grind. They explore whether this relentless hustle can sustain without burnout and its implications for diversity in the workforce.
Oct 10, 2025 • 55min
Gov. Newsom Signs Slew of New Bills
Guy Marzarati, a correspondent at KQED's California Politics desk, and Jeannie Kwong from CalMatters explore Governor Newsom's recent legislative decisions. They discuss significant housing reforms that allow taller buildings near transit, and new laws targeting illegal street vending. Kwong highlights important education measures, including a ban on ultra-processed school lunches and enhanced training to prevent sexual misconduct. They also examine emerging regulations on AI and the ongoing debates surrounding California's reparations initiatives.
Oct 10, 2025 • 55min
Alice Waters on Why We Need a ‘School Lunch Revolution’
Alice Waters, a pioneering chef and founder of Chez Panisse, passionately discusses the necessity for a school lunch revolution, advocating for fresh, organic meals in education. Alongside chef Jessica Badalana, they share hands-on experiences and simple recipes to make healthy food appealing to kids. Restaurant critic Mackenzie Chung Fagan highlights the stark differences between prepackaged school lunches and freshly prepared meals. Together, they explore the impact of sustainable practices and community engagement in transforming school food systems.
Oct 9, 2025 • 55min
Supreme Court Term Will Test the Scope of Presidential Power
Join legal experts Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer at Slate, Melissa Murray, a law professor at NYU, and Olatunde C. Johnson, a professor at Columbia Law, as they dissect the Supreme Court's new term. They explore the implications of potential rulings on presidential power, the Voting Rights Act, and transgender athlete rights. The panel also examines the impact of amicus briefs and the court's evolving stance on race-conscious voting remedies. Insights into the court's conservative shift and the risks of ignoring precedent add depth to their analysis.
Oct 9, 2025 • 55min
The Ever Shifting Landscape of Mainstream Media
Nick Valencia, a former CNN correspondent now running his own independent news outlet, shares how this shift allowed him to cover immigration stories with deeper trust and access. Brian Merchant, a tech journalist, discusses the challenges of achieving the same reach outside traditional media while advocating for independent voices. Alicia Kennedy, a food and culture writer, explains the highs and lows of navigating cultural criticism and sustainability in indie publishing. Together, they reveal the evolving landscape of journalism and the impact of independence on their work.
Oct 8, 2025 • 55min
Science Journalist Jon Cohen on Preventing the Next Pandemic
Jon Cohen, Senior Correspondent at Science magazine and author of 'Planning Miracles,' discusses critical strategies for preventing future pandemics. He highlights the dangers posed by coronaviruses and influenza, and the vital role of surveillance, particularly in bats. Cohen critiques the panic-neglect cycle that undermines preparedness and emphasizes the need for quick vaccine development. Climate change and deforestation also contribute to rising pathogen risks, making innovative solutions in public health more necessary than ever.
6 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 55min
Deepfake Videos Just Got More Realistic…and More Dangerous
Max Read, a seasoned journalist and editor, joins Alice Marwick, a research director focusing on technology's societal impacts, along with Jason Koebler, an investigative journalist, to discuss the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfake videos. They explore how OpenAI’s Sora app makes creating convincing videos effortless and its implications for trust and disinformation. The trio debates the urgent need for regulation, the potential harassments linked to video likeness sharing, and the risks AI poses to political integrity and public trust.
Oct 7, 2025 • 55min
Why Do We Fall for Charlatans?
Francisco Toro, known as Kiko, is a journalist and author, as well as the director of climate repair at the Anthropocene Institute. In this discussion, he explores the psychology behind charlatans and how they exploit deep-seated needs for certainty and belonging. He delves into notable examples like Sam Bankman-Fried's moral branding and the Farm Bank scheme in Turkey. Toro also addresses the role of social media in amplifying these manipulative tactics and the psychological traits that characterize charlatans.
Oct 7, 2025 • 44min
Is It Time for California to Consider a "Soft Secession"?
Clara Jeffery, Editor-in-Chief of Mother Jones, and Jon Michaels, UCLA Law professor, explore the concept of "soft secession" in California. They discuss how the state can leverage its economic power and push back against federal policies. The conversation covers innovative state-level alliances for issues like vaccinations, the irony of advocating states' rights from a progressive standpoint, and the legal complexities behind reconfiguring state-federal relations. They also highlight the urgency of building infrastructure for resilience amid increasing federal constraints.
Oct 6, 2025 • 56min
Is California’s Largest ICE Detention Center Operating Legally?
Tyche Hendricks, a senior immigration editor at KQED, discusses California City's contentious new ICE detention facility, revealing claims of inadequate permits and railroading concerns. Sam Levin, a criminal justice reporter for The Guardian US, shares harrowing detainee accounts of poor conditions and hunger strikes. Mayor Marquette Hawkins offers insights on local division between job hopes and rights concerns, while legal expert Vikram Amar examines state authority limits over federal contracts, foreshadowing significant legal challenges ahead.
