KQED's Forum

Maxwell Williams, an olfactory artist and assistant editor at the Los Angeles Times, joins Aashish Manglik, a UCSF professor specializing in the science of smell. They discuss how scents like sequoias and ocean spray evoke vivid memories of California. Personal stories highlight how diverse aromas can transport individuals back to significant life events. The conversation also covers the neurological links between smell and memory, including the challenges of scent loss post-COVID-19 and the artistry involved in perfume making.

Mac Barnett, a celebrated Bay Area children's author and the Library of Congress’s new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, passionately reframes the importance of picture books. He discusses their vital role in nurturing a love for reading across generations and challenges the misconception that they're not real literature. Along with fellow authors Aida Salazar and Laura G. Lee, they explore the emotional depth and artistic innovation of picture books, and share personal anecdotes about the lasting impact of beloved stories.

Edward Fishman, a senior research scholar at Columbia University and former U.S. sanctions official, explores the current landscape of economic warfare. He discusses how sanctions, tariffs, and embargoes shape global relations, particularly in the context of U.S.-Russia dynamics. Fishman critiques the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia and highlights challenges in achieving political goals through economic means. He also examines the implications of emerging alliances and the role of cryptocurrencies in shifting power dynamics.

In this engaging conversation, Berkeley poet Rachel Richardson, known for her impactful works on motherhood and resilience, explores the challenges of raising children amid environmental crises. She discusses her collection 'Smother,' using fire and smoke as metaphors for the anxieties of modern parenting. Richardson reflects on the role of art in navigating grief and building community, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in confronting climate change. Her humorous yet poignant insights on motherhood showcase the intersection of creativity and chaos in today’s world.

Who is the Government? Dave Eggers and Sarah Vowell attempt to answer that question in essays about the scientists who discover new planets at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and the archivists who safeguard the nation’s historical record. They’re both featured in the new anthology, “Who is Government: The Untold Story of Public Service.” We talk to Vowell and Eggers about the civil servants who make up what their editor Michael Lewis calls “the vast, complex system Americans pay for, rebel against, rely upon, dismiss and celebrate.” And we’ll get an update on the legal challenges to the Trump administration’s efforts to slash the federal workforce. What public servant in your life would you like to celebrate?Guests:Dave Eggers, founder, McSweeney's; co-founder, 826 Valencia; author, many books including “The Eyes and the Impossible” and “The Circle”Sarah Vowell, author, seven nonfiction books including “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States”, “Unfamiliar Fishes" and “Assassination Vacation"Stephen Fowler, political reporter covering the restructuring of the federal government, NPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has called for the impeachment of the federal judge who ordered a halt on the administration’s deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members under a rarely used 18th-century wartime law. The administration went ahead with the deportations over the weekend despite the judge’s order. The clash comes a few weeks after the controversial arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who is facing possible deportation for his role in Gaza protests. We’ll get the latest on Trump’s recent immigration actions and the legal battles surrounding them.Guests:Ted Hasson, immigration reporter, ReutersDeep Gulasekaram, professor of law and director of Byron White Center for the Study of Constitutional Law, University of Colorado Boulder Law School; co author, the leading immigration law textbook used in U.S. law schools Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California in 2023 experienced a net loss of nearly 270,000 residents. The main reason given by those surveyed? The state’s cost of living is too high for working families. According to journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, much of the blame for that lies with Democrats, who they say have “failed at the work of governing” by pushing policies that make it too hard to build homes, mass transit and clean energy infrastructure. We talk to Klein and Thompson about how they think the left can govern better and smarter. Their new book is “Abundance.”Guests:Ezra Klein, columnist, The New York Times; co-author of "Abundance" and "Why We're Polarized;" his podcast is "The Ezra Klein Show"Derek Thompson, staff writer and author of the Work in Progress newsletter; The Atlantic; co-author of "Abundance" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new book “Carbon: The Book of Life,” Paul Hawken guides readers through the integral role of carbon in our world and daily lives. Carbon is a miracle element that is the basis of life on earth, and yet, it has become maligned as the culprit of our climate change crisis. Hawken, a Bay Area native and longtime environmentalist and entrepreneur, offers a hopeful re-consideration of carbon, as a way to embrace our connection to the planet and guide us to climate solutions. We talk to Hawken about his new book, his work on environmental sustainability and how to reimagine our complex relationship with carbon and the planet as a whole.Guests:Paul Hawken, environmentalist, entrepreneur and author; his latest book is "Carbon: The Book of Life." His other books include "Regeneration," "Drawdown," "Blessed Unrest" and "The Ecology of Commerce." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy award winning Comedian Carol Leifer has sat through countless bad speeches. Fed up, she set out to create the ultimate guide to speech writing with co-author Rick Mitchell. It’s called “How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation, and Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place.” Leifer offers thoughtful writing tips honed during her time working on television shows like “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “Hacks.” She joins us.Guests:Carol Leifer, comedian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexis Madrigal dives into the intricate relationship between globalization and Oakland's identity. He explores how the port has shaped economic dynamics and cultural revitalization amidst community challenges. The discussion highlights the resilience of locals facing systemic inequalities and the impact of global trade on their lives. Insights on the historical relevance of the Black Panthers and the role of sports in community identity further enrich the conversation, emphasizing the need for actionable solutions to enhance local conditions.