KQED's Forum

Gossip can be “juicy, strange, funny and utterly banal” and we love to hear it, whether we identify as gossips or not. Kelsey McKinney, host and creator of the podcast Normal Gossip, has perfected the art of relaying other people’s business, and she thinks that gossip has been unfairly maligned. In her book “You Didn’t Hear This From Me,” McKinney reflects on the multitude of petty and profound ways we use gossip: to entertain, admonish, bond and teach communal values – even to protect one another from harm. Whether you love, hate, or elevate gossip to an art form, we want to hear from you: How do you share and use gossip in your life?Guests:Kelsey McKinney, author, "You Didn’t Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip"; host and creator of the podcast Normal Gossip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump takes the stage on Tuesday night, addressing Congress to make the case for his agenda, after a whirlwind six weeks in office. This week, Trump has levied tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China, which set the stock market plunging. He also halted funding of Ukraine’s war effort following a public berating of Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. And his DOGE-cuts of various agencies, including the IRS and the Department of Defense continue. We’ll digest the news with a panel of experts.Guests:Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, KQED's Political BreakdownAnnie Lowrey, staff writer, The AtlanticAaron David Miller, senior fellow for the American Statecraft Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; former negotiator and advisor, on Middle Eastern issues to Republican and Democratic secretaries of state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anger and frustration over Elon Musk’s DOGE and its drastic, legally questionable cuts to the federal workforce have sparked protests outside Tesla dealerships around the country, leaving some Tesla owners feeling less than great about their cars. If you have a Tesla, are you thinking of getting rid of it? We’ll talk about whether Elon Musk and the Trump Administration in general are affecting what you’re buying – or swearing off.Guests:Clara Jeffery, editor in chief, Mother JonesFrances Dinkelspiel, journalist, co-founder of Cityside Journalism InitiativeMatthew Hiller, owner and designer, Mad Puffer Stickers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, President Trump fired 6,700 IRS employees, while the chronically underfunded agency, is in the midst of tax season. In a New York Times guest essay, seven former IRS commissioners, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, decried the cuts, which constitute 7% of the agency’s work force, as bad policy that would make the agency less efficient and effective. We talk to tax experts and former IRS commissioner Daniel Werfel, who oversaw efforts to overhaul the agency during the Biden administration, about the impact of these cuts to the agency and to the federal budget and Trump’s policy towards the IRS.Guests:Vanessa Williamson, senior fellow, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center; she is the author of "Read My Lips: Why Americans Are Proud to Pay Taxes'; she is also a senior fellow in the Governance Studies department at BrookingsDaniel Werfel, former IRS commissioner, Werfel served as the 50th Commissioner of the IRS from March 2023 to January 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt so creatively connected to someone that it’s like you share the same brain? That’s how acclaimed writers Tommy Orange and Kaveh Akbar describe their relationship. They’re best friends who wrote their recent novels “Wandering Stars” and “Martyr” by sending each other “cheernotes” in which they “waved [their] pom poms with genuine excitement at what the other’d just wrought from the ether,” as Akbar puts it. The two are embarking on a Bay Area driving tour to celebrate their friendship and art, and they join us on Forum.Guests:Tommy Orange, novelist, his books include "Wandering Stars" and "There There," which was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize.Kaveh Akbar, poet and novelist, his books include "Martyr!," a National Book Award finalist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan spent more than three decades reporting on everything from wildfires to serial killers but he has been especially dogged in his coverage of the city’s seemingly intractable homelessness problem. His new book, “The Lost and the Found,” draws on his extensive, immersive reporting to tell the stories of two homeless people – how they ended up on the streets of San Francisco and how they left. We talk with Fagan about his detailed portrait of what it is like to survive without shelter and why it’s so difficult to resolve an issue that has long plagued our region.Guests:Kevin Fagan, author of “The Lost and The Found;" longtime, award-winning journalist and former reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle specializing in homelessness and serial killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging conversation, Robert Townsend, a groundbreaking filmmaker, actor, and comedian known for classics like "Hollywood Shuffle" and "The Meteor Man," shares his journey in Hollywood. He reflects on the importance of representation and mentorship from legends like Sidney Poitier. Townsend discusses the inspiration behind his superhero creation, Meteor, and emphasizes the significance of sharing dreams thoughtfully. He also highlights young Black filmmakers shaping the future and the personal truths vital to impactful storytelling.

Brittany Newell, a San Francisco-based writer and performer, discusses her novel "Soft Core," which dives into the city's underground scene through the eyes of a stripper and dominatrix. She challenges the negative stereotypes of the city, highlighting its rich history of love and sex. Newell explores the shifting dynamics in BDSM culture, noting the rise of younger clients seeking authentic experiences. She also reflects on the deep connections formed through storytelling and the unique charm of her beloved city, asserting that San Francisco is vibrant beyond wealth.

Join Jordan Kurland, co-owner of Noise Pop, and Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED Arts editor, as they delve into San Francisco's music scene revitalization. Laline St. Juste shares her journey as a musician and label founder, spotlighting local talent. Tina Davis discusses the significant role of independent labels in the industry. The conversation covers the impact of social media, the importance of live music, and community support, all while celebrating the unique rhythm of the Bay Area's diverse musical landscape.

In a compelling discussion, Alexander Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and whistleblower during Trump's impeachment, shares insights from his book, 'The Folly of Realism.' He critiques the U.S.'s recent shifts in foreign policy toward Ukraine and the implications of a strategic minerals deal with the country. Vindman highlights the growing unreliability of the U.S. as an ally amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, and underscores the moral imperative of supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.