KQED's Forum

Journalist and author Simon Winchester says that wind is “a universal….It lifts seeds and supports birds and insects. It warms and it chills. It builds and creates; it ruins and destroys.” From a vibrating oboe reed to the fury of a hurricane, we talk to Winchester about how wind has shaped our lives and our planet — and how it’s shifting with climate change. His new book is “The Breath of the Gods.” Guests: Simon Winchester, journalist and author, "The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind" - his other books include "The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary" and "A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

In the U.S., it’s illegal to edit genes in human embryos with the intention of creating a genetically engineered baby. But according to the Wall Street Journal, Bay Area startups are focused on just that. It wouldn’t be the first such baby: in 2018, a Chinese scientist announced he had altered embryos to create a baby immune from HIV. He was sentenced to prison for the illegal practice of medicine. In the US and across the globe, ethical concerns about gene editing embryos to eliminate disease and replicate certain traits like a higher IQ are raising alarms. We’ll talk to experts about what is at stake and how innovations in genetic engineering are being directed. Guests: Dr. Fyodor Urnov, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics, University of California, Berkeley - Urnov is also the scientific director at its Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) Katherine Long, reporter, investigations team, Wall Street Journal - Long's latest piece is titled "Genetically Engineered Babies Are Banned. Tech Titans Are Trying to Make One Anyway" Katie Hasson, executive director, Center for Genetics and Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

Fred Armisen, the comedian, actor and musician known for “Portlandia,” “Documentary Now!” and “SNL,” has a new album out called “100 Sound Effects.” There’s a jacket zipping, glass shattering, the “ooh” of receiving room service and even the sound we make when “Walking into a Video Room at an Art Museum and then Walking Out Quickly,” as the effect is titled. We’ll talk with Armisen about recording the sounds of the everyday, and we want to hear from you: What’s a sound you’d record in your life or would want preserved in a sound effect library decades from now? Guests: Fred Armisen, comedian, actor and musician, known for “Portlandia,” “Documentary Now!” and “Saturday Night Live" - his new project is “100 Sound Effects” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

In 2011, Nicole Daedone took to the stage at a San Francisco TedTalk to discuss her biggest business venture: the female orgasm. The founder of OneTaste, a company dedicated to “orgasmic meditation”, told a tale of women’s empowerment and exploration of female sexual pleasure through the business’s many retreats, centers and workshops. But in the years that followed, stories of sexual, financial and labor abuse and manipulation in OneTaste emerged. In the new book, Empire of Orgasm, Ellen Huet investigates the cult-like nature of the operation through accounts of former clients and community members that led to the company’s recent criminal conviction on federal forced labor conspiracy charges. Guests: Ellen Huet, investigative journalist and features writer, Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek - author, "Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Journalist Gil Duran’s newsletter “The Nerd Reich” documents the latest developments in anti-democracy extremism within Silicon Valley. These extreme views include calls for accelerationism: the idea that unregulated capitalism and unfettered technological advancement should accelerate as quickly as possible, in order to bring about a new world order. While this sounds conspiratorial, Duran says these views are promoted by some of the most influential voices in the tech sector. We’ll talk about the political implications of billionaire tech moguls’ actions in the Bay Area, the U.S. and the world — and how we can fight back. Guests: Gil Duran, journalist and author of the newsletter "The Nerd Reich"; author of the forthcoming book, “The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 1 December 2025

If you’ve watched any legal drama on TV, you know that criminal defendants are entitled to a jury of peers. But does our court system fulfill that promise? Filmmaker Abby Ginzberg’s short documentary “Judging Juries” exposes how discriminatory dismissals, and a lack of financial support, keep people of color off of juries, and how that exclusion impacts our entire justice system. We’ll talk with Ginzberg, two public defenders, and a San Francisco official working to address this problem – in San Francisco, at least. The city launched a pilot program that offers $100 per day to low-income jurors for their service. We’ll explore the impact of that program, and other efforts to remove barriers to jury service. Have you ever served on a jury? Tell us about your experience. Guests: Manohar Raju, public defender, City of San Francisco Anne Stuhldreher, senior advisor, San Francisco Treasurer's Office Abby Ginzberg, documentary filmmaker, "Judging Juries" Brendon Woods, public defender for Alameda County, Alameda County Defenders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 1 December 2025

There’s the picture book you wanted your parent or caregiver to read to you over and over. There’s the one with musical rhymes you love performing for your kids. The editors at the Atlantic’s books desk chose 65 “essential” children’s books, spanning the 1936 classic “The Story of Ferdinand” to 2024’s “I’m Sorry You Got Mad.” The list includes bedtime stories, books that teach counting and tales that make big emotions comprehensible for little ones. We’ll talk with the book editors about how the Atlantic made its list. And we’ll hear what your favorite books mean to you and your children. Guests: Boris Kachka, senior editor, The Atlantic Emma Sarappo, senior associate editor, The Atlantic Maya Chung, senior associate editor, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2025

Even after the tremendous success of her cookbook, “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and the Netflix series it inspired, Samin Nosrat found that she was lonely and depressed. What grounded her, and helped her claw back the joy in her life, was regularly cooking and eating with friends and committing to community – one “lazy sugo” at a time .  We talk to Nosrat about her journey and her new book, “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love.” Guest: Samin Nosrat, chef and author of "Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook"; her previous book is the bestseller "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2025

Crises unfold around us daily: gun violence, devastating foreign wars and U.S. democratic norms shattering. And still, we cook dinner and go to work. For those directly affected, the harms are inescapable. But for others, the contrast between catastrophic headlines and ordinary routines creates a dizzying dissonance: life moving as normal, against a backdrop of unsettling change. We’ll talk about this strange tension and what it does to us, and we’ll hear how you are navigating it. Guests: Kate Woodsome, journalist and founder of Invisible Threads, a media and leadership lab exploring the link between mental health and democracy Adrienne Matei, writer, The Guardian US - her recent piece is “Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real” Gisela Salim-Peyer, associate editor, The Atlantic - her most recent article is "The U.S. Is Preparing for War in Venezuela" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

Julian Brave NoiseCat’s paternal family traces their origins to the Coyote, a trickster from native mythology who helped create the world. The story of Coyote weaves through NoiseCat’s memoir, “We Survived the Night,” which recounts his childhood in Oakland, growing up with a non-native mother and an absent Indian father who was born, and nearly killed, in an infamous Canadian reservation school. NoiseCat’s book weaves together the personal, historical and mythological stories that “were nearly tossed in the dustbin of history.” Guests: Julian Brave NoiseCat, author, "We Survived the Night" - NoiseCat is the co-director of the Oscar-nominated documentary "Sugarcane" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

Mars is inhospitable to human life with its cosmic radiation, atmosphere of carbon dioxide and nights as cold as 200 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. But as Space X founder Elon Musk pledges to colonize Mars, and as NASA renews its push for interplanetary travel, a husband and wife duo has explored whether people really can live in space. What would it require to have babies on another planet? To grow food? To prevent conflicts in space from sparking geopolitical chaos on Earth? We’ll talk about it all with Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, co-authors of “A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?” Guests: Kelly Weinersmith, scientist, author, and adjunct faculty member in the BioSciences Department, Rice University - she co-wrote the New York Times bestselling book "A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?" and co-hosts the podcast Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Zach Weinersmith, cartoonist of the webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, he also writes popular science books with his wife, Kelly, including "A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

The ACLU is not new to the work of challenging presidents. During the first Trump administration, the ACLU successfully challenged Trump’s Muslim ban, border wall, and family separation policies. Since Trump took office for his second term this January, the ACLU has filed 111 lawsuits against the administration — defending birthright citizenship, opposing deportations, and challenging executive orders. As Cecillia Wang, its national legal director notes, “litigation has been a tool of first resort in protecting people’s rights and freedom.” We talk with Wang about how the ACLU is meeting this moment, and what individuals can do to ensure the preservation of civil rights and liberties. Guests: Cecillia Wang, National Legal Director, ACLU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

Costco, the bulk grocery chain known for consistency, devoted employees and discounts, has 145 million members worldwide. New Yorker staff writer Molly Fischer grew up going to a Costco in San Jose (Warehouse No. 148, on Senter Road), and she says “being a child of California in the eighties and nineties offered a front-row seat to the rise of a retail juggernaut.” But new management and Wall Street pressure means that things are changing at Costco, even as its hot dog-and-soda deal remains $1.50. We’ll talk with Fischer about her new piece, “Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?” Guests: Molly Fischer, staff writer, The New Yorker - her recent article is "Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

Transgender and nonbinary kids have been in the news a lot lately, but usually they’re not telling their own stories. The California Report Magazine has been airing a series of conversations between trans youth and the people that love and mentor them. We’ll hear from kids, parents and grandparents who have lent their voices to the Love You for You series and we’ll hear from you. Tell us about the trans and gender nonconforming youth in your life. Guests: Sasha Khokha, host of The California Report Magazine on KQED Hunter Stoval, transgender 16 year old Eloui Santiago, gender nonconforming 14 year old Ryu Santiago, non-binary, transgender 16 year old Roberto Santiago , father of two gender expansive children, Eloui and Ryu Santiago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

New York Times Cooking columnist Eric Kim says he’s perfected the Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole (hint: big marshmallows, but halved). Recipe developer Sue Li has a collection of Thanksgiving flavor-inspired pie recipes for bakers of all skill levels. And editor Tanya Sichynsky, who writes “The Veggie” newsletter for the Times, argues you can easily replace the bird with tofu – and even use tofu in your potatoes and desserts. We’ll talk with all three about what they’re bringing to the table this year, and we’ll hear your spiciest Thanksgiving takes and recommendations. Guests: Eric Kim, food and cooking columnist, The New York Times; author, "Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home" Sue Li, recipe developer, The New York Times Tanya Sichynsky, editor for the Food and Cooking sections, The New York Times; author of the weekly vegetarian newsletter "The Veggie" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2025

Beyond just a wardrobe staple, jeans are often key parts of signature looks and core memories. Levi Strauss, the San Francisco company that brought jeans to the masses, has reopened its history museum, The Vault, with an exhibit called “Amped” that celebrates iconic denim looks worn by musicians including Kurt Cobain, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Freddie Mercury. We’ll talk about the exhibit and hear stories of your favorite pair of jeans. Tell us about the jeans that made you feel brave, the ones covered in patches that you refused to retire or maybe the pair that you were wearing when you met your first love. Guests: Gregory Climer, chair, fashion design program at California College of the Arts Audrey Kalman, created a denim archive for her master's degree from the University of Oregon Tracey Panek, Levi Strauss and Co. historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2025

What’s your favorite audiobook? Chances are, it’s one with a great narrator. Audiobook performers can make, or break, the experience for listeners. But what goes into their work? Julia Whelan has been dubbed “the Adele of audiobooks” and has narrated over 700 audiobooks – including Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” Tara Westover’s “Educated” and Ottessa Moshfegh’s “My Year of Rest and Relaxation.” She joins us to share her insights into the craft, how AI is reshaping the industry, and what we love about listening to stories. Guests: Julia Whelan, narrator, actor and co-founder of audiobook publishing and distribution company, Audiobrary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

In the last year, tens of thousands of white collar workers have been laid off from companies ranging from Salesforce to GM to Target. Last month, Amazon announced it was slashing its white collar workforce by 10%, cutting 14,000 jobs.  Employees who once felt protected by their college and graduate degrees are now entering a stagnant job market that is being called the “Great Flattening.” We talk to experts and hear from you: have you been navigating a layoff? Guests: Noam Scheiber, reporter covering workers and the workplace, The New York Times Aki Ito, chief correspondent covering tech industry and workplace issues, Business Insider Alisia Gill, founder and CEO, ERA of Enough - an executive coaching firm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

Two campus shootings last week rocked Oakland. On Wednesday, a 15-year-old Skyline High School student was injured in a shooting by two minors on campus. On Thursday, beloved former football coach, John Beam, was shot at his job as athletic director for Laney College and died the next day. We’ll hear from those who knew Coach Beam about his life and legacy and we’ll discuss what Oakland schools are doing to address safety concerns. Guests: Esther Kaplan, deputy editor, Oaklandside Joseph Dycus, sports reporter, East Bay Times Nelson Alegria, executive director of safety, Oakland Unified School District Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, is underway in Brazil. While California Governor Gavin Newsom made an appearance, the U.S. government is not participating in the annual event, which comes as President Trump fires EPA staff, defunds climate research and promotes fossil fuels. At the same time, green investment is booming, and environmental advocates are optimistic about decarbonization. We’ll take stock of how climate advocacy is weathering the abdication of U.S. leadership. Guests: Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor, The Economist Camille von Kaenel, California environment reporter, Politico Manish Bapna, president and chief executive officer, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) - an international nonprofit environmental organization Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

As the Trump administration’s deportation campaign has ramped up, so too have the number of federal officers and agents wearing masks. That’s according to Atlantic staff writer Nick Miroff, who says that face coverings have become “a standard accessory for federal immigration enforcement, and a symbol of the mass-deportation campaign that is Trump’s top domestic-policy initiative.” In a rebuke, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law banning the use of masks by federal agents in the state, but questions about its enforceability remain as the administration challenges the law with a new suit filed Monday. We talk to Miroff about what masking means for public trust in law enforcement. His new piece is called “Why They Mask.” Guests: Nick Miroff, staff writer covering immigration, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S.-Mexico border, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

For many, poetry is a balm. But for others, poetry feels inaccessible and hard to understand. In her latest book, “Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times” former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith aims to make poetry less intimidating. We talk to Smith about how to read poems, how to “listen at the widest possible angle” and how to use poetry to connect to one another across our differences. Guests: Tracy K. Smith, former U.S. Poet Laureate; professor of English and of African and African American Studies, Harvard University - Smith's latest book is "Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

The dog, writes poet Billy Collins, moves through the world unencumbered, with “nothing but her brown coat and her modest blue collar.” In a new collection called “Dog Show,” the former U.S. Poet Laureate turns his gaze toward the quiet wisdom of our canine friends — their reminders to slow down, pay attention and let the ordinary become radiant. We talk to Collins about dogs, poetry and why it’s a good idea to get close to both in hard times. Has a dog changed the way you see the world? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

Pioneering disability justice activist Alice Wong died in San Francisco on  Friday at the age of 51.  We listen back to our January interview with Alice, as  part of our series profiling legends of the Bay Area. We talked with Alice about her joyous approach to life and listened to some favorite interviews recorded with StoryCorps for the  Disability Visibility Project, which she founded. We also gathered fellow disability rights activists who reflected on Alice’s impact on them, and on the evolution of the disability justice movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

“Ghosting” has become an almost inevitable part of modern life – not just on dating sites, but among friends, family and even professional colleagues. But what’s behind this act of digital disappearance, and what does it say about how we relate to each other today? We’ll look at how technology that makes it easier to disappear on people has also made ghosting more socially acceptable, despite its emotional toll. When have you been ghosted, or ghosted someone? Guests: Dominic Pettman, professor of media and new humanities, The New School; author of "Ghosting: On Disappearance" Lizzie Post, a great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-host of the “Awesome Etiquette” podcast; co-president of The Emily Post Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

Growing up in Stockton’s Khmer refugee community, Nite Yun knew some about her family’s history and heritage, but it was only after she visited Cambodia for the first time at age 24 that she connected deeply with her roots. Returning to the Bay Area, she opened the acclaimed Nyum Bai restaurant in Fruitvale, after being nurtured by the culinary incubator La Cocina. Now, she is the chef and owner of Lunette in the Ferry Building, and author of a new cookbook with recipes and reflections on her childhood and cooking in the Bay Area. Guests: Nite Yun, chef and owner, Lunette, a Cambodian restaurant in the Ferry Building. Yun is the author of the cookbook, "My Cambodia: A Khmer Cookbook." Leticia Landa, executive director, La Cocina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

During the Civil War, “Soldier’s Heart” was the name given to the symptoms we now associate with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. While the condition has had many names in the decades – and wars – that have followed, its toll on soldiers has not abated. Between 11 and 15 percent of Vietnam War veterans are still suffering from PTSD, 50 years after the end of the war. The new documentary “Healing a Soldier’s Heart” follows four veterans reckoning with PTSD and with moral injury – the psychological harm we experience when we violate our moral code. We talk with the filmmaker, a Vietnam War veteran and a psychologist about what it looks like to heal. Related link(s): Watch the documentary “Healing a Soldier’s Heart” Moral Injury – PTSD: National Center for PTSD For Family and Friends – PTSD: National Center for PTSD Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS) – PTSD Guests: Shira Maguen, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, UCSF Medical School; staff psychologist, San Francisco VA Medical Center PTSD Program Stephen Olsson, director and producer, “Healing A Soldier's Heart” Levie Isaacks, decorated Vietnam Army platoon leader (Bronze Star for heroism) and veteran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

When Waymo robotaxis first rolled out onto San Francisco streets in 2021, people were skeptical. But less than five years later, Waymos are popular – a new poll finds local support at 67% –  though still polarizing. A San Francisco Supervisor is advocating to allow counties to decide whether they are allowed on their roads. As Waymo extends their service this week to San Jose and Bay Area highways, we’ll talk with those for and against Waymo expansion. And we’ll look at the future of autonomous vehicles as new competition looks to enter the market. Guests: Jackie Fielder, District 9 supervisor, San Francisco William (Billy) Riggs, professor, University of San Francisco School of Management Rya Jetha, tech culture reporter, SF Standard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

Michael McFaul witnessed Russia’s slide into autocracy under Vladimir Putin. Now, the former ambassador to Russia warns the U.S. is also at risk. In his new book, “Autocrats vs Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder,” McFaul lays out the internal threats facing American democracy, and argues that we may have misjudged the external threats as well – overestimating China’s strength while underestimating Russia’s. Guests: Michael McFaul, professor of political science; Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University - and former U.S. ambassador to Russia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

If you ask someone with aphantasia to visualize an apple, a tree, or the house they grew up in, their mind draws a blank. Literally. The inability to conjure up mental images was discovered in the 1880s but only recently has been given a name and become the subject of more serious study. Aphantasia is found in approximately one percent of the population and can also affect the ability to recall sounds, touch and the sensation of movement. Some aphantasics experience their condition as a loss, while others say the freedom from being bound by visual memory allows them to live fully in the present. We talk about aphantasia and what it tells us about how our brains perceive and remember. Guests: Larissa MacFarquhar, staff writer for The New Yorker, her most recent article is titled "Some People Can’t See Mental Images. The Consequences Are Profound" Tom Ebeyer, founder, Aphantasia Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

Starting in January, Californians will be able to buy discounted insulin from the state. That’s thanks to CalRx, the state-run drug label created in 2020 that partners with manufacturers to slash generic prescription drug prices. CalRx already offers the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone for about half the market price and other medications, including asthma inhalers, could be next. We’ll talk about whether this effort could ease the prescription drug affordability crisis and bolster the supply of crucial medications. Guests: April Dembosky, health correspondent, KQED News Dr. Mariana Socal, associate professor of health policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

In Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech after being elected New York City’s new mayor, he thanked those often forgotten by the politics of the city, the “Yemeni bodega owners and Mexican abuelas. Senegalese taxi drivers and Uzbek nurses. Trinidadian line cooks and Ethiopian aunties.” It got us thinking about the people who make up our Bay Area cities and whether they are represented by our politics. And we’ll hear from you: Who are the often overlooked people who you see as the heart of your city? Guests: Jane Kim, California chair, Working Families Party - former San Francisco Supervisor representing District 6 from 2011-2019 Adena Ishii, mayor, City of Berkeley Noelia Corzo, supervisor, San Mateo County Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

Our digital lives are increasingly dominated by a handful of powerful tech platforms. Once promising prosperity and democracy, the internet has instead allowed companies like Google, Amazon and Meta to extract money, data and attention from users on an unparalleled scale. Tim Wu, a former technology advisor to President Biden, argues that the government is failing us while tech monopolies deepen wealth divides and enable authoritarianism. We talk to him about how we can take back power from Big Tech. Wu’s new book is “The Age of Extraction: How Tech Platforms Conquered the Economy and Threaten Our Future Prosperity.” Guests: Tim Wu, professor of law, Columbia Law School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

The pothole is the bane of any commuter’s day. In Oakland, the city has paid over $35 million in the last 10 years in pothole litigation. And according to a new study, nearly one quarter of San Francisco’s streets are rated below standard. We’ll talk to experts about road maintenance and why it’s so expensive. And we’ll hear from you: What’s a road in your town that needs some attention? Guests: Carla Short, director, San Francisco Public Works Jose Fermoso, reporter, Oaklandside - Fermoso road safety and transportation for Oaklandside Doanh Nguyen, Acting Chief Deputy Director, Caltrans Bay Area Office John Goodwin, spokesman, Metropolitan Transportation Commission - the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the Bay Area Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

California synth-pop duo PRXZM joins us in studio for a live musical performance. Classically trained musicians Nick Ortega and Emma Maidenberg host a weekly livestream where fans can watch them compose in real-time and offer feedback. PRXZM’s latest project? Remixing our Forum theme song! We’ll talk to them about the process of remixing and what it’s like to collaborate so closely with their fans. Guests: Nick Ortega, synth, PRXZM Emma Maidenberg, vocals, PRXZM Daniel Reiter, guitar, PRXZM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

Salman Rushdie is one of the most consequential living writers – artistically, culturally and politically. “The 11th Hour” is his latest collection of short stories and his first work of fiction after being stabbed, nearly to death, at a speaking event in 2022. We talk to Rushdie about his reflections on mortality, the limits of language and what he believes literature provides us with in times of uncertainty. Guests: Salman Rushdie, novelist and essayist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

We’re now in the longest shutdown in U.S. history after lawmakers on Tuesday again failed to advance a deal to extend health care subsidies and re-open the government. As President Trump calls for an end to the filibuster to force a resolution and as Democrats dig in after decisive election victories, we talk about the latest political maneuverings. And we’ll hear from Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley about what he thinks it will take to bring the warring parties to the table. Guests: Nicholas Wu, congressional reporter, Politico Kevin Kiley, U.S. Congressman representing California's 3rd District Russell Berman, staff writer, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

This summer, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said he’d like to see psychedelic therapies for depression, trauma and other hard-to-treat disorders approved for use within the next 12 months. Last year the FDA rejected psychedelic-assisted therapy for use in treating PTSD. We check in with long-time researchers about how state and federal governments can influence the momentum of their field, how they’re reconciling the new right wing support, and what it all means for the future of psychedelic research and therapy. Guests: Michael Silver, director, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics Marlena Robbins, Indigenous public health and policy consultant; doctor of public health candidate, UC Berkeley Berra Yazar-Klosinski, founder and CEO, Yazar Lab, LLC; former chief scientific officer, Lykos Therapeutics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

We look at how California voted on Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw the state’s congressional districts to favor Democratic candidates. Governor Gavin Newsom and other top Democrats, including Barack Obama, back the measure, calling it a response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas. We talk to KQED’s politics team about what the results mean for voters across the state and look at the impacts of consequential races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. Guests: Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED - co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown Benjamin Oreskes, reporter, New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

“AI may not simply be 'a bubble,' or even an enormous bubble. It may be the ultimate bubble,” writes tech journalist Brian Merchant. In the first half of the year, AI contributed to 1.1% of GDP growth and eight tech companies are now valued at $1 trillion or more. While investors are giddy at the pace of growth, many economic analysts are more sober. We get to the bottom of the bubble and what might happen if it pops. Guests: Charlie Warzel, staff writer, The Atlantic. Warzel is also the author of "Galaxy Brain," a newsletter about the internet and big ideas. - he co-authored the piece "Here is How the AI Crash Happens" Brian Merchant, tech journalist, writes the "Blood in the Machine" newsletter, author, "Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion against Big Tech; his most recent piece in Wired is "AI is the Bubble to Burst Them All" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

Journalist Mike Rothschild has for the last decade studied and written about the rise and spread of conspiracy theories, hoaxes and scams. But after he lost his home in Altadena to the Eaton fire, Rothschild witnessed firsthand how conspiracies take hold of people in the throes of a traumatic event. We talk to him about why his community was vulnerable to disinformation about the causes of and responses to the fire — and why conspiracy theories spread when major disasters strike. His new piece for MIT Technology Review is “What it’s like to be in the middle of a conspiracy theory (according to a conspiracy theory expert).” Guests: Mike Rothschild, journalist and expert on conspiracy theories and disinformation, author, “The Storm Is Upon Us" and “Jewish Space Lasers"; His new article in MIT Technology Review is “What it’s like to be in the middle of a conspiracy theory (according to a conspiracy theory expert)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

More than 350,000 Californians are now behind on their student loan payments – the highest delinquency rate for any type of debt in over two decades, according to the California Policy Lab. Experts say the missed payments are a symptom of a financial safety net that was already broken before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted loan payments and is now further unraveling as borrowers face higher bills, fewer repayment options, inconsistent eligibility for loan forgiveness, and a very confusing system. We talk to a researcher tracking student debt, an advocate fighting on behalf of borrowers in court, and a former government official who has seen the system from the inside. Do you have a student loan? Tell us what you’ve been experiencing. Guests: Evan White, executive director, California Policy Lab, University of California-Berkeley Julie Margetta Morgan, president, The Century Foundation, independent think tank that researches public policy - Morgan served as the associate director of research, monitoring, and regulations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Mike Pierce, executive director and co-founder, Protect Borrowers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

Wikipedia, the crowdsourced encyclopedia, is one of the world’s most visited websites, with 11 billion page views each month. Its founder, Jimmy Wales, credits its success to one thing — trust — which he sees at odds with our increasing loss of faith in institutions and in each other. In his new book, he lays out what he calls a “blueprint for building things that last” in volatile times. We’ll talk to Wales about the site’s history and why right wing figures like Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson are attacking it. The book is “The Seven Rules of Trust.” Has Wikipedia earned your trust? Guests: Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2025

As mayor of San Jose, Matt Mahan has touted his business credentials and his common sense approach to handling issues like homelessness and crime.  In 2024, Mahan was reelected to the office with  87% of the vote, and his profile has risen recently as he has criticized Governor Gavin Newsom’s trolling of President Trump.  According to Mahan, “As mayors, we don’t get rewarded for clever tweets or inspiring speeches.” Instead, Mahan says he is focused on concrete results. We talk to Mahan and take your questions. Guests: Matt Mahan, mayor, San Jose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2025

Minutes before his high-stakes meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Thursday, President Trump took to social media to say the U.S. would resume nuclear weapons tests for the first time in decades. It’s the latest in a foreign policy approach that veteran New York Times national security reporter David Sanger calls a mix of instinct, grievance and ego, marked by swerves and reversals. We talk to Sanger about how Trump’s approach is affecting our standing on the world stage. Guests: David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025

Orange marigolds, sugar skulls, skeleton face paint, and altars lined with photos and candles have become familiar elements for commemorating Day of the Dead, the ritual practice of honoring the deceased that has become a cultural phenomenon. Many of the traditions go back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples of Mexico, but others have roots in the United States, where the some of the first Día de los Muertos celebrations took place in 1972 with an altar in front of the Galería de la Raza in San Francisco’s Mission District. We’ll talk about the essence of this holiday and how the traditions, iconography and meaning continue to evolve. Guests: Liv Styler, artist and writer; her piece, “Memento (Me)mori(as),” is part of the SOMArts exhibit "Día de Los Muertos 2025: We Love You" Luisa Navarro, boutique owner, Mexico in My Pocket; author, "Mexico's Day of the Dead" Rio Yañez, artist and curator, co-curator, "Día de Los Muertos 2025: We Love You" at SOMArts Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, executive director and founder, ALAS, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar; licensed clinical social worker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025

Costco, the bulk grocery chain known for consistency, devoted employees and discounts, has 145 million members worldwide. New Yorker staff writer Molly Fischer grew up going to a Costco in San Jose (Warehouse No. 148, on Senter Road), and she says “being a child of California in the eighties and nineties offered a front-row seat to the rise of a retail juggernaut.” But new management and Wall Street pressure means that things are changing at Costco, even as its hot dog-and-soda deal remains $1.50. We’ll talk with Fischer about her new piece, “Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?” Guests: Molly Fischer, staff writer, The New Yorker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

For 20 years, the Emmy- and James Beard-award winning show “Check, Please! Bay Area” has brought together local diners to kibbitz about their favorite restaurants. The concept is simple: three locals each recommend a restaurant, everyone tries the places out, and they meet for a spirited conversation about what they liked, what they loved, and what they could do without. The restaurants reviewed range from mom and pop shops to Michelin-award winning, but one thing they all have in common is at least one passionate fan. “Check, Please! Bay Area” host Leslie Sbrocco and producer Lori Halloran join us to talk about the imprint the show has made on local dining over the last two decades. Guests: Leslie Sbrocco, host, "Check Please! Bay Area" Lori Halloran, series producer, "Check Please! Bay Area" Gypsy Love, artist and former "Check Please! Bay Area" guest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

Next week, California voters will decide whether to approve Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw Congressional district maps to favor Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. This comes after Republican lawmakers in Texas have redrawn districts to favor their party – with Republican leaders in Indiana, North Carolina and Missouri looking to follow suit. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court appears poised to further weaken the Voting Rights Act and further fuel a “redistricting arms race.” We look at how that case, and the escalating efforts to redistrict along partisan lines, could affect election outcomes in 2026 and beyond. Guests: Hansi Lo Wang, correspondent, NPR Erin Covey, editor, U.S. House of Representatives, The Cook Political Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025

As the federal government shutdown extends to its fifth week, its impacts have become more widespread. Over one million federal workers are either on furlough or working unpaid. Most federal parks remain closed. Head Start programs are at risk of closure. And the USDA has announced it would suspend funding for SNAP, a food program that serves over 40 million Americans, including 5.38 million Californians. We’ll talk about the impacts of this government impasse on the Bay Area, and hear from you: How have you been affected by the government shutdown? Guests: Luke Broadwater, White House reporter, New York Times - his recent article on the shutdown is titled "The Shutdown Is Stretching On. Trump Doesn’t Seem to Mind" Chris Lehnertz, president and CEO, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Carly Severn, senior editor of audience news, KQED Tee Tran, founder and owner, Monster Pho, a restaurant located in Oakland Yasmeem Watson, case advocate, Treasury Department - Watson has been a federal employee for over 25 years, and serves as a steward and board member for the local affiliate of the National Treasury Employees Union Caitlin Sly, president and CEO, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025