Shows / KQED's Forum
KQED's Forum
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…
Episodes
KQED's ForumAfter Siege, Americans Grapple With Questions of Accountability
The siege of the U.S Capitol by Pro-Trump extremists on Wednesday has many grappling with questions of accountability and justice. Democratic leaders Thursday…
KQED's ForumMore than 1 Million Unemployment Claims in Limbo as EDD Investigates Massive Fraud
More than one million California state unemployment claims--approximately 1 in 7-- were suspended this week in an attempt to avoid more fraudulent payouts. The…
KQED's ForumWhat Democrats Are Doing to Force President Trump Out of Office
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to use the 25th Amendment to remove the…
KQED's ForumFacebook Bans Trump While ‘Trump’s Internet’ Celebrates Insurrection
On Thursday, Facebook announced it banned President Donald Trump from posting on its platform and on Instagram for at least the next two weeks. Facebook CEO…
KQED's ForumRioters Storm the U.S. Capitol
Violent extremists loyal to President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday in an attempt to prevent Congress from confirming electoral votes for…
KQED's ForumStatewide Call-in Special: California Responds to Pro-Trump Riots
After violent supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, many Americans are dismayed at the chaos and lawlessness that has unfolded. Some…
KQED's ForumLatest on Senate Runoff Elections in Georgia
All eyes are on two U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia, the outcomes of which will determine which political party gains control of the Senate. Pastor and…
KQED's ForumDemocrat Raphael Warnock Victorious in Georgia Senate Runoff
With Democrat Raphael Warnock’s victory in one of Georgia’s two Senate runoffs Tuesday, he becomes the first Black U.S . senator in his state’s history. If…
KQED's ForumSan Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin's First Year in Office Ends in Controversy
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin filed manslaughter charges on Monday against Troy McAlister, a parolee accused of killing two pedestrians on New…
KQED's ForumMore California Republican Leaders Pledge to Oppose Certifying Biden’s Election Win
Despite President Donald Trump’s resounding loss in California during his bid for re-election last November, many Republican leaders in the state are…
KQED's ForumTrump Asks Georgia Secretary of State to 'Find Votes' During Phone Call
President Donald Trump on Saturday pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to reverse his November election loss in…
KQED's ForumNew Study Shows Lockdowns Are Effective For Some, But Not All Populations
Lockdowns have been the blunt force instrument used to contain the coronavirus, and a recent study from UCSF proves that early on in the pandemic, shutdowns…
KQED's ForumCaregivers Shoulder Increased Burdens During Pandemic
About one fifth of adults in the U.S are taking care of a family member or friend who needs help. The unpaid work of caring for loved ones who are aging, sick…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Bay Area Sports Writer Joan Ryan on the 'Intangibles' of Team Performance
After following the notoriously bad relationship between baseball icons Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent as well as the meteoric path of the Giants, Bay Area based…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Share Your Post-Pandemic Fantasy
When the pandemic is in the rear window and we can go out safely and breathe within 6 feet of friends and strangers, what are the first things you’re going to…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Maya Angelou on 'A Song Flung Up to Heaven'
We'll listen back to Michael Krasny's 2002 conversation with famed poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, who died in 2014. They talked about "A…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Louise Erdrich on her National Book Award-winning Novel ‘The Round House’
Michael Krasny talks with author Louise Erdrich about her National Book Award-winning novel “The Round House.” Set on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Michael Eric Dyson on the Racial Reckoning That Was 'Long Time Coming'
In his new book “Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America," sociologist and cultural critic Michael Eric Dyson looks at the history of systemic racism…
KQED's ForumAs Childcare Crisis Intensifies, Governor Announces Blueprint for Early Childhood Care and Education
Against the backdrop of 6,000 licensed childcare facilities closing during the pandemic and a projected loss of up to 85,000 childcare spaces, Governor Newsom…
KQED's ForumICU Capacity in the Bay Area
Kaiser Permanente announced this week that it will postpone elective procedures into January over concerns that COVID-19 hospitalizations may continue to grow…
KQED's ForumThe Music That Got Us Through 2020
Whether it was streaming our favorite songs, tuning into a live DJ set online or picking up an instrument, music helped many of us navigate this difficult…
KQED's ForumHow to Reform the Presidency After Trump
The power of the president is typically kept in check by other branches of government and historical political norms, but the past four years have revealed…
KQED's ForumYour Year in Pandemic Parenting
It’s been a tumultuous year for parents. Some of us wrestle with remote learning, others with how to spend all day, every day, with their kids. Some scramble…
KQED's ForumA Look at National Politics as Trump Presidency Nears End
The one-term presidency of Donald Trump is less than two weeks away from wrapping up. In his last few weeks in office, he has vetoed a defense spending bill…
KQED's ForumThe Latest on California's Coronavirus Surge and Vaccine Rollout
Following the winter holidays, California could see a coronavirus surge on top of a surge. Projections vary wildly. It all depends on whether we heed the…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Erik Larson’s ‘The Splendid and the Vile’ Mixes Myth and Reality to Portray Churchill and the Blitz
In his most recent book, "The Splendid and the Vile," author Erik Larson portrays Winston Churchill — and the family members and advisors around him — during…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: A Quest to Understand Suffering in Yaa Gyasi’s Novel 'Transcendent Kingdom'
Following her critically-acclaimed debut novel "Homegoing," novelist Yaa Gyasi returns with “Transcendent Kingdom.” The story follows Gifty, a doctoral…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Lysley Tenorio’s Latest Book Tells of Coming of Age in Colma
Author Lysley Tenorio’s new novel “The Son of Good Fortune,” depicts the coming-of-age story of Excel, a young undocumented person living in the United States…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Dr Larry Brilliant on the COVID-19 Vaccine and What Lies Ahead
According to Dr. Larry Brilliant, CEO of Pandefense and an epidemiologist who helped eradicate smallpox, we are living through "the best of times and the worst…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Report: Pandemic Pushes Millions of Californians to the Brink of Financial Disaster
The coronavirus-induced recession has exacerbated income inequality in California and will only worsen unless political leaders take action, according to a new…
KQED's ForumREBROADCAST: Roman Mars Explores Hidden Urban Designs in 'The 99% Invisible City'
Have you ever wondered about those colorful squiggly lines you see painted on California's city sidewalks? They’re actually color-coded utility markings that…
KQED's ForumAlex Padilla On Becoming California's Next U.S. Senator
Alex Padilla joins us to discuss his new appointment as the first Latino to serve as California U.S. Senator. California Gov. Gavin Newsom selected Padilla…
KQED's ForumIs the Bay Area Losing its Economic Luster as Tech Companies Move Out of State?
So far this month, two Bay Area tech heavyweights, Oracle Corp. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, said they would move their headquarters to Texas. The news set…
KQED's ForumWhat's Gotten You Through 2020?
It's been a year, and we want to know what's helped you through it. Whether you've gotten lost in the outdoors, discovered a new passion or re-ignited a…
KQED's ForumWhat the Pandemic Means for Youth in Foster Care and their Families
The pandemic is complicating the already stressful lives of California’s foster children. Surveys show that most lack technical support or internet access…
KQED's ForumAnother Recall? Newsom's Pandemic Performance Inspires Recall Campaign
A recall effort against Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining momentum. The campaign started long before photos surfaced of Newsom dining at an exclusive Napa…
KQED's ForumCalifornia Hospitals Brace for Onslaught of Coronavirus Patients
The number of COVID-19 patients filling hospital intensive care units continues ticking up across California. Hospitals in hard hit areas such as Southern…
KQED's ForumL.A. Rep. Adam Schiff on Covid Relief and Russia's Latest Hack
Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, and vaccination efforts are underway across the country--both of…
KQED's ForumWhy Michael Tubbs Lost the Stockton Mayoral Election and What He Plans to Do Next
During his tenure as mayor of Stockton, Michael Tubbs drew national attention for championing a guaranteed income policy and launching a pilot program to test…
KQED's ForumChef Marcus Samuelsson Dishes on the Black Food and Chefs You Should Know
In his new book, “The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food,” acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson highlights Black chefs and recipes that he says have…
KQED's ForumNational Political Round-Up: Stimulus Talks and Historic Cabinet Picks
Congressional leaders and the White House on Thursday appeared to inch closer to finalizing a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, but several sticking…
KQED's ForumSkiing in a Surge: Tahoe's Economy Reels During Pandemic
The Lake Tahoe region has been changed by the pandemic. With many people fleeing cities and moving to the mountains or into their second homes, schools and…
KQED's ForumCalifornia's Filipino American Nurses Bear Disproportionate COVID-19 Risks
Filipino Americans make up about four percent of the nation's nursing workforce but account for more than 30 percent of its COVID-related deaths, according to…
KQED's ForumAnimator Frank E. Abney III Explores Life After Loss in Short Film 'Canvas'
Animator Frank E. Abney III, who worked on blockbuster films including Pixar's "Coco" and "Toy Story 4," makes his directorial debut with the new animated…
KQED's ForumA Naturalist's Guide to What’s Blooming, Mating, and Migrating in the Wild Corners of the Bay Area
Many of us have taken to the hills this past year, hiking and walking to cope with the pandemic. Others have gone to the birds, observing birds and wildlife…
KQED's ForumWhy Singer Selena’s Star Still Shines Bright 25 Years After Her Death
Twenty-five years after her death, Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez enjoys rare staying power among generations of fans who love her music, fashion and…
KQED's ForumPandemic Brings Immense Challenges, and Some Silver Linings, for Bay Area Arts Organizations
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a $500 million grants program for nonprofits, small businesses and cultural institutions in an attempt to alleviate…
KQED's ForumWriter E. Alex Jung on the Internet Culture of Quarantine
When shelter-in-place began in March, we watched as TV hosts filmed shows from home, unstyled and in casual clothes, and later followed the NBA into its…
KQED's ForumICU Beds Near Capacity in Southern California
Despite the welcome arrival of the coronavirus vaccine, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned on Tuesday that the state is "not at the finish line." California faces a…
KQED's ForumDr. Larry Brilliant on the Covid-19 Vaccine and What Lies Ahead
On Monday, the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered to healthcare workers in California and several other states. That same day, the death toll…
KQED's ForumPersonal Stories of Surviving Financially During a Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has plunged millions of Californians into unemployment and economic uncertainty. Some have seen years-long careers put on hold as…
KQED's ForumSen. Dianne Feinstein Reportedly Experiencing Cognitive Decline
Trailblazing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is said to be suffering from significant memory lapses that impede her ability to do her job, according to an…
KQED's ForumHoliday Books 2020 Edition
As the winter solstice approaches, nights grow long, and you're stuck at home because of the pandemic, it's a good time to curl up with a book. New York Times…
KQED's ForumShare Your Post-Pandemic Fantasy
When the pandemic is in the rear window and we can go out safely and breathe within 6 feet of friends and strangers, what are the first things you’re going to…
KQED's ForumMajor Federal Lawsuits Target Facebook’s Social Networking Monopoly
The federal government and 46 states filed sweeping antitrust lawsuits against Facebook on Wednesday, alleging that the social media company is illegally…
KQED's ForumNew York Times' Michelle Goldberg on the Dangers of Trump's Election Fraud Lies
President Donald Trump’s lawsuits to contest the election results, riddled with errors and bogus claims, have consistently failed in the courts. Even so, more…
KQED's ForumAs Many Ready for COVID-19 Vaccine Approval in U.S., Historically-Based Feelings of Mistrust Persist for Some
In a recent piece for medical journal The Lancet, professor of medicine Dr. Kimberly Manning shares her experience of being a Black enrollee in a COVID-19…
KQED's ForumAcademy Award Winner Aaron Sorkin on "Chicago 7" and his SFFILM Award
The West Wing. The Social Network. A Few Good Men. Those are just a few of the iconic series and films created and/or written by Academy Award-winning…
KQED's ForumCoronavirus Pandemic Pushes Millions of Californians to the Brink of Financial Disaster
The coronavirus-induced recession has exacerbated income inequality in California and will only worsen unless political leaders take action, according to a new…
KQED's ForumCalifornia Launches Coronavirus Notification App, But Will Enough Opt In?
California launches a new coronavirus notification app on Thursday in a bid to help slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the state. The CA Notify app will send…