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
Mar 27, 2026 • 52min
Dialing Up 150 Years on the Phone
Izzie Ramirez, freelance writer and editor reflecting on culture. Emily Dreyfuss, culture editor and podcast co-host who covers media and tech. Heather Kelly, technology reporter exploring tech in daily life. They trade nostalgic first-phone memories, debate landlines versus smartphones, share experiments like switching to flip phones, and discuss phone anxiety, notification effects, and practical ways to reclaim attention.
Mar 27, 2026 • 52min
How the Labradoodle Unleashed An Industry
Laurie Routhier, CEO of Muttville, brings shelter and adoption perspective. Danica Bannasch, UC Davis veterinary geneticist, explains breeding and coat genetics. John Seabrook, New Yorker staff writer, traces the cultural rise of doodles. They discuss how the labradoodle began, why doodles became a craze, ethical breeding versus mills, grooming and coat unpredictability, and adoption versus buying.
Mar 26, 2026 • 52min
David George Haskell on 'How Flowers Made Our World'
David George Haskell, a biologist and bestselling author, explores how flowers reshaped life on Earth. He discusses grasses and human evolution, floral motherhood feeding species, scents and memory, bees’ perfume rituals, cultural meanings of roses, deceptive orchids, and how attention to plants can drive conservation.
Mar 26, 2026 • 55min
Car and Gas Prices Are Shooting Up. How Will Drivers Respond?
Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, breaks down pricing trends. Scott Moura, UC Berkeley transportation expert, explains fuel economics and policy effects. Edward Loh, MotorTrend editorial lead, discusses market shifts and vehicle features. They explore record car prices, rising gas, electric vehicle uptake, used EV bargains, and how regulations and fleets shape what drivers buy.
Mar 25, 2026 • 52min
Is Another ‘Great Recession’ on the Horizon?
Claudia Somm, a macroeconomist and former policy director, and Talman Joseph Smith, an economics reporter at The New York Times, discuss how the Iran war and oil shocks raise recession risks. They examine AI and social media’s role in shaping war coverage. They also cover labor-market fragility, consumer behavior, and what policymakers can and cannot fix.
Mar 25, 2026 • 55min
Social Media and AI Disrupt, Distort Iran War Coverage
Drew Harwell, Washington Post tech reporter tracking disinformation and AI. Tiffany Hsu, New York Times tech reporter focused on foreign influence and info ecosystems. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker writer and author who examines tech, culture, and online war coverage. They discuss how social media, AI-generated clips, meme-driven official messaging, and game-like dashboards shape and often distort public views of the Iran conflict.
Mar 24, 2026 • 52min
What Would Escalation in Iran Look Like?
Mark Hertling, retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former commander in Europe and Iraq, reflects on combat, leadership, and his wartime memoir. He discusses risks of escalation with Iran, flaws in strategy and assumptions, asymmetric retaliation and cyber threats, the dangers of a ground invasion, and how citizens can influence decisions. Short readings and personal reflections punctuate the conversation.
Mar 24, 2026 • 52min
San Francisco Has A Lot of Commissions. Should We Keep Them?
Amerika Sanchez, Human Rights Commission member and equity advocate. Lauren Post, former Public Works Commission chair who navigated post-scandal oversight. Io Yeh Gilman, local government reporter. Jonah Owen Lamb, civic affairs reporter. They debate cutting and merging about 40% of San Francisco’s roughly 150 commissions. They discuss which bodies hold real power, task force recommendations, concerns about concentrating authority, and community representation.
Mar 23, 2026 • 52min
Tahoe Resorts Shut Down a Month Early
Cole Zimmerman, Vail Resorts communications lead for Tahoe, talks resort ops, snowmaking, and sustainability. Andy Buckley, longtime GM of Homewood, shares hands-on perspective on lower-elevation challenges and community impacts. Bryan Allegretto, OpenSnow forecaster, explains Sierra weather swings and seasonal snow patterns. They discuss early closures, snowmaking limits, tech investments, and fire risk in multiple short conversations.
7 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 52min
Trump Limits Pathways to Legal Status for Immigrants
Julia Gelatt, associate director at the Migration Policy Institute, provides policy context and data. Jennifer Chacón, Stanford law professor, analyzes immigration law and legal pathways. They discuss halted visa programs, slowed green card processing, canceled citizenship ceremonies, shifting enforcement at airports, historical parallels, and what routes still exist for immigrants seeking status.
