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
Dec 24, 2025 • 55min
Forum From the Archives: Former Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith Urges Us to 'Fear Less'
Tracy K. Smith, former U.S. Poet Laureate and acclaimed professor, discusses her book 'Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times.' She explores why poetry can feel intimidating, emphasizing the importance of multiplicity in meaning. Smith encourages listeners to focus on feelings rather than just words and highlights the communal power of poetry. She connects poetry to memory and grief, illustrating how reading aloud can bring poems to life. By dissecting works from Emily Dickinson and Robert Hayden, she invites curiosity and showcases poetry's transformative potential.
10 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 56min
Forum From the Archives: Would You Erase a Painful Memory, if You Could?
Steve Ramirez, a pioneering neuroscientist from Boston University, explores the intriguing world of memory manipulation. With groundbreaking research, he reveals how memories can be activated or silenced in rodents, raising the question: Should we erase painful memories in humans? Ramirez shares his personal journey through grief after losing his collaborator, contrasting memory's fluidity with its role in our identity. He emphasizes the ethical challenges of this fascinating field and the need for public oversight as we edge closer to potentially altering human memories.
Dec 23, 2025 • 55min
Forum From the Archives: Living Without a Mind's Eye and the Ability to Visualize
Larissa MacFarquhar, a staff writer for The New Yorker, explores the concept of aphantasia, revealing its profound impact on individuals. Joined by Tom Ebeyer, founder of the Aphantasia Network, they discuss the spectrum of mental imagery, from the inability to visualize to hyperphantasia. They delve into how people discover their aphantasia and the emotional nuances of living without mental images. The conversation uncovers how memory varies for aphantasics and the implications for creativity, identity, and even dreams.
Dec 22, 2025 • 56min
Forum From the Archives: The Art of Audiobooks with Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan, an acclaimed audiobook narrator known as "the Adele of audiobooks," shares her journey and insights from narrating over 700 titles. She discusses her meticulous preparation process, including character charts and pronunciation lists. Julia emphasizes the impact of AI on the industry and advocates for narrators' rights amidst pay inequities. She also highlights the unique connection audiobooks create for listeners, particularly those with challenges like dyslexia, and reflects on the irreplaceable nature of human storytelling.
Dec 22, 2025 • 55min
Forum From the Archives: Is Customer Service a Bad Model?
Chris Colin, a journalist for The Atlantic, dives into the nightmare of modern customer service, coining the term 'sludge' for frustrating interactions designed to deter rather than assist. He shares his own frustrating experience with car warranty issues, highlighting the scripted empathy and disconnection that plague call centers. Listeners share their own horror stories, revealing a pattern of poor service across industries. Colin emphasizes the unequal burden of sludge on marginalized communities and suggests communal tactics for tackling bureaucracy.
Dec 19, 2025 • 55min
Trump Expanding Third-Country Removals of Asylum Seekers in California
Dr. Yael Schacher, an immigration law historian, and Nicole Gorney, an immigration attorney, explore the controversial third-country removal policy under the Trump administration. They discuss how 8,000 people were deported to unfamiliar places like Costa Rica, violating legal rights and creating dire consequences. German, a Russian whistleblower, shares his harrowing journey and the challenges faced by asylum seekers navigating this system. The guests elaborate on the legal implications, pressures on clients, and the expansion’s historical context in immigration policy.
Dec 19, 2025 • 55min
Your One Beautiful Thing from 2025
Gabe Meline, a senior editor at KQED Arts, shares his nostalgic journey following the band Autechre on tour, blending music with personal reflection. Luke Tsai, the food editor, recounts his humorous experience in a crossword tournament, emphasizing growth over winning. Their discussion highlights the beauty of handwritten letters, community support for artists, and the transformative power of sharing experiences. Together, they explore how moments of beauty can emerge amidst life's challenges.
Dec 18, 2025 • 55min
California’s AI Data Centers Taking Growing Environmental Toll
Molly Taft, a senior climate reporter at WIRED, and Aaron Cantú, a staff writer at Capital & Main, dive into the environmental impact of California’s data centers. They discuss the alarming energy demands these facilities have due to AI, leading to increased fossil fuel emissions. Taft highlights the complex relationship between data centers and water use, while Cantú emphasizes the strain on local grids. They also explore community pushback and the lack of transparency in energy consumption, revealing a deeper concern about the future of energy policy amid the AI boom.
9 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 55min
Misogyny Has Gone Mainstream. What Can be Done?
In a compelling discussion, Roxane Gay, a scholar and author known for her incisive commentary on gender, teams up with Irin Carmon, a senior correspondent revealing the intersection of law and misogyny, and Savala Nolan, an expert on social justice and gender issues. They tackle the alarming normalization of misogyny through media, political rhetoric, and legal structures. The panelists emphasize the need for grassroots activism and propose new frameworks for accountability, while critiquing the influence of the manosphere on young men and cultural narratives surrounding masculinity.
Dec 17, 2025 • 55min
How Loyalty Programs Manipulate Consumers and Steal Personal Data
Sam A.A. Levine, a former FTC director and consumer protection expert, joins Stephanie Nguyen, former chief technologist at the FTC, to unveil the deceptive nature of loyalty programs. They discuss how these programs act as data-harvesting machines, manipulating consumers through enticing offers and personalized pricing. Insightful revelations include the negative impact of point devaluation and the difficulty in unsubscribing. With tips on navigating these pitfalls, they highlight the need for greater consumer awareness and legal protections against exploitative practices.
