KQED's Forum

In a lively discussion, Sarah Hotchkiss, Senior Associate Editor at KQED Arts and Culture, and artists Cheryl Derricotte, creator of a Harriet Tubman tribute, and Lynne Baer, a public art advisor, tackle the 45-foot nude sculpture at San Francisco's Embarcadero. They examine the mixed community reactions, the complexities of public art funding, and how such works can reflect and shape urban identity. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of artistic expression and the necessity for inclusive dialogue in public spaces.

Join Doan Bui, a writer and journalist exploring themes of exile, Thi Bui, an artist and author of "The Best We Could Do," and Isabelle Thuy Pelaud, director of the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, as they reflect on 50 years since the Vietnam War's end. They discuss personal narratives of trauma and resilience within the Vietnamese diaspora, the significance of cultural identity amid displacement, and the importance of storytelling in healing generational wounds. Their insights highlight a vibrant community grappling with its past while looking toward the future.

Donald Trump has given Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency far-reaching authority to fire federal workers without cause and gain access to the confidential information of millions of Americans. The effect has been a wide-scale bulldozing of the federal government. In looking back on the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, we talk with reporters from Wired magazine, who have broken some of the biggest stories on what DOGE is doing, about what is going on and why. Guests: Makena Kelly, politics reporter, WIRED Zoë Schiffer, director of business and industry, WIRED; She oversees coverage of business and Silicon Valley. author, "Extremely Hardcore: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter." Vittoria Elliott, platforms and power reporter, Wired Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Marisa Lagos, KQED's politics correspondent, Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at The Washington Post, and Dr. Jocelyn Sze, psychologist at UC Berkeley, as they dive into how Trump's first 100 days have reshaped daily life. They discuss community reactions, the emotional toll of political changes, and the impact on mental health. Hear personal stories about job loss anxiety, shifting finances, and the importance of community connections in navigating these turbulent times.

Christine Wu Nordahl, a UC Davis professor and autism expert, joins Mary HK Choi, an author who was diagnosed with autism in her 40s, and Holden Thorp, an editor who discovered his diagnosis at 53. They discuss the rising autism diagnosis rates and the often overlooked experiences of women and adults on the spectrum. The guests share insights on the complexity of neurodiversity, the impact of late diagnoses, and the importance of supportive environments. They also address societal narratives that often paint autism negatively, emphasizing thriving within the spectrum.

Kathy Ryan, the former director of photography at The New York Times Magazine for 37 years, shares her wealth of experience in visual storytelling. She discusses how photographs shape our understanding of history, including monumental events like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan explores what makes a photograph impactful in today's image-saturated world, emphasizing emotional resonance and the role of captions. Personal anecdotes reveal the transformative power of images in collective memory, while she reflects on the challenges faced by modern photojournalists.

Clint Smith, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'How the Word is Passed,' joins Key Jo Lee, chief of curatorial affairs at the Museum of the African Diaspora. They dive into the political battle over American history narratives amid efforts to erase uncomfortable truths. Smith discusses the implications of whitewashing history and the importance of confronting racial injustices. Lee highlights the critical role of museums in preserving marginalized stories and the ongoing challenges they face due to funding cuts and ideological pressures.

Brie Jensen, host of the popular Pontifacts podcast, joins Jeffrey Guhin, a sociology professor at UCLA, and Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam, chair at the Salesian Pontifical University, to discuss the future of the papacy after Pope Francis's passing. They explore the conclave process and potential successors, emphasizing the need to continue Francis's legacy of environmentalism and social justice. The conversation highlights hopes for an inclusive and compassionate leader who prioritizes global issues like poverty and climate change.

Caregiving is the most universal of human acts. But also one of the most invisible. While caring for a child, parent or loved one can be meaningful, and life defining, it can also be exhausting and life breaking. Drawing on her groundbreaking research on baby’s brains, UC Berkeley psychologist and philosopher Alison Gopnik is leading a multidisciplinary project to better understand the social science of caregiving with hopes of translating those insights into practical policies. Gopnik and policymaker Anne-Marie Slaughter join us to talk about how rethinking our approach to caregiving and how we support care providers, could lead to a better, more functional society.Guests:Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology and affiliate professor of philosophy, UC Berkeley; author, "The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children"Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America, a non-profit think tank; author of "Unfinished Business: Women Men Work Family" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Adam Serwer, a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, Mark Joseph Stern from Slate Magazine, and Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, former justice and now president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as they dissect the growing tensions between the Trump administration and federal courts. They explore the implications of executive defiance on the rule of law and the potential for a constitutional crisis. The conversation also addresses the judiciary's struggle to maintain authority and the broader impact on democracy and civic engagement.