KQED's Forum

Pro-anorexia content is spreading on all social media platforms, but on X it is thriving. So-called “pro-ana” communities, which attract tens of thousands of users, circulate photos glorifying thinness and promote unhealthy dieting advice, which is then amplified through algorithmic recommendations. Although some tech companies have attempted to curb this issue, the rollback of content moderation efforts following Elon Musk’s acquisition of X has allowed this harmful content to grow “out of control” according to The Atlantic’s Kaitlyn Tiffany. We’ll talk about the impacts on adolescents and get advice for parents and caregivers. Guests: Dr. Jennie Wang-Hall, psychologist, specializes in eating disorders, anxiety, and relationship issues Kaitlyn Tiffany, staff writer covering internet culture and technology, The Atlantic Kristina Lerman, senior principal scientist at the Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday will mark 4 years since the January 6 attack on the U.S. capitol, which the FBI classified as an act of domestic terrorism. President-elect Donald Trump is doubling down on revisionist history of the event, even calling it a “day of love” and vowing to pardon the rioters. We’ll look back at what really took place that day and the ongoing implications for the rule of law and the future of democracy. And we’ll talk with Atlantic journalist Hanna Rosin about her podcast “We Live Here Now,” which examines the “Justice for January 6” movement. Guests: Hanna Rosin, host of Radio Atlantic and co-host of The Atlantic's narrative podcast "We Live Here Now" Sarah Wire, senior national political correspondent, USA Today. She was reporting from the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California officials could face jail time if they attempt to block the administration’s immigration agenda, according to a recent letter to state and local leaders from Trump ally Stephen Miller’s non-profit, America First Legal (AFL). At issue is California’s “Sanctuary State” law, which seeks to prevent state resources from being used to assist with federal immigration enforcement. And several local jurisdictions, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, have also passed their own sanctuary laws. In the letter, sent to 249 state and local officials across the U.S., AFL warned that sanctuary jurisdictions were violating federal law and that officials “could face criminal prosecution and civil liability.” We’ll look at how California and sanctuary cities are preparing to respond to the new federal policies, including a possible mass deportation program. Guests: Hamed Aleaziz, reporter covering the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy, The New York Times Ahilan Arulanantham, faculty co-director, Center for Immigration Law & Policy, UCLA School of Law; former Legal Director ACLU of Southern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The murals inside of San Francisco’s Coit Tower are a popular tourist destination, but have been a source of contention from their inception. In his new book, “The Coit Tower Murals: New Deal Art and Political Controversy in San Francisco,” San Francisco State professor Robert Cherny chronicles the history of the murals, which were painted in the style of Diego Rivera and depict life in the Bay Area during the 1930s. They were created as part of the New Deal programs that supporting artists following the Great Depression. But controversies sprang up over the murals’ perceived pro-Communist imagery and the value of public art. We’ll talk with Cherny about the murals and their legacy. Guests: Robert Cherny, professor emeritus of history, San Francisco State University; author of "The Coit Tower Murals: New Deal Art and Political Controversy in San Francisco" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, visitors flocked to the path of the solar eclipse, packed up to visit national parks and headed abroad. While climate change and overtouristing are impacting travel, post-COVID wanderlust shows no sign of abating in 2025. Maybe it will be a trip to Belgrade, Benin or the Bold Coast of Maine. We talk to travel experts about places we’ve been and where we should go in the new year. What’s on your travel bucket list? Guests: Faith Adiele, Oakland-based travel writer; author of “Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun”; founder of the “Traveling While BIPOC” writing workshop, for writers who are Black, Indigenous and people of color. Her recent work is featured in "Go Girl 2: The Black Woman's Book of Travel and Adventure". Amy Virshup, travel editor, The New York Times Billie Cohen, editorial director, Afar magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Aristotle taught that all human beings want to know,” writes Columbia professor of humanities Mark Lilla, adding that “our own experience teaches us that all human beings also want not to know, sometimes fiercely so.” We’ll talk to Lilla about our innate disposition toward ignorance – whether about a political reality or an uncomfortable family secret. Lilla’s new book is “Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know.” Guests: Mark Lilla, professor of the humanities, department of history, Columbia University; http://marklilla.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin says we can trace beliefs about music’s power to heal mind, body and spirit back 20,000 years, to the Upper Paleolithic era. But only recently have we had good science to explain how music affects us and how we can use it therapeutically. Not only to relax, uplift and bring us together, but as part of treatment of trauma, depression, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and more. Alexis Madrigal talked onstage with Levitin in collaboration with LitQuake, San Francisco’s literary festival, running through October 26th. We listen back on their conversation and to Levitin’s live musical performance. Guests: Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist, musician and author, "I Heard There Was a Secret Chord," "The Organized Mind," "The World in Six Songs" and "This is Your Brain on Music. He is also Dean of Social Sciences at the Minerva Schools in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One problem with 2016 polling data indicating that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency was the oversampling of people with college and graduate degrees. Today’s Democrats tend to value credentials and degrees, while Republicans tend to champion skeptics who distrust institutions like universities. That’s according to political scientist David Hopkins, who says that the “diploma divide” is a main reason our country is so polarized. We’ll talk to Hopkins about our education divide and its political impacts. His new book, with co-author Matt Grossman, is “Polarized by Degrees.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking back at the year in tech in 2024, generative artificial intelligence dominated headlines, became part of our daily lives and pumped up the Bay Area’s job market. On social media, Elon Musk steered the platform X to the right, and worked to elect Donald Trump. Meanwhile, users experimented with other social media platforms, which are increasingly marketing machines for online retailers. We talk about the biggest tech news and trends that shaped our region and the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much has been written about Ronald Reagan, but historian Max Boot’s new biography, which draws on new archival sources and interviews with nearly a hundred people who knew Reagan best, is being hailed as definitive. Boot says Reagan was possessed of “myriad contradictions and inconsistencies:” a skeptic of government who presided over vast spending increases; a gun rights advocate who supported tough gun laws; a man of strong convictions but little intellectual depth. We talk to Boot about why he did not want to write either a “hagiography or a hit job” of the former president and California governor, and both the contrasts and connections he sees between Reagan and Donald Trump. Boot’s new book is “Reagan: His Life and Legend.” What policy, event or moment do you most associate with Ronald Reagan? Guest: Max Boot, senior fellow for national security studies, Council on Foreign Relations - columnist, Washington Post; author, "Reagan: His Life and Legend" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new year holds promise for a new you. But writer Oliver Burkeman says you shouldn’t strive for perfection. Instead, in his latest book, “Meditations for Mortals,” Burkeman encourages readers to embrace imperfection, let some goals slide, and do less. His approach has been called “liberating and humane.” We talk to Burkeman about how to thrive and despite our mortal failings. Guests: Oliver Burkeman, author, "Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts".; Burkeman is the author of the best selling book "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever reread something you wrote years earlier and cringed? Or maybe you were surprised by the depth, heart and complexity of what your younger self put to the page. Ann Patchett had both experiences recently when she reread her award-winning 2001 book “Bel Canto.” She’s now reissued the novel with her own handwritten margin notes — both complimentary and critical. We’ll talk to Patchett about what she loves about the original and what she would change, and what it’s like to edit your own work decades later. Patchett’s new book is “Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition.” Guests: Ann Patchett, author, "Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LaRussell is known for a lot of things. His prolific music drops. His backyard concerts from his hometown, the “itty bitty city near the Bay,” Vallejo. And, for making a name in the world of hip hop on his own – no record deal needed. LaRussell is one of the Bay Area’s hottest musicians not just because of his talent and artistry, but also his business savvy. He is the founder of Good Compenny, a collective of independent artists. LaRussell joins us in studio for a special musical performance and to talk about growing up in Vallejo, what it means to “leave empty” and how he’s forged a career on his own terms. Guests: LaRussell, artist and founder, Good Compenny - an organization that promotes rising Bay Area artists. Michael Prince, violin, Good Compenny Simon Ajero, piano, Good Compenny Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthropologist Jason De León has spent a career documenting the stories of migrants making their way across the Sonoran Desert at the Southern US border. But in his new book, “Soldiers And Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling,” De León turns his gaze towards the smugglers. For nearly seven years, he embedded with a group of smugglers moving migrants across Central America and Mexico, following them as they led people north. We’ll talk to him about his book, what he learned from this rare look into this side of the billion-dollar industry and what can be done to address the global migration crisis. Guest: Jason De León, author, “Soldiers And Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling"; director, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology; professor of anthropology and Chicana, Chicano, and Central American Studies, UCLA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we alone? Really, though, in a cosmic sense. 40 years ago the pioneering radio astronomer Jill Tarter co-founded a Bay Area non profit to support humanity searching for life beyond ourselves. We celebrate the SETI – as in, Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Institute’s anniversary and all their contributions to science which, sadly, do not yet include finding aliens. What do you hope SETI finds in its next 40 years? Guests: Bill Diamond, president and CEO, SETI Institute Wael Farah, radio astronomer and project scientist on The Allen Telescope Array, SETI Institute Nathalie Cabrol, astrobiologist and planetary geologist; director of Science, the Carl Sagan Center for Research at the SETI Institute Simon Steel, astronomer, director of Education and Public Outreach, SETI Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The time to fight, with all our ingenuity and tenacity, and love and fury, is now.” That sounds like a rallying cry for democrats after their profound election defeat last week. But it’s in fact an environmental call to action from Katherine Rundell, whose new book “Vanishing Treasures” celebrates some of the earth’s most imperiled and unusual creatures. We’ll talk to Rundell about wombats that carry their young in upside-down pouches and excrete cube-shaped poop; the American wood frog that freezes itself solid to get through winter; the golden mole that’s evolved to be iridescent. What extraordinary creatures would you like to pay tribute to? Guest: Katherine Rundell, author, "Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures", Her previous books include "Impossible Creatures" and "Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Aren't So Old and Wise" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For 45 years, the Bay Area's vocal ensemble Kitka has entranced audiences with their complex harmonies, breathtaking vocal techniques and vast repertoire of traditional songs from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The 10 members of Kitka join us in studio to share songs from their Wintersongs concerts, featuring music from the country of Georgia. Guests: Shira Cion, executive director, Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble Members of the ensemble: Kelly Atkins, Kristine Barrett, Stacey Barnett, Charlotte Finegold, Erin Lashnits Herman, Janet Kutulas, Maclovia Quintana, Katya Schoenberg, Talia Young-Skeen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Novelist Richard Powers has a way of making us see the world, and our place in it, in entirely new ways. His 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winning novel Overstory attuned readers to the power and mystery of trees. In his new novel, Playground, he focuses his awe and concern on marine life, the oceans and the perils we’ve inflicted on them. We talk to Powers about his epic story of friendship, colonialism and the looming power of AI. Guest: Richard Powers, author, His new novel is "Playground." His previous books include "The Overstory" which won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and "The Echo Maker" which won the 2006 National Book Award for Fiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The past year, more than any other, “demonstrated how podcasts as a whole bleed into the real world and play a huge role in American culture, for better or worse,” Vulture podcast critic Nicholas Quah recently wrote. It used to be, if a presidential nominee wanted to make news, they would go on TV. In 2024, it was all about podcasts…shows like Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy. The industry is still reeling from the widespread cutbacks and cancellations in recent years. But the art and innovation of podcasts is alive and well, making it hard sometimes to pick your next listen. We'll talk with Quah and other critics about the best podcasts of the year and hear your picks. Guests: Wil Williams, CEO, Hughouse Productions Nicholas Quah, critic, Vulture - where he covers podcasts, television, and pop culture Ronald Young Jr., senior producer and owner, ohitsBigRon studios; host of the podcasts "Weight for It" (which was named one of the best podcasts of 2023 by the New York Times) and Pop Culture Debate Club from Lemonada and the BBC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About ten years ago, two of journalist Lissa Soep’s closest friends died around the same time. In her grieving, she found consolation in the philosophy of a 20th century Russian literary theorist, Mikhail Bakhtin, and his theory of “double voicing” – the idea that our speech is “filled to overflowing with other people’s words." Her friends had not disappeared, instead, they’d slipped into her own language, and that of the people around her. We talk to Soep about great friendships, the mysterious power of language to sustain conversations even with those who have died and her book, “Other People’s Words." Guests: Lissa Soep, author, "Other People's Words: Friendship, Loss and the Conversations that Never End." She is also senior editor for audio at Vox Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland-based musical artist Esotérica Tropical performs a live in-studio concert, playing songs off her new self-titled debut album. Her music is a fusion of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms and electronic flourishes, all accompanied by her harp. The artist calls the songs on the album love letters to her native Puerto Rico, offering “a powerful ode to healing and resistance.” Guests: Esotérica Tropical, Afro-Puerto Rican musical artist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fastest moving human-built object ever, the Parker Solar Probe, will enter the sun’s atmosphere on December 24th. It’s the closest any artificial object will have gotten to the sun. We’ll talk with astronomer Andrew Fraknoi about what the solar probe hopes to learn and other exciting developments in astronomy, such as the discovery of the hungriest black hole yet found – it consumes the mass of our sun daily. And as we approach the shortest day of the year, we’ll contemplate how the ancients celebrated the winter solstice, and why we can thank a planet that crashed into Earth for our seasons. Guests: Andrew Fraknoi, astronomer and professor, Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco and the OLLI Program at SF State; lead author of the most popular introductory astronomy textbook in North America; Website URL: www.fraknoi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For New York Times cooking columnist Eric Kim, the holidays are a time to embrace traditional dishes but have fun with the framework – like deviled eggs with seaweed or baked potatoes with caramelized kimchi. They’re also an occasion, he says, to get together with friends and make huge batches of “foldy” foods like dumplings and empanadas. We’ll talk to Kim and New York Times editor-in-chief for cooking and food Emily Weinstein about what they have cooking this holiday and hear about your go-to dishes for the season. Guests: Eric Kim, food and cooking columnist, The New York Times; author, "Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home" Emily Weinstein, editor-in-chief, New York Times Cooking and Food; author, "Easy Weeknight Dinners: 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the year ends, Forum looks back at some of our – and your – favorite books from 2024. What was the book you just couldn’t put down or that you’re still thinking about months later? Among this year’s top sellers were “James” by Percival Everett, a retelling of Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” as well as “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire that inspired a blockbuster musical and movie. Book critics and book lovers join us to talk about their favorites and what titles you might want to put on your to-read list. Guests: Brad Johnson, owner, East Bay Booksellers in Oakland Anita Felicelli, editor, Alta Journal‘s California Book Club; Her most recent book is the short story collection "How We Know Our Time Travelers." She is also author of "Chimerica: A Novel" and the short story collection "Love Songs for a Lost Continent." Ugur Dursu, arts engagement producer and reporter, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Half of Americans think California is in decline, and almost half of Republicans think it’s “not really America,” according to a poll this year from the Los Angeles Times. California has long been the place out of staters love to hate, and for decades it’s been a synonym for liberalism itself. But the bashing is getting even more political — led by a president-elect who blames the state’s progressivism for everything from wildfires to the cost of groceries. This hour of Forum, we’ll show the state a little love, and hear from you: What’s your best defense of California? Guests: Tessa McLean, California editor, SF Gate - Her recent article is "America's obsession with California failing" Mark Barabak, political columnist - Los Angeles Times, Gustavo Arellano, columnist, Los Angeles Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the site of what is poised to be a massive housing development in Hunters Point, the U.S. Navy conducted radiation experiments on troops, lab personnel, and civilians from 1946 to 1963. In a six-part investigative series, the San Francisco Public Press uncovered how researchers injected radiation into participants, had troops crawl through mud chemically engineered to resemble nuclear fallout, and applied lax standards of care towards human life in their experiments. We talk to investigative journalist Chris Roberts, and examine this troubled legacy and its impact on current residents. Guests: Chris Roberts, investigative reporter, Roberts' investigative series "Exposed: The Human Radiation Experiments at Hunters Point," was published by the San Francisco Public Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UC Davis is known as one of the best schools to study winemaking. And now it’s becoming a magnet for faculty and students drawn to the study of coffee. What started as a popular undergraduate class has turned into a full-fledged research center – the first of its kind in the U.S. We talk to the director of the UC Davis Coffee Center and its head roaster about the science of coffee, including how to brew that perfect cup. What coffee questions do you have brewing? Guests: Timothy Styczynski, Head Roaster, UC Davis Coffee Center William Ristenpart, professor of chemical engineering, Director, UC Davis Coffee Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For 45 years, the Bay Area’s vocal ensemble Kitka has entranced audiences with their complex harmonies, breathtaking vocal techniques and vast repertoire of traditional songs from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The 10 members of Kitka join us in studio to share songs from their Wintersongs concerts, featuring music from the country of Georgia. Guests: Shira Cion, Executive Director, Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble - members of the ensemble: Kelly Atkins, Kristine Barrett, Stacey Barnett, Charlotte Finegold, Erin Lashnits Herman, Janet Kutulas, Maclovia Quintana, Katya Schoenberg, Talia Young-Skeen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After president-elect Donald Trump announced his plans to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, Senate confirmation seemed unlikely. Other than serving in the military, Hegseth lacked experience — and reporting emerged alleging sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement and alcohol abuse. But Trump is galvanizing his base to protect Hegseth’s nomination. We’ll talk about the likelihood of Hegseth’s confirmation and what the department could look like under Hegseth. Guests: Tom Nichols, staff writer, The Atlantic; professor emeritus of national-security affairs, U.S. Naval War College; author, “Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault From Within on Modern Democracy” Joe Gould, defense reporter, Politico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are humans so bad at predicting the future? What exactly is college for? And does expensive wine really taste better? Those are among the many questions tackled by journalist Stephen Dubner and economist Steven Levitt over the years, since their bestselling book Freakonomics came out in 2005. We’ll talk with Dubner about the duo’s book and podcast empire which aims to reveal “the hidden side of everything” and about whether the field of behavioral economics has lived up to its promise. And we’ll dive into Freakonomics Radio’s recent series on the legal marijuana industry, and why it’s such a mess. Guests: Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics Radio host and best-selling author Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learning to play piano, saxophone or cello can be intimidating at any age, but adult learners face special challenges such as the time and financial commitment and possibly a fear of not being good enough. We talk about the joy and satisfaction learning an instrument can bring. Whether you’re picking up your old violin or sitting down at the piano for the first time, tell us, what makes you want to play? Guests: Mia Mercado, author, books include “Weird But Normal,” and “She’s Nice Though” Amanda Schlegel, assistant professor of music education, University of South Carolina Sarah Hotchkiss, senior associate editor, KQED Arts & Culture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This past year, the Bay Area’s local music scene continued to cultivate artists as eclectic as our region. KQED Art’s list of the best Bay Area albums from 2024 included La Doña, LaRussell, Sam Reider and the Human Hands, and Naked Roommate. Spotify’s list of the top U.S. songs for this year included “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey and “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan. We’ll listen to some of the best music of 2024 from the Bay Area and beyond and hear your picks for best song or album. What did you play on repeat in 2024? Guests: Nastia Voynovskaya, editor and reporter, KQED Arts Suzy Exposito, freelance music journalist Pendarvis "Pen" Harshaw, columnist, KQED Arts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some California residents could soon be eligible for an e-bike voucher worth up to $2000. State officials say the program will cut pollution and help meet climate goals, while promoting transportation equity for low income Californians. E-bike popularity has soared, with U.S. sales rising from around 250,000 per year to more than a million between 2018 and 2022. But an increase in e-bike accidents has raised concerns about the boom in new riders. We’ll discuss the state’s program, get tips on safe riding and talk about what to consider if you’re shopping for a new e-bike. Guests: John Maa, trauma surgeon, MarinHealth Medical Center; former president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society; Website URL: https://sfkidsvsbigtobacco.com Kendra Ramsey, executive director, California Bicycle Coalition Karen Wiener, co-owner, The New Wheel; An e-bike shop in San Francisco, Oakland, and Marin Jesse Villegas, Fresno resident, He bought an e-bike as part of the soft launch of the state's e-bike incentive program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If buying presents is your kryptonite, the plethora of gift guides that have likely hit your inbox may be the answer. This season, it seems like every media outlet, store, or Substack newsletter has a gift guide curated for every kind of interest. We talk to experts about gifts for the people in your life: The foodie, the gardener, the kids, the colleagues and the weird uncle. And we hear from you: What gifts are you giving and what’s on your holiday wish list? Guests: MacKenzie Chung Fegan, lead restaurant critic, The San Francisco Chronicle Ellen Lee, writer, Wirecutter; Lee is part of Wirecutter's baby, kid, and health team; she is based in the Bay Area Ronnie Sharpe, founder, Ronnie's Awesome List; a website that shares information about Bay Area events and happenings Catherine Bailey, owner, Heath Ceramics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Syrians continue to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the dictator whose decades-long rule was marked by terror and violence against his own people. But the situation on the ground is fluid and complex. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, one of the key rebel groups controlling Damascus, has former ties to Al-Qaeda and is currently labeled a terrorist group by the United States government. Its leader, Mohammed al-Bashir, was appointed Syria’s caretaker prime minister and said Tuesday he’ll run a transitional government until March. Meanwhile, Israel launched dozens of airstrikes Tuesday targeting Syrian military installations and weapons stockpiled by the Assad regime. We’ll talk about what’s next for Syria and the alliances that kept Assad in power and get reactions from Syrians in California. Guests: Ruth Michaelson , journalist based in Istanbul, The Guardian Natasha Hall, senior fellow with the Middle East Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies Sammy Hajomar, Los Angeles resident of Syrian descent Marwan Chehadeh, San Diego resident of Syrian descent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO exposed widespread public anger over insurance claim denials and the overall state of medical care in the U.S. And it’s not just social media venting: a recent Gallup survey reveals that “Americans’ positive rating of the quality of healthcare in the U.S. is now at its lowest point” since 2001. We’ll talk with New York Times investigative health care reporter Sarah Kliff about why patients are fed up and what they can do to protect themselves and best navigate a broken system. Guests: Sarah Kliff, investigative healthcare reporter, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look at Donald Trump’s plans to nominate former Hawaii congress member Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel as FBI chief. Nearly one hundred former national security officials have raised alarms about Gabbard’s sympathy for dictators like Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad, while Patel has said he wants to dismantle the FBI. We talk about the domestic and national security implications of the picks. Guests: Josh Meyer, domestic security correspondent, USA Today Garrett Graff, journalist and historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation has driven up the cost of living for most Americans making them feel squeezed every time they go shopping. And while many voters cited inflation and the economy and top concerns during the recent presidential election, economists note that Donald Trump’s plans are perhaps more likely to bring higher prices than lower ones. We talk with The Atlantic writer Annie Lowrey about how we are experiencing inflation now and what could happen during the next presidential administration. Guests: Annie Lowrey, staff writer, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Broken” is how the Legislative Analyst’s Office describes California’s unemployment insurance financing system in a new report. California is already $20 billion in debt to the federal government for unemployment claims paid during the pandemic, and losses continue to mount. But businesses and labor groups are at odds over whether companies should pay more in taxes to fix it. Meanwhile, the Employment Development Department continues to grapple with problems of fraud and delay in processing benefits. CalMatters investigative reporter Lauren Hepler joins us to break down the challenges the EDD is facing. Guests: Lauren Hepler, investigative reporter, CalMatters Kim Tanner, Carlsbad resident with firsthand experience with California EDD and Money Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember that tsunami on Thursday…that didn’t happen? After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck 45 miles southwest of Eureka, a tsunami warning went into effect along the Northern California and Southern Oregon coastline. But why did it take so long for us to find out we weren’t at risk? Why did some places, like Berkeley, order evacuations, and other cities were silent? We’ll look at the region’s emergency communication systems and what needs to be improved to better prepare for tsunamis and other natural disasters. Guests: Dan Brekke, editor and reporter, KQED News Lori Dengler, professor emeritus, Cal Poly Humboldt - department of geology Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator, National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Brian Garcia , Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service SF Bay Area/Monterey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The past year, more than any other, “demonstrated how podcasts as a whole bleed into the real world and play a huge role in American culture, for better or worse,” Vulture podcast critic Nicholas Quah recently wrote. It used to be, if a presidential nominee wanted to make news, they would go on TV. In 2024, it was all about podcasts…shows like Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy. The industry is still reeling from the widespread cutbacks and cancellations in recent years. But the art and innovation of podcasts is alive and well, making it hard sometimes to pick your next listen. We’ll talk with Quah and other critics about the best podcasts of the year and hear your picks. Guests: Wil Williams, CEO, Hughouse Productions Nicholas Quah, critic, Vulture - where he covers podcasts, television, and pop culture Ronald Young Jr., senior producer and owner, ohitsBigRon studios; host of the podcasts "Weight for It" (which was named one of the best podcasts of 2023 by the New York Times) and Pop Culture Debate Club from Lemonada and the BBC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up in an Indian family, Sahaj Kaur Kohli felt pressured to meet her parents’ high expectations for a “good Sikh girl”. Despite being a top student in high school, she battled depression, struggled to keep up in college and dropped out. She eventually went on to become a therapist, mental health advice columnist for the Washington Post, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, an online community. Through her work, she saw how her experiences mirrored those of many other children of immigrants who feel obligated to succeed, maintain cultural norms, and repay their parents’ sacrifices. Kohli joins us to talk about her new book, “But What Will People Say?” that chronicles her journey and provides practical advice for navigating mental health. Guests: Sahaj Kohli, therapist; writer; speaker; and founder, Brown Girl Therapy; author of the book, "But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cars, lumber and avocados are just a few items that could see their prices increase if president-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. Throughout Trump’s campaign, he promised to impose tariffs on “day one,” but his targets — China, Canada and Mexico — are California’s biggest trading partners. Forty percent of the state’s imports come from China and Mexico. We look at which industries would be hit hardest, how businesses are preparing and whether consumers would have to pick up the check. Guests: Ana Swanson, trade and economics reporter, The New York Times Don Lee, economics reporter, Los Angeles Times Edward Alden, senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avian flu has killed 1.5 million chickens and turkeys in California and 100 million birds nationwide since the outbreak began in 2022. And earlier this year, scientists discovered that the virus had jumped to mammals, specifically cattle, raising questions about the virus’ mutation. In California, the largest dairy producing state in the country, 475 dairies have reported incidences of avian flu in their herds, and the state recently recalled raw milk from shelves after the virus was detected in milk samples. The virus has also been detected in the wastewater of several Bay Area cities, and 29 dairy workers, and a child in Alameda County with no known contact with animals, have been diagnosed with the flu. We’ll talk to experts about whether avian flu has the makings of a new pandemic and what is being done to contain its spread. Guests: Susanne Rust, investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues, Los Angeles Times Dr. Peter Chin-Hong M.D., infectious disease specialist, UCSF Medical Center Dr. Michael Payne DVM, large animal vet researcher, Western Institute of Food Safety and Security, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Californians are the most confrontational drivers in the country according to a recent survey from Forbes Advisor. Nearly half of California drivers surveyed said another driver cut them off on purpose, more than half say they’ve been tailgated and almost a third have been threatened or yelled at. Across the country, the number of people injured or killed in road rage incidents involving a gun has more than doubled since 2018, according to data from the research group Gun Violence Archive. We’ll talk about what triggers road rage — and how tech and social divisions may be playing a role. And we’ll get tips on how to calm down and drive safely, even when you feel you’ve been wronged. Guests: Robert (Bob) Nemerovski, Clinical Psychologist practicing in the Bay Area as well as throughout California through teletherapy, (theangerdoc.com) Andrew Barclay, Sergeant, California Highway Patrol John Treanor, public relations specialist, AAA Northern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, has given more than half a million immigrants protection from deportation since 2012. The program has allowed people brought to the United States as children to work, buy property, start businesses and raise families. The program has weathered plenty of challenges in its 12-year history, and now many recipients are worried that president-elect Donald Trump will try to end the program like he did during his first term. We talk with DACA recipients about how they are preparing for the future and what could happen next. Guests: Dulce Garcia, director for U.S.-Mexico border programs, Kids in Need of Defense - An organization that advocates unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. She is a lawyer and DACA recipient. Sarah Souza, DACA recipient and immigrant rights activist, Serves on the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission and works as a legislative aide for San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin. Krsna Avila , staff attorney, Path2Papers - a project of Cornell Law School that helps DACA recipients pursue work visas and other pathways to legal permanent residency. Leo Rodriguez, student, Univeristy of California, Berkeley - DACA recipient. Raha Wala, human rights lawyer, lobbyist, and advocacy strategist, National Immigration Law Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. will send an additional $725 million in military aid to Ukraine, the State Department announced on Monday. That’s on top of more than $7 billion in weaponry the Biden Administration has already pledged to the country as it battles to stave off more territorial gains by Russia. The increase in aid comes amid fears among U.S. and NATO officials that president-elect Donald Trump will withhold support and force Ukraine to capitulate. We talk about the latest developments in a war that’s left hundreds of thousands dead and how a Trump Administration might handle it. Guests: Steven Pifer , affiliate, Center for International Security and Cooperation - Stanford University; former ambassador to Ukraine and a senior director at the National Security Council in the Clinton administration. Greg Myre, national security correspondent, NPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades microfinance was touted as a novel solution to poverty. The idea is simple – give poor women tiny loans to jumpstart small businesses and create profit. But when journalist Mara Kardas-Nelson moved to West Africa she met women who were jailed when they couldn’t pay their mounting debt. In her book, “We Are Not Able to Live in the Sky: The Seductive Promise of Microfinance,” Kardas-Nelson explores the complex history that led to microfinance banking empires, the painful reality gripping women who have taken out loans and also the ways that microloans have been a successful tool in lifting people from poverty. Guests: Mara Kardas-Nelson, Independent Journalist and Author of We are Not Able To Live in the Sky: The Seductive Promise of Microfinance Laurie Styron, CEO / Executive Director, CharityWatch -www.charitywatch.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quirky, rounded, nominally sans-serif font of Comic Sans became a cultural phenomenon when it first burst onto the scene as a free option in Windows 95. Used in memes, kindergarten classrooms and sometimes even official signage, it’s become “the font everyone loves to hate.” So says Simon Garfield, author of a new biography of Comic Sans. And over its 30 years, the font became recommended by dyslexia organizations and can be used to chart a micro-history of online irony, comedy and backlash cycles. Garfield joins us to share why “no other font gets people so worked up” and how Comic Sans says a lot about how we express ourselves, online and off. Guests: Simon Garfield, author, “Comic Sans: The Biography of a Typeface” and “Just My Type: A Book About Fonts” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the campaign trail, president-elect Donald Trump said he “wouldn’t mind so much” if journalists were shot, threatened to revoke broadcast licenses of networks that aired coverage he didn’t like, and called reporters “the enemy of the people.” More recently Trump has demanded that Republican lawmakers kill a bill to protect journalists from revealing their sources. Trump’s first administration had a tense relationship with the media. We talk to experts about how journalists should best cover Trump this time around. Guests: Brooke Gladstone, Host and Managing Editor, "On the Media" - from WNYC Studios. Her latest book is 'The Trouble With Reality." Jon Allsop, journalist and media writer, Columbia Journalism Review's daily newsletter, "The Media Today" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices