KQED's Forum

California could lose billions of dollars in health funding if the Trump administration follows through on GOP plans to overhaul Medicaid, which provides healthcare for low-income people. Trump policies could also have major implications for Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, and for health care programs addressing homelessness and reproductive health . We’ll talk with state assembly health committee chair Mia Bonta and others about what services are most vulnerable, and how California officials are preparing. Guests: Mia Bonta, state assemblymember representing the 18th assembly district in the East Bay and chair of the assembly health committee Angela Hart, senior correspondent covering health care politics and policy in California and the West, KFF Health News Mark Peterson, professor of public policy, political science, health policy and management, and law, UCLA; senior fellow at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday declared the Los Angeles wildfires a public health emergency, as President Biden reiterated his promise to cover disaster response costs over the next six months. Displaced L.A. residents are mourning their lost pets, homes and schools, and entire communities are grieving the loss of arts institutions, hiking trails, businesses and restaurants. We provide an update on the latest and hear from you: What impact have the wildfires had on you – even from afar? How to help. Guests: Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Daniel Swain, climate scientist, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) & UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (UCLA IoES) Chris Harvey, Public Information Officer with CalFire INT-4 Jake Viator, mastering and recording engineer, lost his home and property in the Eaton Fire in Altadena Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI companion apps are becoming increasingly popular, with millions of users engaging with them for over an hour each day. Most users report positive experiences using their AI companions for entertainment, emotional support, and even therapeutic purposes. But their potential to become addictive, encourage harmful behaviors and ultimately exacerbate social isolation has sparked concern, especially among parents. We learn more about AI companions and hear about your experiences with them. Guests: Kevin Roose, technology columnist, New York Times; co-host of the podcast, Hard Fork Nitasha Tiku, tech culture reporter, Washington Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meteorologists say firefighters may get a respite today and tomorrow from the strong Santa Ana winds fueling the massively destructive wildfires in Los Angeles. There have been 10 confirmed deaths so far and an estimated $135-$150 billion dollars in loss and damages.. We check in with reporters on the scene about how Angeleno’s are processing the swaths of destruction, evacuations, heartbreak and uncertainty. Guests: Rachael Myrow, senior editor, Silicon Valley News Desk, KQED Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Beans are rich in nutrients, easy to cultivate and transport, and are beloved in cuisines around the world. But on many plates, beans are a side dish, not the main attraction. That may be hard to believe if you’re someone who craves a simmering pot of frijoles negros or lives for the sweet and savory taste of Boston baked beans. We talk to Steve Sando, the founder of Rancho Gordo, a Napa company that revitalized the heirloom bean market, and Jessica Battlana, a chef, about how beans can and should be the center of any meal. What’s your favorite bean? Guests: Steve Sando, founder and CEO, Rancho Gordo; a company that sells heirloom varieties of beans; author, "The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans" Jessica Battilana, co-author, "Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California"; Battilana is also the author of "Repertoire: All The Recipes You Need" and a staff editor at King Arthur Baking Sponsored Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Food and lifestyle megacelebrity Martha Stewart was the country’s first female self-made billionaire when her media empire Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public in 1999. Since then, her fortunes have fluctuated, reaching a low point in 2004 when she was sentenced to five months in prison for lying to prosecutors about a stock trade. R.J. Cutler got unprecedented access to Stewart for his documentary “Martha,” which is now streaming on Netflix. We’ll talk to Cutler about the making of the film and what Stewart taught him about the exercise of power. And we’ll hear from you: how has Martha Stewart influenced you? Guests: R.J. Cutler, Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning director-producer, "Martha"; His other films include "Elton John: Never Too Late," "The War Room", "Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry", "BELUSHI" and "A Perfect Candidate" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multiple wildfires continue to sweep through LA county, causing massive evacuations and the most destructive fires Los Angeles has ever seen. We’ll provide an update on the fires, and the fierce winds and weather conditions intensifying their spread. Guests: Anthony Edwards, newsroom meteorologist, SF Chronicle On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up TikTok’s appeal challenging a federal law that could effectively ban the popular social media app beginning on January 19. President-elect Donald Trump has asked the court to delay implementation of the law, which requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the social media company to an American firm. We’ll preview the arguments and look at what a ban could mean for the company and creators. Guests: Emily Baker, an investigative reporter and senior writer, Forbes; She is currently writing a book on TikTok. Jessica Levinson, professor of law, Loyola Law School; host of the podcast “Passing Judgment; Website URL: PoLawTics.lls.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three major wildfires fueled by winds up to 100 miles an hour are tearing through the Los Angeles region of Southern California this morning. The fires are destroying property and forcing evacuations in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Malibu. Many homes have been lost and officials are warning that the worst is yet to come. We’ll provide an update and hear from you. Guests: Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Nicholas Tuttle, South Pasadena resident; his home is now in the mandatory evacuation zone A national funeral service will be held Thursday for former President Jimmy Carter, who died late last month at the age of 100. The peanut farmer-turned-Georgia governor’s long-shot presidential campaign centered reform and the restoration of trust in government after Watergate and the Vietnam War. As president, Carter brokered the Camp David Accords and championed human rights and the environment, though his handling of the Iran hostage crisis and slumping U.S. economy tanked his chances of re-election. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize. We’ll talk about Carter’s legacy and hear from you: What will you remember about Jimmy Carter? Guests: Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, served as the chief White House domestic policy adviser in the Carter administration; author, “President Carter: The White House Years” Jonathan Alter, analyst, MSNBC; author, “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” Mary Frances Berry, professor of American Social Thought Emerita and professor of history, University of Pennsylvania; served as assistant secretary for education in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the Carter administration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco inaugurates its new mayor, Daniel Lurie, on Wednesday. Across the bay, councilmember Kevin Jenkins has been appointed as Oakland’s interim mayor while contenders, including longtime Congresswoman Barbara Lee, line up for the election to finish the term of former mayor Sheng Tao, who was ousted in a recall vote. Alameda County now has an interim district attorney taking the reins after the successful recall of DA Pamela Price. We learn more about these new officials and the key issues affecting your city. Guests: Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED’s California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown Alex Hall, enterprise and accountability reporter, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For some Gen-Z and millennials seeking “in real life” connection, nothing beats a heated game of Uno, Rummikub or mahjong. Board and card games are proliferating in their popularity as people – really of all ages– seek community, light-hearted entertainment and a chance to hang with friends. In the context of a game, you can learn a lot about a person: are they a savvy strategist, a sore loser, or quiet but insanely competitive? We’ll talk to some game lovers and experts and hear from you: What’s the game that gets you to gather round the table? Guests: Callie Holtermann, reporter, New York Times; Holtermann covers style, pop culture and Gen Z. Her recent piece is titled "The Extremely Offline Joy of the Board Game". Gwendolyn Reza, co-owner, Games of Berkeley Angela Lin, founder, East Never Loses, a company that hosts mahjong events and tutorials; With three friends, Lin also founded "Mahjong Mistress" a party for mahjong players in the LA-area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Tumlin became director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in December 2019, just months before the pandemic sent ridership plummeting, creating huge financial challenges and forcing unprecedented change. Tumlin, who has just stepped down as director, was at times a lightning rod for controversies about pedestrian safety, bike lanes, closing streets to car traffic and transit service. But Muni ridership has recovered much better than BART and though the agency faces severe financial troubles, Tumlin managed Muni through a brutal period for public transportation in every city. He’ll join us to talk about his tenure and the future of transit in San Francisco. Guests: Jeff Tumlin, director of transportation, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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