KQED's Forum

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

In Miranda July’s new novel, “All Fours,” a 45-year-old artist embarks on a solo roadtrip to New York from her Los Angeles home. She makes it as far as Monrovia, a small town a half-hour from L.A., and waits out the rest of her trip in a motel room while pursuing an infatuation with a Hertz rental car employee. The novel, which shares similarities with July’s own life, explores themes of marital ennui, the fear of sexual irrelevance and the contours of the female midlife crisis. July grew up in Oakland and is known for her performance art, her films “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “Kajillionaire,” and her fiction “No One Belongs Here More Than You” and “The First Bad Man.” We listen back to our May conversation with July about her new novel and why she describes it as “closer to the bone.” Guests: Miranda July, actor, screenwriter, director and author - She’s known for her films “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “Kajillionaire,” and her fiction includes “No One Belongs Here More Than You” and “The First Bad Man”. Her new novel is "All Fours" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A truly landmark Supreme Court decision in 2020 resulted in the largest restoration of Native American tribal land in American history. More than half of the state of Oklahoma is now declared “Indian Country” after the court decision. In her book "By the Fire We Carry" journalist Rebecca Nagel, a member of the Cherokee Nation, traces the generations-long fight for sovereignty and the brutal history of tribal land removal that underpinned the decision. We listen back to our September conversation with Nagle about her own family’s complicated legacy in the struggle for justice and the implications of the Supreme Court decision. Guests: Rebecca Nagle, author, By the Fire We Carry, The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, host of the podcast "This Land" - She's also an activist, writer and citizen of the Cherokee Nation - She's also an activist, writer and citizen of the Cherokee Nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Connie Chung was the first Asian person to anchor a national network news program in the US and the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News. For decades she covered major national stories from Watergate to the Oklahoma City bombing and interviewed presidents and foreign leaders. She also came up in newsrooms of the 1970s and 80s that were beset by rampant sexism. We listen back to our September conversation with Chung about what she calls her “glorious highs and deep lows in the news business” and why, until recently, she struggled to believe she’d found success. Chung’s memoir is “Connie.” Guests: Connie Chung, broadcast journalist; author, "Connie: A Memoir" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The son who traveled 2,500 miles to save his parents’ dog. The stranger who picked up the tab for a girl who was trying to buy a prom dress at Goodwill. The airport janitor who stopped to feed and comfort a stranded passenger. These are some of the small and big acts of kindness website Upworthy compiled into a new book, “Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity.” We listen back to our August conversation with the editors and hear from you: What is a memorable act of kindness you have received or given? Guests: Lucia Knell, co-author, "Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity "; Knell is the vice president of the media company Upworthy. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Glamour and Vogue, among other publications. Gabriel Reilich, co-author, "Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity"; Reilich is the head of content and innovation at the media companies Good and Upworthy. He developed the Upworthy Instagram account which now has five million+ followers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The majority of male Gen Z voters cast their ballots for Donald Trump, according to exit polling. Some cultural analysts say that’s partly because more young men are spending time in the online world called the “manosphere.” Most of the manosphere consists of videos and podcasts about things like exercise, grooming and dating. But the space is also home to people spreading racist, misogynistic and extreme right-wing views, which may be pushing more young men and boys to the extremist fringes. We’ll talk about the online politicization of young men and its real-world consequences. Guests: Joshua Citarella, artist and internet culture writer; host, "Doomscroll," a podcast that explores online culture and politics; graduate professor, Rhode Island School of Design; founder, Do Not Research, a non-profit arts organization based in New York City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the divisive 2016 presidential election, many families cut short Thanksgiving plans with their relatives of different political persuasions, according to a 2018 study. The result, writes law professor and civil rights advocate john a. powell, was that American families spent millions of fewer hours connecting and reflecting with each other. As director of UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute, powell thinks a lot about divisions in our society and how to bridge them. We talk to powell, author of the new book “The Power of Bridging” about how he thinks we should approach a second Trump administration…and the upcoming holiday season. Guests: john a. powell, director, UC Berkeley's Othering and Belonging Institute; professor of law, African American and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. surgeon general Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has said that parental burnout is a public health issue on the same level as cigarettes, obesity and gun violence. It’s the result of a decades-long trend towards intensive parenting, according to New York Times reporter Claire Cain Miller, who points out that working mothers today spend as much time with their kids as stay-at-home moms did in the 1970s. We talk with Miller about how we got to this point. Are you a parent who’s feeling burnt out? Guests: Claire Cain Miller, reporter, New York Times Dr. Keith Sutton, clinical psychologist; director of the Bay Area Center for Anxiety; former president of the Association of Family Therapists of Northern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, withdrew as a nominee on Thursday amid growing controversy over sexual misconduct accusations. While Gaetz was a uniquely unpopular and fraught pick, the incident was a reminder that the president-elect might not always get everything he wants from the GOP- controlled Congress, at least not right away. Given the slim majorities and infighting among Republicans, how fast will Trump be able to move his agenda forward? We’ll preview his first 100 days with politics reporters Kadia Goba of Semafor and David Graham of the Atlantic. Guests: Kadia Goba, politics reporter, Semafor David Graham, staff writer, The Atlantic 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." Guest: 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 Kenivah Bockari, dj, Good Compenny Simon Ajero, piano, Good Compenny Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you throw out your black plastic spatula — and any other cookware made of black plastic? Unfortunately, yes, probably. A new study finds that black plastic contains higher amounts of flame retardants and other toxic materials than other plastics. And health experts say that means we should try to keep it away from heat… and our food. We’ll talk about how concerned we should be about the plastics in our kitchen and how to evaluate the risks. Guests: Zoë Schlanger, staff writer at The Atlantic, wrote the piece “Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula” Desiree LaBeaud, associate dean of global health and professor of pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Pediatric infectious disease physician who leads the university’s plastic working group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running a small business in the Bay Area is not for the faint of heart. A complex regulatory environment, rising costs, crime, and a sluggish post-COVID economy are just some of the challenges. But for small business owners, the chance to be their own boss, create community, and turn a passion into a profitable enterprise keeps them going. Can small business be the engine that supercharges the local economy? We talk to small business owners about what sustains them and what they need to thrive. Guests: Katy Tang, executive director, San Francisco Office of Small Business - which offers advice and counseling for small businesses operating in San Francisco. Nicole Schwieterman, founder and owner, Fleetwood, a shop on Clement street in SF; Schwieterman is co-director of the Clement Street Merchants Association. Victor Diaz, owner of Renegade Running, a run-specialty store located in downtown Oakland, CA Angela Tsay, owner, Oaklandish, located in Oakland; Oaklandish, has three brick and mortar stores. It designs, prints and sells clothing and accessories that focus on Oakland spirit and pride. Tomra Palmer, co-owner, Gravel + Gold, a clothing shop based in the Mission Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you one of the 20 million people on Bluesky? The social media platform has nearly doubled its user base since the election as more people migrate away from Elon Musk’s X. We talk about what’s drawing people to Bluesky and the pros and cons of the platform, and we’ll hear what you’re looking for in an online social network. We're on Bluesky now! Follow us @kqedforum.bsky.social! Guests: Zoe Schiffer, managing editor, Platformer - author of "Extremely Hardcore: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter" Damon Beres, senior editor, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conspiracy-theorist and vaccine denier to run the Department of Health and Human Services. A Russia-friendly intelligence chief. And an attorney general pick who has been accused of sexual misconduct. President-elect Donald Trump is appointing cabinet members at a breakneck pace, with one more norm-busting than the next. We’ll get the latest on Trump’s picks–and other recent political news– with journalists Molly Ball of the Wall Street Journal and Philip Bump of the Washington Post Guests: Molly Ball, senior political correspondent, Wall Street Journal Philip Bump, national columnist, Washington Post - Bump is the author of "The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Trump and his team want to end DACA and the Temporary Protected Status program – which could make nearly a million people vulnerable to deportation. They’ve said they’d use the military to carry out mass detentions and deportations. If enacted, these proposals are all but guaranteed to face legal challenges — as they did during the last Trump administration. But some advocates worry that federal courts could prove friendlier to Trump policies than last time. We’ll talk with UCLA law professor Ahilan Arulanantham about the likelihood Trump’s latest proposals will become reality and the impact they’ll have on immigrant communities. Guests: Ahilan Arulanantham, Faculty Co-Director, Center for Immigration Law and Policy, UCLA Law - former Legal Director ACLU of Southern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bay Area transit agencies have struggled to recover ever since the pandemic decimated ridership and revenue. Several measures on the ballot aimed to shore up public transportation. In San Francisco, Prop. L, which would have provided more funding for Muni, failed. But in Napa, voters approved Measure U to bring $25 million a year to improve transit. With a Republican administration and Congress set to take power in January, local transit agencies, concerned there may be a lack of federal support, are thinking about long term solutions to their funding shortfalls and looking to the state to do more. We’ll talk about the future of Bay Area transit funding and what it means for you. Guests: Dan Brekke, editor and reporter, KQED News Rebecca Long, Director of Legislation and Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission Sebastian Petty, Senior Advisor, Transportation Policy| SPUR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The push to harness renewable energy sources like wind and solar has sparked a massive demand for critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium, according to journalist Vince Beiser. To meet this demand, intensive mining operations are underway in regions like China, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), extracting rare metals needed for solar panels, electric vehicles, smartphones, and the infrastructure that supports them. In his new book, “Power Metal: The Race for Resources That Will Shape the Future,” Beiser explores the “terrifying” scale of metal extraction our electro-digital age requires and the global environmental and public health crises it may trigger. Beiser joins us. Guests: Vince Beiser, journalist; author of “Power Metal: The Race for Resources That Will Shape the Future” 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

We’ll listen back to Mina Kim’s live, on-stage conversation last month at KQED Fest with actor, producer, rapper Daveed Diggs. Diggs won a Tony for his roles in the original “Hamilton” and is known for the TV show “Snowpiercer” and the Oakland-set movie and series “Blindspotting.” We talk about his career, about the “unspoken contract” a live performer makes with an audience and about executive producing a new documentary about Bay Area high schoolers during covid — “The Class.” Guests: Daveed Diggs, actor, rapper, writer. executive producer, Blindspotting, co-wrote, co-produced, and costarred in the 2018 film Blindspotting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Art is a mode of expression, a vehicle for processing thoughts and feelings, and a way to connect. Regardless of your political leanings, it’s fair to say we just went through a tumultuous election. These times of uncertainty often prompt us to look for art, create art, or reflect on how it can bring us beauty, reflection and meaning. So, we’ll talk to Bay Area artists about what is on their minds and how to access creativity. Guests: Tsutomu "Tom" Shimura, Lyrics Born, rapper, producer and song-writer; author of the e-book “Yes, Bay Area”, a collection of his tweets. Callan Porter-Romero, artist based in Oakland; One of her paintings is now on exhibit at The de Young Open. She was also included in the 2020 Exhibition. Matthew Zapruder, poet and author of "I Love Hearing Your Dreams: Poems"; He teaches in the MFA and English Department at Saint Mary’s College of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will nominate Matt Gaetz as U.S. Attorney General. The polarizing MAGA congressman from Florida engineered the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and is the subject of an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation for sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. We talk about the implications of Gaetz’s nomination and what the Department of Justice could look like under a second Trump term. Guests: Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare; senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institute Claudia Grisales, congressional correspondent, NPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the Bay Area, voters signaled a move away from progressive politics. A progressive mayor and DA were recalled in Oakland. A Levi’s heir was elected as San Francisco’s new mayor. The Bay Area rejected efforts to expand rent control and supported increasing criminal penalties for theft and certain drug crimes. What kind of platform do left wing political leaders need to appeal to this Bay Area electorate? We talk to political leaders about where progressives go from here. Guests: Jesse Arreguin, mayor, City of Berkeley; president, Association of Bay Area Governments; candidate, California State Senate District 7 Betty Duong, supervisor-elect, Santa Clara County, Board of Supervisors, District 2 Connie Chan, supervisor, District 1, San Francisco Board of Supervisors Edward Wright, director-elect, BART Board representing district 9. Wright is a former president of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many factors contributed to Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss in the 2024 election. But for those hoping that Americans would elect the country’s first woman president — especially when picking between a Black and Asian woman and an adjudicated rapist — her defeat stung deeply. At the same time, 45% of female voters – and a majority of white women voters – cast their ballots for president-elect Donald Trump. We’ll talk about the roles racism and sexism could have played in this election, and whether the U.S. could have a female president in our lifetimes. Guests: Caroline Heldman, political scientist and professor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, political scientist and professor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Anna Sampaio, Professor of Ethnic Studies and Political Science, Santa Clara University Chaya Crowder, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Loyola Marymount University - author of the forthcoming book, “Intersectional Solidarity: Black Women and the Politics of Group Consciousness” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 60% of Oakland voters chose to recall mayor Sheng Thao last week, making her the first mayor to be recalled in the city’s history. Soon after the election is certified in December, Oakland will have four months to throw a special election for a new mayor. We’ll talk about what’s next for the city in the meantime. And we’ll check in with Oaklanders invested in the people, culture and functioning of the city about their hopes for the future of Oakland and what they’ll most be looking for from a new mayor. We want to hear from our Oakland listeners. Now that the old order has been tossed out, what do you want from a new one? Guests: Alex Hall, enterprise and accountability reporter, KQED Liam O'Donoghue, host and producer, East Bay Yesterday Nigel Jones, restaurateur, Calabash - an Afro-Caribbean and Jamaican restaurant, market and bar. Owned Kingston 11, which has now closed. Noni Session, executive director and co-founder, East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative Dorothy Lazard, author, What You Don’t Know Will Make a Whole New World - Former Head Librarian of the Oakland History Center Allison Brooks, executive director, Bay Area Regional Collaborative Janet Heller, executive director, Chapter 510 Angela Glover Blackwell, founder in residence, PolicyLink, an Oakland- based non-profit dedicated to advancing economic and social equity. 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? Guests: 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

Transgender kids and their families have become a frequent target of president-elect Donald Trump and other conservative politicians. While the Bay Area and California have some of the strongest protections for trans people, federal policies could pose major challenges here. We’ll talk about the future of trans rights, whether access to gender-affirming care will remain possible, and what could happen during a second Trump administration. Guests: Honey Mahogany, Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives, City of San Francisco - former chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and cofounder of the Transgender District in the Tenderloin Tom Temprano, managing director of external affairs, Equality California, an LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organization Kate Redburn, academic fellow, lecturer and co-director, The Center for Gender and Sexuality Law, Columbia Law School Nadine Pourier Blumenshine, vice president, PFLAG Fresno, a nonprofit organization of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies focused on creating an equitable and inclusive world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump had a rocky relationship with Silicon Valley during his 2016 presidential campaign, and he clashed with Big Tech during his first term. This time around, he had the support of some high profile tech leaders, including Elon Musk. Dramatic changes have also come to Silicon Valley, which has been shaken up by the emergence of artificial intelligence. While there is growing concern over AI’s potential impact on society, Trump is expected to take a hands-off approach to regulation. The same might be true with antitrust enforcement against tech companies, which the Biden administration has prioritized. We’ll look at how Trump’s second term is likely to impact the tech industry from AI to social media to cryptocurrency. Guests: Elizabeth Dwoskin, Silicon Valley correspondent, The Washington Post Kelsey Piper, senior writer, Vox's Future Perfect newsletter Jeremy Owens, technology editor and San Francisco bureau chief, MarketWatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has called climate change a “hoax”, opined that sea level rise caused by melting glaciers “could create more oceanfront property,” and has said “nuclear warming” is just as concerning as a hotter planet. During his first administration, Trump made a point of dismantling Obama-era climate rules, and in his second, he has vowed to double down on production of fossil fuels. We talk to experts about what climate efforts may look like during a Trump Administration, and how California will respond. Guests: Ethan Elkind, director of the Climate Program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law; host of the podcast, Climate Break Lisa Friedman, reporter on the climate desk, New York Times Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor, engineering, Princeton University Aru Shiney-Ajay, Executive Director, Sunrise movement, a grassroots organization of students and young people focused on climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political strategist Mike Madrid says that democrats are in for a “long overdue reckoning” following an election where Trump support among self-identifying Hispanic voters was up some 14 percentage points compared to 2020, according to an Edison Research exit poll. We talk to Madrid about why he says the democratic party is less ethnically diverse than it was and what it needs to do to regain working class and Latino voters. Guests: Mike Madrid, political strategist, his new book is "The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy" ; co-founder, The Lincoln Project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the face of it, California and Florida – the homestates of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – are polar opposites. The divisions between the states came to symbolize the nation’s red/blue divide in the starkly different responses to the pandemic and the rivalry between their ambitious and politically powerful governors. But we also share a lot of the same concerns, including a housing affordability crisis and disasters caused by extreme weather. In this hour we team up with South Florida public radio station WLRN for a post-election conversation about where the country is headed and what unites and divides us. Guests: Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has long had it in for California. He’s threatened to withhold federal aid for wildfire recovery, tried to revoke the state’s Clean Air Act waiver and referred to Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff as examples of the “enemy from within.” Now that Trump has secured another term, California officials are preparing for what CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff calls the “return of the resistance state.” How would you like California to respond to a second Trump Administration? Guests: Melanie Mason, senior political correspondent, Politico Alexei Koseff, reporter, CalMatters Eleni Kounalakis, lieutenant governor for the state of California, chairs the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment Anita Chabria, columnist, Los Angeles Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent post on Substack, writer and longtime political observer James Fallows wrote, “By the standards of any presidential race in modern times, Kamala Harris ran a very ‘good’ campaign… By those same standards, Trump ran a very bad campaign… And none of it mattered.” So, what did matter on election day? And, how does the Bay Area make sense of an election where the country voted overwhelmingly against one of our region’s most prominent politicians, Kamala Harris? Fallows joins Forum to help us understand what happened in the election and to discuss his recent Wired article, “After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What.” Guests: James Fallows, journalist; former national correspondent for The Atlantic and author of the newsletter Breaking the News. His new article in Wired titled “After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the day after the election, we’ll bring you the latest results in the presidential race and the battle for Congress as well as key California contests and ballot measures. Politics reporters Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos of KQED and Andrew Prokop of Vox join us to analyze what we know so far, and where votes are still being tallied. Guests: Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED’s California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED - co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown Andrew Prokop, senior politics reporter, Vox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bay Area voters were faced with pivotal decisions in Tuesday’s election that could have major impacts on our region. KQED reporters join us to talk about results from local and regional races and ballot measures. We’ll discuss the ranked choice results from San Francisco’s mayoral race and the recalls of Oakland’s mayor and Alameda County’s District Attorney. Voters also weighed in on controversial propositions such as Sonoma’s Measure J, an attempt to ban large-scale animal farms, and Measure K, deciding the future of San Francisco’s Great Highway. And we’ll hear from you, what Bay Area races were you watching? Guests: Alex Hall, enterprise and accountability reporter, KQED Annelise Finney, reporter, KQED Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Sydney Johnson, reporter, KQED News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many Americans, the 2024 election has caused rifts between family members, created animosity among friends and made civil political debate all but impossible. We share tips on navigating political differences and repairing relationships, especially when an election outcome doesn’t go your way. How are you handling political conflict in your family or social circle? Guests: A Martinez, host of Morning Edition and Up First, NPR Dr. Tania Israel, Professor of Counseling Psychology, UC Santa Barbara - author of her newest book, "Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a grueling campaign season, Election Day has arrived. Here at Forum, we asked ourselves what we would want to hear on an anxiety-inducing day. To that end, we’ve brought together a panel of thinkers including Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, Jenny Odell, an artist and author who has thought deeply about nature and time, and Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor, who has written about awe and wonder. We’ll talk with them about how they find beauty, discovery and meaning in the face of worrying times, and hear from you: What is keeping you grounded today? Guests: Jenny Odell, author of "Saving Time: Discovering A Life Beyond the Clock". Odell is also the author of "How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy" Tracy K. Smith, poet; professor of English and of African and African American Studies, Harvard University - She served as the 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States from 2017 to 2019 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for her book, "Life on Mars." She is the author of five poetry collections, including "Such Color," "Wade in Water," among other volumes Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology and faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley -Keltner is the author of "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life." He served as a consultant on the Pixar films, "Inside Out" and "Inside Out 2". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump on Thursday called former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney a “radical war hawk” who should have guns “trained on her face.” This has become increasingly typical of the rhetoric coming from the Trump campaign — a campaign Atlantic staff writer David Graham says is “premised around violence, disregard for the rule of law, and retribution for anyone who might disagree with him.” We’ll talk with Graham and experts on extremism and extremist rhetoric about the impacts of Trump’s threatening messaging. Guests: David Graham, staff writer, The Atlantic Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security and Security and Global Health Projects Jennifer Mercieca, professor, Department of Communication & Journalism, Texas A&M University; author, “Demagogue For President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most of us the presidential race is top of mind. But voters on Tuesday will also decide which party controls Congress. Across the country, 34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats are contested in this election. In a historically tight race, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans holding a majority in the House by razor thin margins, a small number of races will decide which party controls each chamber of Congress. We’ll talk to experts breaking down the battleground congressional races in California and nationwide. Guests: Jessica Taylor, Senate/Governors Editor, The Cook Political Report Nicholas Wu, congressional reporter, Politico Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dia de los Muertos gives us a yearly opportunity to remember loved ones who have passed away. In honor of the holiday, we provide our listeners with a radio altar. It’s a chance to call in and share testimonials – or audio ofrendas – for those who’ve left us. Have you recently lost a family member, a neighbor, a friend or even a celebrity you admired? Tell us what they meant to you. Guests: Martina Ayala, executive director, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Antonieta Mercado, professor and director of the Program in Latin American Studies, University of San Diego Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The modern witch is more than a character from “Harry Potter.” She, he or they could be a co-worker, a neighbor or a friend who uses spells, spirituality and study to connect with ancestors, mystery or the divine. Throughout history and across cultures, witches have been persecuted – labeled as heretics, Satanists or just plain weird. But witches have also been revered (and feared) for their ability to cure ailments with herbs and tinctures, to commune with nature and to summon the spirits. We talk about witches, witchcraft and the powerful spell they hold on us. Guests: Michelle Tea, author and poet, Her latest book is "Modern Magic: Stories, Rituals and Spells for Contemporary Witches"; She also hosts the podcast "Your Magic" where she has read the tarot cards for Roxane Gay, Phoebe Bridgers and other celebrities. Bri Luna, founder of the website "The Hoodwitch", Her most recent book is "Blood Sex Magic: Everyday Magic for the Modern Mystic from the Creator of The Hoodwitch". Helen Berger, visiting scholar, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School; Berger is considered one of the country's foremost experts on Witches. She is the author of four books, including "Solitary Pagans" among other books on Witches, Wiccans and contemporary Pagans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices