The Forum with Jim Falk

In this episode of The Forum with Jim Falk, Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia reflects on his first three months in office, offering insight into key policy changes, city management priorities, and major issues facing Santa Fe.The mayor begins by announcing details for Santa Fe’s upcoming Fourth of July celebration, which will take place at Franklin Miles Park and feature both a fireworks display and a drone show.The conversation then turns to city governance, where Mayor Garcia discusses efforts to streamline Santa Fe’s budget process, empower city staff with greater decision-making responsibility, and restructure the city’s organizational chart to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.He also provides important updates on two high-profile local issues: ongoing negotiations with Urban Alchemy regarding the Agape Shelter, and the future of the Obelisk (Soldier’s Monument), a controversial landmark in the Plaza that was toppled on Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2020.Host: Peter SmithCo-Host: Patrick Davis, KSFR News ReporterGuest: Michael J. Garcia, Mayor of Santa Fe, NM (1/1/2026-)

In this episode, The Forum moves from local to global, beginning with a conversation with Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner and turning to a broader look at the human and financial costs of America’s wars.Turner, a longtime Albuquerque resident, discusses the challenges facing New Mexico and argues they must be addressed collectively, starting with education. In a wide-ranging exchange, he outlines his support for school choice and calls for greater investment in infrastructure, including a dedicated fund to improve the state’s roads.As the war in Iran enters its fourth week, author and professor David Vine examines the mounting economic and human toll. While estimates vary, military costs alone are reported to exceed $1 billion per day. Vine also highlights the long-term consequences of displacement, noting that in Lebanon alone, more than one million people have been forced to seek shelter elsewhere.Host: Jim FalkCo-Host: Peter SmithGuests: Doug Turner, Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico David Vine, Author of “The United States of War” and contributor to Brown University’s Costs of War Project

What if the most powerful thing you could do for your brain and body each day isn’t diet or exercise but sleep? In this episode of The Forum, Dr. Matthew Walker, one of the world’s foremost experts on the neuroscience of sleep, explains why he calls sleep “the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health every day.” Listeners may be surprised to learn that while the dangers of driving while intoxicated are widely recognized, getting behind the wheel while sleep deprived can be even more dangerous. Walker also shares practical strategies to lessen the effects of jet lag and offers simple steps you can take to prepare both yourself and your bedroom for a more restful night.If you sometimes struggle to fall asleep (or wake up feeling less than refreshed) this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Host: Jim FalkGuests: Matthew Walker, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering Director, Sleep Innovation Laboratories Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas Author, “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams”Show Notes: Center for BrainHealth

For years, many scientists believed that after our mid-20s, the brain could only decline. Today, neuroscience tells a very different story.In this episode of The Forum, two neuroscientists from the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas explain how the brain can continue to grow and adapt throughout our lives.The program begins with a discussion of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and strengthen, and the research underway at the Center. Our guests describe programs designed to help people at different stages of life enhance brain performance, including specialized initiatives for military personnel experiencing PTSD.Later, they share practical ways listeners can support brain health through everyday choices such as sleep, exercise, and diet. The program concludes with information about the resources available through the Center for BrainHealth’s website.Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Peter Smith Guests: Erin Venza, Ph.D., Head of Clinical Operations, Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas Jennifer Zientz, Director of Programs, Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas Show Notes: Center for BrainHealth

It should come as no surprise that images of raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country are contributing to rising anxiety here in Santa Fe and throughout New Mexico.At the beginning of the program, immigration attorney Allegra Love, a regular contributor on immigration policy to Source New Mexico (“ICE”) reminds listeners that immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation are not new. They have long been part of life in New Mexico. What is different today, she explains, is the intensity of fear within communities most at risk and the profound impact that fear is having on daily life. She also describes the harsh conditions many detainees face in federal facilities, where some are held for months — even years — awaiting resolution of their cases.Later in the program, two staff members from Communities in Schools share what they are witnessing on the front lines. Students suddenly stop attending class. Medical appointments are missed. Families withdraw from public life. In some cases, people simply disappear.Throughout the conversation, Deibel and Ortiz extend an invitation to those who want to help, encouraging listeners to reach out and learn more about volunteer opportunities to support affected families. Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Reverend Talitha Arnold, Senior Minister, United Church of Santa FeGuests: Allegra Love, Immigration Lawyer, Advocate, Teacher Natalie Deibel, Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Communities in Schools of New Mexico Blanca Ortiz, Student Success Facilitator at Nava Elementary School, Communities in Schools of New Mexico

In a rare convergence of sacred seasons, Muslims began Ramadan on February 17, a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual renewal; just one day later Christians entered Lent, the forty-day period of preparation for Easter, also marked by fasting, abstinence, and reflection.On this episode of The Forum, retired Lutheran minister Benjamin Larzelere joins co-host Reverend Talitha Arnold in a discussion exploring the history and meaning of Lent, and how the act of “giving something up” can deepen faith and sharpen spiritual awareness. In the second half of the program, Muslim Americans Ahmed Yanouri and Fouzia Ayachi share how Ramadan is observed in their homes, from the daily fast to the cherished tradition of Iftar, the breaking of the fast, and reflect on the rhythm and communal spirit of a holy month observed by nearly 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Benjamin (Ben) LarzelereReverend Talitha Arnold, Senior Minister, United Church of Santa Fe Guests: Ahmed Yanouri, Moroccan-American and Business/Community Leader Fouzia Ayachi, Moroccan-American, Community Leader

On this episode of The Forum, Reverend Talitha Arnold speaks with two remarkable New Mexicans who, through history and music, are helping keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive today.After a distinguished career as a physician, Bettye Kearse answered her mother’s call to tell their family’s story—one that reaches back to enslavement at Montpelier, the plantation of President James Madison. She reflects on the power of storytelling across generations and why an honest reckoning with history is essential to preserving both truth and dignity.Later in the program, longtime radio host Cecilia Webb shares how she came to the airwaves to lead Train to Glory for 28 years. She and Talitha explore the vital role of music in the Civil Rights Movement and how those spirituals and gospel songs continue to inspire protest movements across the country today.Throughout the hour, listeners will hear selections from beloved gospel favorites that echo the enduring call for justice and hope. Host: Talitha ArnoldGuests: Cecilia Webb, Host, Train to Glory, KUNMBettye Kearse, Author, “The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family”

On this episode of The Forum, two leading foreign policy experts examine the first year of President Trump’s second term and what it signals for the remaining three years of his administration.Beth Sanner, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence and the President’s daily intelligence briefer, brings decades of experience at the highest levels of national security. She is currently a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center and a CNN National Security Contributor. Ambassador Charles Shapiro, now a professor of international affairs at Georgia Tech, previously served as U.S. ambassador to Venezuela and devoted much of his diplomatic career to the Western Hemisphere, with particular expertise on Cuba.The discussion explores how “Trump 2.0” differs from the administration’s first term and examines the 2025 National Security Strategy and how it is being viewed by our allies and adversaries. In the second half of the program, the conversation turns to key current issues, including Iran, Venezuela, Israel, and nuclear arms control. Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Peter SmithGuests: Beth Sanner Ambassador Charles Shapiro Show Notes: National Security Strategy of the U.S.

The day of his announcement to withdraw from the Democratic Party’s June 2 primary, Ken Miyagishima joined The Forum Plus to explain why he believes many New Mexicans are looking for an option outside the two-party system. This interview was recorded on Monday, February 2, 2026.In the conversation, Miyagishima outlines where his positions on medical malpractice reform, energy, and education differ from those of the Democratic contenders, Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman.KSFR is committed to offering listeners the opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking public office. The link to previous Forum interviews with Sam Bregman and Deb Haaland is available in the show notes. Host: Jim FalkGuest: Ken G. Miyagishima, Independent Candidate for Governor of New Mexico Show Notes: The Race for New Mexico Governor: Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman on the Forum (published January 21, 2026)

In this show, William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, takes a hard, unvarnished look at the extraordinary growth of the U.S. defense budget. Now just under $1 trillion, President Trump is requesting a 50 percent increase for FY 2027—pushing defense spending to $1.5 trillion.Hartung explains how, despite hopes to the contrary, the end of the Cold War led not to a peace dividend but to continued and accelerating military spending. He examines how consolidation within the defense industry, now dominated by five major corporations, has fueled cost overruns, reduced competition, and weakened accountability.The conversation also explores the growing role of Silicon Valley–based defense startups, the influence and profitability of defense lobbying, and the surprisingly small impact the defense industry has on overall employment, despite frequent claims by politicians.This program was recorded on January 8 for WorldNow with Jim Falk as a virtual book talk presented to members of World Affairs Councils across the country. Host: Jim FalkGuests: William Hartung, Senior Research Fellow, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Show Notes: “The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home “(November 11, 2025)

For a growing number of Americans, the question is no longer ‘Should I leave?’ but ‘Why stay?’”Americans are increasingly not just thinking about leaving the United States permanently—they’re doing it. As our guests explain, the reasons vary widely, from concerns about gun violence and the rising cost of living to access to affordable healthcare.In a recent New York Times column, Jessica Grose cited a Gallup survey finding that 40 percent of American women ages 15 to 45 say they would like to move abroad.On this episode, we’re joined by two women who have already made that choice. Gail Warrior, who moved to Panama five years ago, now advises and assists global clients as they navigate the decision to relocate and the logistics of doing so. Kirsten Weissert, who recently moved to Thailand with her two young children, discusses what drove her decision, how she broke the news to family and friends, and how she continues to run her physical training business while working across a 14-hour time difference.Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Daniel JamesGuests: Gail Warrior, CEO, Global Citizen Consulting Kirsten Weissert, (Recently moved from Texas to Thailand) Jessica Grose, Opinion Writer, New York Times (recorded interview, 1/16/2026) Show Notes: Global Citizen ConsultingAmerican Violence is Pushing Families to Think About Leaving, Jessica Grose, Jan. 10, 2026

In just over five months, New Mexicans will head to the polls for the state’s primary election, setting the stage for one of the most consequential races on the November ballot: the contest to elect the next governor to succeed incumbent Michelle Lujan Grisham.On this program, the two leading Democratic candidates—former congresswoman and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Samuel Bregman—join Forum hosts Jim Falk and Peter Smith in separate interviews. To allow listeners to compare their views, the same questions were posed to each candidate whenever possible.The Bregman interview was recorded via Zoom on January 15, and the Haaland interview, also conducted via Zoom, was recorded on January 16. The order in which the interviews aired was determined by a coin toss.___________________Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Peter SmithGuests: Deb Haaland, Democratic Party Candidate for NM Governor Samuel Bregman, Democratic Party Candidate for NM GovernorShow Notes:Haaland campaign websiteBregman campaign website

For many years, the Midtown Campus, a 64-acre, city-owned property in the heart of Santa Fe, has fallen short of the expectations of both residents and city leaders. In recent months, however, a renewed sense of optimism has emerged as a growing number of companies, developers, and investors recognize the site’s long-untapped potential. There is now tangible momentum behind efforts to create a vibrant, mixed-use district envisioned as a creative hub with new opportunities for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and cultural organizations.On this program, our guests discussed the role of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency in guiding and supporting the district’s development. They also raised concerns that, as redevelopment accelerates, nearby historic neighborhoods, particularly the Hopewell-Mann Community, could face displacement pressures driven by gentrification. The Chainbreaker Collective, a community organization with more than 800 members, is working with the city and civic partners to ensure local stakeholders have a voice in the process. Carly Venditti, who earlier this month presented to city and state leaders, outlined the city’s case for a $10 million funding request to support critical infrastructure. ___________________ Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Peter SmithGuests: Carly Venditti, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Tomás Rivera, Executive Director, Chainbreaker Collective Show Notes:Metropolitan Redevelopment AgencyMidtown Santa Fe

In our first program of 2026, The Forum featured conversations with Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández and Senator Ben Ray Luján on their legislative priorities and the issues they see as most critical for New Mexico and the nation as the midterm elections approach.The discussion with Congresswoman Leger Fernández was recorded live in the KSFR studio on January 5, while the conversation with Senator Luján was recorded via Zoom on December 18. Both leaders addressed the anticipated impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” expressing concern about its consequences for New Mexican families, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.Congresswoman Leger Fernández, who chairs the Democratic Women’s Caucus, spoke about efforts to build a strong national network of women advocating for equality. She highlighted the troubling trend of women leaving the workforce and the broader implications for economic stability. She also expressed her great concern and empathy to the women who were victimized by Jeffrey Epstein and commitment to have all of the documents made public. When asked about the challenges facing the Democratic Party, both guests emphasized the need for a clearer, more compelling message to voters, one focused on the economy and effects of federal budget cuts on everyday Americans. Host: Jim FalkCo-host: Peter SmithGuests: Teresa Leger Fernández, Congresswoman, Dem, NM 3rd District Ben Ray Luján, U.S. Senator, New Mexico Shownotes: Senator LujánCongresswoman FernándezDemocratic Women’s CaucusRadiation Exposure Compensation Act

For several years, Forum host Jim Falk has interviewed Tom Standage, editor of The Economist’s annual predictive issue, The World Ahead, a wide-ranging collection of articles and guest columns exploring the year to come. Always fast-paced and entertaining, these conversations have become among the most popular programs offered to members of World Affairs Councils nationwide. We are grateful to Tom Standage for granting KSFR permission to rebroadcast this conversation.Standage was a guest on WorldNow with Jim Falk on December 8, a program hosted by the World Affairs Councils of America. During the discussion, he outlined his “Top 10 Trends” for the year ahead, including reflections on America’s 250th anniversary, mounting challenges for Europe, China’s opportunities, and growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence.For a change of pace, when he is not reporting or editing, Standage performs as a drummer in two bands. At the conclusion of the program, listeners will hear a brief clip from Hello All Stations, an original composition by Sebastopol, Standage’s alt-rock band. Host: Jim FalkGuest: Tom Standage, Editor, The World AheadMusic: Hello All Stations, This is Zero

We had originally planned for this week’s Forum to focus on the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah (or Chanukah). But in the wake of the tragic December 14 attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, we felt it was essential to begin our conversation with Rabbi Martin Levi about the global rise of antisemitism, the impact of such violence on Jewish communities, and what must be done to confront and counter hate.After the break, Rabbi Martin joins co-host Reverend Talitha Arnold to explore the origins of the eight-day observance of Hanukkah, along with the history and meaning behind its rituals, including music, gifts, and food. Listeners will especially enjoy their discussion of the songs featured in the program, including two versions of Light One Candle.

Santa Fe resident Matt Gatton is a respected scholar of the use of physical light in ritual spaces during prehistory and classical antiquity. His latest book, The Shadows of Socrates: The Heresy, War and Treachery Behind the Trial of Socrates, draws on original research to reopen the philosopher’s trial, sentencing, and execution. In our conversation, Gatton explains how he first became intrigued by the study of light, why his work is regarded as groundbreaking, and what Socrates’ fate reveals about the volatile swings, often violent, between democracy and oligarchy. As he writes, “A democracy can make a tyrant, but a tyrant can unmake a democracy.”Host: Jim Falk Guest: Matt Gatton

Last night on The Forum, 84 years after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, we revisited the tense days leading up to that pivotal moment with author Pulitzer Prize winning author/journalist Steve Twomey. His insights into the intelligence failures, missed signals, and human decisions that preceded the attack highlighted the chain of events that ultimately drew the United States into World War II. Twomey’s segment was followed by a conversation with Laureta Huit, director of the New Mexico Military Museum, now maintained by the National Guard. She described how the museum’s collections and programs help visitors understand the sacrifices and heroic actions of New Mexicans who served in battle, preserving their stories through dynamic and engaging exhibitions. This year was the first one since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, where no living survivor was able to attend the annual commemoration. A reminder of the importance of not forgetting what happened 84 years ago when early on a Sunday morning 2,404 U.S. military personnel and civilians were killed, including 7 men New Mexicans who died on the USS Arizona. In our discussion of the days leading up to surprise attack, Twomey described the tension that existed between the Army and Navy where there was little sharing of information that might have increased awareness of the risk. At the time, Americans had very little respect for the Japanese people which carried over to a belief that its military was ineffective and could never mount a credible threat to the U.S. Twomey rejected the myth that FDR knew and wanted Pearl Harbor to occur to give him a reason to enter the war.Twomey explained for that to have happened would have required a conspiracy across the government which would have certainly been disclosed. Near the end of the discussion, Twomey reads a passage from his book where he describes how Admiral Kimmel reacted to the destruction happening before his eyes. There were many signs that the Japanese were getting ready to stage an attack, but the clues of the location were missed and adequate precautions were not taken. A question for today is: are we prepared for anticipating the unimaginable?. In the 2nd half of the show, Laureta Huit, the Director of the New Mexico Military Museum spoke about the history of the Museum, which was originally named the Bataan Memorial Museum, as the body of its then collection focused on New Mexicans who were involved in the Bataan Death March. Today, the collections extend to educating visitors about the state’s military history. The building itself is historic ad is included in the National Register of Historic Places as it was the second armory built in Santa Fe and was the induction center during World War II. Laureta reminded listeners that the Museum’s auditorium is available for rental and that the museum is open most days for guided tours. Volunteers are always needed and to obtain more information contact the museum through its website at newmexicomilitarymuseum.com Host: Jim FalkCo-Host: Peter SmithGuests: Steve Twomey, author, “Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack”Laureta Huit, Director, New Mexico Military Museum

This week on The Forum, we spoke with Mayor Alan Webber and longtime City Councilors Signe (“Sig”) Lindell and Carol Romero-Wirth as they prepare to step down from their roles in the coming weeks. With each having the option to seek another term, we explored their personal paths to public service, the reasons behind their decisions not to run again, and the lessons they’ve learned in office. They also reflected on the challenge of communicating the complexity of city issues to the public. For anyone interested in how municipal government works—and what motivates citizens to serve—this conversation offers valuable insight.