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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
San Francisco
Iran
Donald Trump
United States
Mental Health
Healthcare
Climate Change
Bay Area
Trump Administration
Tariffs
Venezuela
2026
Oakland
Kaiser Permanente
Education
Artificial Intelligence
FBI
Kash Patel
Fan Fiction

Forum tells remarkable and true stories about who we are and where we live. In the first hour, Alexis Madrigal convenes the diverse voices of the Bay Area, before turning to Mina Kim for the second hour to chronicle and center Californians’ experience. In an increasingly divided world, Mina and Alexis host conversations that inform, challenge and unify listeners with big ideas and different viewpo... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes3381Founded21 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

After decades of decline, many church leaders believe that religious life is on the upswing as some younger Americans flock to Christianity — including Vice President JD Vance, whose new book on his Catholic conversion drops this week. But the fuller... more

In writer and poet Ben Lerner’s latest novel, “Transcription,” an unnamed narrator travels to interview his elderly mentor. But shortly after checking into his hotel, the narrator knocks his phone into water, ruining the only recording device he brou... more

Former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland won the New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial primary this month, and if she wins this November, she would become the first female Native American governor in U.S. history. Haaland was already the first Nati... more

Levi’s Stadium will be the site of a series of World Cup matches beginning June 13. Switzerland, Algeria, Qatar, Jordan and Australia are some of the teams that will be appearing in match ups. Though the FIFA extravaganza has had a bumpy rollout with... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Weissmann
MSNOW legal analyst, author of Liar's Kingdom, former federal prosecutor, co-host of the podcast Main Justice, NYU Law School professor
New York University School of Law; MSNBC/MSNOW; author
Episode: ‘Liar's Kingdom:’ Andrew Weissmann on Democracy and Deception
Yahya Abou-Ghazala
Reporter and producer with CNN Investigative Unit
CNN
Episode: Waymo’s Growing Pains
Barry Walters
Music critic and author of Mighty Real
Author, Mighty Real
Episode: A History of LGBTQ Music from 1969-2000
Paula Span
Adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; New Old Age columnist for The New York Times
Columbia University & The New York Times
Episode: What Have We Learned From 10 Years of Medical Aid in Dying in CA?
Lonny Shavelson
Director of Education for the Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine; medical doctor
Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine
Episode: What Have We Learned From 10 Years of Medical Aid in Dying in CA?
Scott Weiner
San Francisco politician, U.S. Representative nominee,
California politics
Episode: Unpacking the 2026 California Primary
Byard Duncan
Investigative journalist, Reveal (Center for Investigative Reporting)
Reveal / Center for Investigative Reporting
Episode: 911 ... Please Hold
Cade Metz
Technology Reporter for The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: Why Pope Leo Wants to ‘Disarm’ A.I.
Kim Daniels
Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Why Pope Leo Wants to ‘Disarm’ A.I.

Hosts

Mina Kim
Host of Forum; KQED Forum coverage across the Bay Area and California; co-lead in first/second hours in various iterations
Alexis Madrigal
Host of Forum; leads diverse, high-level discussions on national and regional topics; active in guiding conversations with guests

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 857 ratings
  • Ok when not discussing politics

    Great podcast with an array of good real life topics. The host and guest cover interesting subjects at depth. A narrative for leftist politics is deep with a little bit of an intrusive victim complex.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Aqui_16
    United States8 months ago
  • Please Alexis do not interrupt the guests while they were speaking

    Please do not interrupt the guest while they were speaking. You have them on because they have a level of knowledge that you do not have.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    boomer and proud of it
    United States9 months ago
  • Garbage

    I tried to listen to this and felt like I was getting dumber with every minute. Not worth the time. Hosts seem very low IQ.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RA989
    United States10 months ago
  • g0dforbidi!!!

    what happened to asking follow up questions? are these hosts allergic to it?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    silly_goose!
    United Statesa year ago
  • State media with a pro-genocide slant

    Posing as a current events discussion show, Forum managed to studiously ignore the largest news story of 2023-present, the so called “Israel-Gaza war.” Zero Palestinian guests were ever asked onto the program, which instead took its cues from the editorial staff of neo-conservative magazine The Atlantic (that same publication that once sold us Bush’s Iraq War, and whose editor recently colluded with Trump’s state department in a private chat about bombing Yemen). When Forum finally began to addr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    melodie-c
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Several reviews note interruptions or interview dynamics as a point of contention.
A few comments value balanced California political analysis with global context.
Listeners praise the hosts for thoughtful, timely topics and strong guests.
Positive feedback highlights depth and relevance of California-focused discussions.
Some critics feel coverage leans a particular perspective or format has shifted.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#156
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#107
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#113
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#114
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#121
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#144
Finland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Trump Administration Turns Its Sights On Legal Immigrants
Q: Is it workable to route these processes through consular processing as proposed?
Experts said it would be highly problematic due to backlogs, long wait times, and limited rights of appeal for those outside the US, making the plan impractical for many.
The Trump Administration Turns Its Sights On Legal Immigrants
Q: What was the reaction among clients when this announcement first came out on the 22nd?
Attorneys reported immediate surges of emails and calls; clients faced confusion and fear, with many asking whether their cases were impacted and what to do next.
‘Liar's Kingdom:’ Andrew Weissmann on Democracy and Deception
Q: How would we account for heartfelt, honest propagation of untruths without criminal liability?
He notes that true misinterpretation or belief without malicious intent may not trigger criminal liability, but there can be civil remedies, transparency requirements, and journalistic accountability to press for facts behind claims.
A History of LGBTQ Music from 1969-2000
Q: What made you scope the history from 1969 to 2000 instead of starting earlier or ending later?
Walters explains that starting at the Stonewall era and extending to the end of the 20th century allows a coherent arc showing how queer expression moved from underground scenes into broader cultural visibility, while also acknowledging the ongoing struggles and backlash.
Waymo’s Growing Pains
Q: What does the CNN investigation reveal about Waymo's safety record in real-world driving?
It shows that while Waymo claims to be safer overall, there are many documented incidents of dangerous maneuvers and near-misses that raise questions about edge-case safety and how well the technology handles complex real-world environments.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About KQED's Forum

What is KQED's Forum about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Bay Area–focused current affairs program features long-form conversations with a mix of journalists, policymakers, scientists, and authors. Episodes commonly cover politics, climate, housing, technology, and social issues, often pairing expert analysis with on-the-ground reporting and listener input. Notable strengths include in-depth interviews, timely topics with local and national relevance, and a track record of high-caliber guests across journalism, academia, and public policy. The show tends to attract listeners who want thoughtful commentary, data-driven context, and exposure to diverse viewpoints, though some critics feel it leans toward certain perspectives and formats have evolved over time—useful for prospective listeners decid... more

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How many listeners does KQED's Forum get?

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Which podcasts are similar to KQED's Forum?

These podcasts share a similar audience with KQED's Forum:

1. Political Breakdown
2. City Arts & Lectures
3. Fresh Air
4. Bay Curious
5. KQED's The California Report

How many episodes of KQED's Forum are there?

KQED's Forum launched 21 years ago and published 3381 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact KQED's Forum?

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What guests have appeared on KQED's Forum?

Recent guests on KQED's Forum include:

1. Andrew Weissmann
2. Yahya Abou-Ghazala
3. Barry Walters
4. Paula Span
5. Lonny Shavelson
6. Scott Weiner
7. Byard Duncan
8. Cade Metz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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