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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
Mental Health
San Francisco
Donald Trump
Iran
Climate Change
Trump Administration
Healthcare
Bay Area
United States
Kaiser Permanente
Tariffs
Venezuela
2026
Long COVID
Covid
Poetry
Neuroscience
Cryptocurrency
California College Of the Arts

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes3347Founded21 years ago
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News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

As the June 2nd primary approaches, many California voters remain undecided about their pick for California’s next governor. This year’s race is especially crowded, with Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer and Katie Porter leading the pack of Democrats facing... more

The award-winning documentary by Bay Area director Yoav Potash, “Among Neighbors,” sheds light on the history of antisemitism in Poland, where both during and after the Holocaust, Jews were murdered not only by Nazis, but also by their Polish neighbo... more

Two teenage gunmen killed three people, and later themselves, in an attack Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the city’s largest mosque. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a hate crime, and it comes as anti-Muslim sentiment is on t... more

Since it was created back in 2012, DACA has allowed unauthorized immigrants who arrived in the US during childhood to go to school and work without fear of deportation. Now, many recipients are reporting extra long delays for renewing their status, w... more

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Recent Guests

Trita Parsi
Co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Episode: U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Tested as Tensions Rise in Persian Gulf
Joshua Keating
Senior Correspondent at Vox
Vox
Episode: U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Tested as Tensions Rise in Persian Gulf
Jodi Kantor
Investigative reporter at The New York Times, author of How to Start
The New York Times
Episode: How Did You Find Your Life’s Work?
Tracy Clark-Flory
Author of My Mother's Daughter; journalist and former sex columnist
Author, My Mother's Daughter
Episode: Tracy Clark-Flory’s “My Mother’s Daughter” Tells the Story of Finding Her Long-Lost Sister
Manoush Zomorodi
Author of Body Electric and host of NPR's TED Radio Hour
Body Electric / NPR
Episode: We're Living Online. Our Bodies Are Paying the Price
Eli Hager
Reporter for ProPublica covering poor and working-class issues; author of a related article
ProPublica
Episode: Low-Income Adults with Disabilities Stand to Lose SSI Benefits Under Proposed Trump Administration Rule
Kristen Pedersen
Executive Director of The Arc San Francisco
The Arc San Francisco
Episode: Low-Income Adults with Disabilities Stand to Lose SSI Benefits Under Proposed Trump Administration Rule
Eric Harris
Associate Executive Director of External Affairs, Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California
Episode: Low-Income Adults with Disabilities Stand to Lose SSI Benefits Under Proposed Trump Administration Rule
Dr. Shanna Swan
Professor of Environmental Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine; founder/director of Action Science Initiative
Icahn School of Medicine; Action Science Initiative
Episode: Could a ‘Plastic Detox’ Help With Health and Fertility?

Hosts

Mina Kim
Co-Host of Forum, focusing on storytelling and chronicling the Californians' experience.
Alexis Madrigal
Co-Host of Forum, known for convening diverse voices and facilitating engaging discussions.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 854 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 States7 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 States9 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.

Some criticisms center on perceived biases in discussions, particularly concerning political viewpoints.
There's a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, with guests featuring a wide range of voices.
Many appreciate the thoughtful and timely topics covered, particularly in relation to local issues.
Listeners value the engagement with current events, though there are mixed feelings about recent changes to the show's format.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#132
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#125
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#223
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#224
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#228
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mac Barnett on How Kids Can Teach Us to Be Better Readers
Q: What do you want to say about that line now?
That line caused hurt in the community, but it reflected a candid belief that literature has room to critique and evolve; Barnett acknowledges the impact and emphasizes the importance of honesty about the world and the work of writers.
Low-Income Adults with Disabilities Stand to Lose SSI Benefits Under Proposed Trump Administration Rule
Q: What would the proposed rule change mean for Shatira Burton and similar beneficiaries?
Shatira could see a roughly $300-per-month cut to her SSI, making everyday costs like a phone, internet, utilities, and meals harder to cover, thereby increasing the risk of moving into institutional care if the family cannot bridge the gap.
Mary Cain Was A Running Prodigy, Until Abuse Derailed Her Career
Q: Mary, what was your thinking when you first faced the possibility of turning pro while still in high school?
I felt a mix of ambition and fear, recognizing the unique pressure to perform and the responsibility to others who believed in me, but also sensing that the environment around me could be harmful and controlling, which ultimately pushed me to reassess my path.
What Did Mapping The Genome Get Us?
Q: For a caller asking about the mechanism to turn off mutations like JAK2, how does this illustrate current capabilities and limits of gene editing?
There are targeted cases where gene editing can shut down a problematic protein (e.g., JAK2 with a drug like Ruxolitinib in specific diseases), but many diseases involve multiple genes and complex pathways, so broad, one-to-one cures remain unlikely in the near term; ethics and organ access also constrain applicability.
What Did Mapping The Genome Get Us?
Q: Michael, where is Craig Venter in the timeline of molecular biology from the discovery of DNA to today's genomic understanding?
Venter is a pivotal figure who accelerated the sequencing race by promoting shotgun sequencing, shifting away from a purely map-first approach to reading many small chunks and reassembling, which dramatically sped up progress.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

The content is centered around stimulating conversations that explore a wide array of news and current events, particularly issues relevant to the Bay Area and California. The episodes examine topics ranging from the commercial surrogacy industry to the dynamics of political parties, the latest in technology, as well as cultural discussions surrounding identity and community. Listeners can expect a mix of interviews with industry experts, journalistic insights, and opportunities for audience interaction, all contributing to a rich and informative experience. The hosts often highlight underrepresented voices, creating a platform for diverse perspectives on pressing societal matters.

Where can I find podcast stats for KQED's Forum?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for KQED's Forum. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to KQED's Forum and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does KQED's Forum get?

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What are the audience demographics for KQED's Forum?

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How many subscribers and views does KQED's Forum have?

To see how many followers or subscribers KQED's Forum has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to KQED's Forum?

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

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

How many episodes of KQED's Forum are there?

KQED's Forum launched 21 years ago and published 3347 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for KQED's Forum?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for KQED's Forum from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on KQED's Forum?

Recent guests on KQED's Forum include:

1. Trita Parsi
2. Joshua Keating
3. Jodi Kantor
4. Tracy Clark-Flory
5. Manoush Zomorodi
6. Eli Hager
7. Kristen Pedersen
8. Eric Harris

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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