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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
San Francisco
Artificial Intelligence
Bay Area
Iran
Donald Trump
United States
Climate Change
Oakland
Iran War
Strait Of Hormuz
Great Replacement Theory
Glp-1s
Israel
Silicon Valley
World Cup 2026
Trump Administration
Supreme Court
Voting Rights Act
Catholic Church

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes3460Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

“We all need to act more childish,” says professional child interviewer Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the YouTuber behind the viral series Recess Therapy. He’s interviewed thousands of young kids to get their takes on love, family, adulthood — and corn. And... more

Bosnian Muslim funeral practices, Togolese views on mental illness, traditional Chinese medicine and postpartum depression among African American women are some of the topics addressed by Oakland High students in their publication, “Cross-Cultural Me... more

Actor and screenwriter Danny McBride has built his career portraying immature men. From “Eastbound and Down” to “The Righteous Gemstones,” McBride weaves satire and profanity to comment on American culture. In his new book, “Thrilling Tales of Modern... more

The Bay Area’s homelessness crisis is one of the most acute in the nation, and it has concentrated in the region’s biggest cities, like San Jose. Many communities have adopted new policies aimed at mitigating the crisis – from checks aimed at stabili... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Latasha Reed
Security officer from San Leandro, works at a Ghirardelli store
Self-employed security officer (Ghirardelli)
Episode: The Challenges and Dangers Security Guards Face
Enrique Lopez Lira
Director of the Low-Wage Work Program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center
UC Berkeley Labor Center
Episode: The Challenges and Dangers Security Guards Face
David Huerta
President of United Service Workers West
SEIU USWW
Episode: The Challenges and Dangers Security Guards Face
David Chandler
President of CALSAGA (California Association of Licensed Security Agencies, Guards and Associates)
CALSAGA
Episode: The Challenges and Dangers Security Guards Face
Kane Parsons
Director of Backrooms
Backrooms (filmmaker)
Episode: ‘Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons on Why San Jose is a Rich Setting for Horror
Catherine Guerra
Assistant Professor of Cinematic Arts
Cal State Long Beach
Episode: ‘Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons on Why San Jose is a Rich Setting for Horror
James Francis Jr.
Professor of English Literature
Texas A&M University
Episode: ‘Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons on Why San Jose is a Rich Setting for Horror
Jonathan Blitzer
Staff writer at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Inside America's Largest ICE Camp
Alex Padilla
United States Senator
U.S. Senate
Episode: Senator Alex Padilla on Confronting Presidential Corruption and ICE

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

4.2 out of 5 stars from 863 ratings
  • Very bland

    There are so many issues and topics to discuss in the Bay area and California, but it seems that this show only wants to discuss safe topics and book releases. Also the hosts avoid asking hard questions and having opposing views present. I guess that's not to offend anyone and attract more people. The result is very bland and run of the mill.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lucemfere
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great show

    I really love forum. All of the hosts are excellent, especially Alex and Mina. The topics are always timely and I learn a lot from listening. Thanks KQED & Forum.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jimmy Joe 1963
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States9 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 Statesa year 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 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
#170
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#29
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#116
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#147
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#155
Singapore/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in the Age of Trump
Q: Why is birtherism considered such an instructive signal about larger political movements?
Birtherism highlighted a willingness to undermine citizenship and legitimacy as a political tool, signaling a backlash to progress and foreshadowing broader strategies of racialized political rhetoric.
Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in the Age of Trump
Q: What are you feeling thinking about the trajectory of civil rights and social justice more broadly today?
Cobb emphasizes that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice but requires active effort and vigilance from all of us, acknowledging ongoing backlashes and the need for interracial, economic equality-driven coalition-building.
Have We Reached the End of Reading?
Q: What have you learned about how reading shapes our cognitive growth and development?
Reading expands deep cognitive skills like inference, perspective-taking, and sustained comprehension, though the form of reading is shifting toward shorter fragments and audiobooks; the key is building background knowledge and engaging with long-form texts when possible.
Investigation Shows SFPD Closes Rape Cases at Half the National Rate
Q: What did you find about the clearance rates for rape cases in San Francisco?
The investigation found that San Francisco cleared only about 14% of rape cases, roughly half the national average, indicating a systemic problem with investigative focus and resources.
Who Pays for San Francisco?
Q: What would you say about the sustainability of funding from private sources?
Panelists discuss risks of long-term dependence on private money and emphasize the need for durable funding mechanisms and political accountability to balance private influence with public interests.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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. 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 3460 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on KQED's Forum?

Recent guests on KQED's Forum include:

1. Latasha Reed
2. Enrique Lopez Lira
3. David Huerta
4. David Chandler
5. Kane Parsons
6. Catherine Guerra
7. James Francis Jr.
8. Jonathan Blitzer

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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