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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
San Francisco
Artificial Intelligence
Bay Area
United States
Donald Trump
Iran
Climate Change
Oakland
Democracy
Israel
Glp-1s
Immigration Policy
Sonoma County
Trump Administration
Homelessness
Supreme Court
Voting Rights Act
Catholic Church
Anthropic

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes3498Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

At this week’s G20 summit in Asheville, N.C., global finance leaders met amid a bond sell-off that threatened to raise the cost of long-term borrowing and upend global economic stability. That comes as the US national debt officially topped $40 trill... more

Acclaimed novelist Daniel Mason’s latest book, “Country People,” centers on Miles, a stalled PhD student of Russian folklore, who is married to a brilliant academic. A visiting stint at a prestigious liberal arts college in rural Vermont sends their ... more

After the Sept. 11 attacks, assaults against Muslims in the U.S. surged. At the same time the U.S. government launched a sweeping War on Terror that brought arrests, deportations and surveillance into Muslim communities. Journalist Rozina Ali was a t... more

The Trump Administration is reportedly considering letting a private Nevada developer take control of a parcel of land in Yosemite National Park. Conservationists and elected officials have pushed back hard, though the Interior Department disputes pa... more

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Recent Guests

Rachel Miro
Senior Editor, Silicon Valley Desk
KQED
Episode: How Will Meta’s Landmark Settlement Change Social Media?
Peter Ormerod
Associate Professor of Law
Villanova Law School
Episode: How Will Meta’s Landmark Settlement Change Social Media?
Dr. Jason Nagata
Pediatrician and researcher
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Episode: How Will Meta’s Landmark Settlement Change Social Media?
Victoria Hinks
Parent advocate, Parents Rise
Parents Rise
Episode: How Will Meta’s Landmark Settlement Change Social Media?
Daniel DeRosha
International Trade Reporter at Politico
Politico
Episode: Trump Trade War with Canada Pits the U.S. Against a Once-Staunch Ally
Matina Stevis-Gridneff
Canada Bureau Chief, New York Times
New York Times
Episode: Trump Trade War with Canada Pits the U.S. Against a Once-Staunch Ally
Lydia Hammesley
Professor of Music at Hamilton College; author of Unlikely Angel, The Songs of Dolly Parton
Hamilton College
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Robert K. Orman
Co-author of Songteller, My Life in Lyrics
Dolly Parton's Song Teller
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Jacob Stensberg
Artistic Director and Conductor, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton

Hosts

Alexis Madrigal
Host of Forum, co-host and convenor (appears in intro); long-time contributor with a focus on technology, culture, and policy
Mina Kim
Co-host, focuses on California life, policy, and public interest topics; strong on local issues and civic conversations

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 868 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 States2 months 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 States10 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.

Critics say coverage can feel one-sided or topic-framed.
Audience notes about format changes and pacing have been mixed.
Listeners praise timely topics and strong guests.
Fans value thoughtful questions from hosts and depth on local issues.
Some critique perceived bias or interruptions during interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#111
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#143
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#248
Colombia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Hidden Psychology Behind Procrastination
Q: What are your thoughts on Ben's comment about thriving under pressure as procrastination?
That thrill-seeker archetype often delays until the last minute, but there are hidden costs like stress, sleep loss, and potentially worse performance; if someone genuinely performs better under pressure and it doesn't hurt, that's a personal adaptation.
Historian Jill Lepore Warns Against Letting Robots Take Over Our Democracy
Q: Is technological determinism a useful way to think about how AI and social media shape politics, or is it overstated?
Lepore argues that while tools matter, the problem lies in the models and incentives built into these systems—profit-driven designs that polarize and radicalize rather than inevitabilities of technology itself.
Nina LaCour Weaves an Intimate Story of the Great Migration to California in Novel 'Meet Me in the Garden'
Q: How did research into queerness and representation in the 1940s-60s shape Odette's story?
She drew on contemporary novels, including The Price of Salt, to imagine how characters would seek representation in pre-internet times, and she visited actual historical spaces like LA's early queer bars to ground authentic details.
Nina LaCour Weaves an Intimate Story of the Great Migration to California in Novel 'Meet Me in the Garden'
Q: What was the biggest difference writing Meet Me in the Garden as a historical novel versus writing YA?
LaCour explains that writing history allowed her to broaden the scope beyond teen experiences, letting her explore parenting, aging, and social tensions, while still enjoying a satisfying plot and lyrical pacing she uses in fiction.
Why California is Rethinking its Nuclear Exit
Q: What would it take to replace Diablo Canyon with alternative power sources if it were shut down?
Experts describe needing vastly expanded solar and battery storage, plus continued imports and gas-fired power, with challenges of supplying reliable electricity at night and during peak demand, making the replacement costly and complex.

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 interview show pairs in-depth conversations with guests from journalism, policy, science, and culture to unpack timely issues in California and beyond. Recent episodes cover climate policy, energy transitions, media trust and journalism, labor and technology, public safety, and cultural analysis, often weaving local context with broader national implications. Listeners can expect thoughtful debates, expert viewpoints, and practical takeaways for audiences like policymakers, professionals, and engaged citizens. The program frequently features panels and firsthand experiences from researchers, advocacy groups, and industry practitioners, with a distinctive emphasis on civic life, accountability, and the interplay between lo... more

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

How many episodes of KQED's Forum are there?

KQED's Forum launched 21 years ago and published 3498 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. Rachel Miro
2. Peter Ormerod
3. Dr. Jason Nagata
4. Victoria Hinks
5. Daniel DeRosha
6. Matina Stevis-Gridneff
7. Lydia Hammesley
8. Robert K. Orman

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