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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
San Francisco
Iran
Donald Trump
Healthcare
United States
Mental Health
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Bay Area
Oakland
Kaiser Permanente
Trump Administration
Kash Patel
FBI
Fan Fiction
AI Tools
Immigration Enforcement
Education
Citizenship

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes3402Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

Oakland based art-pop band Tune-Yards is widely loved for their complex and funky rhythms, layers of sound, thrillingly dynamic vocals, and thought provoking lyrics. The duo, Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner, have just released a new album, “Better Dr... more

After a century-long absence, gray wolves are returning to California. Biologists estimate some 70 wolves are living in the state, and recently, a female wolf traveled into Los Angeles County, the first such sighting. But their comeback is not withou... more

For people of Mexican descent, mariachi music is synonymous with milestones such as weddings, birthday parties, funerals or maybe just Saturday-morning chores. The genre, which originated in the 18th century in the western state of Jalisco, has morph... more

During his second term, President Trump has taken aim at DEI initiatives across the federal government, a focus that has been embraced by his cabinet. Deriding “affirmative action promotions,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directly intervened to ... more

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Recent Guests

Olivia Wilde
Actor, director and star of The Invite
The Invite (film)
Episode: Four's a Crowd: Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton on 'The Invite'
Edward Norton
Actor
The Invite (film)
Episode: Four's a Crowd: Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton on 'The Invite'
Gabriel Duncan
Founder of the Alameda Native History Project
Alameda Native History Project
Episode: As the U.S. Nears 250 Years, What Was Happening in the Bay Area?
Vincent Medina
East Bay Ohlone cultural leader, Cafe Ohlone co-founder
Cafe Ohlone; Makwarep Ohlone Land Conservancy
Episode: As the U.S. Nears 250 Years, What Was Happening in the Bay Area?
Steven Hackel
Professor of History, UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside
Episode: As the U.S. Nears 250 Years, What Was Happening in the Bay Area?
Michael Wilcox
Senior Lecturer in Native American Studies, Stanford
Stanford University
Episode: As the U.S. Nears 250 Years, What Was Happening in the Bay Area?
Laura Feinstein
Resilient Landscapes Program Director, SF Estuary Institute
San Francisco Estuary Institute
Episode: As the U.S. Nears 250 Years, What Was Happening in the Bay Area?
Jelani Cobb
Dean of Columbia University School of Journalism; Contributing writer for The New Yorker; author
Columbia University / The New Yorker
Episode: America’s Complicated History at 250
Alex Simon
Sports Editor, SFGate
SFGate
Episode: SF Giants Pride Night Fallout Amplifies

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 859 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 States10 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
#157
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#173
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#201
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#203
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#221
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A 900-Mile Swim Along California’s Coast
Q: What are the biggest risks and how are you mitigating them?
Risks include weather, currents, currents, equipment failures, and wildlife; the plan includes off-shore positioning, dedicated shark deterrents, experienced crew, and contingency days to manage sickness and injuries.
A 900-Mile Swim Along California’s Coast
Q: How do you train and prepare for a multi-month coast-to-coast swim?
Training blends long-distance swimming, weight lifting, wetsuit acclimatization, and balancing nutrition, with a strong emphasis on team roles, safety protocols, and weather planning to manage a multi-month schedule.
Bay Area Communities Resist Data Center Boom
Q: What is the scale of the data center boom and how does it compare to the pre-AI era?
Experts note that the scale has shifted dramatically, with AI-driven centers far larger and more electricity-intensive than earlier facilities, forcing a reevaluation of grid capacity and local resource use.
Climate Change is Unleashing New and Deadly Microbes
Q: Do you have questions for Shayla? Are you worried about maybe how to protect yourself in this changing environment?
Shayla explains that while most microbes are ubiquitous, climate warming expands the habitats where certain bacteria and fungi thrive, increasing exposure risk. Practical guidance centers on being vigilant with wounds in warm waters, seeking prompt medical care for possible infection, and understanding that prevention hinges on public health resources and adaptive hospital protocols.
Jonathan Weber’s 'City on the Edge' Chronicles Decades-Long Battles Over Tech, Politics and the Soul of San Francisco
Q: What was the San Francisco that you encountered in the early 1990s when you began covering tech there?
The city had almost no tech presence then; SF was primarily financial services, corporate HQs, tourism, and entertainment, with tech centered in Silicon Valley and only a small, emerging culture around new media and the web.

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?

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

How many episodes of KQED's Forum are there?

KQED's Forum launched 21 years ago and published 3402 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for KQED's Forum?

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What guests have appeared on KQED's Forum?

Recent guests on KQED's Forum include:

1. Olivia Wilde
2. Edward Norton
3. Gabriel Duncan
4. Vincent Medina
5. Steven Hackel
6. Michael Wilcox
7. Laura Feinstein
8. Jelani Cobb

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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