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Artwork for KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum

KQED
California
San Francisco
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Iran
Bay Area
Donald Trump
Fan Fiction
AI Tools
Iran War
Climate Change
Oakland
Citizenship
Coding
Data Privacy
Education
Israel
Tariffs
Strait Of Hormuz
Supreme Court

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes3433Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for KQED's Forum

Latest Episodes

More than four months after President Trump predicted a short war with Iran, the conflict is intensifying and broadening. The ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran has collapsed, leaving passage through the Strait of Hormuz restricted and the t... more

There was a time when U.S. automakers dominated the global car industry with their products and innovations. But when it comes to electric vehicles, which accounted for a quarter of global auto sales in 2025, the U.S. is barely a player. China now ... more

During World War II, the US government asked the Japanese American citizens it interned two questions: Would you serve in the US armed forces wherever ordered? And would you swear “unqualified allegiance” to the U.S. and forswear any allegiance to Ja... more

When San Francisco police drone video surveillance was accidentally livestreamed on the internet last month, it revealed how extensively, and at what great detail, the city is watched from above. The use of surveillance technology is rapidly growing ... more

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Recent Guests

John Green
YouTuber and author; co-host of The Away End; author of multiple books
The Away End / YouTube; The Fault in Our Stars (author)
Episode: John Green and Daniel Alarcón Break Down the 2026 World Cup
Daniel Alarcón
Co-host of The Away End; contributing writer at The New Yorker; co-founder of Radio Ambulante; journalism professor at Columbia University
The Away End; The New Yorker; Radio Ambulante; Columbia Journalism School
Episode: John Green and Daniel Alarcón Break Down the 2026 World Cup
Simon Schuster
Staff writer at The Atlantic, author of The Showman
The Atlantic
Episode: The Ukraine War Is in Its Fifth Year. Is Peace Possible?
Rose Gottemoeller
Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, former Undersecretary of State
NATO, Stanford University
Episode: The Ukraine War Is in Its Fifth Year. Is Peace Possible?
Emily Wilson
Transl author of Homer; professor of Classical Studies, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Translating ‘The Odyssey’ for a Modern Audience
Jackie Murray
Associate Professor of Classics, University of Buffalo
University at Buffalo
Episode: Translating ‘The Odyssey’ for a Modern Audience
Mildred Howard
Bay Area artist with a retrospective at the Oakland Museum
Artist
Episode: Mildred Howard on Making Art of and for the Bay Area
David Weigel
Politics Reporter at Semaphore
Semaphore
Episode: Is the Left Having a Tea Party Moment?
Ian Bogost
Author of The Small Stuff, How to Lead a More Gratifying Life
The Atlantic (contributing writer) and Washington University in St. Louis (professor)
Episode: Ian Bogost on Finding Gratification in ‘The Small Stuff’

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 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
  • 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
#139
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#84
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#170
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#240
Japan/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Forum from the Archives: Michael Pollan Explores Labyrinth of Consciousness in 'A World Appears'
Q: Can plants be conscious, and what about panpsychism?
Pollan explains that while plants may not have consciousness in the human sense, they exhibit sentience and adaptive behavior; panpsychism is discussed as a philosophical position suggesting that consciousness or psyche may be a fundamental property of matter.
Forum from the Archives: Michael Pollan Explores Labyrinth of Consciousness in 'A World Appears'
Q: How do you define consciousness, and why is it important to defend it now?
Pollan describes consciousness as subjective experience, awareness, and an interior space that is increasingly under pressure from attention-hacking by media and AI; its defense is tied to preserving mental freedom and autonomy in a highly mediated world.
Zinzi Clemmons on the Complicated Notion of ‘Freedom’
Q: How does Afro-pessimism influence your view of race and freedom in America?
She describes Afro-pessimism as a framework to understand systemic anti-blackness and the persistence of racial hierarchies, while also acknowledging its usefulness and the need to translate academic discourse into mainstream discourse for broader impact.
Zinzi Clemmons on the Complicated Notion of ‘Freedom’
Q: Why is it important to reframe the idea of freedom in the context of current events and personal experience?
Clemmons explains that freedom is not just political rights; it includes economic justice, safety, education, and the ability to thrive under difficult conditions. She argues for a broad, inclusive conception that connects personal liberation with collective justice.
Pulitzer Prize Winner Andrew Sean Greer on His Latest Novel ‘Villa Coco’
Q: Can you describe the world the protagonist enters in Villa Coco?
Greer describes a Tuscan setting where a young American graduates and takes a job in a place that feels timeless and insulated from modern distractions, allowing for deep, nature-filled storytelling.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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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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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. The Bay
4. Fresh Air
5. City Arts & Lectures

How many episodes of KQED's Forum are there?

KQED's Forum launched 21 years ago and published 3433 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. John Green
2. Daniel Alarcón
3. Simon Schuster
4. Rose Gottemoeller
5. Emily Wilson
6. Jackie Murray
7. Mildred Howard
8. David Weigel

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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