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Forum From the Archives: Small and Big Acts of Kindness Shine in New Book from Upworthy Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

The son who traveled 2,500 miles to save his parents’ dog. The stranger who picked up the tab for a girl who was trying to buy a prom dress at Goodwill. The airport janitor who stopped to feed and comfort a stranded passenger. These are some of the small and big acts of kindness website Upworthy compiled into a new book, “Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity.” We listen back to our August conversation with the editors and hear from you: What is a memorable act of kindness you have received or given?

Guests:

Lucia Knell, co-author, "Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity "; Knell is the vice president of the media company Upworthy. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Glamour and Vogue, among other publications.

Gabriel Reilich, co-author, "Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity"; Reilich is the head of content and innovation at the media companies Good and Upworthy. He developed the Upworthy Instagram account which now has five million+ followers.

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What Role Did the Manosphere Play in the Election? Nov 26, 2024

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The majority of male Gen Z voters cast their ballots for Donald Trump, according to exit polling. Some cultural analysts say that’s partly because more young men are spending time in the online world called the “manosphere.” Most of the manosphere consists of videos and podcasts about things like exercise, grooming and dating. But the space is also home to people spreading racist, misogynistic and extreme right-wing views, which may be pushing more young men and boys to the extremist fringes. We’ll talk about the online politicization of young men and its real-world consequences.

Guests:

Joshua Citarella, artist and internet culture writer; host, "Doomscroll," a podcast that explores online culture and politics; graduate professor, Rhode Island School of Design; founder, Do Not Research, a non-profit arts organization based in New York City.

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john a. powell on Polarization and 'The Power of Bridging' Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

After the divisive 2016 presidential election, many families cut short Thanksgiving plans with their relatives of different political persuasions, according to a 2018 study. The result, writes law professor and civil rights advocate john a. powell, was that American families spent millions of fewer hours connecting and reflecting with each other. As director of UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute, powell thinks a lot about divisions in our society and how to bridge them. We talk to powell, author of the new book “The Power of Bridging” about how he thinks we should approach a second Trump administration…and the upcoming holiday season.

Guests:

john a. powell, director, UC Berkeley's Othering and Belonging Institute; professor of law, African American and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley

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Parental Burnout is the Latest Public Health Crisis Nov 25, 2024

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U.S. surgeon general Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has said that parental burnout is a public health issue on the same level as cigarettes, obesity and gun violence. It’s the result of a decades-long trend towards intensive parenting, according to New York Times reporter Claire Cain Miller, who points out that working mothers today spend as much time with their kids as stay-at-home moms did in the 1970s. We talk with Miller about how we got to this point. Are you a parent who’s feeling burnt out?

Guests:

Claire Cain Miller, reporter, New York Times

Dr. Keith Sutton, clinical psychologist; director of the Bay Area Center for Anxiety; former president of the Association of Family Therapists of Northern California

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What Trump’s First 100 Days Could Look Like Nov 25, 2024

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Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, withdrew as a nominee on Thursday amid growing controversy over sexual misconduct accusations. While Gaetz was a uniquely unpopular and fraught pick, the incident was a reminder that the president-elect might not always get everything he wants from the GOP- controlled Congress, at least not right away. Given the slim majorities and infighting among Republicans, how fast will Trump be able to move his agenda forward? We’ll preview his first 100 days with politics reporters Kadia Goba of Semafor and David Graham of the Atlantic.

Guests:

Kadia Goba, politics reporter, Semafor

David Graham, staff writer, The Atlantic

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Novelist Ann Patchett Rereads 'Bel Canto' in New Annotated Edition Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever reread something you wrote years earlier and cringed? Or maybe you were surprised by the depth, heart and complexity of what your younger self put to the page. Ann Patchett had both experiences recently when she reread her award-winning 2001 book "Bel Canto." She's now reissued the novel with her own handwritten margin notes -- both complimentary and critical. We'll talk to Patchett about what she loves about the original and what she would change, and what it's like to edit your own work decades later. Patchett's new book is "Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition."

Guest:

Ann Patchett, author, "Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition"

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Vallejo’s Breakout Star LaRussell Performs In Studio Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

LaRussell is known for a lot of things. His prolific music drops. His backyard concerts from his hometown, the “itty bitty city near the Bay,” Vallejo. And, for making a name in the world of hip hop on his own – no record deal needed. LaRussell is one of the Bay Area’s hottest musicians not just because of his talent and artistry, but also his business savvy. He is the founder of Good Compenny, a collective of independent artists. LaRussell joins us in studio for a special musical performance and to talk about growing up in Vallejo, what it means to “leave empty” and how he’s forged a career on his own terms.

Guests:

LaRussell, artist and founder, Good Compenny - an organization that promotes rising Bay Area artists.

Michael Prince, violin, Good Compenny

Kenivah Bockari, dj, Good Compenny

Simon Ajero, piano, Good Compenny

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How Freaked Out Should We Be About Black Plastic? Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Should you throw out your black plastic spatula — and any other cookware made of black plastic? Unfortunately, yes, probably. A new study finds that black plastic contains higher amounts of flame retardants and other toxic materials than other plastics. And health experts say that means we should try to keep it away from heat… and our food. We’ll talk about how concerned we should be about the plastics in our kitchen and how to evaluate the risks.

Guests:

Zoë Schlanger, staff writer at The Atlantic, wrote the piece “Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula”

Desiree LaBeaud, associate dean of global health and professor of pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Pediatric infectious disease physician who leads the university’s plastic working group.

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What It Takes to Make It as a Small Business in the Bay Area Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Running a small business in the Bay Area is not for the faint of heart. A complex regulatory environment, rising costs, crime, and a sluggish post-COVID economy are just some of the challenges. But for small business owners, the chance to be their own boss, create community, and turn a passion into a profitable enterprise keeps them going. Can small business be the engine that supercharges the local economy? We talk to small business owners about what sustains them and what they need to thrive.

Guests:

Katy Tang, executive director, San Francisco Office of Small Business - which offers advice and counseling for small businesses operating in San Francisco.

Nicole Schwieterman, founder and owner, Fleetwood, a shop on Clement street in SF; Schwieterman is co-director of the Clement Street Merchants Association.

Victor Diaz, owner of Renegade Running, a run-specialty store located in downtown Oakland, CA

Angela Tsay, owner, Oaklandish, located in Oakland; Oaklandish, has three brick and mortar stores. It designs, prints and sells clothing and accessories that focus on Oakland spirit and pride.

Tomra Palmer, co-owner, Gravel + Gold, a clothing shop based in the Mission

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Why X Users are Flocking to Bluesky Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Are you one of the 20 million people on Bluesky? The social media platform has nearly doubled its user base since the election as more people migrate away from Elon Musk’s X. We talk about what’s drawing people to Bluesky and the pros and cons of the platform, and we’ll hear what you’re looking for in an online social network. We're on Bluesky now! Follow us @kqedforum.bsky.social!

Guests:

Zoe Schiffer, managing editor, Platformer - author of "Extremely Hardcore: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter"

Damon Beres, senior editor, The Atlantic

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