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Latest Episodes:

What Did We Get Right With the Pandemic? May 10, 2023

Show notes

This Thursday, the federal Covid Public Health Emergency expires, and with its end comes the cessation of federal benefits like additional hospital reimbursements for Covid patient care and free at-home tests. It also marks a moment in which doctors, scientists, politicians and experts are asking themselves: What did we get right during this pandemic? While Covid has fallen out of the headlines, it continues to infect the population, and in 2022 it was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. But the death toll could have been even worse. The science could have been bogged down. Vaccinations could have been delayed. But they were not. What lessons have we learned and what should we do to prepare for the next pandemic?

Guests:

Jennifer Nuzzo , Professor Epidemiology, and Director, Pandemic Center, Brown University School of Public Health

Dhruv Khullar, Physician and assistant professor of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College - Khullar is also a contributor at The New Yorker. His most recent New Yorker article is titled "Ending the Covid Public Health Emergency Isn't All Good News"

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Bay Area’s Forgotten Histories and Oddities Abound in Bay Curious Book May 10, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that Rocky Road ice cream originated in Oakland? Or that Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were once married in San Francisco City Hall? Or that a disaster in Concord helped desegregate our nation’s military? Our region is full of fascinating history that even some lifelong residents don’t know about. Uncovering forgotten history and solving local mysteries is what KQED’s Bay Curious podcast is all about. And now, the show’s reporting is in a book, “Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area.” KQED’s Olivia Allen-Price, host of Bay Curious joins us to talk about investigating forgotten histories, legendary locals, and the many quirks and oddities that make the Bay Area unique.

Guests:

Olivia Allen-Price, Host, KQED's Bay Curious - a podcast that investigates questions asked by local residents about things both profound and peculiar that make the Bay Area unique.

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Where's My Spot? Henry Grabar on 'How Parking Explains the World' May 09, 2023

Show notes

Parking is one of the biggest paradoxes of American life. There are between one and two billion parking spaces in the United States, several for each car, and in cities the ratio is even higher. At the same time, to harried drivers seeking a spot near an appointment or to residents of densely populated neighborhoods, it can feel like there are never enough places to park. We’ll talk to Slate’s Henry Grabar about whether the parking shortage is real or imagined and how parking determines the design of our buildings, the character of our communities and the health of our environment. Grabar’s new book is “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.”

Guests:

Henry Grabar, staff writer, Slate - author, "Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World"

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Toward a Moral Political Economy May 09, 2023

Show notes

Is it possible to have a capitalist democracy that ensures that all people flourish? One that represents common values, yet respects differences? Professors at Stanford’s Moral Political Economy program are bringing together thinkers from across disciplines to reimagine our political, social and economic systems. We’ll talk about what it would mean to base our political economy on the idea that humans are social beings who mutually benefit from cooperation and reciprocity. What would a moral, equitable world look like?

Guests:

Margaret Levi, political science professor, Stanford; co-editor, Winter 2023 edition of Daedalus

Henry Farrell, professor of international affairs, Johns Hopkins; co-editor, Winter 2023 edition of Daedalus

Manuel Pastor, professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity, University of Southern California; contributor, Winter 2023 edition of Daedalus

Federica Carugati, history and political economy professor, King’s College; contributor, Winter 2023 edition of Daedalus

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How Sen. Feinstein’s two-month absence is impacting the US Senate May 08, 2023

Show notes

It’s been more than two months that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has been away from Capitol Hill, as she recovers from a case of shingles that left her hospitalized in March. Her absence has created a critical vacancy on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and her fellow Democrats say it’s hurting their ability to confirm judges nominated by President Joe Biden. Now the list of Democrats calling on Feinstein to resign is growing, amid Republican lawmakers’ ongoing refusal to seat a temporary replacement on the Committee. We’ll talk about the political impacts of Feinstein’s extended absence.

Guests:

Ro Khanna, U.S. Congressman, California's 17th Congressional District (Silicon Valley); chairman, House Subcommittee on the Environment; member, House Oversight, House Agriculture and House Armed Services committees

Annie Karni, congressional correspondent, New York Times

Joanne Kenen, journalist in-residence, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

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Artificial Intelligence is Booming, How Should it Be Regulated? May 08, 2023

Show notes

As the use of artificial intelligence explodes, government officials are trying to figure out how best to regulate the technology. Already, generative AI companies are producing software that can replicate voices, create stylized portraits, and produce thousands of fake online reviews. Experts fear that internet harassment, identity fraud and spread of misinformation could become exponentially worse with easy access to AI and warn regulation is crucial to head off potential harms. But, what regulations would be helpful? And what regulations might cause more harm than good? We dive into potential ways to regulate AI and what consumers can do in the meantime to protect themselves.

Guests:

Jennifer King Ph. D., privacy and data policy fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

Rumman Chowdhury, responsible AI developer, leader, speaker, founder, investor

Ben Zhao, professor of computer science and director of graduate studies, University of Chicago

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Your Acquaintances Are the Key to a Connected and Happier Life May 05, 2023

Show notes

The barista who makes your morning coffee, the person at the dog park or the fellow commuter who you exchange a smile with on the bus every day: You may not know their names, but these acquaintances are more important than you think. Scientists believe that the people with whom you might share a “hello” or a quick nod or a passing glance can help you live a happier life. With loneliness on the rise, acquaintances might be the key to creating connection. We’ll talk to a leading expert and hear from you: who are the acquaintances in your life, the ones you know, but don’t know?

Guests:

Gillian Sandstrom, director, Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom

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Oakland’s Teachers Are On Strike, Again May 05, 2023

Show notes

Oakland teachers went on strike Thursday morning for the third time in just over a year. The teachers, who earn some of the lowest salaries in the region, are asking for a 23% raise, more school psychologists and smaller special education classes among other demands. We’ll talk about what the strike means for Oakland teachers, parents and its 34 thousand public school students. And we’ll discuss the challenges facing public schools across the state as many districts struggle with enrollment declines, teacher shortages and the end of pandemic funding.

Guests:

Jill Tucker, K-12 education reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Erin Baldassari, housing affordability reporter, KQED

Lakisha Young, founder and executive director, The Oakland Reach

Mike Hutchinson, president, Oakland Board of Education

Samia Khattab, school librarian, Franklin Elementary

Pecolia Manigo, parent of two children in Oakland public schools and co-executive director, Bay Area Parent Leadership Action Network and former school board candidate

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Hollywood’s Writers Strike for Better Pay and Benefits May 04, 2023

Show notes

More than 10,000 television and screenwriters are on strike after months-long contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down late Monday. The Writers Guild of America is seeking higher compensation and residuals for its members, as well as minimum staffing requirements for TV writers and rules restricting the use of artificial intelligence in script production. We’ll talk about the impacts of the strike and the labor conditions for writers that led to it.

Guests:

Alissa Wilkinson, senior culture writer and critic, Vox

Anousha Sakoui, entertainment industry writer, Los Angeles Times

Betsy Thomas, television writer and producer; secretary-treasurer, Writers Guild of America West

Eric Haywood, writer, producer and director. His TV shows include "Empire" and "Law & Order: Organized Crime"

Sal Gentile, writer and producer, "Late Night with Seth Meyers"

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Actor, Singer Billy Porter on Playing Himself May 04, 2023

Show notes

Actor and singer Billy Porter has a shelf of awards, including a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy, earned for playing a variety of roles including “Pray Tell,” the imposing ballroom emcee in the FX series “Pose.” Porter also has plans to take on the role of writer and intellectual James Baldwin in a forthcoming biopic. But on his new tour Porter says he didn’t want to play a character, “I’m coming home as myself.” Porter joins us in studio to talk about his “Black Mona Lisa” tour and his long and varied career as a musical, fashion and pop icon.

Guests:

Billy Porter, actor and singer. Porter starred in the FX series, "Pose" for which he won an Emmy. He won a Tony and Grammy award for his performance in the musical "Kinky Boots." Porter is currently touring on his "Black Mona Lisa Tour" and will appear on May 5 at the Golden Gate Theatre

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