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Should California Impose a Tax on Billionaires? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

A California health care union is campaigning for a ballot measure that would impose a one-time “wealth tax” on the state’s roughly estimated 200 billionaires. The proposal is meant to shore up
funding for health programs facing severe cuts because of federal funding reductions. But it’s stirring opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who says the tax could harm the state’s economy. We talk about how the tax would work and what the risks and benefits might come from a new levy on the state’s wealthiest residents.

Guests:

Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, KQED's Political Breakdown

Ryan Mac, tech reporter based in Los Angeles, The New York Times; co-author, “Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter”

Suzanne Jimenez, chief of staff, SEIU United Healthcare Workers West

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What the Closure of California College of the Arts and Vanderbilt Expansion Mean for the Bay Area Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

California College of the Arts’ announcement last week that it would close by the end of the next academic year stunned many in the Bay Area arts community. Nashville-based Vanderbilt University plans to open a satellite location in CCA’s San Francisco campus and also bought a shuttered site in Oakland. We dig into the deal and talk about what the demise of the 120 year-old CCA and expansion of a new university means for the Bay Area, arts in our region, and higher education overall.

Guests:

Laura Waxmann, reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Sarah Hotchkiss, senior associate editor, KQED Arts and Culture

Jeff Selingo, author, "Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions," "There is Life After College" and "College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students"

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How Much Do You Wanna Bet…On The News? Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Gambling has crept into the news, with prediction markets offering betting odds on everything from Taylor Swift’s wedding date to the U.S. acquisition of Greenland. Political reporters now cite betting odds alongside traditional polls, and media companies like CNN and Yahoo have inked deals with popular betting platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. So what does it mean to put cold hard cash on the outcome of current events? Danny Funt has written about sports betting for The Washington Post and The New Yorker. He joins us to talk about how online gambling is reshaping the news, and his new book: “Everybody Loses.”

Guests:

Danny Funt, journalist covering sports betting and online gambling, The Washington Post and The New Yorker; author, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling"

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‘When Trees Testify’ They Tell the Story of Black American History Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

In her new book “When Trees Testify,” plant biologist Beronda L. Montgomery examines the ways trees are intertwined with Black American history as well as her own life story. For example, the pecan tree was domesticated by an enslaved African and sycamores were both havens and signposts for those fleeing slavery. We talk to Montgomery and hear from you: What’s a tree with special significance to your history?

Guests:

Beronda L. Montgomery, author, "When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy"

Marian Johnson, former resident, Russell City, Alameda County

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California’s Iranian Diaspora Despairs Over Brutal Crackdown Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

At least 2,600 protesters have been killed in Iran’s brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those protests now appear to have abated after nearly two weeks, but many outside Iran are still struggling to get information about loved ones because of the Islamic Republic’s communication blackout. Meanwhile, as President Trump gives mixed signals on intervention, the U.S. imposed additional sanctions on Thursday. We’ll hear from Iranians in California about how they’re processing the latest news, and from you: How do you want the U.S. to respond?

Guests:

Robin Wright, contributing writer, The New Yorker - her most recent piece for the magazine is "Iran’s Regime Is Unsustainable"; Wright is also the author of "Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East" among other books

Hoda Katebi, labor attorney, Iranian-American writer and community organizer

Sahar Razavi, associate professor, Department of Political Science; director, Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center, California State University, Sacramento

Shani Moslehi, founder and chief executive officer, Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce (OCIACC)

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Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in the Age of Trump Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

In his second term as president, Donald Trump has dismantled programs that promote equality, fired Black officials from high ranking positions, and has empowered white nationalists. Social justice activists have long known that progress is uneven and often retracts, so what does the fight for civil rights look like today? On the day America commemorates Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on his legacy and the state of our civil rights and social justice movements.

Guests:

Jelani Cobb, staff writer, The New Yorker; professor of journalism, Columbia University; his most recent book is, "Three or More Is a Riot: Notes on How We Got Here: 2012-2025"

Eva Paterson, retired, former co-founder and president, Equal Justice Society; now runs a film production company called Joy and Magic

Nicole Lee, executive director, Urban Peace Movement - a grassroots racial justice organization in Oakland focused on leadership development for young people to prevent violence and mass incarceration

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When Smoke Gets in Your Wine Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Buttery notes. Hints of cherry. A wisp of chocolate. All are desirable tastes in wine. But what happens when the grapes have been exposed to wildfire smoke and the wine tastes more like BBQ or an ashtray? Wine makers and scientists are exploring how to create wines from grapes that may have been tainted by smoke. At a time when the wine industry is facing the headwinds of tariffs, decreasing interest in wine, and climate change, these efforts have taken on more importance. We’ll talk about what happens when smoke gets in your wine.

Guests:

Nicola Twilley, contributor, New Yorker Magazine. Her most recent piece for the magazine is titled "Can We Save Wine from Wildfires?"

Sarah Doyle, wine reporter, The Press Democrat

Ashley Egelhoff, winemaker, Honig Vineyard & Winery

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How to Be a 'Super Ager' With Dr. Eric Topol Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Cardiologist and genetic researcher Dr. Eric Topol wrote the book on “Super Agers,” distilling everything that modern medicine can teach us about boosting our immune systems and squeezing more life out of our years – not the other way around. We’ll hear Dr. Topol’s tips for boosting our immune systems and keeping our brains — and guts — running like the biological super-computers they are. And we want to hear from you: What steps are you taking to age well?

Guests:

Dr. Eric Topol, cardiologist, founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute. His book is "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity"

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How Are You Handling Increased Health Insurance Premiums? Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Californians have until January 31 to sign up for health insurance provided by Covered California, the state’s Obamacare plan. Because Congress let health care tax credits expire, the cost of insurance has radically increased for many customers, and some are opting out of health insurance altogether. We’ll hear how skyrocketing costs are affecting your healthcare decisions and take your questions.

Guests:

Jessica Altman, executive director, Covered California, the state health insurance exchange

Cynthia Cox, senior vice-president, KFF, an independent source for health policy research, polls and news - Cox is also the director of KFF's Affordable Care Act Program

Katelyn Jackson, executive director, Clinic by the Bay, a free medical clinic for uninsured patients

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Concerns Over ICE Training and Tactics Reach Boiling Point Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

An ICE officer’s fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good last week in Minneapolis—and the Trump administration’s response — have stirred both outrage and fear across the country. The shooting has renewed concerns in California about immigration agents’ aggressive tactics. And it’s raised questions about whether ICE officers are receiving proper training as the agency rapidly expands its ranks to carry out President Trump’s immigration crackdown. We analyze ICE’s tactics and hear about efforts to rein in the agency, and about what the future may hold as federal authorities set their sights on more American cities.

Guests:

Rep. Ro Khanna, Congressman for California's 17th Congressional District (Silicon Valley)

Jill Cowan, reporter covering Southern California, New York Times

Scott Savage, police training consultant; recently retired California law enforcement officer with 24 years of experience

Ben Jones, assistant professor of ethics and public policy, Pennsylvania State University; author of the forthcoming book, "Protecting Life: The Ethics of Police Deadly Force"

Noah Hurowitz, reporter covering federal law enforcement, The Intercept

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