It’s our ongoing mission to create and curate a unique mix of informed public affairs, culture and arts that provokes thought and reaction on a complexity of issues facing our listeners. Expanding KPFA’s digital footprint with more on-demand programming gives us the opportunity and space to offer new and compelling voices from the community. Please give a listen to our growing podcast network.
In 2013, New Yorker staff writer George Packer’s book, “The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America,” closely examined the changes in American society and politics that led to the political turmoil of the Obama years and in a way predicted the outcomes we’ve seen since the book was published. “The Unwinding” went on to win the National Book Award for non-fiction. This interview was recorded on June 4, 2013. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
This episode contains 9 speeches by organizers of the event: From The Shellmounds to Sheikh Jarrah: Call to Honor Those We Have Lost to Colonialism, held on Memorial Day 2021. We share their memories, visions & voices with utmost care & consent. A few times, speakers explain that they are going to share a prayer, … Continued
Jennifer contemplates the postumously published novel, by Richard Wright, The Man Who Lived Underground Photo by Andre Benz from Upsplash
Dina Gilio-Whitaker on the relationship between the US environmental movement and Native peoples. (Host: Sasha Lilley; air date: July 9, 2019)
In this speech, Edward Said professor of literature at Columbia University and public intellectual explains how Israel cannot defeat the idea of Palestine. This was recorded, at the Town Hall in New York City, July 25, 1982. Professor Said describes the idea of Palestine as a desire for a community of people to be able … Continued
Malcolm X, James Baldwin and Leverne McCummins discuss the position of the Black Muslims. Broadcast in New York on WBAI, 25 Apr. 1961.
William Irvine, a philosophy professor at Wright State University, talks about his book “A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy.” (First aired on February 24, 2009)
Guest: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, author of the book An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States.
Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director of Berkeley Rep, discusses how the company survived during the pandemic, along with a discussion of the upcoming season, scheduled to start in the fall when theatres open in California. She also talks about “The Waves in Quarantine,” which can be seen via the Berkeley Rep website. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
In March, the Washington Post reported that at least 250 new voter restriction bills were proposed in 43 states across the country. Now in April, the ACLU reports the number of bills has increased. Today over 350 voter restriction bills are in consideration. This wave of legislative action by the GOP follows in the wake … Continued
Part I of this newly digitized event recorded by KPFA on February 13th, 2000, in support of Leonard Peltier including: Winona LaDuke, Mumia Abu Jamal, Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading a selection from Ramsey Clark‘s preface to Leonard’s book, Prison Writings, Peter Coyote also reading from Prison Writings, Joy Harjo, Bobbie Castilo, Bear Lincoln, Agnus Patak, Brian Tripp, Gerald … Continued
So-called “humanitarian intervention,” also known as humanitarian war, is the flagship of the Biden Administration’s foreign policy and the subject of this episode of “Covid, Race, and Democracy.”
Tune in to our sequel episode “Grieving, Zombies, & Power” with Dr. Lewis Gordon. Dr. Gordon is Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy at UCONN-Storrs; & Honorary President of the Global Center for Advanced Studies. He previously taught at Brown University, where he founded the Department of Africana Studies, and Temple University, where … Continued
Jack Hirschman has been SF Poet Laureate (2006 – 2008), founder of the ‘Revolutionary Poets Brigade’ and close friend of Lawrence over the last few decades. Jack honors his dear friend Lawrence Ferlinghetti with this poem.
On the complicated history of African-American and Latinx distrust of vaccines with Dr. Greg Carr (@AfricanaCarr), Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University.
Maya Angelou at the Calvin Simmons Theater in Oakland, September 8th, 1995 with her son poet Guy Johnson and poet Janice Mirikitani in an event titled As The World Rises.
Micah Nilsson, of Al-kemi, joins Caroline in “Stirring the Cauldron to conjure the Trickster Gods of Accountability!” That she may proffer the Al-Qemi of plant, mushroom allies to support the qualities most necessary for navigating now with aplomb. Click here for companion pdf with Micah Nilsson
With the election over, it’s the perfect time to get the reliably candid response of one of our few great journalists. “Chris Hedges has been telling truth to (and against) power since his earliest days as a radical journalist. He is an intellectual warrior who confronts American empire in the most incisive, challenging ways. The … Continued
Alice Walker introduces a conversation between the Studs Terkel and Howard Zinn, produced by the brilliant Bob Baldock. Enjoy and thank you for your support!
The old Limerick that says, “Damn! For it certainly seems that I‘m a creature who moves in determinate grooves. I’m not even a bus I’m a tram”, is usually applied to the problem of fate and free will. It is equally applicable to another problem says Alan Watts which is the problem of searching for … Continued
Proposition 22, the push to lock gig drivers into permanent independent contractor status, has spent more money than any ballot initiative campaign in state history. The gig companies financing it are also using their apps to advertise, arm-twist, and cajole. Ariel Boone has a report on how that’s changing the terrain of campaign. PLUS: Puzzled … Continued
The speech by Pastor Mike McBride was given the day the DA in Louisville Kentucky announced the Grand Jury ruling around the Breanna Taylor case. Pastor Mike was not only speaking about the case but talking directly to elected officials who refused to pass laws to reign in rogue police. This speech was part of … Continued
In WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST, a meaningful, empowering account of survival, strength, and resilience, the writers seek to change the culture that declares innocent black life expendable.
Instead of one long story, the 25th episode of East Bay Yesterday features four shorties. In one interview, a man reminisces about using very unusual bait while fishing with his grandpa at the Berkeley pier. In another, a longtime Oakland postal employee recalls his close calls with stray gunfire. From underground circuses to sideshows, this … Continued
We’ve all heard the story’s of refugees fleeing war and violence from their home countries into the West … but what happens to those who survive the dangerous journey away from home? The stories and experiences are as diverse the people seeking refuge themselves. Some are settled fairly quickly especially when they have family or … Continued
