Background Briefing – April 16, 2026
Background Briefing offers an educational approach to providing information in an era of “fake news.”
Featured Episode
Defiant Joy – Honed by Adversity…
Visionary Activist Show 4.16.26 #KPFA 2 pm PT (#KPFK 4,17.26 in wee hours & 1 pm) Defiant Joy – Honed by Adversity… Rising Aroused in Apocalyptic Times How we animate the world Allying with Liberating Mars within and without….dedication to desirable vision – See Hungarian Election in cahoots with Mars and Neptune… Honoring Pacifica radio’s … Continued
Patrick Dooley, Artistic Director of Shotgun Players theatre company, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. In the interview, Patrick discusses his own history with live theatre, the origins of Shotgun Players, his views on such issues as the age of the audience and the subscription model, as well as the rest of the 2026 theatrical season. Also: A review of “The Monsters” at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theatre through May 3, 2026.
Two views of Hungary’s election, a global blow to the authoritarian right
Hungary’s long-serving authoritarian prime minister Viktor Orban was defeated in an April 12 election. Two views of what that means: historian Kyle Shybunko and independent scholar Anita Zsurzsán.
This Way Out’s founding Coordinating Producer Greg Gordon is honored in “In Memoriam Part 2,” continuing a legacy that helped shape international LGBTQ radio. This tribute features voices from across his life and work, reflecting on his impact as a journalist, historian, and community storyteller (Part 2 of 2, produced by Lucia Chappelle and Brian DeShazor).
I’ve been wanting to do a show about curiosity and community engagement in urban planning for a long time. Amber Wiley’s Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital is a fascinating, densely-researched look at how Black Washingtonians drove urban planning and design policy for public education. The book is, … Continued
UpFront (Replay) – April 16, 2026
UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors.
Democracy Now! (Rebroadcast) – April 16, 2026
Democracy Now! is a daily national independent award-winning news program, hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
Host Cat Brooks talks to interfaith minister, educator, and activist Dr. Liza Rankow about integrative paths toward healing and social transformation, rooted in our kinship with one another, the Earth, and all of life. Dr Liza J. Rankow is the founder and former executive director of OneLife Institute, which for almost 20 years supported the … Continued
Housing, Inflation and Jobs in the US War Economy; Plus, Lebanon and Israel Ceasefire Talks; And, “Fired 50” Google Employees Organizing Against War in Gaza Plan “Techlash”
08:00 — Dean Baker is Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research. 33:00 — Heiko Wimmen is Project Director for the Iraq/Syria/Lebanon project at the International Crisis Group. 45:00 — Scout helped organize the April 2024 Google sit-in protest, as a member of No Tech for Aparthied and is now co-hosting Techlash — … Continued