Today our host Mitch Jeserich is in conversation with Hatem Baziam, lecturer of Near East Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, about the recent terror attack in which over 300 people were killed at a Sufi mosque in Egypt. We discuss the role of Sunni and Shi’a communitarian tensions in the attack, as well as potential political … Continued


HIV continues to disproportionately impact already marginalized communities. Venita Ray, HIV Positive activist, lawyer, and advocate joins us on UpFront to discuss how the virus affects and impacts the black community, and what isn’t being done about it. Craig Aaron, President and CEO of Free Press, speaks with us about the threat of the Federal Communications Commission’s … Continued


In the last three years, Fantastic Negrito, an Oakland-based black roots revivalist has gone from busking at bus stops to winning a Grammy and touring internationally. He’s done this by creating a unique sound — melodic hooks, primal blues-rock chords, clever lyricism, a killer falsetto, and in-your-face social consciousness. On this week’s Making Contact, we … Continued


Americans don’t like to be taxed, we’re told — after all, who would willingly part with their hard earned money? But according to Vanessa Williamson that assumption is largely incorrect. She has studied attitudes toward paying taxes – and argues that our misperceptions have deleterious consequences, including discounting the contributions of low income people. She … Continued


On today’s show William A. Pelz joins our host Mitch Jeserich to discuss his new book A People’s History of Modern Europe, which combats mainstream views of history and seeks to reveal the forgotten and neglected moments central to the development of modern Europe. We discuss the notorious figure Maximilien Robespierre, the underlying nature of the French Revolution, … Continued


Ibbo Mandaza, respected author and public intellectual from Harare about the resignation of Mugabe. Nii Akuetteh, currently serving as founding Executive Director of the African Immigrant Caucus adds to the discussion, laying out what might arise out of this political shift. In domestic politics, Norm Stamper, former police chief of Seattle, now one of the nation’s most outspoken voices … Continued