Background Briefing – April 30, 2026
Background Briefing offers an educational approach to providing information in an era of “fake news.”
Featured Episode
Replay: Rising Aroused in Apocalyptic Times
Caroline re-plays a portion of her November 12th talk in Sonoma, so that we all might be Rising Aroused in Apocalyptic Times…. BodhiSattva Coyote’s astro*mytho*politico guide to navigating this dangerous, opportune time with Dark humor, Grief, Community alchemical magic and jaunty Trickster pluck. Not averting our gaze from the cruel horror of our rampaging rogue species…. … Continued
George Saunders, whose latest novel is Vigil, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. This latest novel, Vigil, takes place in the in-between time before death, when an elderly oil oligarch lies dying, and an angel of mercy, a ghost, named Jill, is on hand to comfort him. The question at hand concerns forgiveness, accountability, grace and several other issues that become involved when someone whose actions were deleterious to humankind and the planet is forced to examine their actions on earth. Also: Review of “Come from Away” at TheatreWorks Mountain View through May 10, 2026.
A look back at yuppies • Iran: politics and war
Dylan Gottlieb, author of Yuppies, on that often risible but pioneering social formation • Ervand Abrahamian looks at the politics of Iran, a country under siege
This Way Out’s Brian DeShazor talks with Out Opera and Broadway actor Zachary James about his roles in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten, Broadway, and being out on stage. In addition to his current role as Amenhotep III in the Olivier and Grammy-Award winning production of Akhnatan, he’s played roles as Lurch in The Addams Family on Broadway, a robotic Abraham Lincoln in Philip Glass’s The Perfect American, and Hades in the West End production of Hadestown. James was named one of the 30 most influential LGBTQIA+ artists in Opera by Operawire.
Manisha Biswas danced her way into my heart. She was the 2025 social science category winner of the Dance Your PhD contest – a prize she won for her interpretative performance of her thesis, “The Powerful Outcomes of Collective Synchrony”. The Dance Your PhD contest was launched in 2008 to help educate people about complex theories through interpretive dance. I … Continued
UpFront (Replay) – April 30, 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 30, 2026
On today’s show: Headlines Supreme Court Guts Voting Rights Act in “Devastating Blow” to Democracy & Civil Rights: Maya Wiley Maya Wiley: Southern Poverty Law Center Indictment Is Part of Trump’s Broader Attack on Civil Rights Scholar Gilbert Achcar on the U.S. War Against Iran & Trump’s “Old-New Imperial Doctrine” Sunlight Doesn’t Go Through the … Continued
On today’s show, host Cat Brooks explores the expansion of county jails, the fastest-growing sector of the US carceral state. Nearly every county and major city in the United States has a jail, the short-term detention center controlled by local sheriffs that funnels people into prisons and long-term incarceration. While the growing movement against incarceration … Continued
UpFront – April 30, 2026
UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors.