KQED's Forum

The current Trump administration has deported roughly 8,000 people to places most have never even visited, in a process known as third-country removal. Critics say this violates U.S. law, depriving people seeking asylum of their due process rights. We hear from a Russian whistleblower and asylum seeker who was en route to California when he was deported… to Costa Rica. Plus, we’ll hear from lawyers who are seeing the Trump administration expand third-country removals for asylum seekers within California. Guests: José "Caya" Cayasso, co-founder of the tech startup Slidebean; YouTuber and journalist who first reported German's story German, Russian whistleblower who was deported to Costa Rica after attempting to seek asylum in the United States Dr. Yael Schacher, immigration law historian and director for the Americas and Europe, Refugees International Nicole Gorney, immigration attorney, Vidas Legal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a year of political, economic and societal turmoil, we sit down with KQED’s Arts team to talk about their annual series, One Beautiful Thing. The series gathers reflections on singular experiences and practices from the past year that served as a balm, nourishment or enlightenment. This year’s picks include handwriting letters, supporting a struggling artist and taking a solo trip to follow a band on tour. And, we want to hear from you, what was the One Beautiful Thing in your life that punctuated 2025? Guests: Gabe Meline, senior editor, KQED Arts and Culture Pendarvis "Pen" Harshaw, columnist, KQED Arts Luke Tsai, food editor, KQED Arts and Culture Elissa Epel, professor and vice chair, UCSF's Department of Psychiatry; she is the author of "The Stress Prescription" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about what data center growth means for the environment — and for ratepayers — and how lawmakers and communities are responding.

We gather a panel of thinkers and leaders to talk about how misogyny has become mainstream and what can be done about it.

We talk to Sam A.A. Levine and Stephanie Nguyen about how loyalty programs exploit consumers, how California is fighting back and how we can stay alert to the pitfalls.