Best Groundgame Podcasts (2024)

1
Doing Democracy: The Groundgame. Harris and Trump Have Raised Millions. What Will They Do With It? 57:42

12h ago57:42

57:42

The Kamala Harris campaign announced that in the 36 hours since President Biden dropped out of the presidential race, it had raised a record-breaking $100 million dollars. Republicans have numbers to match: after his conviction in May on fraud charges, Donald Trump’s campaign hauled in $141 million. But how will this money be used by the campaigns?…

1
Sean Wang and Joan Chen Reflect on 'Dìdi (弟弟)' Their Coming-of-Age Film Set in Fremont 57:48

8h ago57:48

57:48

Sean Wang’s semi-autobiographical new film “Dìdi (弟弟)” follows a 13-year-old skater in 2008 Fremont, California, the summer before he starts high school. Called “Dìdi” by his family, “WangWang” by his Fremont friends and crush, and “Chris” by the skaters he wants to befriend, the protagonist blunders through an adolescence set among real-life Fremo…

1
Can Biden Get Supreme Court Reforms Passed Before End of Term? 57:46

6h ago57:46

57:46

In keeping with his vow to reform the Supreme Court, President Joe Biden issued a plan calling for term limits for justices, a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity, and a “binding code of conduct” to replace the voluntary ethics guidelines established last year by the court. Biden assailed recent Supreme Court decisions and ethic…

1
To Solve the Climate Crisis, Focus on Methane 57:46

7h ago57:46

57:46

Most climate action today focuses on zeroing out carbon emissions, but Stanford climate scientist Rob Jackson wants us to take a hard look at methane. It’s a byproduct of animal agriculture and fossil fuel extraction, and pound for pound it’s a greenhouse gas 80 to 90 times more potent than carbon dioxide. That means the upside of reducing methane …

1
How to Know When It’s Time to Go: Retiring on Your Own Terms 57:48

4h ago57:48

57:48

President Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race put a spotlight on a vexing question: when is the right time to call it quits and retire? Whether or not you’re president of the United States, stepping away from a job you love – or just sort of like – can be a terrifying decision. The transition can be filled with unknowns and unexpe…

1
How Modern Autocracy Works 57:38

10h ago57:38

57:38

When we imagine an autocracy, writes Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum, we tend to conjure a cartoon image: a malevolent dictator at the top who controls the police and army, evil collaborators and a few brave dissidents. But 21st century autocracies are not that. They’re run instead by “sophisticated networks relying on kleptocratic …

1
The Convoluted History of Sex Testing in Elite Women’s Sports 57:42

10h ago57:42

57:42

Who gets to compete in women’s sports? Since the very conception of elite athletics, there has been controversy over who qualifies for the women’s category. Rose Eveleth is the host of “Tested,” a new podcast from NPR’s Embedded and CBC radio that explores the practice and history of sex testing in women’s sports. Eveleth follows the stories of a h…

1
Who Should Be the VP’s VP? 57:41

11h ago57:41

57:41

Who do you think Vice President Kamala Harris should pick as her running mate? The VP has a strong bench to choose from, including Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Arizona senator Mark Kelly — all of whom are reportedly being vetted. Each potentially could bring strengths — or swing state voters — to Harris’ ca…

1
Governor Newsom Orders Clearing of Homeless Encampments 57:47

16h ago57:47

57:47

In an executive order Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered California officials to dismantle homeless encampments across the state today. It will be the biggest action nationwide, expected to affect tens of thousands of people, since the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case has made it easier for cities to clear out ho…

1
John Vaillant on How Fossil Fuel Extraction Intensifies Wildfire 57:40

1d ago57:40

57:40

John Vaillant’s book “Fire Weather” chronicles a devastating wildfire that struck Fort McMurray, Alberta in May 2016. It forced more than 85,000 people to flee their homes, inflicted billions of dollars in damage to the Canadian oil industry and continues to serve as a warning in our increasingly flammable world. Vaillant lays out the linked histor…

1
Edward Wong Traces China's Evolution Through Father's Eyes 57:41

5h ago57:41

57:41

New York Times diplomatic correspondent Edward Wong says that he is the “son of two empires.” He grew up outside of Washington, D.C. during the Cold War when the containment of communism undergirded all of U.S. foreign policy. But his parents grew up in rural China, where his father became a follower of Mao Zedong and joined soldiers, workers and s…

1
Silicon Valley Elites Move Right, Embrace Trump 57:45

5h ago57:45

57:45

The selection of former venture capitalist J.D. Vance as the Republican vice-presidential nominee is a sign that Silicon Valley is no longer the liberal stronghold it once was. A cadre of powerful venture capitalists and tech elites are pouring tens of millions of dollars to elect Donald Trump this November – a stance that would have been shocking …

1
President Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris 57:44

12h ago57:44

57:44

In a historic move on Sunday, President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race. In a tweet, he offered his “full support and endorsement” to Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. We’ll spend both hours of Forum talking with KQED’s politics team and checking in with others about what’s next for the democratic party and the presidenti…

1
How Demand for Avocados Is Fueling Violence In Mexico 57:40

12d ago57:40

57:40

Avocados, a favorite in many dishes, have grown into a $3 billion industry for Mexico. Michoacán, one of the few places in the world where avocados can grow year round, produces over 70% of the country’s exports. But as the global appetite for this green fruit expands, the industry has attracted cartels vying for control. This surge in demand has l…

1
When TikTok is Your Doctor 57:45

12d ago57:45

57:45

Potato juice instead of antibiotics. Using beer in lieu of sunscreen. Shoving a garlic clove up your nose for sinus trouble. These are some of the remedies you might find on TikTok. The internet and quackery are not new concepts, but health advice – both good and bad – is a hot ticket item on social media platforms, especially for Gen Z. In fact, a…

1
80 Years After Port Chicago Explosion, US Navy Exonerates 256 Black Sailors 57:45

13d ago57:45

57:45

80 years ago, 320 men, mostly African American, died at Port Chicago, an ammunition depot in what is now Concord. It was the deadliest incident on U.S. soil during World War II. After the explosion the Navy charged more than 250 Black sailors with mutiny for refusing to return to work in dangerous conditions. On Wednesday, the 80th anniversary of t…

1
GOP Spirits High as Republican National Convention Enters Final Stretch 57:45

13d ago57:45

57:45

The GOP is expressing confidence that the presidential election will break in its favor as the Republican National Convention draws to a close on Thursday. The event has been organized around MAGA themes, including “Make America Safe Again” and “Make America Strong Again,” with speakers taking aim at familiar targets like President Biden, crime and…

1
Jonathan Rosen on His Childhood Best Friend’s Schizophrenia and the ‘Tragedy of Good Intentions’ 57:47

14d ago57:47

57:47

Jonathan Rosen’s memoir “The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions” was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist and named a Top 10 Best Book of the Year by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic and Slate. It tells the story of Rosen’s childhood friendship with Michael Laudor, their teenage competi…

1
Political Violence Has Been On the Rise Well Before Trump Shooting 57:48

14d ago57:48

57:48

In calling for unity in the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, President Joe Biden said political violence is “un-American and abhorrent.” But that’s more aspiration than historical reality. Political violence has been part of American history since our founding and has been on the rise since Trump was elected in 2016, according to …

1
Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Classified Documents Case & Once A Foe, Ohio Senator JD Vance Tapped as Trump's Running Mate 57:44

15d ago57:44

57:44

Florida federal judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Donald Trump on Monday, finding that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the constitution. The case — in which Trump stands accused of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate — had been considered the most straightforward …

1
Preview the Olympic Games with Bay Area Athletes 57:49

15d ago57:49

57:49

The Bay Area has a long tradition of producing Olympians and this year continues that legacy as athletes from the region prepare for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We check in with a few members of Team USA who will be heading to Paris and we’ll discuss how world events are going to impact the games, what lessons the committee has learned s…

1
The Trump Assassination Attempt and How ‘The Reactionary Spirit’ is Threatening Democracy Worldwide 57:43

16d ago57:43

57:43

Following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, far-right Republicans pointed fingers at President Joe Biden, blaming his warnings about Trump’s threats to democracy for instigating the violence. For Vox reporter Zack Beauchamp, this “should cause us to reflect more broadly on how our political leaders should respond to politi…

1
Republican Convention Kicks off Days After Trump Shooting 57:48

16d ago57:48

57:48

Republicans open their convention in Milwaukee today, just two days after former president Trump was shot in the ear by a sniper at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. President Biden gave a speech last night condemning the shooting and calling for a lowering of the temperature in politics. We’ll get the latest on the investigation into the shooting …

1
Maternity Care Deserts on the Rise in California 57:42

19d ago57:42

57:42

In the last decade California hospitals have shut down nearly 50 maternity wards, leaving pregnant people in large swaths of the state without a place to deliver their babies. That’s according to an ongoing CalMatters investigation which has found that the closures have accelerated in the last four years as hospitals cite high costs, labor shortage…

1
Journalist William Gee Wong’s Memoir ‘Sons of Chinatown’ Chronicles His Family’s Chinese-American Experience 57:45

19d ago57:45

57:45

As a journalist, William Gee Wong focused many of his stories on the Asian American experience. And in his new memoir, “Sons of Chinatown,” Wong trains his reporter’s eye on his own family’s sometimes uneasy immigration and assimilation story. It begins in 1912 with the immigration of his father, known as Pop, who came to the U.S. as a “Paper Son,”…

1
What Is The Carbon Cost of Our Digital Lives? 57:41

20d ago57:41

57:41

The internet produces about a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, roughly the same as the aviation industry, according to one recent study. Every time you click a photo, like a post, or get an e-mail and it’s backed up in the cloud, it’s stored in a data center – a massive facility filled with thousands of computer servers. And these…

1
Environmentalists, Public Health Advocates Worry about Ability to Regulate Industry after Supreme Court’s Decision Overturning Chevron 57:53

20d ago57:53

57:53

In one of many historic cases this term, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, which gave deference to federal agencies to interpret the laws they administer. Writing in dissent, Justice Elena Kagan, wrote that the Court’s decision would be a “massive shock to the legal system.” But what does this mean for the average citizen? Legal an…

1
On SongWriter Podcast, Musicians Transform Stories Into Songs 57:44

21d ago57:44

57:44

Great songs capture our imaginations and reveal truths about the human experience, transmuting stories into sound. Ben Arthur explores this alchemy on his podcast SongWriter. Each episode, Arthur challenges a musician to compose one original song based on the writing of literary greats like George Saunders, Neil Gaiman and Joyce Carol Oates. Arthur…

1
Pressure Grows on President Biden to Step Aside 57:48

21d ago57:48

57:48

A defiant Joe Biden said Monday that he’s “firmly committed” to staying in the presidential race. Still, questions about Biden’s age and fitness have put the spotlight on alternatives like Vice President Kamala Harris and others, including California Governor Gavin Newsom. At least half a dozen Democratic lawmakers have called for Biden to step asi…

1
John Ganz On the Decade that Changed the Republican Party 57:44

22d ago57:44

57:44

According to political writer John Ganz, a sense of “national despair” emerged in the U.S. during the early 1990s due to an economic recession that shrank America’s middle class and a growing cynicism about politics. This despair was exploited by various figures – some well known and some fringe – who would later gain influence within the Republica…

1
Richmondside Launches to Fill Dearth of Coverage 57:50

22d ago57:50

57:50

Richmond, Calif. is home to more than 115,000 residents and major corporations and refineries, including Chevron. But like many cities, Richmond had been left without a dedicated daily newspaper or consistent, independent news coverage. Now a new local publication, Richmondside, promises to bring residents more news about government, schools, publi…

1
Are You Debating Renting or Buying? 57:41

23d ago57:41

57:41

Rising housing costs are pushing more middle-class families in California to rent rather than buy. The average cost of ownership payments for a mid-tier house in California are currently double the cost of renting a similar home. And compared to January 2020, the combined monthly cost of mortgage payments, taxes and homeowners insurance has jumped …

1
Your Houseplant is Smarter Than It Looks 57:50

23d ago57:50

57:50

There has been a sweeping reevaluation of animal intelligence over the last decade as we’ve realized that all kinds of organisms are smarter than we thought. A similar movement is occurring in the study of plants. Botanists have been discovering that plants have remarkable abilities to communicate, adapt, behave socially, act on stored memories and…

1
Forum From the Archives: Tiffany Haddish Wants to ‘Curse You With Joy’ 57:40

26d ago57:40

57:40

You may know actor and stand-up comedian Tiffany Haddish best for her riotous performance in the 2017 film "Girls Trip." Or for her Emmy Award-winning turn as host of Saturday Night Live...or for her voicework in “The Lego Movie 2” and other animated films. But her successes came hard-won against a backdrop of childhood trauma and mental health cha…

1
Forum From the Archives: 'Jazz Hero' Jesse 'Chuy' Varela on the History of Latin Jazz in the Bay Area and Beyond 57:42

26d ago57:42

57:42

Radio host, journalist, musician, and musicologist Jesse “Chuy” Varela has been a treasured fixture of the Bay Area jazz scene for more than 40 years. When the Jazz Journalists Association honored him with their “Jazz Hero” award last year they wrote that “his deep knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean music has nurtured the boundaryless nature…

1
Forum From the Archives: Rebecca Boyle on How the Moon ‘Made Us Who We Are’ 57:41

27d ago57:41

57:41

Ever since our moon formed roughly 4.6 billion years ago, it has “conduct(ed) the symphony of life on Earth.” That’s according to lifelong moon enthusiast and science journalist Rebecca Boyle, who says that the moon has influenced modern science, reproduction, migration, religious rituals and even possibly the blood in our veins. Boyle’s new book i…

1
Forum From the Archives: Berkeley Perfumer Mandy Aftel on the 'Curious and Wondrous World of Fragrance' 57:44

27d ago57:44

57:44

“You don’t just smell an aroma; you fall into it,” writes artisan perfumer Mandy Aftel. And entering her exquisite small museum, the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents, tucked into a backyard in Berkeley, is to fall into an ancient, mysterious world. Amid centuries-old books, bottles and curios are natural fragrances that come from the secretions of c…

1
Forum From the Archives: R.O. Kwon Mines Complexity of Desire, Both Romantic and Creative, in ‘Exhibit’ 57:40

28d ago57:40

57:40

In her new novel “Exhibit” R.O. Kwon introduces us to Jin Han, a photographer in San Francisco who’s unsure if her transgressive infatuation for a ballet dancer activated a family curse, conjuring a ghost from her family’s past in Korea. Through Jin, Kwon explores the nature of desire — and why shame too often accompanies it.. Kwon says it’s as tho…

1
Forum From the Archives: ‘Down Home Music’ Captures Arhoolie Records’ History in Photos 57:46

28d ago57:46

57:46

Legendary Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz transversed the United States and Mexico for decades recording traditional roots music and unknown artists. The El Cerrito-based producer, who died last year, was known for his ear for music, but he also had an eye for capturing images. More than 150 of those photos documenting his travels and rec…

1
Forum From the Archives: Electronic Music Composer Suzanne Ciani Celebrates Groundbreaking Career 57:42

29d ago57:42

57:42

If you were watching TV in the 1980s you’re probably familiar with the sounds of electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani, whose synthesizer compositions became the sonic logos for Coca-Cola, Atari, GE, PBS and dozens of other brands. Ciani has gone on to cultivate new audiences through her quadraphonic concerts that she produces using an updated ver…

1
Forum From the Archives: Graphic Novelist Raina Telgemeier Taps into Adolescent Anxiety, Zeitgeist 57:44

29d ago57:44

57:44

You might not think that 224 pages devoted to a sixth grader’s tricky journey with braces would make for a bestseller, but since its publication in 2010, Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel “Smile” has remained hugely popular with the kid set. And her follow ups “Guts,” “Drama” and “Ghosts” have earned her rave reviews from kids, tweens, parents and l…

1
Forum From the Archives: Mark Mazzetti on ‘How Extremists Took Over Israel’ 57:41

1M ago57:41

57:41

A recent New York Times investigation reveals how violent radical elements in Israel's settler movement in the West Bank have been allowed to operate with impunity for decades. The report, based in part on accounts by Israeli officials, examines a two-tier system of justice where the authorities systematically ignored or enabled settler violence ag…

1
Forum From the Archives: Carvell Wallace Journeys Through Loss and Reunion in Memoir ‘Another Word for Love’ 57:45

1M ago57:45

57:45

In his magazine profiles and podcasts, Oakland writer Carvell Wallace has a gift for examining people and the times we live in with clarity and wisdom. With his new memoir “Another Word for Love,” Wallace extends his compassionate gaze to his own story, tracing a childhood peppered with homelessness and abuse, through to his quest for healing, plea…

1
Biden and Trump Meet in High-Stakes Debate 57:42

1M ago57:42

57:42

President Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump take the stage in Atlanta on Thursday for the first presidential debate of the election cycle. The debate, hosted by CNN, takes place as the parties are deeply divided on major policy issues and as polls show low voter approval ratings for both candidates. We’ll recap the debate and he…

1
How Refrigeration Changed The World 43:16

1M ago43:16

43:16

Almost everything we eat – bananas, sushi, lettuce, beef – is part of the “cold chain,” a vast network of refrigerated warehouses, shipping containers, display cases and finally, our own refrigerators that underpin our global food system. We’ve only been able to create cold when we want it for about 150 years, but in that time, refrigeration “has c…

1
Supreme Court Rules Bans on Camping on Street Do Not Violate 8th Amendment 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

On Friday, the court, in a 6-3 opinion authored by Justice Gorsuch, announced that “camping ban” laws that restrict unhoused people from sleeping on public property do not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” and are therefore not prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. These laws had been challenged by cities, including San Francisco. We’ll talk …

1
Is No-Fault Divorce Under Threat? 57:43

1M ago57:43

57:43

In 1969 California became the first state to adopt no-fault divorce – allowing people to end their marriages without proving spousal wrongdoing. Other states quickly followed suit. For a half-century, couples haven’t had to endure protracted legal battles for every split, nor do they need to allege adultery or force their children to go to court, j…

1
Bay Area Fisheries Working Against the Tide of Shortened or Canceled Seasons 57:47

1M ago57:47

57:47

Though one of its most famous attractions is Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco and the Bay Area’s thriving fishing industry is not what it once was. A shortened season for Dungeness crab, a canceled salmon season (the second cancellation in a row), and climate change are taking a toll on fisheries. We talk to people who make their living catching an…

1
Emily Nussbaum Tells the True Story of Reality TV 55:47

1M ago55:47

55:47

When New Yorker staff writer Emily Nussbaum began working on her book about the origins of reality TV, she says that the deeper she looked “the darker things got.” She found reality stars whose lives were wrecked and “methods of production so ugly they’re hard to look at.” But she says reality TV has also elevated the struggles of ordinary people, …

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