KQED's Perspectives Podcast

Decisions about how to help strangers aren’t always straightforward. Lisa Thomson has this Perspective.

This Perspective originally aired in November 2014.

In the throes of hardship, Suzanne Maggio found that lightening someone else's load helped lighten her own.

What does it mean to be Jewish? Hannah Herbst tells us about the complexities of her Jewish identity.

Craig Isom finds magic in the skies above us, and the community around us.

Despite generations in the United States, Charles Feng and his family are still forced to confront the question, “Are you American?”

Emerald Yu had a difficult time finding her voice, literally, but when she did it changed her life.

In the face of climate change, threats that seem bigger than our capacity for change can leave you feeling a specific kind of terror. Anita Lowe Taylor says it even has a name.

This Perspective originally aired in March 2020.

Akilan Dorairaj says losing a farm is not just losing a livelihood, but losing childhood memories.

AI writing tools may be quick and convenient, but Elizabeth Levett Fortier tells us about the critical element they are lacking.

On this Labor Day, we hear about labor leader and activist Cesar Chavez, and his impact on Erik Olvera.

This Perspective originally aired in March 2023.

Vanessa Dueck struggles to keep up with shifting notions of good parenting brought on by a shifting pandemic.

This Perspective originally aired in June 2022.

A single moment can have tremendous impacts. Gil Ladetzky tells us why this has shaped his way of life.

What’s in a name? For Kate Montana, the answer is entwined with complex questions about history and identity.

It can be tough to be authentic as a teen navigating social hierarchies, but Arya Konanur says it's worth the effort.

The narrative around surviving cancer can sometimes alienate the people it hopes to inspire. Rob Tufel tells us his Perspective.

When confronted with an uncomfortable truth, Anna Yang learned the importance of language in connecting to her culture and family.

This Perspective originally aired in September 2022.

In honor of Transgender History Month, YR Media’s X Vazquez reflects on an often overlooked action of queer resistance, right here in San Francisco.

Sometimes, putting a name to a mysterious affliction can bring relief. Pooja Srivatsa tells us her story.

When his passion led him to try something new, Steven Buks learned anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

This piece was produced by KQED's Youth Takeover, and originally aired in November 2022.

Golden Gate Fields will permanently close after its final racing date this fall. Richard Friedlander has this Perspective.

Have you ever needed a confidence boost? Kaitlin Huang tells us how she overcame her insecurities.

This Perspective originally aired in April 2022.

With Tony Bennett's passing last month, Laurent Fourgo pays tribute to the jazz icon and his influence.

Though the jetsetter life full of travel has its appeal, Pete Gavin tells us why he doesn’t fear missing out.

After an unexpected encounter with a fellow traveler, Sheli Cryderman was reminded of the power of community.

When Richard Swerdlow turned 65, he received a Medicare card…and a headache.

COVID variant EG.5 is on the rise. Dr. Molly Phelps knows from experience that long COVID is a risk that our health system is underprepared for.

This Perspective originally aired in November 2022.

High expectations can push you to be your best self, but they can also harm relationships and your self-worth. Swetha Vimalkumar has this Perspective.

Reminders of the love that connects living beings can come in many forms. Deidre Silverman has this story.

A case of mistaken vegetable identity reminded Jamie Chiahui Gao of her own experience as an immigrant.

Inspirational messages can feel cloying and cliché, but Marilyn Englander tells us about a time she took a chance and listened to one of those messages.

The pandemic changed the way a lot of us approach social situations, including Sydney Wanguhu. YR Media brings her Perspective.

This Perspective originally aired in April 2023.

In an era of constant media consumption, Evan Nichols suggests finding a balance between screen time and engagement with the real world.

It’s only Wednesday, but you might already be looking forward to some relief from the work week. Saadhana Deshpande tells us about their stress reliever of choice.

With all the influence algorithms have on our lives, Lorin Tams has this case against allowing anything--or anyone--to put us in boxes.

Fear is intrinsic to the human experience, but a childhood memory had Elisabeth Scharbaum thinking about the possibilities of reexamining our fear responses.

Ray Pestrong finds evidence of the huge forces that shape our planet in the small changes of a sandy beach.

This Perspective originally aired in July 2019.

Despite working two jobs, YR Media’s Noumaan Faiz says he just can’t keep up with inflation these days.

When confronted with her daughter’s smartphone request, Kat Covell devised a surprising analog solution to meet her needs.

Losing your laundry key may seem mundane, but it provided Caleb Monteiro a valuable lesson in responsibility.

When listener Jasmine Jaksic needed a break from the artificial world of AI, she found solace in a nearby marsh.

For Maui-born Hiwa Greig, spam is a staple of their food and culture. But once they moved to Oakland, they realized folks hold a lot of preconceptions towards spam and those who eat it.

This Perspective originally aired in May 2022.

The A’s likely departure from Oakland is disheartening to thousands of baseball fans in the East Bay, but Gabe Ross has reason to hope.

A new neighbor inspired Johanna Ohm to reflect on the power of individual action in building community & livable spaces.

Do crime alerts make us safer, or just scared? Steven Birenbaum tells us his Perspective.

It can feel isolating to be the only vegan at the table. Johanna McCloy has this Perspective.

Animal shelters in the Bay Area are overcrowded. Leslie Smith brings us this tale of one beloved shelter dog.

This Perspective originally aired in March 2023.

A conversation with an AI chatbot led Steve McMoyler to question the virtues of the technology.

A journey to Warsaw uncovered surprising family connections for Geri Spieler and her son.

When Abe Marshall experienced hearing loss, he feared judgment from his peers, but found acceptance and pride instead.

This Perspective originally aired in February 2023.

Joy and community can be found in surprising places. For Lauren Nazario, it’s on two wheels, on the slow streets of San Francisco.

What were you doing when the mob assaulted the Capitol? Angela Omulepu was baking a pie.

This Perspective originally aired in January 2021.

Tech is known for its sexist biases. Athena Jiang-Qin tells us her experience as a young girl in tech.

A hike to see one of California’s wonders inspired Damian Stout-Lehman to reflect on the nature of our state.

The Declaration of Independence is 247 years old today. Victor Schachter suggests it might benefit from a revision to reflect modern realities.

This Perspective originally aired in July 2021.

Sometimes a horrible incident can bring unexpected positive change. Joanne Greene tells us her story.

When a popular Chinese restaurant in Oakland closed last year, Mark Morodomi is left with warm memories of family and a dish rarely served anymore.

This Perspective originally aired in January 2023.

An increasing number of teens are turning to social media to get their news. But for YR Media’s Nina Thompson, navigating all that information requires some fact-checking.

If the country that persecuted your family offered you citizenship, what would you do? Stewart Florsheim has this Perspective.

As he prepares for a new chapter in his life, Diego Moreno Espinoza reflects on how his past experiences have led him to where he is today.

Being able to admit when you’re wrong can bring about an openness to new ideas. John Palmer tells us about his changing attitude on driverless cars.

As an artist and immigrant, Tanieng Huang shares the story of how her art practice helped her grow and break through the barriers of language.

This piece was produced as part of KQED Youth Takeover, and originally aired in April 2023.

It's Pride month, and as usual the parades will be marked by corporate floats and contingents sporting rainbow flags. Mike Blasenstein wonders if that level of support from business is enough.

Witnessing a protest in Tel Aviv inspired Jim McTarnaghan to interrogate the role of the ‘dem’ in democracy.

When high school student Alex Argov returned to in-person classes, he discovered a new motto that helped him readjust to the new social environment.

Ebony Haight is tired of pretty words and disavowals of racism not backed up by action. It is, she says, your turn to do something about it.

With Father’s Day coming up, Evan Ho reflects on the joys of raising a child.

A Buddhist ritual helps Lauren Vuong cope with the passing of her father.

High schooler Saahil Mishra has a vision for a reformed social media... one that makes us more human.

Elham Gheytanchi’s father taught her that religion is a private matter. But in recent years she’s started questioning that idea. The following Perspective contains a mention of sexual assault.

After discovering he has the same health condition as his father, Jesse Alejandro Cottrell grapples with aging and other ways he's similar — or dissimilar — to his dad.

On her 22-mile runs, Munira Shamim encounters runners with varying athletic abilities and backgrounds. It's why she sees the trail as a great unifier and community.

Irena Smith is keenly aware of the expectations weighing on teenagers and parents alike. And she's come to realize what metric of success really matters to her.

A poem in a volume pulled from a bookstore shelf, helps Simone Green navigate her journey of discovery.

Birdsongs at sunrise provide Theresa Padden and her mother with a moment of shared beauty while an inevitable loss looms over them.

What happens when your favorite books and movies lose their luster? Richard Levitt shares how he’s trying to get his groove back.

YR Media's Phoebe Lefebvre grew up around the corner from Oakland's Wood Street homeless encampment. She shares her concerns about the lack of solutions the city has offered the residents who were evicted.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is the most challenging part of the year. For Salma Siddiqui, it’s an opportunity to express gratitude for the right to struggle.

Pablo Quintanilla says racial deed restrictions are the ghosts that haunt Bay Area home ownership to this day.

Helen Doyle reflects on how California’s spring bloom is flourishing all around us.

May I have this dance? Aurelia Santos invites us to join the festivities.

What can a Turkey and a Tesla teach us about ourselves? Well, apparently a whole lot.

I did it my way; a young San Franciscan shares his thoughts on entrepreneurial success.

How a part time job taught Mannya Sinha about the inherent imbalances of the food service industry.

To most beachgoers, seaweed is just an underwater weed. But to Chloe Chan, it's an introduction to a community of kelp foragers.

When Alex Giardino's only son left for college, she found her empty nest rapidly filling up with plants.

Alice Wong can no longer speak. But she still has a voice.

Tomorrow, May 18, is the annual Bike to Work Day. Bob Riley tells us why he participates.

Processing grief takes many forms. For Yvonne Baginski, it comes in the form of a backyard bird community.

You might think dogs have it made as man’s co-pilot. Richard Friedlander’s tale suggests otherwise.

The refugee experience is rife with unthinkable hardship, and also glimmers of hope. Lana Moroz has this Perspective.

Oliver River Satalich is not a girl, but their childhood as a girl taught them valuable lessons about life and self-discovery.

Grammar enthusiast Tice Swackhamer has a theory on how society changes language, and a call to action to save the word “are.”

In a success driven world the fear of failure is a constant. But what if we’ve been looking at it the wrong way? Miriam Warren shares her thoughts on why it’s okay to be terrible at something.

We’ve all been there before - you’re telling your friend a story that had you in stitches, but all you get in return is a blank stare. Marilyn Englander reflects on those moments where "you just had to be there".

Six months ago, Nina Roehl didn’t think therapy was right for her. But after weighing all her options, she finally decided to finally try it out. Y-R Media brings her Perspective.

Isidra Mencos reflects on a period of forced silence that proved frustrating at first, but ultimately turned into a lifelong lesson on the serenity of listening.

Richard Swerdlow remembers the rainy days of his childhood. These days, he’s got to dissect the scientific weather jargon before stepping outside.

Grief has many stages. Brian Leonard is experiencing all of them after learning that the A’s will be building a new stadium in Las Vegas, not Oakland.

As an artist and immigrant, Tanieng Huang shares the story of how her art practice helped her grow and break through the barriers of language.

After the pandemic took high school online and into the home, Jackson Miller discovered his city in new ways through exploration and adventure and learned about community values along the way.

Realizing Hollywood portrays an unrealistic depiction of high school life, Ariana Navarro opens up about her thoughts on it and how she's making the most of being a teenager today.

While others might not understand it, Da'Von Griffin shares how his special interest in Bay Area public transportation has helped him help others.

When faced with impossible circumstances, Christopher Setera took his future into his own hands by facing one of life's hardest obstacles -- asking for help -- and tells the story of his journey.

Working in medicine forces Brian Smith to confront mortality, but advice from a patient helps him cope on darker days.

When Susan Chang witnessed a person in need, she learned the importance of being an active bystander.

A generous man bent the arc of Michael Wright’s life many years ago, so he looks to express his gratitude.

Recent East Coast transplant Bianca Datta is learning to love San Francisco – literally one step at a time.

Paul Staley says maybe the ancients had it right about the four elements. But when they collide you get – modern California.

Today is a momentous day here at KQED. Mark Trautwein, editor of Perspectives for the past quarter-century, is retiring. So today, instead of working off the mic, Mark will give his Perspective.

Jonathan Slusher says the pay gap between his company’s executives and its workers is not only bad for employees, its bad for business.