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UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. Pitch us at upfront@kpfa.org.

UpFront


    • Sep 7, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 27m AVG DURATION
    • 1,778 EPISODES

    4.6 from 35 ratings Listeners of KPFA - UpFront that love the show mention: unfortunately, thank, time, kpfa.



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    Latest episodes from KPFA - UpFront

    Scott Kurashige on American Peril [rebroadcast]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2026 59:58


    Scott Kurashige, interdisciplinary scholar who was a  longtime collaborator of the late philosopher Grace Lee Boggs; he's just out with the book American Peril: the violent history of anti-asian racism [originally recorded in May 2026] The post Scott Kurashige on American Peril [rebroadcast] appeared first on KPFA.

    US Forest Services Workforce Suffers; Plus, Remembering Gloria Steinem; And, Against Money with JW Mason

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Gabrielle Canon is climate reporter and extreme weather correspondent for Guardian US. 00:25 — Remembering Gloria Steinem. 00:33 — J.W. Mason is Associate Professor of Economics at John Jay College of the City University of New York, and a senior fellow at the Groundwork Collaborative The post US Forest Services Workforce Suffers; Plus, Remembering Gloria Steinem; And, Against Money with JW Mason appeared first on KPFA.

    The National Debt Crisis; Plus, US Resumes Military and Economic Attacks on Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Dean Baker is a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. 00:33 — Golnar Nikpour is Associate Professor of modern Iranian history at Dartmouth College. Her scholarship focuses on the history of law, incarceration, revolution, and rights. She is the author of “The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran” (2024) The post The National Debt Crisis; Plus, US Resumes Military and Economic Attacks on Iran appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – September 2, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2026 59:58


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – September 2, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Massachusetts Primaries; Plus, Unpacking the Trump Oil Deal with Venezuela

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2026 59:57


    00:08 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation. 00:33 — Miguel R. Tinker Salas is Professor Emeritus of History at Pomona College. He is the author of The Enduring Legacy: Oil, Culture and Society in Venezuela. The post Massachusetts Primaries; Plus, Unpacking the Trump Oil Deal with Venezuela appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – August 28, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2026 59:58


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – August 28, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Trump Administration Threatens New Sanctions on Iran; Plus, Investigation Shows $0.5Billion Defense Project Produced Zero Products

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Kaveh Ehsani is an Associate Professor of International Studies at DePaul University. 00:33 — Jesse Coburn is a reporter for ProPublica covering defense and the military. The post Trump Administration Threatens New Sanctions on Iran; Plus, Investigation Shows $0.5Billion Defense Project Produced Zero Products appeared first on KPFA.

    Oklahoma Elections; Plus, What Happens When Water and the Law Come into Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Nichols is Executive Editor of the Nation. 00:33 — Peter Gleick is Senior Fellow and Co-founder of the Pacific Institute. He is also a member of the US National Academy of Sciences. The post Oklahoma Elections; Plus, What Happens When Water and the Law Come into Conflict appeared first on KPFA.

    US-Canada Trade War; Plus, Amazon Training AI on Rare Books, then Burning the Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Lori Wallach is Founder and Director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch. 00:33 — Emanuel Maiberg is a reporter for 404 Media. The post US-Canada Trade War; Plus, Amazon Training AI on Rare Books, then Burning the Books appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – August 21, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026 59:58


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – August 21, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Fake Pollsters Tied to Betting Markets? Plus, Understanding the AI Bubble from Economist Dean Baker

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 59:59


    00:08 — David Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and co-host of the podcast Organized Money. 00:33 — Dean Baker is a senior economist at the Center for Economic and  Policy Research. The post Fake Pollsters Tied to Betting Markets? Plus, Understanding the AI Bubble from Economist Dean Baker appeared first on KPFA.

    Disney Sues FCC and Brendan Carr; Plus, Meta Trial on Child Safety Begins in Oakland

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Angelo Carusone is President & CEO of Media Matters. 00:33 — Lauren Feiner is the senior policy reporter at The Verge. The post Disney Sues FCC and Brendan Carr; Plus, Meta Trial on Child Safety Begins in Oakland appeared first on KPFA.

    Jared Kushner Visits Egypt and Israel to Reach Agreement on Gaza Peace Plan; Plus, What Lessons Progressives Can Lean from the Primaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Matt Duss is the Executive Vice President of the Center for International Policy. 00:33 — John Nichols is Executive Editor of the Nation. The post Jared Kushner Visits Egypt and Israel to Reach Agreement on Gaza Peace Plan; Plus, What Lessons Progressives Can Lean from the Primaries appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – August 14, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 59:59


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – August 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – August 13, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 59:59


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – August 13, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Wisconsin and Minnesota Primaries; Plus, $300M Federal Grant for Increased Policing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 59:59


    00:08 — George Chidi is a politics and democracy reporter for Guardian US based in the south-east. 00:33 — Ruth Conniff is Editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Examiner. She formerly served as Editor-in-chief of The Progressive Magazine where she worked for many years from both Madison and Washington, DC. The post Wisconsin and Minnesota Primaries; Plus, $300M Federal Grant for Increased Policing appeared first on KPFA.

    Walter Riley [rebroadcast]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 59:58


    00:08 Walter Riley, longtime civil rights attorney and fixture of struggles for justice in the East Bay, co-author of the book about his life entitled Civil Rights and Structural Attacks: Conversations with Walter Riley. [This is a rebroadcast of an interview originally recorded in June] The post Walter Riley [rebroadcast] appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2026 59:59


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    Annie Leonard on Protest [rebroadcast]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2026 59:58


    Annie Leonard is an environmental and anti-consumerist activist, best known for the creating the Youtube sensation “The Story of Stuff.” She served as the Executive Director of Greenpeace US until recently. Her latest book, co-authored with Andre Carothers, is Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It. [This interview was originally recorded and aired in abbreviated form in July 2026] The post Annie Leonard on Protest [rebroadcast] appeared first on KPFA.

    El-Sayed’s Win is a Win Against AIPAC Money; Plus, Petition to Prevent Datacenters in Space; And,China Relates Against US Sanctions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2026 59:58


    0:08 — Iman Abid-Thompson is the Director of Advocacy and Organizing at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR). 00:33 — Ruskin Hartley is the CEO of DarkSky International. Previously, he served as executive director of Save the Redwoods League and as the president and CEO of Heal the Bay in Los Angeles. 00:45 — Jake Werner is director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute. His research examines the emergence of great power conflict between the US and China and develops policies to rebuild constructive economic relations. The post El-Sayed's Win is a Win Against AIPAC Money; Plus, Petition to Prevent Datacenters in Space; And,China Relates Against US Sanctions appeared first on KPFA.

    Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Primary; Plus, Oman and Iran Plan for the Strait of Hormuz; And, Why Hasn’t the US Ended the Iran War Yet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Rachel Leingang is a Midwest political correspondent for Guardian US.  00:20 — Trita Parsi is the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. 00:33 — Matt Duss is the Executive Vice President of the Center for International Policy. The post Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Primary; Plus, Oman and Iran Plan for the Strait of Hormuz; And, Why Hasn't the US Ended the Iran War Yet? appeared first on KPFA.

    Upcoming Primaries; Plus, Who Holds the Bag if the AI Bubble Pops?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation. 00:33 — David Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and co-host of the podcast Organized Money. The post Upcoming Primaries; Plus, Who Holds the Bag if the AI Bubble Pops? appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    Cory Doctorow on Life After AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2026 59:58


    00:08 Cory Doctorow, blogger, digital rights activist with the EFF, and author most recently of The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI The post Cory Doctorow on Life After AI appeared first on KPFA.

    Netanyahu Visits US for First Time Since Iran War Started; Plus, How Latin American Governments Are Navigating the Donroe Doctrine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Joel Beinin Professor of Middle East History, Emeritus at Stanford University. 00:33 — Jake Johnston is the Director of International Research at CEPR. His research has focused predominantly on economic policy in Latin America, the International Monetary Fund, and US foreign policy. The post Netanyahu Visits US for First Time Since Iran War Started; Plus, How Latin American Governments Are Navigating the Donroe Doctrine appeared first on KPFA.

    Fund Drive Special with Douglas Tallamy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Doug Tallamy is an entomologist, conservationist, and professor at the University of Delaware. He is also the co-founder of Homegrown National Park. His latest book is “How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard.” The post Fund Drive Special with Douglas Tallamy appeared first on KPFA.

    Fund Drive Special with Annie Leonard: What We Can Learn from Pivotal Moments of Protest in History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Annie Leonard is an environmental and anti-consumerist activist who served as the Executive Director of Greenpeace US and created the film “The Story of Stuff.” Her latest book, co-authored with Andre Carothers, is Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It. The post Fund Drive Special with Annie Leonard: What We Can Learn from Pivotal Moments of Protest in History appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – July 24, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2026 59:58


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – July 24, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Douglas Tallamy on How Your Yard Can Help the Planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Douglas Tallamy is an entomologist, conservationist, and professor at the University of Delaware. He is also the co-founder of Homegrown National Park. His latest book is “How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard.” The post Douglas Tallamy on How Your Yard Can Help the Planet appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – July 22, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2026 59:58


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – July 22, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Fund Drive Special with Cory Doctorow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist and journalist. His latest book is The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence Before It's Too Late. The post Fund Drive Special with Cory Doctorow appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – July 20, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2026 59:59


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – July 20, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    Investigation: widespread misuse of force at ICE demos. Also: the health toll of the growing raw milk industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Sasha Schell, an investigative reporter who worked on a new report from UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center entitled Charting The Crackdown: the misuse of crowd-control weapons in immigration enforcement protests across the United States  00:33 — Annie Waldman, a reporter at ProPublica covering health care, recently out with deep dive into one of the most prolific producers and promoters of raw milk products, entitled “The Milkman” The post Investigation: widespread misuse of force at ICE demos. Also: the health toll of the growing raw milk industry appeared first on KPFA.

    Todd Blanche Confirmation Hearing; Plus, US Escalates Attacks on Southern Iran, Iran Releases American Detainee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation. 00:33 — Mouin Rabbani is a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. He is the author of “Gaza Apocalypse”, forthcoming from OR Books. 00:45 — Negar Mortazavi is a Senior Fellow at Center for International Policy and host of the Iran Podcast. The post Todd Blanche Confirmation Hearing; Plus, US Escalates Attacks on Southern Iran, Iran Releases American Detainee appeared first on KPFA.

    The US and Israel War with Iran and Strait of Hormuz Toll; Plus, CA Effort to Stop Biggest Media Merger in US History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Khury Petersen-Smith, Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he researches U.S. empire, borders, and migration. 00:33 — David Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and co-host of the podcast Organized Money. The post The US and Israel War with Iran and Strait of Hormuz Toll; Plus, CA Effort to Stop Biggest Media Merger in US History appeared first on KPFA.

    South Carolina and Maine’s Future in the Senate; Plus, San Francisco’s Push and Pull in Affordable Housing Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation 00:33 — Quintin Mecke is the Executive Director of the Council of Community Housing Organizations The post South Carolina and Maine's Future in the Senate; Plus, San Francisco's Push and Pull in Affordable Housing Policy appeared first on KPFA.

    US and Iran Back in War; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 33:51


    00:08 — Omid Memarian is the Director of Communications at DAWN and also serves as the organization's Senior Iran Analyst. He has previously worked as a journalist and human rights professional.  00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post US and Iran Back in War; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2026 59:59


    00:08 — Bill Hartung is Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. His latest book is The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home. The post The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home appeared first on KPFA.

    US and Iran Ceasefire Ends, Immediate Strikes Follow; Plus, Graham Platner is Out of Maine Senate Race After Sexual Assault Allegations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Trita Parsi is the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. 00:33 — John Nichols is Executive Editor of the Nation The post US and Iran Ceasefire Ends, Immediate Strikes Follow; Plus, Graham Platner is Out of Maine Senate Race After Sexual Assault Allegations appeared first on KPFA.

    Venezuela Earthquake Response & World Cup Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 59:58


    Brian Edwards-Tiekert welcomes Miguel Tinker Salas to discuss the aftermath of the deadly earthquakes in Venezuela and the government's response. In the second half, Jules Boykoff discusses the politics, corruption, and controversy surrounding FIFA as the World Cup comes to North America.   UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post Venezuela Earthquake Response & World Cup Politics appeared first on KPFA.

    Hamas Dissolves Governance of Gaza; Plus, Supreme Court Allows TPS Ending for Syrians and Haitians; And, Revived Push to Municipalize San Francisco Power System

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 59:59


    00:08 — Muhannad Ayyash is Professor of Sociology at Mount Royal University in Calgary and Policy Analyst at Al-Shabaka 00:33 — Ali Tarokh is Director of Development & Communications at Syrian Community Network and adjunct professor at Loyola University. 00:45 — Tim Redmond, founder of 48hills. Tim Redmond has been a political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years.  The post Hamas Dissolves Governance of Gaza; Plus, Supreme Court Allows TPS Ending for Syrians and Haitians; And, Revived Push to Municipalize San Francisco Power System appeared first on KPFA.

    Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.

    Kathleen DuVal on Native Nations [repeat]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2026 59:59


    00:08 Kathleen DuVal, professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author most recently of Native Nations: A Millennium in North America [originally recorded in September 2024] The post Kathleen DuVal on Native Nations [repeat] appeared first on KPFA.

    Robin DG Kelley on the Declaration of Independence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 59:58


    00:08 Robin DG Kelly, Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA. He's just authored an article in Hammer and Hope on the Declaration of Independence entitled “Do You Understand Your Own Language?.” His forthcoming book is entitled Making A Killing: Capitalism, Cops, and the War on Black Life (due out January 17) The post Robin DG Kelley on the Declaration of Independence appeared first on KPFA.

    Lebanon and Israel Ceasefire Framework Sees Protest in Beirut; Plus, Supreme Courts Bans Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — Mouin Rabbani is a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, previously principal political affairs officer with the Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. His is also the author of the forthcoming book, Gaza Apocalypse. 00:33 — Shelby Chestnut is Executive Director of Transgender Law Center. The post Lebanon and Israel Ceasefire Framework Sees Protest in Beirut; Plus, Supreme Courts Bans Transgender Athletes from Women's Sports appeared first on KPFA.

    DSA-Backed Candidate Successes in New York; Plus, SFPD Disrupt San Francisco Trans March, Make Arrests

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2026 59:58


    00:08 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation 00:33 — Niko Storment is co-director of  the San Francisco Trans March The post DSA-Backed Candidate Successes in New York; Plus, SFPD Disrupt San Francisco Trans March, Make Arrests appeared first on KPFA.

    UpFront – June 29, 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2026 59:57


    UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. The post UpFront – June 29, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

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