The Forum with Jim Falk

In this episode of The Forum Plus , Jim Falk talks with bestselling author Robert McCaw about his new novel, Traitors . Best known for his Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery series, McCaw's latest novel takes readers into the world of counterintelligence, Russian disinformation, and the complex legal and moral choices involved in protecting national security. McCaw believes one reason for the success of hi...

Santa Fe's reputation as one of America's premier arts and cultural destinations is central to both its identity and its economy. But how are the city's galleries and performing arts organizations adapting to changing audiences, economic uncertainty, and new expectations? In this episode of The Forum , Jim Falk and co-host Daniel James, executive director of Santa Fe Pro Musica, explore the opport...

This coming Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. In nearly every city, town, village across the U.S., there will be celebrations with fireworks, food, speeches and especially music—which is the focus of tonight’s forum, titled “Crossing Borders: The Music That Made Us American.” We’ll trace the history of some of the best-known songs and musical styles of this country—and...

Originally, this program was intended to be an in-depth discussion of Blackstone's proposed acquisition of PNM, New Mexico's largest electric utility, by Blackstone, the private equity firm that describes itself as the world's largest alternative asset manager. Unfortunately, shortly before we went on the air, one of the leading opponents of the proposal was unable to join us. Representatives of b...

It is one of the most remarkable, and least known, stories of World War II. Under the leadership of William “Wild Bill” Donovan, founder of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a group of American archaeologists set aside their scholarly pursuits to become intelligence operatives. After limited training at “The Farm,” they recruited Greeks and Greek Americans to carry out secret missions across...

Each summer, Santa Fe becomes a vibrant center of cultural activity, fueled by an extraordinary series of festivals that draw both residents and visitors from around the world. From classical music presented by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Santa Fe Opera, to celebrated arts traditions showcased through the Santa Fe Indian Market, Traditional Spanish Mar...

Why are fewer women seeking political leadership today? In this episode of The Forum Plus, journalist and author Linda Robinson examines the growing threats, harassment, and intimidation that are driving many women away from public service both in the United States and around the world.  As threats, harassment, and intimidation increasingly target women leaders, and often their families, many are...

The primary campaign is over. The general election campaign has begun. With just over 150 days until Election Day, New Mexico’s two gubernatorial nominees, Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull, join Jim Falk and Patrick Davis in separate recorded interviews to discuss the road ahead. They reflect on lessons learned during the primary, explain how they hope to win the support of independents and voters beyon...

In this episode of The Forum Plus , Nicholas Enrich and Rebecca Black discuss the far-reaching consequences of the dismantling of USAID, arguing that the loss of the agency will have lasting effects on global public health, including within the United States, and significantly damage America’s international standing. Enrich’s book, Into the Wood Chipper , has drawn praise for its detailed account...

New Mexico is not poor because it lacks resources. As the nation’s second-largest oil and gas producer after Texas, it has benefited from revenues that many states would envy. Yet New Mexico continues to struggle with persistent poverty, lagging educational outcomes, and slow population growth. A recent report, Economic Freedom in the Land of Enchantment , argues that a lack of economic freedom is...

To commemorate Memorial Day, this program begins with a conversation with historian and author Jonathan Jordan, where we discuss the extraordinarily consequential relationship between two pivotal leaders of World War II and the Cold War: Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill. The similarities between the 1956 Suez Crisis and today’s tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are a reminder tha...

In this episode of The Forum Plus , I speak with Simon Rogers, data editor at Google and author of What We Ask Google . Drawing on search data from around the world, Rogers shows how our questions about grief, cooking, relationships, and countless everyday concerns reveal that people everywhere share remarkably similar hopes, fears, and curiosities. Simon also explains how anyone can use Google Tr...

Host:                Jim Falk Guest:              Tod Robberson, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author Tod Robberson recently joined me to discuss his new book, Globemaster Down , the story of a U.S. military plane that crashed on March 23, 1951, all 53 people on board were unaccounted for. What makes this tragedy especially haunting is that the...

To better understand the high-stakes negotiations over the future of the Colorado River, you’ll want to listen to this episode featuring three leading water experts. They trace the history and significance of the Colorado River Compact, the landmark 1922 agreement that governs how water is shared among seven Western states. With the current operating rules set to expire in October, negotiators fac...

Several significant laws passed during New Mexico’s recent legislative session are scheduled to take effect on May 20. On this episode of The Forum , we examine two of the most consequential: the Immigrant Safety Act and a series of measures aimed at improving access to healthcare in a state that continues to face severe shortages of physicians and other healthcare professionals.  The program prov...

Project Jupiter, the massive data center under construction in southern New Mexico’s Doña Ana County, is becoming a flashpoint in the national debate over artificial intelligence infrastructure. At issue: water use, energy demand, and whether the promised economic benefits truly materialize for local communities. Opposition to large-scale data centers is growing, cutting across political lines. A...

With the New Mexico state primary just weeks away, Gregg Hull, one of three Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination for governor, joins The Forum Plus to discuss why he believes his years as mayor of Rio Rancho have prepared him to lead the state. Hull outlines key elements of his platform, including eliminating property taxes for homeowners 60 and older, adopting a “zero-tolerance” appro...

As the wars in Iran and Ukraine continue, this episode brings together two conversations with leading scholars whose work offers essential historical context—and contrasting perspectives—on U.S. foreign policy at a moment of global uncertainty. We begin with Matthew Frakes, professor of diplomatic history at The Ohio State University and author of Rogue States: The Making of America’s Global War o...

Nearly two months into the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, three seasoned experts step back to ask how we got here, and what comes next. Calling it a “war of choice,” they draw on years of experience to unpack the pressures now facing negotiators as the Trump administration seeks a way to de-escalate and end the conflict. Their discussion of Iran’s nuclear program is particularly revealing, highlighting...

The Forum Plus is KSFR’s occasional spotlight on fascinating people, great books, timely issues, and noteworthy events. On this episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Luke Barr for a lively conversation about food—and how French cuisine evolved from the rich traditions of haute cuisine to the lighter, more innovative world of nouvelle cuisine. Our conversation brings the story to...

On this episode of The Forum , we continue KSFR’s commitment to giving listeners the opportunity to hear directly from candidates running for governor of New Mexico. Duke Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Ultra Health and former Human Services Secretary under Governor Gary Johnson, joins hosts Jim Falk and Peter Smith to discuss his campaign and vision. He calls for eliminating both the state income t...

Meteorologists are describing this winter as one of the driest in New Mexico’s recorded history. On this episode of The Forum , we examine what that could mean for Santa Fe’s water supply, and ask does the city have enough water to support its growth. While public perception may suggest an impending crisis, our guests make a compelling case that Santa Fe is taking proactive steps to ensure supply...

In this episode of The Forum with Jim Falk , Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia reflects on his first three months in office, offering insight into key policy changes, city management priorities, and major issues facing Santa Fe. The mayor begins by announcing details for Santa Fe’s upcoming Fourth of July celebration, which will take place at Franklin Miles Park and feature both a fireworks display an...

In this episode, The Forum moves from local to global, beginning with a conversation with Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner and turning to a broader look at the human and financial costs of America’s wars. Turner, a longtime Albuquerque resident, discusses the challenges facing New Mexico and argues they must be addressed collectively, starting with education. In a wide-ranging exchan...

What if the most powerful thing you could do for your brain and body each day isn’t diet or exercise but sleep? In this episode of The Forum , Dr. Matthew Walker, one of the world’s foremost experts on the neuroscience of sleep, explains why he calls sleep “the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health every day.” Listeners may be surprised to learn that while the da...