Best KQED Science Podcasts (2025)

Soaring health insurance costs are forcing some Californians to make tough choices — from dropping coverage to leaving the state or even the country — as federal subsidies expire and premiums surge.By Lesley McClurg

1
Jenny Fan Raj: Finding Common Ground 3:55

Play Pause

4d ago3:55

3:55

Jenny Fan Raj gives an update on navigating tough conversations with her family on Thanksgiving.By KQED

1
Vicki Larson: An Unexpected Reason to Be Thankful 3:54

5d ago3:54

3:54

Vicki Larson shares how the holiday season changed for her and her family.By KQED

1
Brenda Walker: Remembering Martine 3:57

10d ago3:57

3:57

Brenda Walker shares about the life of her sister and support for the transgender community.By KQED

1
Jaden Vassallo: An Expensive Visit 3:45

11d ago3:45

3:45

Jaden Vassallo shares why he believes healthcare is too expensive.By KQED

1
Andrea Ibanez: The Art of Not Belonging 3:59

12d ago3:59

3:59

Andrea Ibanez shares her frustration navigating English grammar as an immigrant.By KQED

1
Richard Swerdlow: Official Language 3:42

13d ago3:42

3:42

Richard Swerdlow weighs in on why Americans should be open to learning new languages.By KQED

1
Brayan Dionicio Llanos: More Than A Policy 3:53

14d ago3:53

3:53

Brayan Llanos shares the challenges of navigating immigration paperwork with his parents.By KQED

1
Justin Kan: More Than a Backyard Game 3:46

17d ago3:46

3:46

Justin Kan explains why he enjoys badminton and how more people should invest in the sport.By KQED

1
Chickenless Chicken Shows? Bird Flu Reshapes County Fairs and 4-H Kids Make Do

17d ago

—

California’s state veterinarian banned all chicken shows this year to limit the spread of bird flu, leaving county fairs across the state devoid of chickens.By April Dembosky

1
Lina Lin Hoshino: A Late-Night Call 3:57

18d ago3:57

3:57

Lina Lin Hoshino reflects on a call where she was able to assist worried parents with their baby.By KQED

1
Katy Haynes: Living Inside the Graph 3:58

19d ago3:58

3:58

Katy Haynes reflects on enjoying her time parenting her young son.By KQED

1
Matthew Spaur: Love for San Pablo Bay 3:53

20d ago3:53

3:53

Matthew Spaur reflects on why he enjoys the water, birds and other wildlife in the San Pablo Bay.By KQED

1
Shia Shabazz Smith: Transformed By Love 3:58

21d ago3:58

3:58

Shia Shabazz Smith shares about her faith and journey to embrace the fullness of life.By KQED

1
Andrea Solis: The Road to Recovery 3:46

24d ago3:46

3:46

Andrea Solis shares about her struggles with mental health, identity and her recovery process.By KQED

1
Want to Electrify Your Home? Buy a Heat Pump? It’s Go Time

24d ago

—

A suite of federal incentives to help pay for new electric appliances will sunset Dec. 31. Here’s how to take advantage of them while you can.By Laura Klivans

1
Dorin Greenwood: Between Two Homes 3:59

25d ago3:59

3:59

Dorin Greenwood shares about her experience after moving from Canada to the Bay Area.By KQED

1
Arjun Rajkumar: Don't Chase Perfection 3:54

26d ago3:54

3:54

After receiving a disappointing grade, Arjun Rajkumar changes his view on what perfection means.By KQED

1
Vivienne Wu: Learning Can Be Messy 4:05

27d ago4:05

4:05

Vivienne Wu shares how writing and learning are not always a clear path.By KQED

1
Ansh Singh: Exhausted By Explanations 3:53

28d ago3:53

3:53

Ansh Singh shares about the stress of explaining his identity to his classmates.By KQED

1
Laura Fay: A Haunted Holiday 3:44

28d ago3:44

3:44

Laura Fay shares about her first experience with Halloween in California after moving from Ireland.By KQED

1
Lisa Liu Grady: Holding On to Tradition 3:59

1M ago3:59

3:59

After a change in her personal life, Lisa Liu Grady shares how she plans to navigate the upcoming holiday.By KQED

1
UC Davis Researchers Discover New Species of Coastal Spider, Just in Time for Halloween

1M ago

—

Hidden beneath California’s coastal dunes, a newly identified spider species — Aptostichus ramirezae — reveals how evolution thrives even in fragile, shifting sands.By Danielle Venton

1
Rising Tides Drive a Bay Area Push to Bring Back Vanished Marshlands

1M ago

—

The region has restored nearly 58,000 acres of tidal wetlands, bringing new life to the Bay’s edge and fresh hope for flood protection.By Ezra David Romero