"Be Bold America!‪"‬ Jill Cody

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7 & 90.7FM and KSQT Prunedale

“Be Bold America!” Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT)

“We don’t need to rely just on climate scientists anymore to warn us that we are in a Code Red emergency.” - John J. Berger

The news is undeniably grim. Raging wildfires, record-breaking temperatures, monster storms, and any number of other climate-related disasters … warn us regularly that we are barreling toward environmental ruin.

Yet, Dr. Berger also insists that rescue is possible. In his new book, “Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth” he introduces us to the bold, practical, proven solutions that are ready to scale right now, and he profiles the scientists, ranchers, business leaders, community organizers, activists, engineers, farmers, and (yes) politicians who are implementing them.

Interview Guest: 

JOHN J. BERGER Ph.D. is an environmental science and policy specialist, prize-winning author, and journalist. A graduate of Stanford and the University of California, he has written and edited 11 books, including three previous books on climate change, and written over 100 articles on climate change and transitioning to clean energy. His journalism has appeared in Scientific American, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and others. 

 

He has been a consultant to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, corporations, utilities, and the U.S. Congress, as well as a newspaperman, editor, and a professor at the University of Maryland. John co-founded the Nuclear Information and Resource Service to assist citizen safe-energy groups and founded Restoring the Earth, to bring environmental restoration to national attention. He lives in El Cerrito, CA.

 

Guest Cohost:

Mike Clancy is the current Chair of the Monterey County Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and serves on the Question Review Team for the Annual Leon Panetta Lecture Series.  He has authored over 100 publications and is the recipient of the Navy’s highest civilian award, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award.

 

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7 & 90.7FM

(Note: If you have not yet heard about Project 2025 , a $22M scheme to destroy democracy once and for all, it is discussed in this interview.)

“Be Bold America!” Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT)

“Holocaust education must sound the alarm—clearly, insistently, repeatedly: The Holocaust is a warning.” write the philosophers John K. Roth and Leonard Grob, two of the most respected Holocaust scholars in the world

As extreme right-wing political movements, anti-liberal fury, disrespect for truth and the rule of law, rampant “othering” and "whataboutism" gain traction in the U.S. and throughout the world—stoked by demagogic figures like Trump and Putin— we must heed that warning.

A dangerous contempt for democracy lies at the heart of recent and alarming developments, including the January 6 insurrection, the persistence of Trump and his MAGA rightwing, and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. These events warn Americans that democracy must not be taken for granted. It is in the crosshairs of authoritarian forces that will undermine our democracy unless renewed commitment—ethical as well as political—resists them.

Interview Guests:

Leonard Grob, Professor Emeritus of philosophy at Fairleigh Dickinson University Teaneck, NJ, where he taught full-time for thirty-nine years and part-time for another fifteen. Dr. Grob was the Chairperson of Philosophy Studies and Director of the University’s Humanities Core Curriculum. Dr. Grob’s Holocaust Studies have also provided the necessary background for him to begin exploring ideas related to resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: memory of the genocide of the Jews has most certainly informed Israeli political thought. Dr. Grob centers his scholarship on lessons of the Holocaust for those alive today.

John Roth, is the Edward J. Sexton professor emeritus of philosophy at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Dr. Roth was named the 1988 U. S. National Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Dr. Roth's expertise in Holocaust and genocide studies, as well as in philosophy, ethics, American studies, and religious studies, has been advanced by postdoctoral appointments as a Graves Fellow in the Humanities, a Fulbright Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and a Fellow of the National Humanities Institute, Yale University.

(Along with being colleagues, Roth and Grob, a Christian and a Jew, have enjoyed an interfaith, philosophical friendship for decades. It has been rich in the kind of respectful and vigorous dialogue and debate that promotes and nurtures democracy.)

Guest Cohost:

Mike Clancy is the current Chair of the Monterey County Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and serves on the Question Review Team for the Annual Leon Panetta Lecture Series. He has authored over 100 publications and is the recipient of the Navy’s highest civilian award, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award.

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7 & 90.7FM

“Be Bold America!” Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT)

“You are not alone … and there is a solution. The stark polarization in American politics is woven into the fabric of our culture – but it doesn’t have to be.” – Ruth Backstrom

Are you tired of broken politics and the deteriorating quality of life in America and aware that we need a dramatic shift for democracy to survive? Igniting A Bold New Democracy is an inspiring guide for creating a powerful pro-democracy movement using powerful approaches American citizens have used in the past to create reforms. Igniting A Bold New Democracy shares how proven facilitation methods, such as Dynamic Facilitation, could draw on our collective wisdom to design a vision for the new modern democracy that we deserve and need.

Interview Guest: 

Dr. Ruth Backstrom, holds a BA in history and a PhD in education. Ruth spent 10 years working as a community advocate for more sustainability, and a champion for creating a food policy council. As she discovered that people are yearning to have conversations about how to solve the problems in our country, Ruth envisioned ways that citizens could come together to have authentic problem-solving conversations again, discover how to respond to these tumultuous times, and then enact reforms as all want.

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7, & 90.7FM

“Be Bold America!” Sunday July 30, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT

In 2007, Dr. Robin Stern coined the phrase “gaslight effect” to explain the long-term effects of repeated gaslighting: an insidious, and sometimes covert form of emotional abuse in which a gaslighter undermines and controls another person by deflecting, twisting and denying the reality. 

Gaslighting can happen in a romantic relationship between family members, or at work – but in every case it leaves, you constantly second-guessing yourself, unable to make simple decisions, and destabilize from the constant reality shift.

Also, have we been politically gaslighted on a national level?

 

Interview Guest: 

Robin, Stern, PhD, is the cofounder and associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and co-developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach adopted by over 4000 schools worldwide. 

Dr. Stern is a license psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience and the author of Project Rebirth, The Gaslight Effect, The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide, and the host of "The Gaslight Effect Podcast," 

Dr. Stern offers invaluable insights into the dynamics of gaslighting and its impact on emotional well-being. She regularly contributes to esteemed publications and media outlets on topics related to psychology and emotional intelligence. 

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7 & 90.7 FM

“Be Bold America!” Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT)

What do red deer, birds, and gnats have in common with democracy?

Democracy is the default state of virtually every animal species on earth, and humanity is no exception. Only with the power of great wealth, control of media, or the force of arms and technology is it overcome by dictators, popes, and kings.

In Thom Hartmann’s powerful, sweeping history and analysis of American democracy,he shows how democracy is the one form of government most likely to produce peace and happiness among people.

Now, our democracy is under targeted threat. So how do we save our democracy?

Interview Guest: Thom Hartmann is a progressive nationally and internationally syndicated talk show host. Talkers Magazine named him America’s #1 most important progressive host and the host of one of the top ten talk radio shows in the country every year for more than a decade. 

A four-time recipient of the Project Censored Award, Hartmann is also a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, translated into multiple languages. He was born in Michigan and retains strong ties to the Midwest, although he has lived in many regions. He now lives on the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon.

Co-Interview Guest: Andrew Goldenkranz has been a public educator for 35 years and since 2020 has been Chair of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party, representing 112,000 local Democrats. 

As part of his career in Education, he conducted research at the American Museum of Natural History and developed public health curriculum at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Andrew's political organizing comes from his career experience and personal background and is driven to fight for a seat at the table for those who historically have not had one. 

Produced by KSQD 89.5, 89.7 & 90.7FM

“Be Bold America!” Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 5:00pm (PDT)

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a pay-to-play operation in which legislators and corporate lobbyists meet behind closed doors to write model legislation that advances a radical right-wing, pro-corporate, and pro-Republican agenda on everything from suppressing voter access and denying the climate breakdown to crushing unions and undermining public education.

ALEC embraced the Christian Right extremists who pushed for the nationwide abortion ban and, at last summer’s annual meeting, they celebrated the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, removing the right to an abortion in the United States, over a “late night, dessert and coffee.”ALEC members are urgently strategizing their efforts to radically rewrite the US Constitution and are blacklisting “woke” companies that embrace climate protection goals.

Common Cause is shining a light and fighting them!

 

Interview Guest: 

Viki Harrison is currently Common Cause’s “Director of Constitutional Convention and Protecting Dissent Programs.” She leads the non-profit’s work on stopping a dangerous constitutional convention that would rewrite the entire United States Constitution.

Viki previously served as Director of State Operations for Common Cause and was the Executive Director in Common Cause New Mexico. Viki Harrison graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Women’s Studies and African American Studies.