Radio Pacific

Eli Benton Cohen

Coming to you from the edge of America, Radio Pacific is a new show about California.

Episodes

  1. MDMA & The Bay

    08/06/2025

    MDMA & The Bay

    San Francisco has long been associated with psychedelics, but when it comes to mind-altering substances, no other drug may be as closely tied to the Bay Area as MDMA, often known as "ecstasy" or "molly." ​MDMA was basically unheard of until 1977, when Bay Area chemist Sasha Shulgin gave therapist Leo Zeff a homemade batch. Zeff found the drug nothing short revelatory and spent the remainder of his life evangelizing its therapeutic potential. ​But the drug quickly caught the attention of ravers across the world, and soon thereafter, the DEA. In 1985, it was classified Schedule One: high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use. ​40 years later — in the midst of the so-called "psychedelic renaissance" — more scientific research is being done on MDMA than ever before. Last year, Lykos Therapeutics applied to the FDA for approval of MDMA assisted therapy. Though the trial results were considered outstanding by many, the FDA ultimately rejected the new drug application. ​But the quest for legal MDMA therapy is far from over. Tonight, in our first live event, we discuss the full history and scientific evidence with researchers, therapists, and journalists who have all played a seminal role in better understanding this misunderstood drug. Thank you for listening to Radio Pacific, from KALW. We're fully independent, local media. The biggest thing you can do to support us is share this episode with your friends, and subscribe to and rate this feed! You can sign up for our newsletter at radiopacific.co. And please reach out, we'd love to hear from you: eli.cohen@radiopacific.co.

    56 min
  2. Rapid Response Hotline

    05/07/2025

    Rapid Response Hotline

    President Trump returned to power on the promise to “carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.” The campaign has already deported thousands, sent waves of terror throughout immigrant communities, and even pushed the country to the brink of a constitutional crisis. In our first episode, California legal scholar Kevin R. Johnson puts the first months of Trump’s administration in perspective and helps us understand California’s unique role and disturbing role in the country’s immigration history. Then we look into one form of resistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), “Rapid Response Hotlines.” These community-run, 24/7 lines keep tabs on ICE activity in their neighborhoods, and dispatch legal assistance to those who need it. To understand how they work, we sit down with filmmaker Paloma Martinez, whose beautiful short documentary “Enforcement Hours” follows the San Francisco Rapid Response Hotline during President Trump’s first term. We’re joined by Finn Palamaro, a staff member at the non-profit Mission Action and the lead organizer on SF’s Rapid Response Hotline. Thank you for listening to Radio Pacific, from KALW. We're fully independent, local media. The biggest thing you can do to support us is share this episode with your friends, and subscribe to and rate this feed! You can sign up for our newsletter at radiopacific.co. And please reach out, we'd love to hear from you: eli.cohen@radiopacific.co.

    55 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Coming to you from the edge of America, Radio Pacific is a new show about California.