What if the next great geopolitical competition isn't over oil, rare earth minerals, or artificial intelligence but biotechnology?In this episode of The Forum Plus, Jim Falk talks with Dr. Jeremy Levin, physician, entrepreneur, and longtime biotechnology executive, about the warning at the heart of his new book, Biotech in the Balance: Saving a Strategic Industry in an Age of Distrust. Levin argues that biotechnology is essential to both public health and national security, and that the United States is at risk of losing its leadership at a critical moment.

In this episode of The Forum, hosts Jim Falk and Peter Smith explore the growing erosion of trust and its impact on personal relationships, communities, and some of America’s most important institutions, including the judiciary and the presidency. Their guests, Dennis Shaw and Yoram Solomon, both military veterans and authors who have written extensively about trust, explain why trust is indispensable in high-stakes environments where confidence in one another can mean the difference between life and death

In this episode of The Forum Plus, Jim Falk talks with acclaimed author Ben Fountain about his new novel, Rasputin Swims the Potomac. Best known for his National Book Critics Circle Award-winning novel Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, Fountain's latest work is a sharp political satire that blends celebrity culture, religion, and Washington intrigue into a highly entertaining story that, given today's political climate, feels all too plausible.

In this episode of The Forum, Jim Falk and co-host Daniel James explore the forces shaping Santa Fe's future through conversations with the city's tourism and economic development leaders.Fresh from Travel + Leisure naming Santa Fe the nation's best city to visit for the second consecutive year, Tourism Director Randy Randall explains what sets the City Different apart and how his office plans to build on that momentum. From its renowned arts community, outdoor recreation, world-class festivals, rich cultural heritage, and acclaimed culinary scene to accommodations that appeal to a wide range of travelers, Randall discusses why Santa Fe continues to attract visitors from around the world and the challenges of sustaining that success.Tourism is only one part of the story. Johanna Nelson, acting director of the City's Department of Economic Development & Creative Industries, outlines Santa Fe's strategy for strengthening the local economy by supporting existing businesses while attracting new investment.

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 his books is that, while he strives to tell a compelling story, he also works to make his plots plausible and relatable to current events.Before becoming a full-time novelist, McCaw spent more than four decades as an attorney handling some of the nation's most significant cases involving money laundering, financial fraud, and national security. He discusses how those experiences shaped Traitors, why he built the novel around Robert Cooper, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice's National Security Division, and why the spy genre has endured for generations.

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 opportunities and challenges shaping Santa Fe's cultural future with two of the city's arts leaders: Joel Aalberts, executive director of the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and Ken Marvel, co-owner and CEO of LewAllen Galleries.

This coming Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation.

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 both Blackstone and PNM also declined our invitations to participate.Fortunately, Evan Buckingham, who had originally planned to join us for the first 15 minutes of the program, was able to remain with us for the entire hour. Together, we examined the proposed acquisition, summarized the principal arguments both for and against the deal, and explored the broader implications of private equity's expanding role in the American economy.

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 Greece and the Middle East.During our conversation, Stephan Talty describes the extraordinary efforts undertaken to protect Greece’s ancient treasures from Nazi looters. He also explains how Hitler’s interest in Greece extended beyond military strategy. Hitler believed there was a racial and cultural connection between ancient Greece and the Aryan race, making Greece’s antiquities a matter of ideological as well as strategic importance.

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 Market, and the International Folk Art Market, the city offers a unique concentration of artistic experiences.This show focuses on the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and the International Folk Art Market, while also surveying the broader landscape of Santa Fe’s festival season and the role these institutions play in shaping the city’s cultural life.