For a change of pace, The Forum invites you to listen to conversations with two bestselling authors Anne Hillerman and Chris Whipple as they discuss their recently published books. “Shadow of the Solstice is the 10th in Hillerman’s acclaimed mystery series. Whipple’s “Uncharted” is the fly-on-the-wall story of the 2024 presidential campaign.

This month, two major spiritual traditions—Judaism and Christianity—enter the holiest seasons of their faiths: Passover for the Jewish community and Easter for Christians. Rabbi Neil Amswych from Temple Beth Shalom and Carmen Flórez-Mansi, Director of Music at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, share how the practices and values of their respective traditions have evolved over time.

Former Secretary of the Interior and current gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland has wrapped up her state-wide listening tour. She voices concern over ongoing budget and staff cuts at the Department of the Interior, highlighting their effects on New Mexico’s public lands and communities. Haaland outlines her plans to address key state issues including public safety, healthcare, and sustainable energy.Composer Brad Ellingboe and poet Tony Silvestri discuss the New Mexico premiere of their ecological cantata, A Place Called Home, taking place at the Lensic on Saturday, April 12. The duo shared insights on their collaboration and the transformative power of music to inspire change.

For nine years, Michael Missal served as Inspector General at the Department of Veterans Affairs—until he was abruptly fired on January 24. Meanwhile, veteran journalist Steve Herman is on administrative leave as the Trump administration moves to shut down the Voice of America (VOA). For the first time in its 82-year history, VOA has been offline since mid-March, silencing a global news source relied upon by millions.What happens next? As Missal and Herman explain, their fate—and the future of government oversight and press freedom—now rests in the hands of the courts.

Diplomat David Firestein and businessman Patrick Jenevein took vastly different paths to China, but both offer unique insights into its evolving political landscape. This program examines how Xi Jinping’s leadership marks a sharp departure from his predecessors and what that means for the United States and its allies

CNN legal commentator and bestselling author Jeffrey Toobin discusses his latest book, “The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy.” President Ford’s pardon just one month after President Nixon’s resignation, while viewed more favorably today than in 1974, continues to be controversial. Toobin takes the position that that how presidents use the power of the pardon reveals “the president’s soul.”

Dr. Larry Rasmussen, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary, discusses with co-hosts Peter Smith and Talitha Arnold when the guardrails of our nation’s democracy are being tested, we should reexamine the life of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an influential anti-Nazi dissident.

The Nation’s Report Card, published at the end of January, again ranked New Mexico student achievement last among all 50 states with scores trending down. Compounding the problem, Santa Fe Public Schools are now faced with Larry Chavez’ resignation resulting from charges against him of sexual harassment. While the Santa Fe School Board aims to have the position filled by the end of June, the vacancy creates an atmosphere of uncertainty. To learn more about why New Mexico is unable to improve its standing, (unlike Louisiana or Mississippi), and what Chavez’ departure means for Santa Fe students and educators, Forum Host Jim Falk talks with Amanda Aragon, the executive director of New Mexico Kidscan.

Ask residents of Santa Fe about their greatest concern and the likely response will be public safety. In this program, The Forum goes behind the statistics to discuss with Santa Fe Chief of Police Paul Joye how he and the Police Department are working to make the “city different” the “city safer.” Sergeant Luke Wakefield reminds us how we can make our residences safer to discourage theft.