The Forum Plus is KSFR’s occasional spotlight on fascinating people, great books, timely issues, and noteworthy events. On this episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Luke Barr for a lively conversation about food—and how French cuisine evolved from the rich traditions of haute cuisine to the lighter, more innovative world of nouvelle cuisine.Our conversation brings the story to life, as Barr shares with me the rivalries and friendships that shaped a culinary revolution. He also talks about the secret past of Robert Courtine, the influential critic for Le Monde, and explores how legendary chefs like Paul Bocuse became global celebrities.After listening, you just might find yourself heading to your nearest French restaurant.

On this episode of The Forum, we continue KSFR’s commitment to giving listeners the opportunity to hear directly from candidates running for governor of New Mexico. Duke Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Ultra Health and former Human Services Secretary under Governor Gary Johnson, joins hosts Jim Falk and Peter Smith to discuss his campaign and vision. He calls for eliminating both the state income tax and the gross receipts tax to spur investment and economic growth, while supporting border security but opposing mass deportation policies.In the second half of the program, Reverend Talitha Arnold speaks with Juan Dircie about the significance of Yom HaShoah, which begins at sundown April 13. Their conversation explores remembrance, rising antisemitism, and the importance of distinguishing criticism of Israeli policy from attitudes toward Jewish people. He also shares the compelling story of his family’s flight from Nazi Germany which took them to Argentina, his birthplace.

Meteorologists are describing this winter as one of the driest in New Mexico’s recorded history. On this episode of The Forum, we examine what that could mean for Santa Fe’s water supply, and ask does the city have enough water to support its growth.While public perception may suggest an impending crisis, our guests make a compelling case that Santa Fe is taking proactive steps to ensure supply will meet anticipated demand. Thanks to years of conservation efforts and a strategy to diversify water sources, the city is in a far stronger position than many others confronting water scarcity.Looking ahead, city staff will be working closely with the public and City Council to finalize Water 2100, a long-range plan designed to secure a sustainable water future in the face of climate change.

In this episode of The Forum with Jim Falk, Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia reflects on his first three months in office, offering insight into key policy changes, city management priorities, and major issues facing Santa Fe.

In this episode, The Forum moves from local to global, beginning with a conversation with Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner and turning to a broader look at the human and financial costs of America’s wars.Turner, a longtime Albuquerque resident, discusses the challenges facing New Mexico and argues they must be addressed collectively, starting with education. In a wide-ranging exchange, he outlines his support for school choice and calls for greater investment in infrastructure, including a dedicated fund to improve the state’s roads.As the war in Iran enters its fourth week, author and professor David Vine examines the mounting economic and human toll. While estimates vary, military costs alone are reported to exceed $1 billion per day. Vine also highlights the long-term consequences of displacement, noting that in Lebanon alone, more than one million people have been forced to seek shelter elsewhere.

What if the most powerful thing you could do for your brain and body each day isn’t diet or exercise but sleep? In this episode of The Forum, Dr. Matthew Walker, one of the world’s foremost experts on the neuroscience of sleep, explains why he calls sleep “the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health every day.” Listeners may be surprised to learn that while the dangers of driving while intoxicated are widely recognized, getting behind the wheel while sleep deprived can be even more dangerous. Walker also shares practical strategies to lessen the effects of jet lag and offers simple steps you can take to prepare both yourself and your bedroom for a more restful night.If you sometimes struggle to fall asleep (or wake up feeling less than refreshed) this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

For years, many scientists believed that after our mid-20s, the brain could only decline. Today, neuroscience tells a very different story.In this episode of The Forum, two neuroscientists from the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas explain how the brain can continue to grow and adapt throughout our lives.

It should come as no surprise that images of raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country are contributing to rising anxiety here in Santa Fe and throughout New Mexico.At the beginning of the program, immigration attorney Allegra Love, a regular contributor on immigration policy to Source New Mexico (“ICE”) reminds listeners that immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation are not new. They have long been part of life in New Mexico. Later in the program, two staff members from Communities in Schools share what they are witnessing on the front lines. Students suddenly stop attending class. Medical appointments are missed. Families withdraw from public life. In some cases, people simply disappear.

In a rare convergence of sacred seasons, Muslims began Ramadan on February 17, a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual renewal; just one day later Christians entered Lent, the forty-day period of preparation for Easter, also marked by fasting, abstinence, and reflection.On this episode of The Forum, retired Lutheran minister Benjamin Larzelere joins co-host Reverend Talitha Arnold in a discussion exploring the history and meaning of Lent, and how the act of “giving something up” can deepen faith and sharpen spiritual awareness. In the second half of the program, Muslim Americans Ahmed Yanouri and Fouzia Ayachi share how Ramadan is observed in their homes, from the daily fast to the cherished tradition of Iftar, the breaking of the fast, and reflect on the rhythm and communal spirit of a holy month observed by nearly 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.

On this episode of The Forum, Reverend Talitha Arnold speaks with two remarkable New Mexicans who, through history and music, are helping keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive today.After a distinguished career as a physician, Bettye Kearse answered her mother’s call to tell their family’s story—one that reaches back to enslavement at Montpelier, the plantation of President James Madison. She reflects on the power of storytelling across generations and why an honest reckoning with history is essential to preserving both truth and dignity.Later in the program, longtime radio host Cecilia Webb shares how she came to the airwaves to lead Train to Glory for 28 years. She and Talitha explore the vital role of music in the Civil Rights Movement and how those spirituals and gospel songs continue to inspire protest movements across the country today.