Best Brain Power Studios Podcasts (2025)

1
Quilt Exhibit at Berkeley Museum Chronicles Black Lives in California 57:52

8m ago57:52

57:52

Old jeans. Worn shirts. Scraps from flour sacks and homemade dresses. Nothing is too humble for a quilt. In BAMPFA’s new exhibit “Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California,” quilts tell the story of resilience, family, and cultural continuity. The exhibit highlights the quiltmaking skills that many migrants brought with t…

1
Tijuana River Pollution Reaches Crisis Point in San Diego County, Scientists Warn 57:44

8m ago57:44

57:44

The South Bay in San Diego County is the site of one of the nation’s worst environmental disasters. Fifty million gallons of untreated sewage and industrial chemicals flow daily into the Tijuana River and out of Imperial Beach. New research connects the waste to worsening air quality, which has been linked with headaches, skin infections and gastro…

1
558- ADHD and Puberty: How Hormones Shape Behavior and Mental Health in Adolescents 58:55

25m ago58:55

58:55

Paul Mitrani, M.D., Ph.D., discusses the impact of hormones on emotions and mental health during adolescence, explains how puberty affects boys and girls differently, and shares strategies to maintain strong parent-teen relationships. Puberty and Mental Health: Additional Resources Free Download: How Hormones Impact ADHD Symptoms in Women and Girls…

1
Trump Deploys National Guard Troops to Los Angeles 57:46

14m ago57:46

57:46

National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday as part of the Trump administration’s response to clashes between federal immigration officials and protesters following ICE raids of local businesses. Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the deployment, posting on social media Sunday that “Trump is trying to manufacture a crisis in LA County — deplo…

1
California Rooftop Solar Is at a Crossroads 57:52

18m ago57:52

57:52

California has been a leader in rooftop solar adoption for years thanks to incentives and compensation programs. But policies from utilities and state lawmakers are removing incentives and making it more expensive for residents to have solar on their homes. Supporters of the changes say the new policies will reduce everyone’s electric bills, but so…

1
Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus on How She Makes Her Signature Sounds, Live in Studio 57:49

4d ago57:49

57:49

Oakland based art-pop band Tune-Yards is widely loved for their complex and funky rhythms, layers of sound, thrillingly dynamic vocals, and thought provoking lyrics. The duo, Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner, have just released a new album, “Better Dreaming,” praised by critics as highly danceable and jubilant while, as always, grappling with the st…

1
How Apple Fueled China's Economic and Technological Rise 57:44

4d ago57:44

57:44

The prevailing narrative about Apple in China over the last two decades is that the Cupertino company took advantage of low wages and weak labor laws to ship out close to half a billion devices per year. Journalist Patrick McGee says that narrative isn’t wrong, but it misses “the biggest piece of the puzzle: that Beijing allowed Apple’s activities …

1
Why Rejection Hurts—and What to Do With It 23:54

29m ago23:54

23:54

Today, we’re talking about something that every artist encounters—but few talk about openly: rejection. Whether it’s a juried show, a gallery application, or simply putting your work on social media, the fear of hearing “no” often holds artists back in big ways. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the problem. It’s the meaning we attach to it tha…

1
Steven Jennings Talks About His Bruce Springsteen Book 1:11:59

4d ago1:11:59

1:11:59

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, STEVEN JENNINS calls in to talk to Tom about his Bruce Springsteen book! (Originally Aired on WFMU on December 10th, 2012) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & V…

1
35: Setting Boundaries with Children without Losing Connection 23:50

1h ago23:50

23:50

Jen discusses setting boundaries in parenting while maintaining connection with children. Jen explains what a boundary is offers tangible ways to set effective boundaries with children. **Submit questions for Jen to answer on the podcast AT THIS LINK. Host: Jen Bluske Producers: Jamie Gale and Jen Bluske Contact Jen Bluske: Clinic Website Thriving …

1
What It’s Like to Parent With Your Friends 57:34

31m ago57:34

57:34

NPR’s Rhaina Cohen has taken a close look at friend-powered parenting, joining shared households to see how neighbor-and-friend alliances can break the isolation of modern parenthood. We’ll talk about the challenges of communal living and what parents gain—emotionally, practically, even financially—when they raise their kids with their friends. Coh…

1
As Final AIDS LifeCycle Ride Ends, Where Does AIDS Research Stand? 57:46

1d ago57:46

57:46

When the first AIDS LifeCycle ride rolled down the California coastline in 1994, AIDS was the leading cause of death for people aged 25 to 44. Today, HIV is no longer a death sentence and can be treated, though not cured. This weekend, the ride, which has raised $300 million for research, crosses the finish line for the last time. We take this mome…

1
Is What Social Media Tells You About Protein… True? 57:44

6d ago57:44

57:44

“We’re in a protein craze, and it’s hard to ignore,” writes New York Times health reporter Alice Callahan. Social media feeds are inundated with claims about protein – encouraging protein-maxxing diets that contain many times the federal recommendations, and pushing supplements, artificial protein sources and lots of red meat. We’ll talk with Calla…

1
Robert Macfarlane on the Lives and Rights of Rivers 57:52

3h ago57:52

57:52

Celebrated nature writer Robert Macfarlane has written about mountains, trails, and the old ways of humans on Earth. His new book lays out its premise in the title: “Is a River Alive?” He seeks answers to the question in a cloud forest in Ecuador, a dying ecosystem in Chennai, and a powerful river in Canada. We talk to Macfarlane about what rights …

1
LIVE MUSIC FROM DEERHOOF! WINNERS & LOSERS! ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! PAT FINNERTY! 3:02:14

7d ago3:02:14

3:02:14

DEERHOOF come through for a rousing performance in the Best Show/Forever Dog Theater! Tom takes calls about WINNERS & LOSERS, as well as ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! PAT FINNERTY (aka Pat In Philly) checks in! Plus, a call from IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! https://www.patreon.com/TheB…

1
How Multi-level Marketing Became America’s ‘Unseen Propaganda Factory’ 57:44

7d ago57:44

57:44

For decades, multi-level marketing (or MLM) companies like Amway and Mary Kay have made the promise that people could become their own bosses, earn extra income and work flexible hours under the umbrella of a globally recognized brand. But in reality, the success rates for people working in multi-level marketing “are closer to those of gamblers in …

1
With So Much Vacant Ground Floor Retail, Why Are We Still Building More? 57:52

7d ago57:52

57:52

When new apartment and office buildings are built, Bay Area cities often require developers to include retail space on the ground floor. The goal s to create vibrant neighborhoods by encouraging foot traffic and what urban planners call street “activation.” And yet, many of these spaces are vacant all over the region from downtown San Francisco to …

1
557- Healing from the Impact of Toxic or Emotionally Immature Parents 1:02:06

6h ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Amy Marlow-MaCoy, LPC, discusses the kinds of messages children internalize in emotionally unsupportive environments and the long-term impacts, signs of emotionally immature and narcissistic parenting, and shares self-care practices to begin healing. Healing from Your Past: Additional Resources Read: Are You a Toxic Parent? Read: Why Won’t My Paren…

1
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on the ‘Original Sin’ Controversy 57:38

1d ago57:38

57:38

Journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” has generated massive coverage – and pushback – since its release in May. Some Democrats say it’s not time to focus on the past, amid the turmoil of the current administration. But Tapper and Thompson…

1
How Trump’s Massive, Wide Ranging Budget Bill Could Affect You 57:43

8d ago57:43

57:43

President Trump’s budget bill rolls back clean energy initiatives, reduces Medicaid benefits, alters student loan rules, and extends tax cuts to the wealthiest, among other initiatives. It passed in the House by a bare margin, but Republican senator Ron Johnson has called the bill “divorced from reality,” indicating that it may face headwinds in th…

1
Extreme Sports Athlete Rad McKinney 52:56

10d ago52:56

52:56

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from the legendary extreme sports champion RAD MCKINNEY! (Originally aired on February 2nd, 2016) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPIS…

1
Remembering George Floyd and the Racial Reckoning He Sparked 57:39

4d ago57:39

57:39

We remember George Floyd, five years after his murder by a Minneapolis police officer. In the days and months after Floyd’s death, millions of Americans took to the streets to protest racism and police violence, ushering in a new era of racial reckoning. Robert Samuels, co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography “His Name is George Floyd,” w…

1
Why the Mission-Style Burrito Defines the Bay Area 57:47

4d ago57:47

57:47

New York has the pizza slice, Philly has its cheesesteak, and Chicago its hot dog. In the Bay Area, our iconic and passionately argued-over staple has long been the Mission-style burrito. Its origins are obscure, but one thing agreed on is that those enormous, foil-wrapped burritos are a culinary anchor that were perfected in San Francisco decades …

1
English Civil War - Part 1 (ship money) 1:01:01

4d ago1:01:01

1:01:01

This week, we start a series on the English Civil War and focus on the fighting between King Charles I and the Parliamentarians.By HOOT Studios

1
Yosemite and Other CA National Parks Underfunded, Understaffed this Summer 57:45

5d ago57:45

57:45

The Trump administration’s budget and staffing cuts to national parks could mean longer lines, closed visitor centers and fewer search and rescue workers this summer, according to former parks staff and advocates. The cuts are also compromising scientific research and environmental protection, creating what the National Parks Conservation Associati…

1
Bay Area Legends: Maxine Hong Kingston Changed What It Means to Tell an American Story 57:50

12d ago57:50

57:50

Chinese American literary pioneer Maxine Hong Kingston revolutionized storytelling with her groundbreaking 1976 book ‘The Woman Warrior,’ which blended reality and myth to capture the immigrant experience. As part of our Bay Area Legends series, we talk with Kingston – who grew up working in her parent’s Stockton laundry business and was an integra…

1
In the Zone: Artists Talk Flow State (and Losing Track of Time) 47:52

5d ago47:52

47:52

Have you ever been so immersed in your painting that you completely lost track of time? That magical moment where everything clicks, the inner critic goes quiet, and it feels like the brush is moving on its own? That’s what we’re diving into today—flow state. But here’s the twist: is flow always a good thing? Or can it actually hold you back from e…

1
How Do You Rate Newsom's Job Performance? 57:45

6d ago57:45

57:45

More than half of Californians think Gov. Gavin Newsom is more focused on winning the presidency than governing the state, according to a poll this month from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. The results come as Newsom proposes controversial healthcare cuts to close a projected $12 billion budget shortfall and navigates a hostile …

1
What the Target Boycott Says About the Power of Consumers 57:52

6d ago57:52

57:52

Retailers are now facing a lot of headwinds, including tariffs and a drop in consumer confidence. But for Target, once affectionately known by customers as Tar-jay, a consumer boycott in response to the company’s decision to drop some DEI initiatives has been an added drag. In its most recent earnings call, the retailer reported a 3.8% drop in sale…

1
JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON! ERIC RAHILL! WHITMER THOMAS! CARMEN CHRISTOPHER! AJ WEBERMAN! ROAD TRIP STORIES! PHILLY BOY ROY! 3:04:45

13d ago3:04:45

3:04:45

Best Show is back! JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON comes to the studio to talk with Tom about his career, SNL, Bob Dylan and more! AJ WEBERMAN, noted Dylanologist and Garbologist, calls in to talk with Tom and James! Comedians and actors ERIC RAHILL, WHITMER THOMAS, and CARMEN CHRISTOPHER stop in to talk to Tom about their roles in the new A24 film FRIENDSHIP…

1
BART Meltdowns, Fare Hikes, Budget Cuts and Other Bay Area Transit Woes 57:50

14d ago57:50

57:50

It has been a tough month for Bay Area transit. BART had two major meltdowns this month, stranding and frustrating commuters, all while the agency plans to raise fares. System wide, Bay Area transit agencies continue to struggle with funding challenges and luring back riders after the pandemic fundamentally altered our region’s commute patterns. An…

1
Alison Bechdel Parodies Her Fame in Comic Novel ‘Spent’ 57:40

14d ago57:40

57:40

Perhaps you’ve been following Alison Bechdel’s work since her comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” which invented the now ubiquitous Bechdel test (does a movie have two women who speak to each other about something other than a man?). Maybe you came to know her through her graphic memoir “Fun Home,” which was adapted into a Tony-award winning musi…

1
556- Understanding AuDHD Burnout: How Neurodivergent Masking Sparks Stress, Exhaustion 1:00:33

7d ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Amy Marschall, Psy.D., discusses why autistic people mask, and how this leads to stress and burnout; how to identify warning signs of burnout (and how this differs from depression and other mental health issues); and shares strategies to prevent or recover from burnout. AuDHD: Additional Resources Take This Self-Test: Autism in Women Read: AuDHD — …

1
Forum from the Archives: The New Yorker’s Michael Luo on ‘the Epic Story of the Chinese in America' 57:39

15d ago57:39

57:39

In 1889, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the now infamous Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the country. Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen J. Field characterized Chinese migrants as “strangers in the land.” New Yorker editor Michael Luo says that label persists today, even as more than 22 million people of…

1
Forum From the Archives: Jonathan Hirsch on Losing His Father to 'A Cult and Dementia' 57:50

15d ago57:50

57:50

In his popular podcast “Dear Franklin Jones,” radio producer Jonathan Hirsch tried to make sense of a childhood dominated by his parents’ spiritual guru. In a new memoir he more deeply explores his relationship with his father and the complexity of providing care for a parent who didn’t take care of him. We talk to him about his audio memoir, “The …

1
‘Second Life’ Looks at Parenting in an App-Obsessed World 57:40

18d ago57:40

57:40

When New York Times critic Amanda Hess was told her baby had a rare genetic condition, her first instinct was to “Google [her] way out of it.” But instead of comfort, she found anxiety – a feeling that would come to define her journey into parenthood. We talk to Hess about how technology, including fertility apps and high-end gadgets, are reshaping…

1
What’s on Your Summer Fun List? 57:47

16d ago57:47

57:47

A jazz festival in June. A California quilt show in July. A languorous lighthouse lunch in August. The best music, museums and memorable meals are just a few of the recommendations our KQED culture team has compiled in their annual Summer Events guide. They have advice for myriad tastes and budgets because nothing beats the Bay in the summer. Liste…

1
Soundtracapella 45:15

11d ago45:15

45:15

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom is joined in studio by the a capella soundtrack vocal duo SOUNDTRACAPELLA! (Originally Aired on WFMU on October 22, 2002) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES …

1
34: Failure as a Tool to Help Kids Build Autonomy 28:46

12d ago28:46

28:46

Jen Bluske discusses allowing children to fail as an important tool for supporting their increased resilience and autonomy. She explores the developmental context of growing autonomy and discuss strategies parents and teachers can use in order to support children during their times of frustration and failure. **Submit questions for Jen to answer on…

1
Live From East Oakland: Can $100 Million Revitalize Oakland’s Black Community? 57:51

19d ago57:51

57:51

For several decades, Black residents of East Oakland have watched their once-thriving middle-class community wither in numbers as the rising cost of living pushed out their neighbors leaving the area blighted with empty storefronts, crime and poverty. Now, a plan called Rise East will inject $100 million of privately raised funds into a 40-square-b…

1
Trump’s Memecoin, Qatari Jet Raise Bipartisan Corruption Concerns 57:41

18d ago57:41

57:41

The biggest owners of the Trump memecoin $Trump will dine with the president Thursday night at the Trump National Golf Club. The cryptocurrency directly enriches the Trump family and has alarmed public corruption experts on both sides of the aisle – as has the administration’s acceptance Wednesday of a luxury jet from Qatar. We take a closer look a…

1
From California to Kyiv, Advocates Fight for Return of Ukraine’s Stolen Children 57:44

20d ago57:44

57:44

Vladimir Putin has removed tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia since the start of his full scale invasion in February 2022. The deportations, often carried out under the pretense of “humanitarian evacuation,” have targeted vulnerable Ukrainian children including orphans, children with disabilities and children with parents in the mili…

1
Celebrating 40 Years of West Coast Literature with Zyzzyva 57:52

20d ago57:52

57:52

When a scrappy San Francisco literary journal launched in 1985 to champion West Coast writers, the dream was to make a lasting imprint. Now, 40 years later, we celebrate Zyzzyza’s anniversary with editor Oscar Villalón and writers Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) and Ingrid Rojas Contreras. We’ll talk about the literary journal’s vision, its ste…

1
THE BEST SHOW RETROSPECTIVE 2:47:29

13d ago2:47:29

2:47:29

Tom Scharpling sits down with Brett Davis to celebrate 25 years of The Best Show. Learn about the moments and people that led Tom to WFMU, and the development of Newbridge and Jon Wurster's incredible array of characters. Delve into the origins of fan favorites such as AP Mike, Pat, Dudio, Vance, and Gary the Squirrel, alongside insights into early…

1
Exploring the Mysteries of the Brain with UCSF Dementia Researchers 57:46

21d ago57:46

57:46

New research from UC San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center suggests that a decline in one region of the brain can cause other regions to “step in to help” – unlocking surprising capacities like deeper empathy or creativity. We talk to two UCSF doctors about why this has implications for any neurodegenerative disorder, including dementia. They joi…

1
How Siblings Shape Us, Even in Adulthood 57:53

19d ago57:53

57:53

What makes a family tick? While parents spend lots of time and energy trying to shape their kids’ lives, studies show that siblings play as significant a role in who their brothers and sisters become. We talk to New York Times Magazine staff writer Susan Dominus about her new book, “Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success,” an…

1
555- “Solve My Problem!” – Live Q&A Session on 4/25/25 52:46

14d ago52:46

52:46

Listen to a recording of a real-time Q&A session held on 4/25/25. Sharon Saline, Psy.D., responds live to questions from adults living with ADHD and parents raising neurodivergent children. Life with ADHD: Additional Resources Sign Up! Free ADHD Parenting Class Download: The ADHD Healthy Habits Handbook eBook for Adults: The Adult’s Guide to Strong…

1
What Are Your Allergy Season Questions? 53:45

20d ago53:45

53:45

Do your seasonal allergies feel worse this spring? You might not be imagining it: climate change is hastening the end of winter, pushing up pollen production and intensifying winds that spread allergens around. We’ll talk to doctors about the science of seasonal allergies, learn why some of us are more vulnerable to them than others and hear how to…

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