Weekly Program Highlights

Friday 11/14

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Hidden Brain… Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, but there are other things that can matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed. Take a look at why great ideas fail and how to keep them from failing.

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Fresh Air… This week on Fresh Air, hear an interview with author and engineer Rachel Lance about her book Chamber Divers: The Untold Story of the D-Day Scientists Who Changed Special Operations Forever.

6:30 – 7:30 PM
The Club McKenzie… A Musical Novelty: In 1921, African American stage shows and musicals found success in New York, a period known as Manhattan’s Black Renaissance. The success of the shows, specifically Shuffle Along, boosted an all-Black cast, musical composition, musicians, producers, directors, stage hands, and even the playbills. It also had a profound and immediate effect on Broadway and white-produced shows.

Saturday 11/15

10:00 – 11:00 AM
Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!… This week on Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, the panelists are Paula Poundstone, Roxanne Roberts, and Brian Babylon. Plus, comedian and actor Tiffany Haddish joins to talk about her new Peacock reality series and play Not My Job.

11:00 – NOON
Radiolab… In 1995, a tragic fire in Pittsburgh set off a decades-long investigation that sent Greg Brown Jr. to prison. But, after a series of remarkable twists, Brown found himself contemplating a path to freedom that involved a paradoxical plea deal, one that peels back the curtain on the criminal justice system and reveals it doesn’t work the way we think it does.

3:00 – 4:00 PM
American Routes… This week on American Routes, hear a conversation with musicians from southwest Louisiana Cajun and New Orleans Creole life. Singer/songwriter Zachary Richard has been called the most American of French songwriters and the most French of American songwriters. Tune in for a walk through his nearly 50-year catalog of songs. Then, Creole jazz banjoman Don Vappie updates musical history while keeping the New Orleans traditional sound alive.

Sunday 11/16

10:00 – 11:00 AM
Reveal… This week on Reveal, a popular sheriff survived calls to resign over the actions of violent deputies. But another scandal was already brewing in his county jail.

11:00 – NOON
This American Life… This week on This American Life, people living in one house, somewhat on top of one another, trying to sort out disagreements in close quarters.

NOON – 3:00 PM
Sunday Baroque… It wasn’t until 15 years after Thomas Arne died that his six keyboard concertos were finally published, and that was decades after they were composed. His son hadn’t taken very good care of the manuscripts, and it was only because another musician in London produced a usable copy that they could be restored and edited for publication. You’ll hear one of Thomas Arne’s Six Favourite Concertos.

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Code Switch & Life Kit… This week on Code Switch, a show about tribal colleges and navigating federal aid. Then on Life Kit, a show about healthy cooking.

6:00 – 7:00 PM
The Moth Radio Hour… This week on The Moth Radio Hour, hear stories of nerves, anxiety, and fear, and the courage and support that allow us to overcome them during moments like forgetting something or talking about your family’s past.

Monday 11/17

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Issues and Ideas… David McAbee talks with Dina Gilio Whitaker about her new book, Who Gets to Be Indian, unpacking how media shapes Indigenous identity. Then, Brian Reynolds stops by Volumes of Pleasure to talk all things bookstores with owner Carroll Leslie. And finally, Mira Honeycutt visits Cambria’s only winery, Parr Collective, for Wine Country.

2:00 – 3:00 PM
The Splendid Table

Tuesday 11/18

1:00 – 2:00 PM
TED Radio Hour… In part two of a series looking at influencers, host Manoush Zomorodi speaks with Adam Aleksic about how the creator economy is influencing our language and culture. When everything can be monetized, how does that change what we value?

2:00 – 3:00 PM
The Reluctant Therapist

Wednesday 11/19

1:00 – 1:30 PM
Bioneers… This week on Bioneers, architect and designer Jason F. McLennan talks about designing our environment to support human connection and love by mimicking nature’s design.

1:30 – 2:00 PM
California Report Magazine… This week on the California Report Magazine, join host Sasha Khokha as she continues a series on transgender and non-binary youth, and hear stories about parents and their journeys to understand and support their children.

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Freakonomics Radio… This week on Freakonomics Radio, hear part one of a new series about horses. Take a look at why there are seven million horses in America, despite being obsolete in terms of the horsepower they provide compared to machines.

6:30 – 8:00 PM
KCBX in Concert… Craig Russell highlights the approaching concert “Songs of Joy” by the SLO Master Chorale with inspiring repertoire by Mozart, Dvořák, and Amy Beach. After exploring the upcoming concerts of the Cal Poly Bands, Symphony, Jazz Band, and Choirs, Craig shines his musical flashlight on Scott Yoo and Festival Mozaic’s upcoming events featuring music by Beethoven, Dvořák, and Webern.

Thursday 11/20

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Central Coast Voices… This week on Central Coast Voices, host Fred Munroe takes a look at the City of San Luis Obispo’s efforts to assist residents, staff and visitors develop a true sense of belonging. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are major city goals for 2025-27. Hear from two members of the City’s DEI team about San Luis Obispo’s daily efforts to ensure citizens are heard in the community.

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Latino USA… Hear a roundtable discussion about whether the Democratic Party can learn from its recent electoral victories, and the role of the elusive so-called Latino vote in future elections. Also on the show, actor Raúl Castillo takes the hosts inside the scene of HBO’s Task that pushed him to one of the darkest emotional places of his career. They also discuss censorship, politics, and Raúl’s journey to speak out in Hollywood.

6:30 – 8:00 PM
The Road Home… This week on The Road Home, Marisa welcomes singer-songwriter Miss Leo live in the studio to play music and chat about her latest projects. Miss Leo's Country Band will be at our upcoming KCBX fundraiser "Central Coast Sessions" on November 22nd at SLO Brew Rock. Tune in to hear about her band, about the solo efforts she's been concentrating on, and about life as a working musician on the Central Coast.

Friday 11/21

6:30 – 7:30 PM
The Club McKenzie