Americans lose billions of dollars each year to fraud, but today’s scams are about far more than stolen credit cards or suspicious emails. On this edition of The Forum, we look at The Business of Deception: how scams work, why even careful and well-informed people can fall victim, and what we can do to protect ourselves and those around us. Criminals are increasingly sophisticated, using stolen identities, convincing impersonations, artificial intelligence, and even cloned voices to gain our trust and separate us from our money. Increasingly, they are also targeting children and older adults, who can be especially vulnerable to deception.

Our guests are Justin Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office; Kenneth Romero, Chief Operating Officer of Century Bank; and Colleen Hanley, Senior Vice President responsible for Treasury Management at Century Bank. Drawing on what they see every day, we talk about how criminals identify and manipulate potential targets, the warning signs we too often overlook, and what to do if you become a victim.

This is a conversation you will want to share. It is filled with practical advice, real-world examples, and an important reminder: when it comes to fraud, one of our best defenses is understanding how deception works before we encounter it.

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-host:           Reverend Talitha Arnold

Guests:            Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge, FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office

                        Kenneth Romero, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Century Bank

                        Colleen Hanley, Executive Vice President, Century Bank

With the 2026 midterm elections less than three months away, control of Congress is at stake, but so are larger questions about presidential power, the role of Congress, and Americans’ declining trust in their political institutions.

Tonight’s discussion centers on the Common Sense Coalition’s recently published report, Betrayed: America Didn’t Vote for This, which was written and edited by a group of Republican and Democratic experts who describe their work as a “damage assessment” of the first 16 months of Trump 2.0.

During the conversation, John Lawrence and Ira Shapiro examine how the Trump administration has taken actions they argue go far beyond what was promised during the 2024 campaign. They discuss the impact on the economy and America’s foreign relations, and express concern about steps being taken by MAGA loyalists they believe could cast doubt on the results of the upcoming midterm elections.

Later in the program, Lawrence and Shapiro share their views on why Congress has failed to uphold its constitutional responsibility as a co-equal branch of government and to act as a check on presidential overreach.

The program concludes with a call for citizens to become better informed, demand accountability, and vote.

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-host:           Daniel James

Guests:            John Lawrence, Ph.D., author, Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership; Visiting Professor at the University of California’s Washington Center

Ambassador Ira Shapiro, author and co-editor, Betrayed: America Didn’t Vote for This

Rarely does a day go by without New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez making news. Coming off a week in which the First Judicial District Court ordered Meta to pay $567 million and implement reforms in a case widely viewed as a landmark, Torrez was eager to explain why New Mexico’s lawsuit against the social media giant was so consequential.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Torrez’s discussion of how his early years as a prosecutor ignited an unwavering commitment to protecting children. That experience continues to shape his approach to laws and regulations governing today’s technology, which he believes, if not adequately regulated, poses a significant threat to society, particularly to young people.

The conversation also covers New Mexico’s investigation into allegations that DEA agents knowingly allowed fentanyl to reach communities; the state’s refusal to release unredacted voter registration lists; and issues surrounding the ongoing investigation of Zorro Ranch.

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-host:           Peter Smith

Guest:              Raúl Torrez, Attorney General, State of New Mexico

In this episode of The Forum Plus, Jim Falk talks with British journalist and author Antonia Senior about her acclaimed new book, Stalin's Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire. Drawing on newly declassified documents from Britain and Eastern Europe, Senior offers a fresh assessment of one of the most damaging espionage networks of the twentieth century.

The conversation examines how five young Cambridge University students became committed Soviet spies, betraying Britain and the United States by passing some of their nations' most closely guarded secrets to Moscow. Senior argues that their actions influenced the course of World War II and the Cold War far more profoundly than previously understood, including the transfer of intelligence that helped accelerate the Soviet Union's atomic weapons program.

Jim and Antonia also explore why the Cambridge Five remained hidden for so long, and why their story continues to resonate today as democracies confront new questions about loyalty, disinformation, and national security. It is a fascinating conversation about espionage, ideology, and the enduring consequences of betrayal.

Host:               Jim Falk

Guest:              Antonia Senior, Author, Stalin’s Apostles

According to Feeding America, one in six New Mexicans experiences food insecurity, including more than 108,000 children. Hunger affects far more than empty stomachs; it can undermine a child's ability to learn in school and thrive later in life.

In this episode of The Forum, our guests describe how rising food prices, inflation, and higher transportation costs are driving more individuals and families to food banks while increasing reliance on federal and state nutrition assistance programs. At the same time, recent changes to federal food assistance programs brought about by the One Big Beautiful Bill are making it more difficult for many to receive the support they need.

The conversation also examines the high SNAP payment error rates in New Mexico and Texas and why many of those errors stem from administrative problems rather than fraud. Our guests discuss the importance of the close collaboration that now exists among nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and faith communities working to address hunger across New Mexico and Texas. For many, access to quality, affordable food is a challenge especially in rural areas where all too often a grocery store may be miles away. 

Amanda Regel also emphasizes the continuing need in Santa Fe for Food Depot volunteers, while both guests encourage listeners to learn more about food insecurity in their own communities and to share their concerns with elected officials.

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-host:           Talitha Arnold

Producer:         Jim Falk/Talitha Arnold

Guest (s):         Clarissa Clark, Government Relations Officer, North Texas Food Bank

                        Amanda Bregel, Communications Director, The Food Depot

Changes that took effect on July 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill have reshaped the federal student loan landscape for both current borrowers and future students. To help explain what these changes mean, co-host Daniel James begins the program with a pre-recorded conversation with nationally recognized student financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz. Following the break, co-host Peter Smith, a lifelong educator who has led two colleges, joins the discussion.

They, along with host Jim Falk, examine the challenges students and parents face paying for higher education, the reasons many colleges are struggling to remain financially viable, and the growing role of community colleges as an affordable pathway to both employment and a four-year degree. The conversation also explores broader questions about how higher education should be financed, including whether expanding grants directly to colleges rather than student loans could improve college access and reduce the burden of debt. 

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-hosts:         Daniel James & Peter Smith

Guest:              Mark Kantrowitz

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.

According to Levin, China is following a deliberate five-step strategy to dominate the global biomedical sector, giving it enormous strategic influence over countries that fail to keep pace. At the same time, he warns that reductions in staffing at agencies such as the FDA and CDC, cuts in research funding, and growing public distrust of science, including vaccine deniers, are weakening America's biomedical ecosystem.

Levin offers a path forward, outlining ten commitments he believes can rebuild public trust, strengthen innovation, and ensure that the United States remains a global leader in one of the our most important strategic industries.

Host:               Jim Falk

Guest:              Jeremy M. Levin, PhD, MD, author, Biotech in the Balance: Saving a Strategic Industry in an Age of Distrust

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. 

The conversation examines the forces contributing to today’s decline in trust, from increasing polarization to the sense of alienation that fuels populist movements in the United States and around the world. Shaw and Solomon emphasize that populism is not confined to either the political left or right but often emerges when people feel that traditional institutions no longer represent or serve them. Drawing on the insights from their respective books, both guests offer practical guidance for rebuilding trust, stressing the importance of reliability, character, empathy, and the willingness to truly listen to one another. 

Host: Jim Falk 

Co-host: Peter Smith 

Guests: Dennis Shaw, author, Slow Work of Trust 

Yoram Solomon, author, The Complete Book of Trust

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.

Fountain shares his concern that the United States is approaching a moment when citizens will face difficult choices as they navigate an era of media manipulation, disinformation, and deep political polarization driven by economic disparity. He and Jim also explore the evolving role of religion in American politics and why faith will play an even greater part in the upcoming midterm and presidential elections.

Describing how he approaches his subjects, Fountain says that his goal is always to write "a good yarn" that also delivers a punch. 

Host:               Jim Falk

Guest:              Ben Fountain, author, Rasputin Swims the Potomac

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. She highlights initiatives such as the Small Business Navigator Program and GO Local, GO Different, and explains why the addition of "Creative Industries" to her department's mission reflects the city's recognition that arts, culture, and entrepreneurship are essential to the city’s economic success. Responding to a recent ranking by Consumer Affairs that placed New Mexico last among states people are considering moving to, Nelson also draws on her experience in state government to discuss what New Mexico can do to become more competitive.

Host:               Jim Falk

Co-host:          Daniel James

Guests:            Johanna Nelson, Acting Director, Department of Economic Development & Creative Industries, City of Santa Fe

                        Randy Randall, Tourism Director, City of Santa Fe

Show Notes

Travel+Leisure Rankings