Commonwealth Club Of California Podcast

This week we take a trip to Mexico, a petrostate that just elected climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum as its next president. She’s also the former mayor of Mexico City, the largest city in North America, which has been going through a major water crisis due to climate change. It’s at risk of running out of water — and it has been for a long time. In fact, much of the country is coping with drought and heat waves exacerbated by climate change. Christine Colvin, a hydrogeologist with WWF International, was in Cape Town, South Africa, at the height of a recent megadrought. The city was approaching Day Zero, when it would not be able to supply water to residents. Colvin says that of all the ways climate disruption impacts our lives, the most critical may be to our relationship with water.  "If the climate crisis is a shark, then water are its teeth. This is the thing that’s really going to bite us first and hardest."  Guests: Oscar Ocampo, Coordinator for Energy and Environment, Mexican Institute of Competitive

The Summer Olympic Games are here! That means more than 300 events, ten thousand athletes and millions of spectators coming to watch. And the athletes are not the only ones with an Olympian task; the organizers of the Paris Games pledged to make their event emit only half of the carbon pollution of the 2012 London Games.  In order to make that happen, they are trying to do more — by doing less. Instead of building huge new structures, they’ve renovated a number of existing venues and installed a lot of temporary structures that can be used elsewhere in the future. And that’s just one example. So what can we learn from the Paris Games that can transcend the big event and lead to broader emissions reductions? Guests:  Martin Müller, Professor of Geography and Sustainability, University of Lausanne Henry Grabar, Journalist, Author of “Paved Paradise, How Parking Explains the World” Oluseyi Smith, Two-time Olympian, Renewable Energy Engineer, Founder, Racing to Zero Angel Hsu, Director, Data-Driven EnviroLab, Uni

The Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California and The Consulate of Colombia in San Francisco are pleased to invite you to the inauguration of the photographic exhibition Foto-Diásporas, a traveling exhibition making its debut in San Francisco. The exhibition is a research and creative project about Colombians' forced cross-border migration. Through the eyes and voices of 15 Colombian men and women, Foto-Diásporas uses the power of participatory photography to make visible the experiences of forcibly displaced Colombians living in the United States and their demands for recognition and reparation. This exhibition pays tribute to the victims from the past armed conflict and honoring their resilience, courage and hope. In our panel discussion, victims of forced migration will share their story. Program speaker Sonia Marina Pereira Portilla is the general consul of the Consulate of Colombia in San Francisco. The event includes Colombian food and refreshments, and music will be presented by Afro-Colombian gr

This November, voters may have the rare opportunity to choose based on the records of two administrations that have each already had one turn at the helm. Regardless of who ends up at the top of the Democratic ticket, when it comes to climate in particular, a lot is at stake.  As Biden’s presidency winds down, the administration has been enacting numerous climate initiatives on top of his already robust climate wins, like new guidance on permitting and a new solar program. Meanwhile, former President Trump has promised to “drill, baby, drill” on day one, and roll back as much of Biden’s landmark climate legislation as possible.  This week, we take a look back at how both administrations handled climate issues, the effects of those choices and what they promise to do if given another term in the White House. Guests: Nathaniel Stinnett, Founder and Executive Director, Environmental Voter Project Emma Shortis, Senior Researcher, International & Security Affairs Program, Australia Institute; Adjunct Senior Fe

Join us for a special program in which vintner Tor Kenward shares a lifetime of great wines, famous friends, deep knowledge and insider insights. Kenward will draw from his book Reflections of a Vintner, which recounts the lessons learned, relationships forged and observations made from an insider’s nearly 50-year journey through the burgeoning wine industry in Napa Valley. From the mid-seventies, when there were fewer than 50 wineries, to the present, with more than 800, Kenward shares his recollections as the region became a world-class wine destination. Kenward also has great stories about his friendships with legends of the modern American food and wine scene, including Julia Child, André Tchelistcheff, Andy Beckstoffer, and Robert Mondavi, among others. Kenward’s hard work as a vintner was acknowledged and celebrated at the October 2021 Judgment of Napa, held 45 years after the historic Judgement of Paris. The TOR Cabernet was judged to be number one, outscoring legendary Bordeaux châteaux, Napa Valley

In an era when America’s chief rival, China, has ordered that all commercial firms within its borders make their research and technology available for military exploitation, strengthening the relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley is an urgent necessity, argue Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff. They come to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to offer an inside look at an elite unit within the Pentagon—the Defense Innovation Unit, also known as Unit X—whose mission is to bring Silicon Valley’s cutting-edge technology to America’s military. Shah is a technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist and former director of the Defense Innovation Unit; Kirchhoff is the former director of strategic planning for the National Security Council under President Obama and is the co-creator of the Defense Innovation Unit. Until recently, the Pentagon was known for its uncomfortable relationship with Silicon Valley and for slow-moving processes that acted as a brake on innovation. Unit X was specifically designed as

Alzheimer’s is a global health problem, with nearly 7 million people living with the disease in the United States alone. Tremendous gains have been made in the understanding of the science and basic biology underlying Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These advances are leading to great strides in strategies for prevention, detection, diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.  The Alzheimer’s Association is a global leader in research, mobilizing the field to advance the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. This presentation will include: Highlights in Early Detection and Diagnosis, Latest Advances in Clinical Trials, Treatments and Lifestyle Interventions, Risk Reduction, and Alzheimer’s Association initiatives and how you can get involved. About the Speaker Claire Day has been on the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association since 2001. She is the chief program officer at the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter and as such oversees all care and support operations and researc

Why cultivate creativity? Along with helping us at work and at home, another key reason is to navigate ambiguity and to build a "future-ready mindstate" that can surf the waves of an increasingly chaotic world. Intense, creative play is what helps create powerful childhood friendships, along with rituals and mechanisms for thriving during a transition to a new environment. For children, it's the transition to adulthood; for adults, it's living in a rapidly changing society in which tools like artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and big data challenge our imagination, our limits and the status quo. Stanford faculty Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, along with Google's Creative Skills for Innovation Lab founder Frederik G. Pferdt, have published two inter-related books on applying creativity and design to manage our futures. They're going to lead us in some simple (and playful!) exercises to help us learn some foundational design and creativity skills that might also help us steer our way through a wo

Immigrants to America have always faced resistance, and have always—over time—assimilated and become vital parts of America. This is a process as old as the nation itself, and it can't be stopped, no matter how many—or how few—new immigrants arrive every year. Leading into November, many people believe we’re in a particularly fraught political moment where “America First'' is threatening their security, and heating up the 2024 presidential election. So what does it mean to be an immigrant in the 21st century? And who decides who is “American” enough? “On Shifting Ground” host Ray Suarez has criss-crossed the country to speak to new Americans from all corners of the globe, and to record their stories for his new book. Join us for a special conversation, as Suarez shares what he learned while reporting and writing We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century. He will be in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, founder and president of Define American, and veteran journ

Some of the conspiracy theories now gripping American politics contend that Joe Biden was executed and replaced by a clone and that John F. Kennedy, Jr., faked his death and will one day return to slay Trump’s enemies. But who is susceptible to them, and what makes them so politically potent? Investigating the historical roots of our peculiar brand of political paranoia, Arthur Goldwag joins us for a special online-only program to make sense of the senseless and, in so doing, uncover three uncomfortable truths: that it is older than Trumpism and will outlast it; that theocratic authoritarianism is as hardwired in our American heritage as the principles of the Enlightenment; and that the fear that our system is “rigged” is not altogether unfounded. He explored these matters in his surprising and critical examination of America’s paranoid style in his book The Politics of Fear, which sheds new light on the age-old question: What exactly are we so afraid of? Don’t miss this exploration of the bizarre and dange

On K Street, a few blocks from the White House, you’ll find the offices of some of the most powerful people in Washington. In the 1970s, the city’s center of gravity began to shift away from elected officials in big marble buildings to a handful of savvy, handsomely paid operators who didn’t answer to any fixed constituency. The cigar-chomping son of a powerful Congressman, an illustrious political fixer with a weakness for modern art, a Watergate-era dirty trickster, the city’s favorite cocktail party host—these were the sorts of people who now ran Washington. Investigative journalist Brody Mullins, working with Luke Mullins, says that over four decades, these lobbyists would chart new ways to turn their clients’ cash into political leverage, abandoning favor-trading in smoke-filled rooms for increasingly sophisticated tactics like “shadow lobbying,” where underground campaigns sparked seemingly organic public outcries to pressure lawmakers into taking actions that would ultimately benefit corporate interes

Join us in downtown San Francisco for the second annual summit on some of the hottest topics facing the LGBTQIA+ communities.  Robyn Adams, Remembering Nex Benedict Moderated by: Oliver Elias Tinoco, a queer, undocumented, community youth advocate hailing from South San Francisco by way of Guanajuato, Mexico,  Ewan Barker Plummer, chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, which advises the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on all issues impacting young San Franciscans.  Daniel Trujillo is 16 years old and loves drawing, playing guitar, bass, and drums, building Lego, and playing in the Tucson Jazz Institute. Daniel recently helped plan a national action in Washington, D.C., called Trans Prom, a creative action by and for trans youth. Connie Murphy is a trans psychology student and community organizer. She works in youth advocacy and creates environments where queer youths can thrive, most recently organizing LYRIC’s Lavender Ball.  Nano Luksanacom, upcoming senior, Lowell High School Dr. April Silas, LG

Join us in downtown San Francisco for the second annual summit on some of the hottest topics facing the LGBTQIA+ communities.  Welcome by San Francisco Human Rights Commission Director Sheryl Davis Suzanne Ford and Nguyen Pham of SF Pride California vs Hate, Chhaya Malik, deputy director for dispute resolution, California Civil Rights Department   Morning Keynote: Honey Mahogany, performer, small business owner and activist Moderator: Michelle Meow Lenny Emson (Kyiv Pride)  Charlene Liu (Shanghai Pride)  Nicolas Rodriguez (PRIDE SV - Marcha Por la Diversidad en El Salvador)  Natalie Thompson (Interpride co-president, World Pride DC 2025)   This program is supported by SF Pride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are climate heroes everywhere among us, but few get the public attention they deserve. Matt Scott, director of storytelling and engagement at Project Drawdown, has been shining a light on the work of such people in cities across the country in his documentary short series “Drawdown’s Neighborhood.” In Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, the San Francisco Bay Area and more, Scott lifts up underrepresented voices of those working directly in their communities on climate issues. This week, we feature some of those voices. Guests: Matt Scott, Director of Storytelling & Engagement, Project Drawdown Grace Anderson, Founder, The Lupine Collaborative Ashia Ajani, Storyteller, Climate Justice Educator, Mycelium Youth Network

We, and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth—we are Earth! Life and its environment have coevolved for billions of years, transforming a lump of orbiting rock into a cosmic oasis that supports and is shaped by life.. . . Join acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr as he reveals a radical new vision of Earth where lush forests spew water, pollen and bacteria to summon rain; giant animals engineer the very landscapes they roam; microscopic plankton, some as glittering as carved jewels, remake the air and sea; and humans alter more layers of the planet in less time than any other species, pushing Earth into a crisis. Jabr will draw on the work in his new book Becoming Earth, which delves into the hidden workings of our planet and its many lifeforms and invites us to reexamine our place in it. What we do next will determine what kind of Earth our descendants inherit for millennia to come . . .  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some San Francisco nonprofits with city contracts have recently come under fire for their business practices and outcomes. With the city's $1.7 billion portfolio of nonprofit services, a lot is at stake in efforts to maximize return on investment, and produce durable outcomes.  Come listen to an informed dialog between Laura Marshall, citywide nonprofit policy manager at the independent San Francisco Controller’s Office, and Kevin Fagan, seasoned reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle, as we seek to better understand how nonprofit oversight in San Francisco actually works. About the Speakers Laura Marshall is the citywide nonprofit policy manager at the San Francisco Controller’s Office, After early work in San Francisco’s nonprofit sector and gaining a Masters in social work at San Francisco State University, Laura quickly identified local government as her preferred venue for helping to improve the lives of the city’s most vulnerable residents. She has worked for the City and County of San Francisco since

One of the most common questions people ask about climate is: what can I do? Since time is one of our most valuable resources — and we spend so much of our time at work — changing jobs may be the most effective individual climate action a person can take. Those changes could be big or small: Leaving the oil and gas industry for geothermal, or helping to bring down the emissions where you already work. The truth is, almost any job can be a climate job. But how do people actually make the transition from dirty jobs to clean? What do climate positive job transitions really entail?  Guests: Caroline Dennett, Director, CLOUT Ltd Arvind Ravikumar, Co-Director, Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab, University of Texas, Austin Jennifer Anderson, Carbon Removal Geologist, Charm Industrial Emma McConville, Development Geoscience Lead at Fervo Energy Nathanael Johnson, Electrician

Join us ahead of the San José Earthquakes' epic alumni player-attended California Classico game at Stanford University for an in-depth discussion with Gary Singh, a lifelong fan of the team, as he celebrates the legendary history of the Quakes in his new book, The Unforgettable San Jose Earthquakes: Momentous Stories On & Off the Field. When the San José Earthquakes first started playing soccer in 1974, no one imagined how their efforts would reverberate 50 years later. The Quakes and their fans have overcome a multitude of issues in the last five decades, including leagues collapsing, attempted rebrandings, local apathy, political indifference and even a franchise relocation, yet they never gave up. While players like Johnny Moore, Chris Wondolowski and Landon Donovan have come and gone—along with coaches, general managers and owners—the multigenerational family this San José team created over the last half century stands as strong as ever.   This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the B

Mary C. Daly leads the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and will deliver remarks on monetary policy and the economy followed by Q&A. In 2024, Dr. Daly became a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System. Dr. Daly assumed leadership of the San Francisco Fed in October 2018, building on a distinguished career at the Bank that began in 1996. Starting as an economist specializing in labor market dynamics and economic inequality, she has since served as research advisor, vice president and head of macroeconomics, senior vice president and assistant director of research, and executive vice president and director of research. In Partnership with The San Francisco Press Club.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eighty has been the new 60 for about 20 years now. In fact, there have always been late-in-life achievers, those who declined to go into decline just because they were eligible for Social Security. Journalist, humorist, and history buff Mo Rocca teamed up with Jonathan Greenberg to introduce us to the people past and present who peaked when they could have been puttering—breaking out as writers, selling out concert halls, attempting to set land-speed records—and in the case of one 90-year-old tortoise, becoming a first-time father. (Take that, Al Pacino!) Popular “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent and frequent “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” panelist Rocca, author of the bestselling Mobituaries, comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs in San Francisco to share inspiring stories that celebrate the triumphs of people who made their biggest marks late in life. His new book, Roctogenarians, is a collection of entertaining and unexpected profiles of these unretired titans—some long gone (a cancer-stricken Henri Matisse