Commonwealth Club Of California Podcast

Abortion and adoption are twinned in the minds of many Americans who have endured the never-ending heated debates over abortion. Now, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, sociologist Dr. Gretchen Sisson releases the results of her decade-long study of adoption, revealing what she says is the grief of American mothers for whom the choice to parent was never real. Adoption has long been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as mutually agreed common ground in the abortion debate. But little attention has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish infants for private adoption. For her book Relinquished, Sisson draws upon hundreds of interviews with mothers who placed their children for domestic adoption. She finds their voices to be powerful and heartrending, deserving to be heard. Join us for a timely and provocative look at the flip side of the fight over abortion, adoption, rights and the American family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

When most people hear the phrase renewable energy, they imagine fields full of solar panels or giant spinning wind turbines. But another source may be heating up: geothermal. Twenty years ago it was thought that geothermal could provide at most 10% of any given area’s electricity, and only in very limited regions. There were also environmental concerns about depleting groundwater. But new technological advances may have unlocked the potential for scalable geothermal energy just about anywhere. And in a bit of irony, those technological advances came from the oil and gas industry.  Guests:  Amanda Kolker, Laboratory Program Manager for Geoscience and Geothermal Technologies, NREL Jamie Beard, founder of Project InnerSpace Lauren McLean, Mayor of Boise Contributing Producer: David Condos For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Robert Lustig and Dr. Nicole Avena will have a conversation about sugar, based on many years of scientific and clinical experience. They will begin with a brief history of the evolution of sugar in our food environment and move on to where we are today regarding types of sugar and sweeteners, as well as the pervasiveness of these in our food supply. Questions explored will include: How do various types of sugar and sweeteners affect your brain and body systems? Is moderation possible when evidence suggests sugar may be "addictive"? What are the options if you want something sweet? You will have an opportunity to ask questions and will gain valuable insights to help you understand sugar and reduce your intake if need be. Dr. Nicole Avena is an associate professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and a visiting professor of health psychology at Princeton University. She is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet and addiction, with a special fo

Russia’s future lies outside of Russia. That’s the verdict offered by Paul Starobin, a veteran analyst of Russia. Since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, some 1 million Russians have fled the country and gone into exile. Motivated by opposition to the war, by guilt for their country’s deeds, by personal hatred for the czar-like Putin, and by a vision of a better Russia shorn of autocracy, the exiles have mounted an organized resistance to Putin’s rule. Starobin says that the resistance includes followers of the imprisoned Putin opponent Alexi Navalny, dissident Russian Orthodox priests, and journalists feeding Russians back home the kind of coverage that is censored by Kremlin-controlled media. Most aggressively, some exiles are actively aiding the Ukrainian fight against Russia’s armed forces in hopes of hastening Russia’s defeat and Putin’s demise. Starobin traveled to places like Armenia and Georgia to meet with exiles and had conversations with prominent figures throughout Europe and America

Join us for a special discussion with filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov. 20 Days in Mariupol, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film, presents a visceral, first-person view of the early days of Russia’s invasion of the city of Mariupol, Ukraine. An Associated Press team of Ukrainian journalists is trapped in the besieged city, where they struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. This is the first feature film from Chernov, who spent nearly a decade covering international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, for The Associated Press. The film draws on Chernov’s daily news dispatches and personal footage of his own country at war. It offers a vivid, harrowing account of civilians caught in the siege, as well as a window into what it’s like to report from a

As fossil fuels are phased out, shuttered coal plants, contaminated landfills, and abandoned mine lands across the U.S. are finding new life as renewable energy projects. More than 23 states have 100% clean energy goals, and in order to reach those goals, some states are starting to convert what was once considered “dirty” into “clean” energy generation. But what happens to the infrastructure, workers, and community after a coal plant shuts down? And as billions are dispersed through policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, what is being done to ensure that the same communities who have been historically left behind are included in the energy transition? Guests:  Mary Anne Hitt, Senior Director, Climate Imperative Thomas Ramey, Commercial Home Evaluator, Solar Holler Nick Mullins,  Energy Systems Technology Instructor, Tri-County Technical Center and Former Coal Miner Delmar Gillus, COO, Elevate This episode also features a reported piece by Jordan Gass-Pooré. Support Climate One by going ad-free! By joini

Let’s face it: Recent years have been tough on optimists. Hopes that the Internet might bring people together have been crushed by the ills of social media. Is there a way back? Bestselling author, media pioneer and TED curator Chris Anderson returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to explore one of humankind’s defining but overlooked impulses, and how we can super-charge its potential to build a hopeful future. Anderson believes it’s within our grasp to turn outrage back into optimism. He says it all comes down to reimagining one of the most fundamental human virtues: generosity. What if generosity could become infectious generosity? Consider how a London barber began offering haircuts to people experiencing homelessness—and catalyzed a movement; how two anonymous donors gave $10,000 each to two hundred strangers and discovered that most recipients wanted to “pay it forward” with their own generous acts; and how TED itself transformed from a niche annual summit into a global source of ideas by giving away

from 2024 Economic Forecast: Inflation, Election Bonanza, and the Global Economy held on February 8, 2024 The Walter E. Hoadley Annual Economic Forecast, presented by Bank of America. The United States heads into 2024 with an economy that is strong but is widely believed to be underperforming. With inflation tamped down to normal rates, unemployment at record lows, and continued strong job growth and corporate profits, why aren’t American consumers and business leaders more bullish about the state of the economy? Join us for the economic talk of the year: our annual economic forecast. Our expert panel—including Lanhee Chen of the Hoover Institution, Mauro F. Guillén of the Wharton School, Nancy Wallace of Berkeley Haas, Jared Woodard of Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research, and The Washington Post's Adam Lashinsky—will give you the insight you need to better understand the trends, policies, dangers and opportunities that lie ahead for your business and your wallet in 2024. Learn more about your ad ch

At 10 a.m. on January 25, 2024, a statue was unveiled at San Jose Mineta International Airport honoring Norm Mineta. Speakers at the event extolled Mineta's leadership and legacy; his pathbreaking role as the first Asian American mayor of a large U.S. city, influential member of Congress, first Asian American presidential cabinet member, and so much more. You can learn more about Mineta, his life and his accomplishments, in this article from NPR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is “destructive friction”? Bestselling authors Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao say that every organization is plagued by destructive friction; yet some forms of friction are incredibly useful, and leaders who attempt to improve workplace efficiency often make things even worse. Join us as Sutton and Rao teach people how to become “friction fixers.” Sutton and Rao say skilled friction fixers think and act like trustees of others’ time. They provide friction forensics to help readers identify where to avert and repair bad organizational friction and where to maintain and inject good friction. Then their help pyramid shows how friction fixers do their work, from reframing friction troubles they can’t fix right now, so they feel less threatening, to designing and repairing organizations. Sutton and Rao dig into the causes and solutions for five of the most common and damaging friction troubles: oblivious leaders, addition sickness, broken connections, jargon monoxide, and fast and frenzied people and teams. S

A settlement for the largest civil penalty resulting from the Clean Air Act has just been reached. The EPA, DOJ and the State of California have agreed to a $1.7 billion fine for engine maker Cummins Inc. The fine is the result of Cummins being caught using “defeat devices” to fool emissions testers into thinking the engines pollute less than they really do. Does that sound familiar? It’s exactly what Volkwsagen was caught doing nearly 10 years ago. VW and Cummins aren’t the only ones; it’s an industry wide problem. So how do we stop the deception? What have we learned since the infamous VW “Dieselgate” scandal?  Guests:  Rachel Muncrief, Acting Executive Director, ICCT Hector De La Torre, Member, California Air Resources Board Margo Oge, Former Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. EPA Alberto Ayala, Executive Director, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Support Climate One by going ad-free! By joining Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all fut

Silicon Valley Reads celebrates its 21st year with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Favianna Rodriguez, Alexandria Villaseñor, and Heather White. Our featured authors and book contributors will focus on environmental sustainability and explore the challenges and opportunities of creating a more sustainable future, not only in Santa Clara County but worldwide. They will share more about their work and efforts to create awareness and meaningful change for the future. Hosted by Santa Clara County Library District, Santa Clara County Office of Education, San José Public Library, and DeAnza College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jen Gunter, called "the world's most famous and outspoken gynecologist” by The Guardian, returns to The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco to apply her myth-busting, no-nonsense approach to discussing menstruation. Why do people menstruate? The endometrium’s (the uterine lining’s) fascinating connection to the immune system. The impact of stress, vaccines, and health on the menstrual cycle. Menstrual migraines, PMS, and period diarrhea. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Fibroids and other causes of heavy bleeding. Endometriosis and the latest treatments. Legitimate menstrual products, and the facts behind toxic shock syndrome.  Despite its significance, most education about menstruation focuses either on increasing the chances of pregnancy or preventing it. And while both are important for many people, Gunter believes that people deserve to know more about their bodies than just what happens regarding reproduction. At a time when charlatans, politicians and social media are succeeding in propagating dam

Fifty years ago, on February 4, 1974, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, and that story, covered thoroughly by a young journalist named Roger Rapoport, quickly became one of the most bizarre and polarizing crimes of an already unsettled time. Now Rapoport has written a novel to explore alternative theories of the crime and to delve into the complex psychology of many of the key actors in the drama. Using the techniques of fiction, Rapoport gives voice to much of the story that fell outside of the bounds of journalistic coverage. With a wry sensibility and insider knowledge, gained through access to the elite and secretive world of the Hearst family and many other behind-the-scenes players, Rapoport goes beyond the tabloid headlines to attempt to answer such questions as: Why did Patty participate in the kidnapping of a high school student just hours before six of the SLA kidnappers were killed in a firefight with the LAPD? Did celebrity coroner Thomas Noguchi mishandle the autopsies

Join The Bulwark for an evening of politics and laughs among friends. Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Jonathan V. Last, founders of The Bulwark and hosts of “The Next Level” podcast, bring their signature style of banter to the stage for an evening of sharp political insights, lots of laughs . . . and maybe even a few tears. With the U.S. electorate hurtling toward a rematch of Biden v. Trump, the gang will react to the Iowa caucuses and the state of the GOP race, Biden’s State of the Union, the latest polling and other pressing events of the day. At An Evening with The Bulwark you can expect a fun night with a community built on good faith where we tell you what we really think. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Plan to stick around after the show to meet fellow attendees and the gang from The Bulwark. About the Speakers Tim Miller is The Bulwark’s writer-at-large, an MSNBC political analyst and the author of the New York Times best seller Why We Did It: A Travelogue from the Republican Road

The current system of cancer care is not built to optimize for patients, according to our speakers. Clinical trials optimize for sponsor outcomes. Hospitals and clinics optimize for payer reimbursement. Translational research optimizes for publication impact. Electronic health records are optimized for billing efficiency. Join us in-person or online as Katie Coleman (cancer survivor, founder of the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance and team member at the Rare Cancer Research Foundation) and Rare Cancer Research Foundation President Marshall Thompson advocate for a better way. Putting the patient at the center of the cancer research and care ecosystem requires new tools and capabilities. Patients are uniquely positioned—as both ultimate source and beneficiary of all cancer-related samples, data, and findings—to power a change in the way we approach oncology innovation in the clinic and in the laboratory. The first steps toward a patient-centered oncology research, collaboration and clinical exploration

Jane Fonda has spent the last several decades fighting for Indigenous peoples' rights, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, peace, gender equality and more. Now, she is devoting herself to the climate emergency, beginning with Fire Drill Fridays, the national movement to protest government inaction on climate change she started in October 2019.  Through the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, she is focused on defeating political allies of the fossil fuel industry. At 85, Fonda continues to fight for the most vulnerable among us, consistently pointing out the intersection between the myriad of causes. What keeps the iconic Jane Fonda going strong? Revisit our discussion with this activist icon today. Guest Jane Fonda, actor, activist Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to our Patreon for just $5/month to get all future episodes free of ads, as well as opportunities to engage with  Climate One staff and fellow listeners for episode discussions and live event streams. For show notes and related links, visit our webs

A comedic actor becomes president of a country on the brink of war. When a brutal invasion by Russia surprises the world, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky creates even more surprise—by quickly showing himself to be an inspiring wartime leader of his country as it fights off the much larger forces of Russia. Time correspondent Simon Shuster was given unprecedented access to President Zelensky and his team, and comes to San Francisco to report about the president's evolution from a slapstick actor to a symbol of resilience, revealing how he managed to rally the world's democracies behind his cause. From President Zelensky's days in a nuclear bunker in the opening weeks of the invasion to his military's crucial victories, Shuster offers an in-depth and up-close picture of the invasion as experienced by its number-one target and improbable hero. Join us in-person to hear about leadership, human fallibility and triumph, and the attempt to change the course of history. This program is part of our Good Lit ser

The story of the Sword of Damocles, often associated with the imminent peril of those in power, also speaks to the ever-present balance of joy and responsibility and the universal human condition of mortality. Livingston Taylor's journey as an artist offers a profound narrative of the complexities and paradoxes of a creative life. On the surface, his life may appear charmed, marked by artistic freedom and the allure of fame. Beneath this lies a relentless journey of self-discovery, discipline, and the constant navigation of artistic challenges. Like Damocles, who discovered the weight of the king's crown was far heavier than he had imagined, Livingston has also experienced the pressures and demands that accompany a life dedicated to art. While growing up in a family of very talented individuals, including his brother James Taylor, Livingston's career reflects the trials that come with it and is a testament to his resilience and dedication to carving out his own unique and successful identity in the music indu

Join us for a celebration of Chinese culture and cuisine and look forward to the Year of the Dragon! Come celebrate with us with traditional Chinese food and alcohol as we transition from the Year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon. What does the new year bring to the People's Republic of China? We will talk to Consulate General Zhang Jianmin from the People’s Republic of China, who will present his views on China’s role in California, the United States and the recent APEC conference. Afterward, all attendees are invited to sample regional Chinese cuisine and alcohol sponsored by the Chinese consulate. MLF ORGANIZER: Dr. Kalidip Choudhury An Asia Pacific Affairs Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices