Commonwealth Club Of California Podcast

Rising star New York Times technology reporters, Kate Conger and Ryan Mac, tell for the first time what they say is the full and shocking inside story of Elon Musk’s unprecedented takeover of Twitter and the $44 billion deal’s seismic political, social and financial fallout The billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become inextricable from X. the social media platform that until 2023 was known as Twitter. Started in the mid-2000s as a playful microblogging platform, Twitter quickly became a popular nexus of global politics, culture and media—where the retweet button could instantly catapult any idea to hundreds of millions of screens around the world, unleashing raw collective emotion like nothing else before. While its founder had idealistically dreamed of building a "digital town square," he detested Wall Street and never focused on building a profitable business. Musk joined the platform in 2010 and, by 2022, had become one of the site’s most influential users, attracting more than 80 mill

Join us for a lively discussion on the future of San Francisco's downtown. Featuring leaders in the post-pandemic San Francisco revival story, our program will explore the challenges and opportunities facing downtown San Francisco, the progress that has been made and what is around the corner that could turbocharge or derail the next chapter of our city.  Discover the city’s post-pandemic hidden triumphs and where we should be looking for approaches and policies to shape a more resilient and vibrant urban core. We’ll be talking: entertainment zones and pop-ups, new jobs and revamping spaces. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from key voices driving the transformation of San Francisco's heart, and join the conversation on how we can collectively reimagine our city's downtown for a brighter future. UP NEXT. . . Save the date: August 29, 5:30 p.m.: "California Volunteers," the role of community and service in San Francisco's revival. Coming soon: "A Thriving, Natural City," how should we shape a sustainable

The 2024 fall general election has just ended. Who won? Who lost? Why did anyone win or lose? Which party controls Congress, the White House, most state houses? And what happens next? Will there be a peaceful transition of power? Join us for the post-election special edition of our Week to Week political roundtable. Enjoy and learn as our panel of political experts explains what happened and what to expect, and answers your questions. See other upcoming Week to Week political roundtables, as well as audio and video of past Week to Week programs.   This program contains EXPLICIT language, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate advocacy is a dangerous business. According to Global Witness, every week, somewhere in the world, between three and four environmental activists are killed. And even when they don’t suffer bodily harm, they are routinely arrested and jailed for speaking out. They are also sued in civil cases, bogging them down for years or even bankrupting them and their families. Each personal story in this episode is unique, but the physical threats and legal weapons fossil fuel companies and governments wield against them are eerily similar. And yet, the voices of climate defenders will not be silenced. Guests:  Alfred Brownell, Founding President, Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef)  Laura Furones, Senior Advisor, Land and Environmental Defenders Campaign, Global Witness Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, Executive Director, Arayara Sarah Benn, Medical Doctor and Climate Activist

Through its direct contact with the public and its protection by the First Amendment, news media has long been considered the “fourth branch of government.” As the media landscape continues to change and partisan news becomes increasingly popular, many journalists are examining their own profession and responsibilities. Investigative reporter Bigad Shaban, himself the son of immigrants and educators, wants folks to understand the importance of media in a civil society.  Bigad, in conversation with San Francisco State’s Dr. Laura Moorhead, talks to an audience of high school journalism students about the belief he has in his profession. Bigad discusses his beginnings as a journalist, what he’s learned over an 18-year career, and why a healthy democracy relies on a news media to hold it responsible. This program is part of the Commonwealth Club World Affairs’ civics education initiative, Creating Citizens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Ethnic studies” is an ideological battleground in higher education, and now California is bringing its 1.6 million high school students into the fray. Every one of them must take an ethnic studies course to graduate, starting in the fall of 2025. But what will the course teach them? The State Department of Education’s original model curriculum—now candidly dubbed the “Liberated Ethnic Studies Curriculum”—was criticized for its anti-capitalist agenda, embrace of critical-race themes, and alleged antisemitism. Reaction was so intense that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the original curricular mandate legislation. A second State Model Curriculum toned down some of the original emphases. The final legislation signed by the governor had a local-option twist: school districts are free to determine the ethnic studies curriculum used in their schools. As a result, the skirmish over ethnic studies can now be replayed district by district. Independent Institute has created what it calls a balanced curriculum for the c

Join us for a heart-to-heart talk with Jeanine Nicholson, the first out LGBTQ chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, who retired in August. We'll hear about her pathbreaking career, her thoughts on the current political scene, and learn about breaking barriers while in the public eye. After our talk, stick around for a wine reception. Jeanine Nicholson retired in 2024 after 30 years in the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), five of which she spent as chief. She began her career in 1994 as a firefighter EMT and over the years became a firefighter paramedic, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and deputy chief prior to her appointment as chief by Mayor London Breed in May 2019. Chief Nicholson was the first out LGBTQ Chief in SFFD history. Chief Nicholson led the department through the COVID pandemic and economic downturn. She established a safety, health and wellness office for her members, emphasized the importance of mental and physical wellbeing and expanded resources in the Behavioral Health Uni

For the third year in a row, the world’s most important climate conference is taking place in a country whose largest source of export revenue is fossil fuel. This year, over 190 countries are assembling in Baku, Azerbaijan. And despite nearly 30 years of pledges and promises, the UN’s recent Emissions Gap Report shows virtually every country failing to deliver on its promises. Ever since the Paris Agreement was signed at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP), the focus of this annual meeting has been implementation: How can the nations of the world possibly deliver on their promises to cut emissions when the economic interests in doing so aren’t aligned? In the meantime, the poorest countries, who contributed least to the problem, are getting hit hardest by devastating climate impacts, like droughts, floods, and the resulting poverty and civil unrest. COP29 is being billed as “the finance COP.” So, what do the richest owe the poorest? Guests:  Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Climate Justice Activist Todd Stern, Former Uni

Pulitzer Prize finalist Louise Aronson returns to the Commonwealth Club World Affairs stage to discuss the enduring themes of her New York Times bestselling book, Elderhood, and what to expect in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. What are the practical and existential implications of aging in a political era defined by polarization and increasing instability? How can individuals look out for their health and families regardless of the election outcome? Aronson is joined by fellow writer Jenara Nerenberg, in a follow-up conversation from their first lively event together five years ago. Nerenberg is the celebrated author of Divergent Mind and a forthcoming book on the psychology of groupthink. About the Speakers Louise Aronson, MD MFA, is a leading geriatrician, writer, educator, professor of medicine at UCSF and the author Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, and Reimagining Life. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Aronson currently runs the integrative aging practice and

When it comes to communicating climate science, weathercasters are uniquely positioned to connect the facts to viewers’ experiences. TV meteorologists are trusted members of their communities, and they’re often the only scientists the general public hears from regularly. How they communicate can shape public understanding and depoliticize a topic that has become disturbingly divisive. But in some parts of the country, politics continues to get in the way of the facts. So how do weathercasters effectively communicate weather and climate information in a way that resonates across political lines?  Guests: John Morales, Hurricane Specialist, WTVJ NBC6 Miami Bernadette Woods Placky, Climate Central Chief Meteorologist, Climate Matters Director; VP of Engagement Chris Gloninger, Senior Climate Scientist, Woods Hole Group, Inc. Amber Sullins, Chief Meteorologist, ABC15 Phoenix

Commonwealth Club World Affairs is pleased to host a special evening with SF Pride Board President Nguyen Pham. Nguyen finishes his last term with SF Pride this year, after serving for a total of 8 years on the board of SF Pride. As president emeritus of San Francisco Pride, a nonprofit that produces the SF Pride Celebration and Parade, Nguyen Pham has proudly led the iconic organization through pivotal moments in the modern LGBTQ+ equity movement. Prior to his election as president, he served as vice president and secretary of the organization, comprising a record eight consecutive years of board service. In 2019, he helped to produce the inaugural SF Pride Golf Tournament, SF Pride’s most lucrative board-led annual fundraiser to date. He continued that tradition with the tournament's sixth annual convening in 2024, which was a resounding success. Nguyen is also director of philanthropy at Frameline, a San Francisco-based arts organization aimed at changing the world through the power of LGBTQ+ cinema. In

In this post-print age, does the written word still hold power? During his decades-long career in publishing, Steve Wasserman has worn nearly every possible hat in the industry—editor, agent, reviewer, literary festival co-founder, publisher—serving as a midwife to the art and ideas of some of the most influential cultural juggernauts of recent decades, from Linda Ronstadt to the late Christopher Hitchens. This fall, this literary tastemaker joins us in his new role as an author to discuss the provocative people and events in his new memoir, Tell Me Something, Tell Me Anything, Even If It’s a Lie. Hear Wasserman’s hot takes, ranging from the frontlines of progressive politics to the higher gossip of the literati. The intellectual terrain within his orbit is as capacious as its geography—with deep-dives into the readerly culture of Los Angeles to the art of the Russian avant-garde and featuring cameos from a constellation of extraordinary cultural figures—Susan Sontag, Orson Welles, Barbra Streisand, and Gor

In a world in which elections are shaping the future of more than half the planet’s population, 2024 stands out as a pivotal year for global democracy. But how do international journalists see America’s electoral landscape, and why does it matter so deeply to their home countries? Join an insightful conversation, hosted by Commonwealth Club World Affairs and the World Press Institute, featuring journalists from Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland, India, Italy, Kosovo, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa and Ukraine. They’ll draw on their experiences covering their own national elections to offer fresh perspectives on U.S. politics. This discussion will explore common themes in election reporting across borders, highlighting the lessons learned from home that shape their views of American democracy. These journalists will also shed light on how U.S. elections reverberate globally, influencing political trends and media coverage in their own countries. At a time when democracy is at a crossroads, join us for an international

Artificial intelligence can do some pretty amazing things, including for the climate. AI can help optimize the electric grid, make heating and cooling buildings more efficient, and pinpoint exactly where greenhouse gas emissions are coming from all around the world.  On the other hand, the energy use of AI is massive and growing. A recent study estimates that in just a few years, the extra energy needed will equal whole countries the size of Sweden or Argentina. How do we make sure the benefits of AI outweigh its energy costs? Guests:  Karen Hao, Contributing Writer, The Atlantic  Gavin McCormick, Cofounder and Executive Director, WattTime; Cofounder, Climate TRACE Priya Donti, Assistant Professor, MIT; Co-founder and Chair of Climate Change AI  Amy McGovern, Professor of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma

According to APIA Vote and TargetSmart, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders have had the largest increase in voter registration of any racial group in the country from January to June, compared to the same time back in 2020. This statistic alone is enough to expect AANHPI voters to have an impact on this year's election—whether local, statewide or federal.  Join us for a conversation to understand the issues that are important to AANHPI voters as they cast their votes, some for the very first time, in this election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schools throughout the country have been roiled by unrest as they have struggled to navigate the passions and provocations ignited by political controversies at home and violent conflicts around the world. Confronted with protests, accusations of impropriety, and increased scrutiny of their methods and motives, school officials have contended with questions about how best to prioritize freedom of expression and allow access to a wide array of knowledge and opinions, while ensuring student safety and fostering trust and respect. Now, as we begin a new academic year with an acrimonious election season in full swing and violence continuing around the globe, many educators are understandably concerned about their responsibilities, their rights and the risks involved in teaching during such a turbulent time. But some also see this as a unique opportunity to reinforce the core tenets of education in a democracy by transcending fear and using real-world conflict to directly involve students in the hard work of lear

Join us for the third installment of the "What's Good, SF!” series as we delve into the future of San Francisco and how sustainability, biodiversity and access to nature can help us flourish. From navigating climate change to improving public health, how we shape and integrate our natural world is critical—holding immense potential to support our people, places and ecosystems. A thought-provoking discussion will bring together visionary civic leaders who are reimagining how our city can evolve to become a thriving, eco-friendly metropolis. From brand new partner collaborations like Reimagining SF to ambitions for accessible nature woven into our urban fabric, discover the plans and aspirations for nature’s place in the revitalization of San Francisco. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation on how San Francisco can lead the way in creating a sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive future for the whole city. "What's Good, SF!” is a compelling series delving into the post-pandemic revitalizati

Not since the fall of Saigon has a U.S. evacuation proven so devastating and controversial as the one that ended U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. The documentary Hollywoodgate picks up where the rest of the world left off, in the immediate aftermath of the United States’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Days after the last U.S. plane leaves Afghan soil, the Taliban—now in control of the country—enter an American base in Kabul called Hollywood Gate, reputed to have been a secret CIA station. There they find a portion of the more than $7 billion in sophisticated American weaponry left in the country: numerous small arms and munitions, jet fighters, Black Hawk helicopters, and other military equipment. Much of it is damaged, but the base is also equipped with many of the parts needed to fix it.  Director Ibrahim Nash’at’s unprecedented and audacious Hollywoodgate bears witness as the new head of Afghanistan’s air force, Mawlawi Mansour—a Taliban whose father was killed by the Americans—orders

If you’re a climate-conscious person, you likely already know some of the main ways you can reduce your contribution to greenhouse gasses: buy less, eat less meat, ride your bike. But there are other, less obvious methods we don’t always think of: voting, having climate conversations, engaging with your local government, changing where your money is invested. And while our role as individuals does matter, we’re more powerful when we work together in collective action.  Guests:  Jon Foley, Executive Director, Project Drawdown Eliza Nemser, Executive Director, Climate Changemakers This episode also features excerpts from Cory Booker, Anna Lappé, Frances Moore Lappé, Saul Griffith, Monique Figueiredo, Jonathan Chapman, Jennifer Anderson, Tanya Gulliver Garcia, Vernon Walker, Abrar Anwar, Slater Jewell-Kemker, Kyle Gracey and Alec Loorz.

Join us for a lively conversation with a lauded chef operating at the top of his game, triumphantly returning to his roots and sharing a lifetime of recipes that capture the flavor and energy of Egypt. Growing up in a Middle Eastern household gave Michael Mina an innate understanding of how to cook with spice and use acidity to amp up flavors. But when he started working in restaurants, Mina went out of his way to cook everything but the Egyptian food he had grown up with. His family had left Cairo for the United States when he was two years old, and he felt the need to assimilate to thrive. Decades later, after making his name as a technique-driven California chef and opening dozens of acclaimed restaurants, Mina looked back to what got him excited to cook in the first place: dishes like his mom’s ta’ameya, or Egyptian falafel, and tables heavy with dips and spreads at family barbecues. Thus began years of travel back to Egypt and a new story in his cuisine. He’ll draw on stories from his new book My Egyp