Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Gladstone's Steven Finkbeiner shares how Gladstone's AI-powered microscope is racing to cure neurodegenerative disease. Imagine a scientist that never sleeps, runs thousands of experiments at once, and learns from every success and failure in real-time. It's not a person—it's a microscope. Scientist Steven Finkbeiner, M.D., Ph.D., of San Francisco's Gladstone Institutes, introduces us to a mind-boggling new reality: a “thinking microscope” powered by autonomous AI. By looking beyond the limits of human imagination, this machine is mapping out how diseases such as Alzheimer's and ALS unfold, and discovering how to reverse them.  Join us to learn how this revolutionary leap in technology is radically accelerating the timeline for curing the world's most devastating diseases. Come witness how going beyond human imagination might be the key to unlocking the world's most anticipated medical breakthroughs. A Health & Medicine 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. Organizer: Robert Lee Kilpatrick  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introduction: Cole Thomason-Redus, co-chair of the Arts Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs Film: Flicka: A Love Letter  Frederica “Flicka” von Stade has built an extraordinary legacy that reaches far beyond her celebrated opera career. In the documentary Flicka: A Love Letter, audiences follow her journey from one of the world's most beloved mezzo-sopranos to a devoted mentor, educator and humanitarian. Through interviews and archival footage, colleagues, friends and family illuminate not only her artistry and musical brilliance but also the warmth, generosity and deep compassion that have defined her life and work, including her enduring commitment to bringing music to underserved communities. In Conversation: Following the screening, Chanticleer President & General Director Philip Wilder will lead a conversation with Frederica von Stade and director/producer Brian Staufenbiel in anticipation of her receiving the Kathleen G. Henschel Award on October 1. In association with San Francisco Chanticleer. Organizer: Cole Thomason-Redus  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sinclair Lewis is said to have predicted, “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.” Democratic congressman Jared Huffman says he witnessed something eerily like that vision on January 6, 2021, and it was his wake-up call to the shocking power of Christian nationalism.He explores this topic I his new book No Prophets, in which he argues that Christian nationalism is now America's most dangerous political movement. Huffman uncovers the landscape of this movement―who they are, what they want, and how they plan to get it―and argues that it has destabilized our nation more than most recognize. Blending deep research with untold stories from inside our government, he takes a look at how this violent confederation of religious extremists is undermining science, education, foreign policy, and the very architecture of our democracy. But he says it's not too late.Join us to hear Huffman's take on what he says is an existential threat to our democracy, and hear how he urges us to reclaim the values core to our secular republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While most Americans think of a truck or a sedan when they hear “electric vehicle,” a quiet revolution is happening in other countries on two and three wheels. In China and India, the electric vehicles doing the most to push out oil aren't cars – they're scooters, mopeds, motorcycles and the three-wheeled rickshaws and tuk-tuks that move people and packages through some of the world's busiest cities. According to BloombergNEF's EV Outlook report, 46% of global sales of two- and three-wheelers were electric last year. Collectively, they're ⁠displacing more oil⁠ than cars. Electric delivery vehicles are also starting to show up in bigger U.S. cities. How might even greater adoption of “other” EV types benefit decarbonization?  Guests: Aleksandra O'Donovan, Head of Electrified Transport, BloombergNEF  Samhita Shiledar, Principal, RMI David Zipper, Contributing Writer, Bloomberg; Co-host, Look Both Ways Highlights: 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Aleksandra O'Donovan on the BNEF 2026 EV Outlook 03:54 Aleksandra O'Donovan on adoption of electric two and three wheelers 08:40 Aleksandra O'Donovan on oil displacement from two and three wheelers  13:23 Aleksandra O'Donovan on what electric vehicle adoption means for emissions 18:36 Samhita Shiledar on the difference between US and Indian transportation 20:47 Samhita Shiledar on the reality of switching to electric vehicles for drivers 26:25 Samhita Shiledar on how the transition to EVs affects riders and consumers 33:04 Samhita Shiledar on the future of electric two and three wheelers 35:50 David Zipper on “car bloat”  41:37 David Zipper on what e-bike adoption rates in the US say about demand 47:47 David Zipper on golf cart adoption For show notes, transcripts and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for a town hall event on September 28 at 6 p.m. on navigating AI, climate, and the future of democracy. How do we ensure that AI and data centers serve the public good? How does a democracy function when AI is distorting our sense of shared truths? Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠ *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“... reading it made me so hopeful and excited that I've been telling everyone I know about it. This is not just a book for MBAs or people who work in business. It's for anyone who has wondered, 'Is capitalism fixable?'"—Ari Shapiro What if the most radical idea in business is that purpose is the best tool for unlocking long-term growth? And what if the secret to sustaining your organization's integrity is readily available if you look in the right places? In his new book Incorruptible, a New York Times and USA Today best seller, Eric Ries reveals the hidden forces that he says cause even great organizations to drift from their original reason for being. Then he shows how to design businesses that can withstand that pressure. Drawing on two decades of work with founders, CEOs and investors, he exposes the flaws that make companies vulnerable to short-term thinking. He offers a blueprint for “mission-controlled” organizations that can grow, prosper, and endure without losing their soul. Incorruptible has received advance praise from Dan Heath, Mark Cuban, Frances Frei, Kim Scott, Bob Sutton, and many others, including LinkedIn Co-founder Reid Hoffman, who says "Incorruptible is a must-read for any founder, board member, investor, or consumer who cares about protecting entrepreneurship, innovation, and the productive power of capitalism from the dangers of short-term thinking—and for anyone who recognizes the importance of trustworthy and enduring institutions for a thriving democracy." Using lessons gleaned from generations-old retailers and manufacturers to recently founded tech sector stars, Ries reframes the ethical longevity of business as a practical design problem. He provides every builder—founder, executive, investor or citizen—“a playbook to help avoid the inevitable pitfalls” (according to Mark Cuban) and the tools to create enterprises that uplift rather than exploit. He explores positive case studies such as Cost Plus Drugs, Costco, Hershey's, Khan Academy, REI and others; he also delves into cautionary tales from Cadbury, J. Crew, Gateway, The Limited, Polaroid, Sears and Whole Foods. Scott Cook, who will be in conversation with Ries, has been a prominent supporter of Incorruptibleand has publicly praised it as required reading for founders, CEOs and investors, noting “If you're a founder, a CEO planning an IPO, an investor seeking epic outcomes—stop now and read Eric's book. It will change your life. Eric unveils the unspoken truths on how to build a legendary success … and keep it successful. When will it be seen as founder malpractice to not have read this book?"  Success alone will not protect what matters most; Ries says only incorruptible design can.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the passage of Proposition E in 2024, San Francisco has expanded its use of technology in public safety, including drones, automated license plate readers, and the city's new Real Time Investigations Center. As these tools become part of everyday policing, they've prompted conversations about how the city can pursue safer streets while protecting privacy and civil liberties. How should new technologies be evaluated and overseen? What transparency and accountability measures make sense? And what can San Francisco's experience teach other cities considering similar approaches? Join us for a thoughtful conversation about technology, public safety and civil liberties—and what responsible innovation looks like in practice. Featuring: Chief Derrick Lew, SFPD Barry Friedman, professor, NYU School of Law; founding director, Policing Project Marisa Rodriguez, CEO, Union Square Alliance Moderated by Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Silicon Valley says it is “moving fast and breaking things,” the world interprets the chaos as a necessary cost of innovation. In his new book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy, Gil Durán argues that something far more sinister is at work: a decades-long campaign to replace elected governments with corporate rule.Durán chronicles what he calls the “tech-authoritarian movement” from its early days in San Francisco politics to its current moment on the international stage, exploring the wild and dystopian ambition of the technocrats at its center, and offering his road map to resistance.Drawing on insider political experience and new investigations, he traces this ideology from its philosophical roots in The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg. He introduces its modern apostles—Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Balaji Srinivasan and Elon Musk—and argues that the promise of technological liberation has transformed into a global movement for digital feudalism, powered by cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and the algorithmic propaganda of social media.Durán explains the origins, strategies and ambitions of Silicon Valley's “war on democracy.” Join us as Durán will be in conversation with acclaimed author and former Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali, editor of the “Left Hook” Substack.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were 61 candidates on California's June primary ballot for governor, but the race is now down to two: Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra.  Hilton is a former Fox News commentator and political advisor. He was endorsed by President Trump and promises to “restore the California Dream” by cutting government spending, reducing taxes and energy prices, and slashing regulations.  Join us as Hilton delivers a speech outlining his vision for the state and sits down for a conversation with KQED's Scott Shafer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we explore the worldwide phenomenon behind the revival of Homer's 3000-year-old story, the kaleidoscopic and hallucinogenic return of Odysseus to Ithaka, the Greek island that has become an icon for home itself. There is the immense beauty of the poem itself and the historical importance of Homer's accomplishment, but what does the story mean to us now, how can it help illuminate the chaos of our lives today? Composed by the Poet Known as Homer, around 650 BC, it was based on a story about the Trojan War that was already hundreds of years old. Since then, the story about the hallucinogenic adventures of Odysseus, his son Telemachus, and wife Penelope have cast a spell over cultures around the world, haunting poets, playwrights and philosophers, and taunting the efforts of archaeologists, linguists and now filmmakers to render it in modern terms. Our conversation will explore the myriad life lessons of Homer's masterpiece that have inspired readers, listeners and now viewers for millennia, with a focus on the central theme of the nostoi, the return stories of ancient Greek soldiers, adventurers, philosophers and scientists coming home, and the wider question of what home meant to the ancients—and what home means to us now, the most rootless people in recorded history. Along the way, we will have an animated exchange about the wide range of translations, from Alexander Pope, T. E. Lawrence, and E. V. Rieu, to Richard Lattimore, Emily Wilson and Daniel Mendelosohn. Finally, we will playfully review the myriad movie versions, from George Melies' four-minute version in 1905, to the 1956 Ulysses with Kirk Douglas, and the freshly minted Odyssey helmed by Christopher Nolan.   Finally, there is the surprising realization that it is five female characters (Penelope, Athena, Calypso, Circe and Nausicaa) who helped guide Odysseus homeward, and the centuries-long influence on art, literature and cinema. Join us for a celebration of the soul-saving power of this ancient Greek tale, which sings of the aftermath of a savage war and the restoration of our hero's home, all the while insisting on need to say “yes” to life.  About the Speaker Phil Cousineau is the author of The Wisdom of the Odyssey and over 40 other books, including the bestselling The Art of Pilgrimage, and The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work. Cousineau is a writer, teacher, filmmaker, storyteller and cultural historian, who has consulted on mythology and story for major studios, including Warner Brothers., Pixar and Lucasfilm, and has led mythology travel programs to Greece for more than three decades. Cousineau has been featured on NPR, CNN International, the BBC, the Smithsonian and Discovery channels, and was the host of PBS and Link-TV's "Global Spirit." He lives in San Francisco. Visit him online. Valerie Andrews is the founder of the digital magazine and podcast "Reinventing Home," the author of Our Story of Home: Tales of Longing and Belonging, and A Passion for This Earth: Toward a New Partnership of Man, Woman and Nature, and the editor of Sanctuary: The Inner Life of Home. Her articles have appeared in Jung Journal: Culture and Psyche, Intuition magazine, Esquire, Vogue, and The Sun. She has moved—or rather been unmoored—33 times and understands the wandering Odysseus. The Bay Area has been her home since 1990. A Grownups 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. Organizer: Denise M. Michaud  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protest is the ultimate in equal-opportunity political action. As Annie Leonard, former executive director of Greenpeace USA says, “Making change is like laying a stone path across the garden. Peaceful protest may be every 4th or 8th or 200th stone; it helps us get where we want to go but also we need a lot of other stones too.” Leonard explores the history of protests in her book “Protest: Respect It. Defend It. Use It.”  And while protest is the loudest and most visible tool, it's only one of many ways to take action. Through community building, civic engagement, elected office, corporate boardrooms, churches and nonprofit agencies, there are countless paths to exercising power and promoting positive change. In this episode we hear from three leaders working in three different arenas, all toward the same goal. Guests: Annie Leonard, Environmental Activist, Author of “Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It” Danielle Lee, Founder, Climate Action Club  James Coleman, City Councilor, South San Francisco Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 03:55 – Annie Leonard shares the story of the Section 504 sit-ins protest in San Francisco 06:30 – Different ways protest can be effective 08:30 – Leonard on why she puts her body on the line (gets arrested) during protests 16:00 – Leonard on the lawsuit Energy Transfer brought against Greenpeace USA over Standing Rock protests 22:00 – Protecting, defending, and using the right to protest  26:00 – Danielle Lee on organizing younger people around climate and environment  30:30 – Systemic versus personal action 37:00 – James Coleman on the decision to run for office as a tool for effective change 41:00 – Impact of local government  46:30 – How change actually happens For show notes and related links, visit our ⁠episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for a town hall event on September 28 at 6 p.m. on navigating AI, climate, and the future of democracy. How do we ensure that AI and data centers serve the public good? How does a democracy function when AI is distorting our sense of shared truths? Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠  *** Also: We'll be having an electric conversation on October 14 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠  *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all complain about the heat, yet it's a climate threat we routinely underestimate. In the U.S., extreme heat kills more people each year than floods, fires and hurricanes combined. About 16,000 excess deaths were recorded during Europe's June heatwave – a striking and tragic number. What does extreme heat do to our bodies, our wallets and our cities, and what can we actually do about it?  From creating insurance programs that pay out before the disaster to protecting workers who labor in the heat, many people are working on solutions. Cities are finding ways to prepare for temperatures they historically have never experienced. Plus, we hear about one woman's “Grammy Ride” for the climate: a 3,000 mile bike journey raising climate awareness and funds for climate action.  Guests:  Donna Minter, Former forensic and neuropsychologist Kathy Baughman McLeod, Founder and CEO of HERA Juanita Constible, Senior Advocate, NRDC Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction  03:14 - Donna Minter on coming up with the idea for the “Grammy Ride”  05:21 - Donna Minter on how friends and family reacted 11:54 - Donna Minter on reflecting on her faith 15:15 - Donna Minter on her Texas stay    21:50 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on what extreme heat does to the body 28:34 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on the effect of naming heatwaves  30:57 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on the first heat related insurance for pregnancies 38:16 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on a heat policy success story  43:21 - Juanita Constible on what it takes to keep workers safe 46:34 - Juanita Constible on where worker heat deaths happen 52:49 - Juanita Constible on OSHA heat protections 57:47 - Juanita Constible on state adoption of heat protections For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ⁠⁠our episode page⁠⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for a town hall event on September 28 at 6 p.m. on navigating AI, climate, and the future of democracy. How do we ensure that AI and data centers serve the public good? How does a democracy function when AI is distorting our sense of shared truths? Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠ *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For centuries, meat has been a cornerstone of cuisines and cultures around the world. Yet as global demand continues to rise, questions about sustainability, food security, human health, animal welfare and the environmental impact of food production have become increasingly urgent. In his new book, Meat, which will be available to purchase, Bruce Friedrich explores a provocative question: How can we continue to satisfy humanity's appetite for meat while addressing the challenges facing our food system? As founder and president of The Good Food Institute, Friedrich has become one of the leading voices in the development of alternative proteins, including plant-based foods, precision fermentation, and cultivated meat. Join us for a timely conversation about the future of food. We will explore the technologies transforming protein production, the opportunities and challenges facing alternative proteins, and the broader questions surrounding nutrition, sustainability, consumer acceptance, and the role of innovation in feeding a growing global population. Whether you are enthusiastic, skeptical or simply curious, this discussion offers an opportunity to examine one of the most important—and controversial—food conversations of our time. About the Speaker Bruce Friedrich is founder & president of the Good Food Institute and author of the new book Meat, which Publishers Weekly selected as a top 10 new release in science and Nature featured Meat as one of its five "best science picks.” The book has earned endorsements from Nobel Laureate in economics Michael Kremer, primatologist Jane Goodall, The Ministry for the Future author Kim Stanley Robinson, bioethicist Peter Singer, SpaceX board member Steve Jurvetson, and others. A Nutrition, Food & Wellness 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. Organizer: Patty James  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for an evening of film, data and dialogue exploring one of the most consequential workforce questions of our time, featuring the documentary Ninety-Two: The Silent Revolt No One Saw Coming. Black women are among the fastest-growing groups of breadwinners in America. Yet despite their outsized contribution to families, communities and the economy, they continue to experience disproportionate levels of burnout, workplace inequity, financial strain and invisible labor. What happens when the very people holding up the economy can no longer sustain the weight? The event will feature a screening of Ninety-Two: The Silent Revolt No One Saw Coming, a documentary examining Black women's evolving relationship with work, ambition, caregiving, exhaustion, and resistance. Following the screening, attendees will join a moderated conversation featuring filmmaker and IKONI Institute founder Dr. Jade D. Singleton and executive producer Tara Jaye Frank, informed by emerging findings from the Global State of Black Women's Labor Study—a multi-country research initiative examining the experiences of Black women across the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and the United Kingdom. Together, we will examine: The hidden costs of burnout and invisible labor Why traditional workplace solutions are falling short The growing gap between mentorship and meaningful access The economic realities facing Black women breadwinners The intersection of labor, leadership, well-being and economic mobility What employers, philanthropists, policymakers and community leaders can do next Designed for nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, researchers, employers, policymakers, advocates and civic leaders, this event moves beyond awareness and toward action. An Arts 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. Main image by Ku Nakagawa, cinematographer; all photos courtesy of the speakers. Organizer: Robert Melton  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a time when nearly everything feels polarized, Benji Backer is trying to carve out a different path, one where caring about the natural world isn't a partisan issue. As the founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan, he's bringing together voices from across the political spectrum who might disagree on climate policy, but still share a desire to preserve public lands, wildlife, and the outdoors.  Similarly, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe firmly believes conversation – even with people you disagree with – can be one of the most powerful tools for climate action. And it starts from a place of respect. “If we begin a conversation by esteeming the other person rather than implicitly judging them, that conversation starts off with so much potential and can end in an incredibly surprising place,” Hayhoe says. Can conservation still serve as common ground in a divided country? What does it take to make environmentalism resonate beyond traditional audiences? Is a bipartisan movement possible in today's political climate? Guests:  Benji Backer, Founder and CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan Katharine Hayhoe, Climate scientist; Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy; Distinguished Professor, Texas Tech University For show notes and related links, visit ⁠ClimateOne.org⁠. Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 05:50 – Benji Backer on the origin of Nature is Nonpartisan 09:30 – Making an organization that's culturally relevant 13:24 – Backer's work on the Make America Beautiful Again Conservation Commission 21:00 – Working to undo polarization in conversations around climate and environment 24:50 – Backer on avoiding the word “climate” in certain conversations 32:00 – How Katharine Hayhoe deals with hateful messages online 33:30 – How Hayhoe talked about climate change to a Rotary Club in Texas 40:00 – Should scientists be more emotionally open when discussing climate? 45:00 – Hayhoe on what Bible teachings say about caring for the environment 48:15 – Hayhoe on how her Christian faith intersects with her climate research 54:45 – The power of taking action and starting conversations about climate change For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for an electric conversation on October 14 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠  *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent floor speech, California Senator Adam Schiff outlined ways he says that President Trump has used the presidency to enrich himself and his family, and how it's driving up costs from gas to groceries for families. Schiff's remarks came after the president reported making more than $2 billion dollars in his first year in office, mostly from cryptocurrency businesses.  “The payments to the president and his family have been massive,” Schiff said. “The self-dealing and profiteering have been absolutely breathtaking in their scope.” Schiff has a long history of political battles with the president, including serving as House impeachment manager during Donald Trump's first trial in 2020. That continued after he was elected to the US Senate in 2024, winning the seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. Join us to hear Schiff talk about what he calls President Trump's “self-enrichment schemes,” how it's contributing to an affordability crisis, and why he is speaking out about them. We'll also check in with the senator about his political and legislative priorities, the state of the economy, the November midterm elections, and the Iran war, among other topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For 500 years, telescopes have opened windows on the cosmos with increasing power and precision. Beginning with the historic telescopes funded by Andrew Carnegie and built by George Ellery Hale atop Pasadena's Mount Wilson, where Edwin Hubble confirmed the existence of the universe beyond our Milky Way galaxy and revealed its continual expansion, the United States has stood at the vanguard of observational technology. Through the past century, our country has developed ground- and space-based telescopes that have revolutionized how astronomers understand the cosmos and humanity's place in it, from the Hubble Space Telescope and JWST to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which came online last year. When the National Science Foundation advanced the Giant Magellan Telescope (currently under construction at Carnegie Science's Las Campanas Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert) to its Final Design Review phase last summer, astronomers again felt the promise that American technology could soon unlock some of the biggest mysteries still puzzling the scientific community, including the nature of dark matter and the origins of some of the universe's oldest galaxies. The technological ability to bring distant worlds and their atmospheres into sharper focus than was ever possible before could reveal more about the conditions that lead to life, and how our own planet continues to change and evolve. But as the cost of innovation rises and other nations increase their investment, can the United States maintain its position at the forefront in this modern space race? Join Carnegie Science President and astronomer Dr. John Mulchaey, in conversation with George Hammond, for a discussion of the current and future developments in telescope innovation, the state of national investment in those developments, the global collaboration on Extremely Large Telescopes such as the Giant Magellan, and the future of American leadership in this particular leg of the modern space race.  ORGANIZER George Hammond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natural and human-made extreme weather events are disrupting food systems worldwide, threatening the long-term economic stability and health of already vulnerable populations. Across the globe, 80 percent of the poorest live in rural communities and rely on smallholder farming for their household food and income. And smallholder farmers produce around one-third of the total share of the world's food, yet are disproportionately affected by climate risks, uncertainty, and poverty, often having limited resources to adapt to these changes. Then how are these communities building resilience and developing better strategies to cope with a changing climate? This panel brings in two perspectives within the climate field: financial need in scaling climate solutions, and research on how climate change impacts agricultural systems and human health. Mercedes de la Vega is an associate director of climate partnerships at Acumen, leading strategic partnerships at the intersection of climate solutions and poverty. She helps mobilize capital to serve businesses, driving change for the climate-vulnerable communities, strengthening their ecosystems. Tammy Nicastro is a researcher affiliate at UCSF who focuses on studies of climate-sensitive agricultural livelihood interventions and their impacts on improving agricultural productivity and income, and household nutrition and health for smallholder farmers to support individuals' health and nutritional needs. As climate pressures intensify, research, innovations, and investments in improving healthier food systems, improving health outcomes, and building resilience will shape the lives of future generations living in areas most vulnerable to climate disasters. An International Relations 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. Organizer: Frank Price  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been said that it is easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine the end of capitalism. Yet Jeremy Lent says that is what this historical moment urgently calls for. As climate chaos, inequality and social fragmentation intensify, humanity faces an imminent choice: continue with a system built on extraction and endless growth, or reimagine civilization itself. He says incremental policy improvements are no longer enough, and what is needed is a deep transformation of our current civilization to continue to survive. Lent offers up such a reimagination, grounded in proven design principles of ecosystems and in humankind's evolved inclinations. He prescribes a robust framework incorporating his own expertise, and the experiences of those on the ground already putting ecological civilization's core tenets into practice: justice, mutuality, diversity and symbiosis. From the global economy to universal housing and income, from infrastructure to agriculture, Lent says every major aspect of our society could be redesigned to work together as a coherent whole, setting the conditions for all people to flourish. Join us as Lent discusses why he believes this future is not only desirable, but entirely feasible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian officials and experts often voice the view that the United States was hell-bent on undermining, even destroying Russia during the turbulent period of the Soviet breakup 30 years ago. The primary U.S. goal, in this telling, was to expand NATO to Russia's borders to isolate and threaten the Russian state. Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, drawing from the historical record and her own professional experience, refutes this notion. Gottemoeller argues that, to the contrary, successive American presidents were convinced that deep cooperation with Russia is essential to international security and stability. This conviction was born during the George H.W. Bush administration and took definitive shape during the administration of Bill Clinton, when he and his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin agreed to develop technological cooperation that would be useful to both countries.  While today is starkly different from the 1990s, Gottemoeller's new book Security Through Cooperation takes the lessons learned and considers what it would take—when Russia exits its horrific adventure in Ukraine and atones for the damage it has done—to resume cooperation for the sake of global security. Join Rose Gottemoeller to hear about the issues raised in her book as well as her thoughts on the future of NATO, and her analysis of the Iran war.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founding Father James Wilson's bold vision for American democracy was lost to scandal. As a young lawyer, Wilson made the case for American independence in an essay that inspired the famous words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” He wrote the first draft of the Constitution and, along with the much more famous James Madison, played an essential role in its creation. Wilson believed that the people are the ultimate source of all power. He argued successfully for a strong central government and a powerful presidency, but fought unsuccessfully for a direct vote for the president and the Senate. Appointed as a justice to the first Supreme Court, Wilson was later brought down by reckless land speculation and died of malaria in the back room of a North Carolina tavern while hiding from his creditors. Because of that scandal, instead of being remembered as one of our nation's great political thinkers, Wilson has been virtually written out of American history books. But journalist Jesse Wegman brings to life this most prescient of our earliest patriots and makes a convincing argument that scandal should not have diminished the life and impact of a brilliant, complicated man whose vision for our country could not be more relevant today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Matt Biggar, Ph.D., for a lively discussion of his new book, Connected to Place: Regenerating Nature, Community, and Local Economies Through Systems Change, followed by the introduction of Transforming Our Region, a new Member-led Forum at Commonwealth Club World Affairs. This new forum will apply the systems change approach featured in Connected to Place to the Bay Area through expert presentations and interactive activities.  Biggar discusses place-based systems change as a real-world solution to our growing environmental and social challenges. He says at the core of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, rising economic inequality, and growing social division lies a deeper crisis of disconnectedness. Dominant economic forces continually push us away from nature, community and each other. Place-based systems offer an alternative model and are gaining traction in places around the world, both urban and rural.  In Connected to Place, Biggar presents a vision that reorients people's daily lives around their neighborhoods, cities and regions. Through place-based living, we can create lasting, regenerative change that addresses our biggest problems while boosting the quality of everyday life.  Most important, Biggar shows us how we can get there with a practical guide to systems change that draws on real-world examples from his research and practice. By reframing our approach to social progress, he outlines the way toward rebuilding connection with nature and local community and revitalizing local and regional economies. Join us as Biggar shares how this is happening and how you can be a part of it here in the Bay Area. About the Speaker Matt Biggar, Ph.D., is a place-based strategy consultant, systems thinker, speaker, writer and university lecturer. He is the principal and founder of Connected to Place, a strategy consulting firm that supports place-based collaboratives, nonprofits, government agencies, and schools with facilitation, strategic planning, and community engagement. Biggar earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University, where his research involved behavioral science, sustainability, transportation and collective impact. He is the author of Connected to Place: Regenerating Nature, Community, and Local Economies through Systems Change (Cornell University Press, 2025) and several published articles in academic journals, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and other outlets. A Transforming Our Region 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. Organizer: Anne Smith & Matt Biggar  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisconsin was written off by many Democrats after the GOP gained total control over the state's executive, judicial, and legislative branches. For a while, the state—once known for clean government and transparency—became a national symbol of a highly gerrymandered state. But the Democrats figured out how to win, and they slowly and methodically rebuilt their power, regaining the governor's office, cutting into legislative majorities, and are now on a run of consecutive landslide election victories for Democratic-leaning state supreme court justices, who are in the majority.How did it happen? Get an inside look when Ben Wikler visits Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Wikler, who has been hailed as the “preeminent state party chair” by Nancy Pelosi, led Wisconsin Democrats through a series of hold-your-breath fights against right-wingers that resulted, against the odds, in the unrigging of the political system of the most divided state in the nation. Now, he draws on decades of experience in everything from school-board races to presidential elections to bring people inside the hidden web of power that shapes their lives. At every step, he shows what individuals and small groups can do to help build a future where democracy thrives and our country works for everyone. Join us as he draws on that experience and his new book This Is the Plan, an idealistic-yet-practical guide to turning the present crisis into a better future. Note: This podcast may contain explicit language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent essay, President George W. Bush hails George Washington's decision to leave the presidency after two terms, ensuring America would not become a monarchy. “[His] humility in giving up power willingly remains among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.” Bush's essay is part of the In Pursuit project, a new bipartisan civic initiative tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. In Pursuit brings together an extraordinary roster of contributors, including reflections by Barack Obama on Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton on Theodore Roosevelt. “Presidents are powerful proxies for each of the distinct time periods that have made up our first 250 years, and as everyday citizens first and foremost who take on extraordinary responsibilities, they are also the preeminent way for us all to reflect on what leadership in our democracy is really all about,” said In Pursuit CEO Colleen Shogan, the 11th archivist of the United States. But it's not just presidents. First Ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton are included, as are Chief Justice John Roberts and leading historians—each to distill one enduring lesson for future generations. In Pursuit is a project of More Perfect, a bipartisan alliance of 37 presidential centers and more than 100 civic organizations. Join us for a conversation about In Pursuit with Shogan as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning Stanford historian Jack Rakove and UC Berkeley political scientist Eric Schickler. They'll discuss what this project reveals about the future of American democracy and qualities of leadership, character and governance that have shaped the republic across 250 years.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fergus Bordewich returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs with the spectacular story of the Great Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia: a world's fair designed to mark America's 100th birthday, but also a moment of reckoning for a nation sliding headlong into the Gilded Age. The extravaganza attracted 10 million Americans—nearly 20 percent of the population. Among them were P. T. Barnum, Frederick Douglass, and Mark Twain. Visitors from around the world also attended, including Dom Pedro, the emperor of Brazil. On display were inventions that signaled the changing landscape of American life, from the typewriter to the telephone to Heinz Tomato Ketchup. This celebration of America's first century came at a moment when its future seemed more precarious than ever, as big money threatened to overwhelm the government, underpaid workers waged the first national labor strike, feminists demanded rights for women, Native tribes went to war to repel the advancing settlement of the West, and Black Americans struggled to exercise their hard-won freedoms. And looming over the fair was the presidential race of 1876—a highly contested election that would determine the fate of Reconstruction and permanently reshape the Republican party. Fergus Bordewich animates these converging crises through the lives of four protagonists—Rutherford B. Hayes, Alexander Graham Bell, railroad magnate Tom Scott, and sculptor Edmonia Lewis—revealing an America striving to live up to the promise of its founders while bracing for the tidal wave of change on the horizon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atmospheric scientist Ben Santer pioneered the research that connects human activity to specific climate events. Now, pursuing treatment for a rare type of lymphoma, he sees his own diagnosis and his climate science as the same kind of detective work: using essential and basic science to conduct tests, read complex markers, and rule out every other cause. Even while ill, he's calling out efforts by the Trump administration to reject, defund and ignore the science we all depend on.  “If we leave basic science behind because the administration doesn't like the results of the science, then as Americans, we're not gonna thrive, and the planet isn't gonna thrive either,” Santer says. Guests:  Ben Santer, Atmospheric Scientist, University of East Anglia   Rachel Rothschild, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction   2:24 – Ben Santer on how he's doing amidst his health issues  6:43 – Ben Santer on having the motivation to keep going   11:21 – Ben Santer on what it means to find human fingerprints on climate disruption  16:52 – Ben Santer on the importance of climate measuring  20:23 – Ben Santer on persevering through personal attacks and credible death threats 31:01 – Ben Santer on the effect of Trump administration funding cuts 33:43 – Ben Santer dealing with grief  38:54 – Rachel Rothschild on how state superfund laws work 42:26 – Rachel Rothschild on having her personal communication targeted 47:40 – Rachel Rothschild on the personal tax of doing her work  51:45 – Rachel Rothschild on what surprised her    For show notes and related links, visit ⁠⁠our episode page⁠⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. Saad says “maladaptively irrational altruism” has gripped our culture. He calls it a mind parasite that has hijacked the empathy module of our progressive elite, leading to a catastrophic miscalibration of moral priorities. The results are everywhere: from coddling violent criminals to protecting rapists to branding self-defense as toxic behavior. He says we are witnessing a civilization in rapid decline, with bad policies instituted because we prioritize the feelings of ostensibly marginalized groups over the truth, criminals over victims, and squatters over homeowners. Saad says this is not only not humane—it's an active dismantling of the pillars that keep us safe and free. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad makes the case that we are experiencing a crisis of empathy that creates a horrifying system of inverse morality where the strong and successful are demonized, the destructive are celebrated, illegal migrants are prioritized over our own legal citizens and veterans, drug addicts are prioritized over children's safety in parks, and more.  Is common sense dying in a deluge of misguided compassion? Join us as Gad Saad makes a provocative return to Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and former U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to share her exposé on the escalating threat of far-right politics—and a clear roadmap for saving our democracy. McQuade has drawn on her decades of experience as a federal prosecutor to reveal how systems of organized crime and political opportunism exploit the levers of power—using corruption, cruelty, and chaos as tools to dominate institutions and eliminate accountability. She examined the tactics of today's far-right MAGA system: information warfare, aggressive retribution, conformism enforced by fear, and pervasive dismantling of legal checks and balances necessary to defend the public interest and uphold justice. She presented her views in her new book The Fix, in which she weaves together courtroom stories, real-time political analysis, and cautionary lessons from history and democratic backsliding abroad. She argues that the threats we face are not future possibilities—they're already here. But she has more than just a warning; she has a call to action, outlining common-sense reforms and strategies that she says can reclaim the rule of law and recenter democracy with the power of the people. Please join us for the “We The People Social Hour” after the conclusion of this event, and enjoy lite bites and a no-host bar, plus lively conversation about American democracy with other attendees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrate Pride House SF's launch with soccer, celebration, community, and a powerful conversation on human rights in sports. Pride House SF officially opens its doors with an evening of celebration, community, and conversation. Join us as we launch the House ahead of a summer of programming, watch parties, and community events throughout June and July. The evening will feature opening remarks from Pride House SF founding partners and community leaders, including Jenn Valles, executive director of the SF LGBT Center, members of the San Francisco Spikes board, and the Pride House SF team, sharing what the community can expect from Pride House this season. We'll also present the second installment of our conversation series in partnership with The Commonwealth Club—"Fair Play: Welcoming the World, Protecting our Communities"—bringing together voices at the intersection of sport, inclusion, and social impact. And because this is Pride House, we'll keep the celebration going with food, drinks, community, and a live screening of one of the tournament's opening matches: South Korea vs. Czechia. Come celebrate the beginning of Pride House SF and kick off Pride season with us. See more  Michelle Meow Show programs at Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tragedy that unfolded on November 29, 2025, at a 2-year-old's birthday party in Stockton, California—where four people, three of them children, were killed—was not simply an isolated act of violence. It was the latest wound in a city that has long struggled with the intersecting crises of poverty, gang culture, and systemic neglect. When children cannot be safe at a birthday party, we are forced to ask a fundamental question: What do we, as a society, owe the next generation? This forum brings together Patrick Peterson, a father who lost his son; Harry Williams, an artist with a compassionate eye; Michelle Meow, an advocate for equity; and journalist Pendarvis Harshaw—who are all eager to break the cycle. We will examine the root causes that make tragedies like Stockton's possible—from concentrated poverty and lack of economic opportunity, to underfunded schools and the powerful pull of gang affiliation for young people with few alternatives. We will ask what meaningful violence prevention looks like beyond increased policing, and what it takes to truly break cycles that pass trauma, instability, and danger from one generation to the next. Stockton's story is, in many ways, America's story. The children who survived that birthday party—and the children who didn't—deserve more than grief. They deserve a future. This forum is a step toward imagining what that future could look like, and what each of us can do to help build it. The program includes a photo exhibit by Harry Williams sharing the memories of Amari Peterson, one of the victims of the Stockton mass shooting.  About the Speakers Patrick Peterson is the father of Amari Peterson, a 14-year-old eighth grader whose life was cut tragically short on November 29, 2025. Amari was passionate about sports—football, basketball and track—and was described by his father as “the perfect gift from God.” Every day, without fail, Amari told his father he loved him. Patrick survived the shooting and managed to save his daughter, who was grazed by a bullet, but could not save his son. He rushed to Amari's side and began performing CPR, but Amari did not survive. Rather than retreat into silence, Patrick has turned his grief into action. Just weeks after the shooting, he spoke publicly at Stockton City Hall, calling for mental health resources, financial support for victims' families, and greater investment in violence prevention—and expressed his intention, once his family regains stability, to do community work in Amari's honor, particularly for local youth. He also traveled to the state Capitol in January 2026, joining survivors, community leaders and lawmakers from across California to demand that the legislature prioritize funding for victim support, prevention programs and harm-reduction initiatives. Patrick Peterson's presence at this forum is a testament to the power of a parent's love—and to the belief that even the deepest loss can be a catalyst for change. Oakland-raised writer Pendarvis Harshaw is a journalist for KQED Arts, where he covers music, prisons, politics and all things impacting his Northern California community. Harry Williams was born in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio, and dedicated his life to capturing the stories of marginalized communities through photography. After graduating from West Jefferson High School, he earned his photography degree from The Ohio State University in 1995. In 1999, driven by a passion for exploration, he sold all his possessions to travel and work on a significant body of photographic work. That transformative year took him through Southeast Asia, where he documented the Black Hmong community in Northern Vietnam. This experience broadened his perspective in ways he'd never imagined, igniting his commitment to human connections and storytelling. He is especially drawn to portraits because of the deep human connection they reveal—the powerful reflection you see when you recognize yourself in someone else's eyes. He also photographs hands, which, like faces, tell a personal story through their cuts, wrinkles, and textures. He aims to make these tactile details as vivid as possible, so the viewer can almost feel the skin, inviting a connection that's both visual and visceral. His current work documents the Jones and Ellis Street community in San Francisco, a marginalized area he hopes to honor by capturing its resilience and vibrancy. He's honored to share his work both nationally and internationally, including in the 2023 de Young Open. His dedication to cultural representation and community engagement continues to shape his artistic vision, allowing him to contribute a voice to contemporary photography. Michelle Meow is the producer and host of “The Michelle Meow Show” on KPIX. She is a member of the board of San Francisco Pride, and a member of the Board of Governors of Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No American or foreign leader has met with as many sitting U.S. presidents as Queen Elizabeth II. Her 70-year reign witnessed the highs and lows of the close and crucial alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, from the Suez crisis to Brexit. Following the advice of her mentor, Winston Churchill, to “stay close to the Americans,” Queen Elizabeth played an unexpected role behind the scenes that has never been thoroughly explored. Susan Page changes that with her new book The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History. Described as “The Crown” meets “The West Wing,” it chronicles the largely unknown story of Queen Elizabeth II's relationship with 13 American presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Donald J. Trump. With that, she changed the world. Veteran political reporter Susan Page goes beyond the image of a staid monarch in colorful hats to reveal a skilled strategist, who, like many powerful women, was routinely underestimated and discounted. She also shows the impact American presidents had on the monarch as she developed from a shy, anxious princess to a powerful and persuasive global leader, and analyzes both the reach and the limits of the “soft power” she wielded. These accounts of the Queen's deft diplomacy provide candid and telling assessments of her partners in the Oval Office as well. What was the reality of the relationship between Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth? What did the Queen and Barack Obama think about each other? How did she navigate between Ronald Reagan and her own prime minister, Margaret Thatcher? And what about Richard Nixon seeking the Queen's help during Watergate—and even wanting to make her a relative? Join us for a fascinating discussion about an often underestimated figure who played a big role in the history of the United States and Britain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a talk with a neurologist as she reckons with the stories we tell about our brains—and the stories our brains tell us. Such as: A girl believes she has been struck blind for stealing a kiss. A mother watches helplessly as each of her children is replaced by a changeling. A woman is haunted each month by the same four chords of a single song.  Anand explores these topics in her new book The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains, using case study, history, fable, and memoir—sources she says the medical establishment has overlooked—to explore the complexity and wonder of brains in health and in extremis, and the vast gray area between sanity and insanity, doctor and patient, and illness and wellness, each separated from the next by the thin veneer of a different story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do some struggles for justice succeed while others stall? What is needed to make effective social change, especially in today's world? According to Rashad Robinson, it comes down to understanding the difference between presence and power. Failing to do so is one reason things got this way, but understanding how power really works is a big part of how we get out of it. Robinson would know. As a social change strategist, he's spent more than 20 years at the highest levels of leadership in two of the most significant social movements of our time: the fight for LGBTQ rights and the fight for racial justice. He's taken on tech giants and the criminal justice system, politicians in Washington and corporate executives in Hollywood. He's been on the front lines of protest and in the back rooms of negotiation. He argues that achieving presence—the visibility of marches, media fads, and making issues popular—is not the same as gaining the leverage required to change the rules for how society works or change the decisions that politicians, corporate executives, and other people in authority make. It's a topic he explores in his new book From Presence to Power, offering a set of essential lessons about power for people who want to understand it, gain it, and use it to make positive change. Robinson provides  tools to help everyday people build real leverage in systems designed to prevent them from doing so. As someone who helped shape the resistance after the 2016 election, and who continues to help leaders at every level find innovative ways to fight back and win progress today, Robinson offers a hopeful, practical guide to achieving positive impact in the most challenging times. Find out how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to climate, we have the facts, but we aren't moving fast enough. So we need to get climate education and solutions into the places where people already spend their time. Pop culture offers endless opportunities to influence audiences – your favorite movie or TV character can feel like a friend whose views on climate might affect your own. In this episode, we connect moments like this to the broader media environment shaping how we understand the world. Can you be masculine and care about the climate? Can watching a character take charge of the future onscreen actually change what people believe they can do in real life? And can the stories we consume ultimately shape public attitudes and even policy outcomes? Guests:  Allison Begalman, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Context Collaborative; Co-founder, Hollywood Climate Summit Michael P. Haselhuhn, Associate Professor of Management, University of California, Riverside Brent Suter, Baseball player, Los Angeles Angels; EcoAthletes Climate Champion Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction  5:00 – Allison Begalman on why it's important for climate to show up in popular culture 8:45 – Unpacking a climate-themed scene from the show “Hacks” 13:00 – Unpacking a climate-themed scene from “The Morning Show” 16:30 – Bringing new people in at the Hollywood Climate Summit 23:15 – Michael P. Haselhuhn on how men's views on masculinity and climate change are linked 33:25 – Masculinity is multifaceted 34:30 – Kousha goes to an MMA cage fight to ask guys about their views on masculinity 40:15 – Brent Suter on where he got his nickname, “The Raptor” 42:00 – His reaction to seeing “An Inconvenient Truth” as a young person 44:00 – Speaking out against fossil fuel endorsements for pro sports 49:20 – Suter on how his faith drives his climate activism 54:30 – How Suter talks to his teammates about climate and the environment 57:40 – Climate One More Thing For show notes and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for an electric conversation on September 1 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠  *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one-fifth of global oil supplies and the movement of critical LNG stuck in the crosshairs of a military standoff, the need for diplomatic off-ramps has never been more urgent. This panel brings together top diplomats and geopolitical experts to unpack the overlapping mediation efforts of key regional powers. From Pakistan's frontline ceasefire negotiations to Qatar's high-stakes maneuvering over nuclear frameworks and frozen assets, and Oman's delicate balancing act of historical neutrality. Join us as we explore how these three nations are acting as vital firewalls against catastrophe, attempting to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran and how the two capitals respond. ORGANIZER: Banafsheh Keynoush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The professional world usually prioritizes urgency, but the most important moments of our lives rarely happen at the desk. In his new book Big Time Off, Sabbatical Project founder DJ DiDonna offers up a simple but radical idea: sabbaticals help us avoid sleepwalking through life by giving us time to be present in moments of celebration, difficulty, and transition. Integrating original research and compelling stories of sabbatical-takers from all walks of life—from teachers and nonprofit leaders to startup founders and Fortune 500 employees—DiDonna explores why extended time away from work has such a profound effect on people's identity, relationships, creativity, and direction. DiDonna covers when to take a sabbatical—and how to avoid waiting for a crisis to take off; why sabbaticals—unlike vacations—help you forge a new career path, feel human again, and live a more authentic life; how to navigate your sabbatical using archetypes—the explorer, the seeker, and the achiever—and avoid common pitfalls; and best practices for individuals—no matter the circumstances—and organizations of all sizes to make extended leave possible and sustainable. Whether you dream of making a big change, exploring the world, or simply carving out space to heal, think, and recalibrate, join us to hear DiDonna discuss his guide to creating a richer, more intentional life. About the Speakers DJ DiDonna is a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he teaches entrepreneurship. In 2019, he founded The Sabbatical Project to define, explore, and research sabbaticals. DiDonna has advised over a dozen organizations on the creation of sabbatical policies, including Zappos, Google, and DaVita, and from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, both in the United States and around the world. He has appeared on ABC, NPR, CNBC and attended Harvard Business School, later cofounding an international credit-scoring company, EFL Global (the Entrepreneurial Finance Lab), based in Lima, Peru. Aarti Shahani took a sabbatical from college to lead a campaign against her father's deportation. After almost a decade, her advocacy was successful. Her family remained together in the United States. She went on to become a prominent voice for the country as an award-winning NPR correspondent, where millions of listeners have turned to her to explain the significant stories of our time. Her bestselling memoir Here We Are details the history of I.C.E. through her family's experience. She regularly hosts conversations with leaders in business, politics and arts on her podcast “Art of Power” as well as shows like NPR's "Fresh Air" and KQED's "Forum." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been 250 years since upstart young leaders of the American colonies declared independence from King George III and imagined founding a republic, based on a democracy of sorts, which has, over 25 decades of difficult growth and adjustment, arrived at our current version of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” as President Lincoln put it. How far has our democracy come in a quarter of a millennium? And do we even believe yet in the idea at its core: that our civilization should change as the majority sees fit, with constitutional guardrails to protect us from their worst follies? Or are we almost all born authoritarians, bristling whenever the majority disagrees with our own visions of what America should be? Caroline Winterer will explain why the appeal to classical antiquity was so central to the American Revolution, and how even today it continues to shape our sense of America's destiny. The United States is covered with classical architecture, and has a Senate, named for the ancient Roman senate. Even 250 years after the American Revolution, we continue to ask, “Are we Rome?” Is the American experiment in government by “we the people” doomed to fail, just as Rome did long ago? How can the United States avoid Rome's destiny? Is the appeal to Ancient Rome an opportunity—or a trap? Ed Larson will explain why, in response to the words and deeds in the American fight for liberty, 1776 marked such a dramatic and decisive shift in patriot thinking. In a matter of months, the great bulk of American patriots went from seeking their rights as British subjects under royal rule to demanding their liberty under representative governments of their own making. With this came the corollary and similarly revolutionary embrace of the principle of the rule of law and the ideal of human political equality.   Join us to celebrate the improbable American experiment that has partially succeeded in achieving its goals for so long. A Humanities 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. In association with Humanities West. Organizer: George Hammond  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco has long been a city of dreamers, artists, innovators and cultural pioneers—a global epicenter of creativity, innovation and social change. From its modern origins during the Gold Rush to the Beat Generation, the Summer of Love, Silicon Valley and the AI revolution, each generation has shaped its own version of the city while wondering whether the San Francisco they love is disappearing. As San Francisco experiences a new wave of growth and renewed optimism, it also faces rising costs, changing neighborhoods and mounting financial pressures on arts and cultural institutions. Many are asking: What defines San Francisco culture today, and who gets to shape its future? Through personal stories, spirited debate, and audience engagement, we'll explore what has endured, what has changed, and how artists, community organizers, small businesses, and social media creators are documenting, preserving and reinventing the city. Is San Francisco culture lost, found or reimagined? The answer may depend on who you ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's becoming increasingly clear that how we talk about climate change matters as much as the science or policy itself. The words we use carry weight, and climate communicator Susan Joy Hassol says specific word choices, like “heat-trapping pollution” rather than “greenhouse gases,” can cut through polarization and help messages resonate with a wider range of people. Equally important is listening to what people and communities need to better handle the impacts from climate disruption. And different audiences need different approaches. For example: adults can help children process climate fear and grief without overwhelming them by offering age-appropriate honesty paired with validation of their emotions. Good communication can be one of the most effective forms of climate action. Guests:  Robin Cooper, Co-Founder and President, Climate Psychiatry Alliance Elizabeth Yeampierre, Attorney; Executive Director, UPROSE  Susan Joy Hassol, Director, Climate Communication Highlights: 00:00 Introduction  2:14 Robin Cooper on climate related mental health issues young people have 5:16 Robin Cooper on how adults can help young people in their lives 12:22 Robin Cooper on having multiple conversations with young people about climate 15:57 Robin Cooper on next steps after identifying climate anxieties in young people 19:46 Elizabeth Yeampierre on what it took to get Sunset Park Solar going 29:33 Elizabeth Yeampierre on building community trust and listening 31:40 Elizabeth Yeampierre on working with other communities  36:11 Susan Joy Hassol on not using the phrase “climate change”  39:52 Susan Joy Hassol on the phrase “natural disasters”  46:11 Susan Joy Hassol on dealing with hostility when discussing climate For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ at climateone.org *** Join Climate One for an electric conversation on September 1 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠ *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Constitution is often at the center of debates about rights and wrongs and public policies in this country, but how many people have actually read it? How many have thought about it? How many understand it? Join us as bestselling author and popular law professor Melissa Murray shares with us her look at the country's founding legal document—a document that still guides our judges, lawyers, lawmakers and executives nearly a quarter millennium later. Murray has spent a lot of time demystifying laws for people, something she does as a contributor to MSNOW, on her podcast “Strict Scrutiny,” and in articles and books, including her most recent, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader. With the Supreme Court and its interpretations central to the continuation of the republic, come see Murray act as an expert guide for reading and understanding the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us in-person or online as legendary baseball player and manager Dusty Baker explores his extraordinary career, one filled with invaluable lessons on perseverance, leadership, and how to live life meaningfully on the field and off.Dusty Baker walked with baseball legends and became one himself. After he signed with the Braves in 1968 at the age of 19 (against his father's wishes), no less than the great Hank Aaron promised to take Baker under his wing. Mentored by Aaron, Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays, Baker became a premier hitter, helping take the Dodgers to a World Series victory in 1981. Along the way he spent 10 seasons as the manager of the San Francisco Giants from 1993-2002. He would later lead the Houston Astros to a championship in 2002.Baker has been respected by generations, and has come to embody the spirit of the sport. He explores this in his new book Crossroads, which delves into the mind of one of baseball's mavericks: a curious, inquisitive thinker whose deep interest in the worlds of music, wine and the simpler joys of life charts a journey of success, struggle, faith and perseverance. Don't miss this chance to hear from a true American original, who counts among his friends presidents and dignitaries, bluesmen and artists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We keep being told that artificial intelligence is going to help us do just about everything. Make us healthy. Personally tutor each student. Run our businesses efficiently. Make our decisions. Even fold our laundry. As a result, we would have hours of additional free time, and our AI machines would make discoveries previously unimaginable for humankind.  What does that really mean? Will AI really make things better? To find out, award-winning journalist Joanna Stern let AI run her life for one year. The results were both funny and unsettling, and she reported what happened in her new book I Am Not a Robot. Stern used AI tools and robots to do her household chores, manage her health, and transport her family on its vacation. If she needed a decision  made or a task done, she let AI take the lead. The results were not what you'd expect, and Stern has produced an AI guide for ordinary people and gets around the hype and jargon that clutters our AI discussions. Humankind is only a few years into the AI Age, but you can join us in-person—or virtually, like an AI agent—to get Joanna Stern's lessons on what to expect and what it means for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screens—all the time, everywhere, it seems. We sit at our desks facing screens, hold meetings over screens, answer email after email on them. You've heard about the mental health harms of screens, but what about the physical ones? Headaches, back pain, restless sleep, and rising rates of preventable disease. Manoush Zomorodi, host of the TED Radio Hour, says technology is breaking us down, and she comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to share her investigation into how our digital lives are changing the way we think, learn and feel. It's a topic she explores in her new book Body Electric. From breath and eyesight to blood pressure, posture, and productivity, she says science has shown how small shifts—not “digital detoxes”—can make us healthier, and all we need is five minutes. Melissa Painter, founder and CEO of Breakthru, will be joining Manoush Zomorodi. Painter is a pioneer in human-embodied intelligence, spatial computing, and kinetic literacy, working to redefine how we interact with technology to protect human health and cognitive performance. Her work bridges the gap between emergent technology and the physical self, creating practical avenues for embodied practices in an increasingly sedentary, screen-saturated world.  This program contains EXPLICIT language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her new book Safe Passage, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Evelyn Iritani reveals one of World War II's little-known diplomatic triumphs—the rescue of nearly 3,000 Allied civilians held by Japan in two exchanges at sea—and the high price that was paid by the thousands of innocent men, women and children, mostly of Japanese descent, who were traded to a country that was no longer, and may never have been, their home. Sojourners and immigrants, diplomats and thrill-seekers, storytellers and proselytizers. Uprooted by a conflict of someone else's making, this eclectic mix of humanity from both sides of the Pacific found themselves on a voyage across war-torn waters that would transform them in surprising, often tragic, and sometimes inexplicable ways. In the fall of 1943, during some of the Pacific theater's bloodiest battles, the United States and Japan pulled off a diplomatic coup: the exchange of civilians caught on the wrong side of the battlefield after Pearl Harbor. Nearly 1,500 Allied civilians trapped in Asia, mostly Americans, sailed through dangerous waters to an Indian port city, where they were traded for an equivalent number of Japanese immigrants and their families sent from the Americas. The fate of the more than 10,000 Americans left behind rested on the success of this endeavor. In Safe Passage, Iritani reveals the herculean efforts of the American diplomat James Keeley to engineer these wartime exchanges despite great resistance from within and outside his government; the shipboard conflicts among passengers, including missionaries, revelers, and sharp-tongued journalists; and the moral compromises involved in securing their safe passage. Faced with too few bodies to trade and desperate to free Americans from perilous conditions, the United States uprooted and repatriated Japanese citizens of Latin America, sometimes against their will, while Japanese imprisoned in camps, many of them American citizens, were forced to choose between expulsion to a war zone or an uncertain future behind barbed wire. The result is a revelatory account of the hurdles to pursuing humanitarian action in wartime. About the Speakers Evelyn Iritani is an author, historian and former reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Los Angeles Times, where her reporting garnered numerous awards, including the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series she coauthored on Wal-Mart. She also authored the book An Ocean Between Us: The Changing Relationship of Japan and the United States Told in Four Stories from the Life of an American Town. Moderator Amanda L. Tyler is a professor of constitutional law at UC Berkeley Law School and author or contributor to numerous books and articles, including co-author with the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg of Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue: A Life's Work Fighting for a More Perfect Union. Recent article topics include the American and British approaches to internment of citizens during World War II and their lessons for today.  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. Organizer: Lillian Nakagawa  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women continue to face systemic barriers in medicine and science, despite decades of progress. What is happening? In Harsh Medicine, Dr. Jennifer R. Grandis draws on decades of experience as a physician-scientist, mentor and leader to expose how deeply gender bias is embedded in the structures of academic medicine and scientific research. Through rigorous analysis, real-world case studies, and personal insight, she argues that policies, funding systems, promotion practices and cultural norms continue to disadvantage women at every stage of their careers. Although she focuses on academic medicine and science research labs, there are wider implications. Many women, no matter what their profession or circumstances, might see themselves in these pages. Dr. Grandis, who has experienced sexual harassment in her own workplaces, knows reporting on the problems is only half of the equation, and she offers resources and solutions to give readers hope that we still might be able to “shock the system” and effect great change in the workplace, making it more egalitarian for women and men alike. In association with Wonderfest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When should artificial intelligence supplant human intelligence? And when should human intelligence lead? For climate action, for impacts on health, for investing and portfolios, where can AI tools multiply productivity—and what situations cause a quality assurance minefield?  Learn from innovators around the world (from Europe to Oceania to the Americas) when and how AI tools bring new value, expand audiences—and where human intelligence and empathy is still required, and how we all can benefit. We will delve into how AI can improve the expansion and sustainability of food systems, which can also enhance climate justice, and access to nutrition for low-income communities. Wine Sponsor: Bonterra Organic Wines A Business & Leadership 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. Organizer: Elizabeth Carney  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to be American? Who gets to decide?  Americans have debated those questions for 250 years. The issue of what it means to be an American shaped the compromises in the Constitution and the arguments we've been having ever since—spawning abolitionism, secession, and civil war; populism, mass migration, and global leadership; movements for reform and the backlashes to them.  Former Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes has examined the speeches of 15 people that shaped and reflected the argument Americans have been having from our founding to the present day's heated divisions.  Rhodes has traced the history of our battle over identity. The result is a revealing portrait of America itself: a nation divided between two stories—one of inheritance, power, and exclusion; the other of equality, striving, and belonging. Drawing on a decade writing for Barack Obama, Rhodes also shows us how words can redirect a nation, what makes a speech enduring, and why oratory is a unique form of persuasion in American democracy.  From Benjamin Franklin's call for compromise at the Constitutional Convention, to Alexander Stephens' case for white supremacy as the cornerstone of the Confederacy; from Martin Luther King's dream of true equality to Donald Trump's rallying cry against democracy itself, these speeches remind us that history is a living argument. At a time when American identity—and truth—is contested, Rhodes comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to offer a fresh and powerful look at who we really are and who we could still become. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From boom to collapse? Veteran San Francisco journalist Jonathan Weber joins us for a deep-dive into San Francisco's meteoric transformation into a global capital of technology—and how the same forces that gave rise to its boom nearly engineered its end.In the early 1990s, San Francisco was a beautiful if somewhat troubled mid-sized metropolis, still reeling from the AIDS epidemic and the Loma Prieta earthquake; its economy was stuck in a post-industrial torpor. The city that had once been considered the capital of the American West and later a home of counterculture, the city by the bay faced an uncertain future. But at that same time, a new wave of technology entrepreneurs were busy inventing the next stage of the internet, and the city would soon undergo an epic political, social and economic transformation into the tech capital of the world. Local politicians, including Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, became rising stars in the Democratic Party nationally.So, crisis averted? No. A host of urban ills were waiting to grab the limelight: homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness, and a crippling lack of new housing. The city's famous left-wing political establishment struggled to get its arms around the problems, becoming a punching bag for President Trump and the resurgent right. When the pandemic arrived in 2020, it created new crises and laid old ones bare, shattering a “City Family” that had ruled for more than 30 years and prompting a sharp rightward turn by the once liberal tech industry. Weber saw it all up close as a reporter and newsroom leader. In his new book City on the Edge, he offers a sweeping history of a city that rose to dizzying heights, only to be undone by the heedlessness of a tech industry it did so much to spawn and politicians who had lost the plot. Hear all about the war waged for the heart of San Francisco—one that anticipated the culture wars raging around the world. Its outcome would have an impact far beyond the city's famed Golden Gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making steel accounts for around 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the industry could reduce that number by removing coal from the steel-making process entirely. Three of the U.S.'s last seven coal-based steel mills are situated along Lake Michigan. Together, these facilities produce nearly half of the steel made in the U.S., supplying skyscraper beams, car doors, and appliances across the country. And right now, in Northwest Indiana, a once-in-a-generation decision is on the table.  Nippon Steel, the owners of the Gary Works steel mill, can either extend the life of their aging blast furnaces for another 20 years and continuing coal-based production, or invest in cleaner, next-generation steelmaking. Other steelmakers have already moved towards decarbonization. Will Nippon switch to cleaner steelmaking for the next generation, or double-down on coal?  Guests:  Terry Steagall, Retired Steelworker, United Steelworker Union activist Hilary Lewis, Steel Director, Industrious Labs  Roger Smith, Asia Lead, SteelWatch Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 1:55 Terry Steagall on the importance of the steel industry in northwest Indiana 4:31 Terry Steagall on relining blast furnaces  11:16 Terry Steagall on cleaner steel for the next generation  14:27 Hilary Lewis on steel industry emissions 19:36 Hilary Lewis on the realistic path to decarbonizing the steel industry 23:03 Hilary Lewis on the pressure facing the industry to make cleaner steel  27:57 Hilary Lewis on the industry's move to southern states  34:01 Roger Smith on the scale of US Steel's acquisition by Nippon Steel 36:58 Roger Smith on the “golden share” the Trump administration received  46:33 Roger Smith on the viable technology for cleaner steel For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our ⁠⁠⁠episode page⁠⁠⁠ at climateone.org *** Join Climate One for an induction cooking demonstration night on July 21, at 6 p.m. at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. Come enjoy delicious food and wine, and learn about why cooking with magnets beats cooking with gas. Tickets available at ⁠⁠⁠climateone.org/events⁠⁠⁠  *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was issued, and it contains the DNA of the future United States of America.  At the heart of this remarkable document that sought to overthrow existing governmental institutions is the profound statement that echoes through the ages. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter, or abolish it, and to establish a new Government . . . as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” As we celebrate 250 years since this document was created, we will ask the question: What kind of America do you want? This is at a time of great social disruption, with many people believing that their life, liberty and happiness are under daily threat. This discussion will focus on where we go from here. A Health & Medicine Member-led Forum program. Forums and Chapters 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. Organizer: Robert Lee Kilpatrick  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come and meet author and master storyteller Corey Rosen for an unforgettable evening as he talks about his new book, A Story for Everything, a practical and inspiring guide to telling meaningful stories in everyday life. In this engaging discussion, Rosen will share his personal experiences behind the book, the storytelling frameworks he teaches around the country, and the surprising ways stories shape our relationships, careers and communities. Rosen will share insights from hosting “The Moth,” why everyone has more stories than they think, the difference between a memory and a story, the “Moment, Meaning, Message” framework and how storytelling builds connection and trust. About the Speaker Corey Rosen is a writer, actor, visual effects producer and storytelling teacher based in San Francisco. He is the author of Your Story, Well Told: Creative Strategies to Develop and Perform Stories that Wow an Audience, a laugh-out-loud, funny, practical and inspiring manual to develop true stories from concept through presentation. And his newly released book, A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion, is a comprehensive guide to storytelling for professional, educational and personal success. Rosen got his start writing for Comedy Central and Jim Henson Productions. As staff writer for Lucasfilm Animation and Tippett Studio, he wrote the screenplays for several films and theme park rides and attractions exhibiting around the world. He has been featured on “The Moth Radio Hour,” is a regular contributor and on-air personality for Alice Radio's “The Sarah and Vinnie Show” and is a company performer at BATS Improv, one of the world's foremost centers for Improvisational Theater. Rosen also hosts The Moth StorySlams and GrandSlams. A Grownups 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. Organizer: Denise Michaud  This program contains EXPLICIT language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Famously or infamously, in 2002 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters that “[A]s we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know.” That comment stoked a lot of mockery among his critics, but he was addressing something that all people feel. It is difficult to deal with uncertainty at times when our lives have never felt less certain in a world of increasing change. Now journalist and former IDEO design lead Simone Stolzoff comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to discuss his guide to navigating uncertainty, spelled out in his new book How to Not Know. From politics to our careers to our personal lives, we don't know what the future holds. Yet, Stolzoff says, our capacity to tolerate this uncertainty is declining. Stoloff shares stories of people who have grappled with big problems with no easy answers—such as an economist trying to predict the next market crash, or an island nation facing the existential impact of climate change. How can one be comfortable with ambiguity and the unknown? Join us to hear Stolzoff's answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices