The San Francisco Experience

Our guest leads the American Heart Association's initiatives on brain health and brain science, including stroke, aging and dementia, migraine, traumatic brain injury and mental health.

Since Xi Jinping has come to power in 2012 he has purged millions of cadres and senior officials. Of late he has used the term Self Revolution to ensure that the culture of anti bribery and anti corruption takes root in every corner of the CCP and Chinese society as a whole. Is it a viable, long term strategy to root out corruption ?

RLWRLD is a partner with NIVIDIA's physical AI ecosystem . It is developing a robotic hand, RLDX-1 , that can perform contact rich tasks with humanlike dexterity. Physical AI is the intersection of AI software and physical engineering. A robotic hand with humanlike dexterity is often cited as the last mile in the development of humanoid robots.

In the wake of the Korean War (1950-53), intercountry adoptions between South Korea and the United States grew rapidly. More than 120,000 Korean children were adopted by American families from the 1950s to present day. Two evangelical Christians Harry and Bertha Holt, were early leaders and founded the Holt Adoption Agency. A young couple in Iowa , the Sueppels, worked with the agency to adopt four kids from Korea. What began as a storybook tale of family creation through adoption ended in shocking tragedy.

International Investigative journalists are vulnerable to attack but Forbidden Stories is doing something about it. Safebox Network ensures that even if the reporter is killed, their story will be taken up and published be a network of collaborating journalists. The goal of the organization is to prevent reporters being silenced for their beliefs and discoveries.

San Francisco is on the rebound after years of political mismanagement and Covid hangover. 17 of the largest AI companies in the world are located in San Francisco. And the City continues to be a magnet for top talent - this time, AI specialists. Venture capital investment is also fueling a rapid turnaround.

In early January, Volker left on a six month road trip through South America. In March we recorded our first podcast as he wound up a two month visit to Peru. In today's episode, he recounts his travels through Chile from the Atacama Desert in the North to Tierra del Fuego in the South. Deserts, Lakes, Ice fields, Fjords and Tierra del Fuego: a country of dramatically diverse climates and landscapes.

Geling Yan is an acclaimed Chinese American author. Her books were widely circulated in China until the Covid Pandemic in 2020. She criticized the Chinese government for a lack of candor in dealing with the crisis. As a result her books are no longer published in China. Criminal Lu Yan Shi is inspired by her two grandfathers who were both persecuted as intellectuals. The cover art for the book was created by renowned Chinese artist and dissident AiWeiWei.

The US needs to bolster our public diplomacy with Europe and NATO members in particular. With the nation celebrating its' 250 th anniversary of Independence, it is the perfect reason to set out the welcome mat and reset frayed diplomatic ties.

Money in politics, gerrymandered congressional seats, we seem to be slipping further away from the ideal of our Founding Fathers, namely Free and Fair Elections. But America's Main Street Party has come up with a plan and technology to restore our faith in the system.

The Digital Democracy Project gives voters a secure, blockchain-based toolkit to let them tell legislators and politicians alike, how they should vote on specific bills. It also produces a record of accountability.

November 2024 marked a significant political turning point in this, the bluest of blue cities. Moderate Daniel Lurie and a newcomer to politics defeated incumbent Mayor London Breed 55-45%. And Nancy Tung advanced the number of moderates on the 24 elected member SF Central Committee from 2 to 18. Has SF's performative political theater given way to a more results oriented, pragmatic approach ?

Josh co-founded Plantd, a sustainable building supplies company that "Fast Company" named One of the Most Innovative Companies in 2024. And last year he created a podcast show called Supercool that showcases climate entrepreneurs.

According to the Gallup Survey, 45% of American adults identify as Political Independents rather than as members of an organized political party. At the same time 27% of adults consider themselves as Republicans and 27% identify as Democrats. Yet our politics have become even more polarized, perhaps as moderates flee extremes within organized parties. How can Independent voters be sure the system which was largely designed by partisan parties, is fair, non-partisan and non-ideological for them ?

Frederick Rutland was a British double agent but a much decorated WWI hero and naval flyer ace who helped Japan to attack Pearl Harbor in 1941. He shared cutting aircraft carrier designs and aircraft technology with the Japanese during the 1920s and 1930s.

A nanoparticle nasal spray, to cross the blood/brain barrier and access the brain for medical application purposes and to expand the frontiers of Artificial Intelligence.

Fewer rural adults earn college degrees than their urban counterparts: 31% to 45%. That 14% shortfall is a telling difference and negatively impacts our society and the broader economy. How can we boost rural advanced education participation ? "Educated Out" highlights what is wrong and how to correct it.

Gladstone announced a major expansion today to bring in hundreds of new scientists and grow key research teams in San Francisco's Mission Bay area. Artificial Intelligence and biotech are increasingly converging.

Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan and Uzbekistan comprise the OTS. Turkmenistan, Hungary and Northern Cyprus have observer status. Azerbaijan borders Iran, has been attacked by missiles and has a sizeable minority in Iran. Where does the OTS stand ?

California voters may be asked to vote on a Billionaire Wealth Tax which has already seen the likes of Larry Page, Sergei Brin and Mark Zuckerberg consider relocating to Florida or Texas. Most European countries that had wealth taxes have scrapped them as they consider them hostile to innovators and entrepreneurs. So why would California consider a discredited tax strategy that even Governor Newsom has denounced ?

When you call 911 in an emergency you can be assured that committed and competent paramedics will show up in a matter of minutes. No one asks if you have insurance, can you pay or are you really in need. They take you at your word and show up. Joanna walks us through the world of a paramedic and why we are so fortunate to have them.

On January 6th, 2026, Volker set out on a six month journey through South America. His first port of call was Lima, Peru. In today's episode, he joins us from Tacna, Peru, in the SW of the country, 22 miles North of the Chilean border to share his impressions of this wonderful country.

A gifted but guileless young painter (Chris/Atlas) on scholarship to Harvard is drawn into the orbit of a dazzling, wealthy, Euro jetsetter student, Lucien, who manipulates him. Further, Lucien realizes that he can monetize his protege's painting genius by having him forge known artists work. But the narrative of great privilege and wealth begins to fall apart driving Lucien to pressure Chris to the breaking point.

Police searched Andrew's residence and seized documents, computer files and electronic devices looking for evidence to bolster their Public misconduct case. The Police are likely to call witnesses for interview who are familiar with his activity as UK Trade Envoy.

Every year the Chamber sponsors a poll of San Franciscans regarding the health and vitality of our economy and well being of the City by the Bay. The results were unveiled last week at the City Beat breakfast. Mayor Lurie gave the Keynote address and CEO Rodney Fong presided. In today's podcast, Rodney discusses the poll results.

A majority of young adults believe that they will not be as well off as their parents. In other words, they are falling behind. And the economic data bears it out. The average age of first time homebuyers is 40. But in the 1980s it was 30. What can the average young man or woman do to build wealth ?

Venezuela went from being one of Latin America's wealthiest countries to an economic disaster. More than 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country . And despite having the largest proven oil reserves in the world, daily oil production stands at a measly 500,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, Ex President Maduro sits in a NY jail awaiting trial as a narco terrorist.

The Great San Francisco Comeback is in full swing. And nowhere is the energy, drive and vision of The City that Knows How on display, than iconic Union Square. It's the heart and soul at the center of our Reimagining San Francisco, led by the Union Square Alliance.

Sir Keir Starmer's 18 month Premiership has been thrown into crisis as a result of Peter Mandelson's past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer appointed Mandelson UK Ambassador to Washington and then sacked him in September 2025. Can Starmer survive calls for his resignation ?

Author, essayist and literary critic, Bill Deresiewicz assembled a collection of forty essays written over a 30 year period. The themes include, Individuality vs. Networks, The Purpose of Education, Culture and Technology, Art and Criticism and Social Trends. The former Professor of English Literature at Yale University shares his opinions.

January 2026 saw a series of strategic foreign policy moves in Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, the Board of Peace which will continue to reverberate throughout 2026 and beyond.

As American Universities opened campuses in China and the Middle East in the early 2000s the wish was that our values of free speech and freedom would take root there. But increasingly their standards of censorship and authoritarianism seem to be pressuring our universities. How did this expansion go wrong ?

The International Spy Museum is dedicated to the history of tradecraft and the contemporary role of espionage. It features the world's largest collection of spy artifacts, gadgets, disguises and code machines. Executive Director Chris Costa had a distinguished career as a US Army Intelligence Officer. He was inducted into the Commando Hall of Fame in 2013 for extraordinary and enduring service to Special Operations Forces. In 2017 he served at the White House.

Set in South Africa, this thriller is the latest novel by acclaimed author Deon Meyer. He writes about life in post Apartheid South Africa featuring the detective team of Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido. Inspired by a high profile case of graft and corruption, a team of former South African Special Forces soldiers scheme to pull of a high stakes heist with Benny and Vaughn in hot pursuit.

President Trump has stated that his Administration intends to purchase the Danish dependency Greenland. The US already has almost carte blanche to establish any military facilities in Greenland under the terms of a 1951 treaty. 3 times the size of Texas and the largest island in the world, Greenland's population is 57,000. NATO of which Denmark is a member, is siding with Denmark in opposing any forced annexation. The President plans to impose a 10% tariff on several NATO members who landed a small (less than 50 people) military delegation in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital over the past weekend.

The decline of America's middle class stems from stagnant wages, rising costs for essentials like housing, education and healthcare, technology shifts, globalization, increased income inequality and greater financial vulnerability. A New Deal to shore up the foundations of the Middle Class is long overdue.

Alex Bastian, the CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco, has overseen a steady recovery of this sector from the depths of Covid shutdowns to robust financial performance. With the Super Bowl coming to the City and the Region next month and a surge in conventions and conferences coming to Moscone Center, demand for hotel rooms in 2026 is surging.

Aileen Teague is Assistant Professor at Texas A&M's Bush School of Government and Public Service, Department of International Affairs. She reviews the recent action by the Trump Administration to end Nicolas Maduro's presidency of Venezuela. What happens next ?

A six month voyage of discovery for a recently retired College Professor driving the PanAmerican Highway from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego. Discovering the fauna, flora and rich cultural tapestry of South America. But also a personal journey of self knowledge to lay the groundwork for the next chapter of life.

New economic cooperation plans take shape between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Trump Administration proposes an international roadway through southern Armenia linking Azerbaijan to its Western Exclave, bordering Turkey.

Saddleback Leather Co. manufactures high quality leather goods ranging from travel bags to belts and shoes. Located outside Fort Worth, Texas it is a family owned company with a unique mission and commitment to the highest quality.

Chris is Managing Partner with KPMG with responsibility for the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest. In the interview Chris references two KPMG studies that are available to listeners :KPMG's CEO Outlook SurveyKPMG's American Worker Survey

GPS was created 51years ago. It's ubiquity is due to a constellation of Geostationary Positioning Satellites (GPS). But any satellite signal can be jammed. Skyline's technology is not dependent on satellites and therefore cannot be jammed - a game changing technology.

In today's podcast, Professor Uehling references a letter writing campaign directed to families and other men and women in Crimea and Ukraine. If you wish to reach out by writing to the people who are often on the frontlines of the war with Russia , go to this website for more information : Crimea-Platform.org

Raising capital is a multi-phase process that brings together the entrepreneur and the investor. Scott and his team are at the nexus of that relationship. With a network of 13,000 investors, Black Dog Venture Partners is active nationwide, and is industry agnostic.

Ireland adopted a policy of neutrality in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. Since then and even as a member of the EU, neutrality has been a hallmark of the nation's foreign policy. But in light of the Russian war in Ukraine and a vast transformation of the Irish economy with Big Pharma, High Tech and Big Data from the US will national security concerns force a step up in national defense spending ?

Aerospace Corporation is a federally funded center for research and development focused on Space. Founded in 1960 and employing over 4500 professionals, it has expanded its remit beyond NASA, NOA and other space related entities to clients in the private sector like Spacex and Blue Origin. AI is increasingly featured in its' space projects.

Ruth Paine passed away August 31, 2025. I attended a Memorial for her at the Quaker Retirement Village, Santa Rosa, November 2, 2025. Her friend and "archivist" as she once called him, Joe Alesi shares his memories of Ruth. She was a witness to history - her testimony to the Warren Commission about JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was pivotal to their findings of his culpability.

Four years of meticulous research by author Andrew Lownie went into this book. And at the same time he was threatened with legal action and retaliation if he published. What has emerged is a detailed account of Andrew and Sarah's conduct over the years which has resulted in King Charles stripping his younger brother of his titles and honors and evicting the couple from the Royal Lodge.

Jensen Hwang, Founder of Nvidia, says that we are now in the era of accelerated compute. And Nomad Platforms is a prime example of that leap in computer technology. The potential applications for Nomad v2 are too numerous to list. But to give you one visual that sums up its capability, its a portable data center the size of a carry on case you can stow in the overhead compartment of a plane !

Alison recounts the story of Del Seymour who recovered after a life of 18 years of homelessness and incarceration to go on to found Code Tenderloin which has reclaimed thousands of former drug addicts and homeless people from the streets of San Francisco. She also gives us a master class in journalistic interview technique drawing out her subject Del to discuss painful truths from his past life. For an unrelated project, she is looking to interview current and former ICE agents.