Épisodes

  • Humanities West Presents Lessons Unlearned: The 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War
    May 7 2025
    There clearly are lessons that we have learned from the Vietnam War that we have applied well to other situations, but there are also lessons that we think we have learned that are far less clear, and could lead to similar outcomes if we are not careful. The Vietnam War certainly cast a pall over America, but much more so over all of Southeast Asia. Back then the enemy was seen as Communism. Now the enemy has transformed into various political movements along the far end of the authoritarian spectrum―whose understandable but deceptive attractiveness during moments of despair has even begun finding many adherents among us. To head off that unfortunate development, join us in asking: Which foreign policies could we adopt that would make the freest end of the spectrum of democratic civilizations more robust, more stable and more desirable? And where does the development and use of military power fit into those foreign policies to achieve our civilizational goals? Humanities West presents a variety of expert opinions on these important issues while reviewing what went wrong, and what went right, during the Vietnam War that ended so abruptly on April 30, 1975. Join us for two nights, on April 30 and May 2, to hear six experts review what we have learned, and what we have not, about the Vietnam War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h et 28 min
  • CLIMATE ONE: San José Mayor Matt Mahan: Live from SF Climate Week
    May 6 2025
    Climate progress is stalling at the federal level, making local action more critical than ever. “In an increasingly urbanized world, cities must play the leading role in achieving our climate goals,” says San José Mayor Matt Mahan. But what does that look like in practice? What role can cities play in accelerating the transition to a fully electrified economy across all sectors? And how does he plan to secure funding in uncertain times? This conversation was recorded live as part of SF Climate Week 2025. Guest: Matt Mahan, Mayor of San José 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. For show notes and related links, visit our website. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 min
  • Trade not Tariffs: Why Every Purchase Matters in a Changing World
    May 3 2025
    Come join award-winning journalist Priya David Clemens in conversation with Paul Rice, founder and former CEO of Fair Trade USA, to discuss his critical account of the past, present and future of conscious capitalism—the change it has wrought in the world and the potential it still has to confront our greatest challenges. We all have the power to change the world through the products we buy. This simple premise has driven the growth of the conscious consumer movement for decades. Indeed, what started with a handful of niche sustainability brands has exploded into the mainstream with labels like "organic," "non-GMO," and "fair trade certified" now adorning products in major retailers across the country. Yet the true promise of ethical sourcing and conscious consumerism has not been fully realized. Paul Rice has dedicated his career to helping consumers and businesses embrace the power they have to protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers and workers on the far side of our global supply chains. In Every Purchase Matters, Rice reveals the untold story of the fair-trade movement and its significance for us all. Calling on the close relationships he cultivated over the last 40 years with the pioneers of ethical sourcing—CEOs, activists, grassroots farmer leaders, and consumer advocates—Rice gives voice to the visionaries and practitioners who are making sustainable business the new normal. These protagonists share successes and failures, lessons learned, and their extraordinary impact in communities around the world. Their stories illuminate how sustainability is good not only for people and planet but also for business. Whether you’re a consumer, a business leader, or an investor, Rice offers a rich and persuasive case for conscious capitalism—the change it has brought and the potential it still has to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. A Social Impact 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. OrganizerIan McCuaig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 5 min
  • CLIMATE ONE: Solutions That Work With Grist, Project Drawdown and Jenny Odell
    May 2 2025
    It’s so easy to spiral into a climate doom loop. But solutions to the crisis are out there! Even as federal action stalls, states, local organizers and innovators across the U.S. are charging ahead with climate progress. What responsibility does the media have in elevating the solutions that exist and are working? And how can artists help reframe the climate conversation and shift the narrative from foregone conclusion to a reimagining of what’s possible? This episode features conversations recorded live during SF Climate Week — with Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, Nikhil Swaminathan, CEO of Grist, and author and artist Jenny Odell — all exploring how solutions-focused storytelling today can help shape the future we dare to imagine tomorrow. Guests: Jonathan Foley, Executive Director, Project Drawdown Nikhil Swaminathan, CEO, Grist Jenny Odell, Artist; Author, “Saving Time,” “How to Do Nothing” Mina Kim, Co-host of Forum, KQED 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. For show notes and related links, visit our website. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 min
  • Week to Week Politics Roundtable: Trump's First 100 Days
    May 1 2025
    Join us for the late-April edition of our Week to Week political roundtable, as we check in on the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s first 100 days in his second term. We'll share some insight into the people, trends and topics driving the political news of the day. Politics is a joint project; come early for a pre-program social hour with wine and light bites, then enjoy and learn as our panel of political experts—including Tim Anaya, Melissa Caen and Dan Schnur—explains what happened and what to expect, and answers your questions. See other upcoming Week to Week political roundtables, as well as audio and video of past Week to Week programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 8 min
  • CLIMATE ONE: Congressman Jared Huffman: Live from SF Climate Week
    Apr 29 2025
    Rep. Jared Huffman has represented California’s 2nd District — from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border — for over a decade. During that time, he has championed climate issues and fought to protect California’s public lands, prevent offshore drilling, pushed for financial institutions to divest from fossil fuels, and introduced legislation to tackle plastic pollution. Now, turmoil in the federal government is putting all those protections at risk. Advocating for climate action is pretty challenging when terms like "climate change” are being erased from government websites. How can Rep. Huffman advance his climate agenda when those who hold the most power are going hard in another direction? Guest: Rep. Jared Huffman, U.S. Representative (D-CA 2nd District) and Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee 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. For show notes and related links, visit our website. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min
  • Jens Ludwig and Chief Bill Scott: The Unexpected Origins of Gun Violence
    Apr 29 2025
    In 2007, economist Jens Ludwig moved to the South Side of Chicago to research two big questions: Why does gun violence happen? And is there anything we can do about it? Almost two decades later, the answers aren’t what he expected. Unforgiving Places is Ludwig’s revelatory portrait of gun violence in America’s most famously maligned city. Ludwig says his research disproves the popular narrative that shootings are the calculated acts of malicious or desperate people; he says it shows most shootings actually grow out of a more fleeting source: interpersonal conflict, especially arguments. By examining why some arguments turn tragic while others don't, Ludwig says gun violence is more circumstantial—and more solvable—than our traditional approaches lead us to believe. Drawing on decades of research and Ludwig’s immersive fieldwork in Chicago, including “countless hours spent in schools, parks, playgrounds, housing developments, courtrooms, jails, police stations, police cars, and lots and lots of McDonald'ses,” Ludwig joins us with San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott to discuss his work in behavioral economics. As Ludwig says, progress on gun violence doesn’t require America to solve every other social problem first; it only requires that we find ways to intervene in the places and the 10-minute windows where human behaviors predictably go haywire. This program contains EXPLICIT language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 7 min
  • California Youth Agenda Conference
    Apr 28 2025
    The inaugural California Youth Agenda Conference is a convening designed by and for young people about climate change, mental health education, and reproductive rights. These issues were identified as being of top concern by 200 students throughout California who responded to our Youth Issues Survey in the fall of 2024. Led by our Youth Advisory Committee, this half-day conference will feature inspirational keynote speakers, interactive sessions with expert panelists, and opportunities for students to network and collaborate. We will also be hosting an Action Lounge that will feature organizations and groups focused on youth empowerment, climate change, reproductive rights, and mental health education. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the important work these groups are doing and how they can get involved during lunch and break times! Keynote speakers:Brianna Mullen, Founder of Education Justice AcademyChris Badillo, Program Director of Education Justice Academy Break-out roomsPowering Change: Renewable Energy & Climate Action Mina Fedor, YAC member, Junior at The College Preparatory School (Moderator) Finn Does, organizer, environmental educator, and student at UC Berkeley June Choi, PhD candidate in Earth System Science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Embracing Vulnerability: Building Emotional Strength Mimi Tuden, YAC member, Junior at Berkeley High School (Moderator) Chris Medina, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Camphortree Healing Collective Antonio Hernandez, President of the Antioch Unified School District Board of Education Breaking Barriers: Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Charley Matthews, YAC member, Junior at Miramonte High School (Moderator) Stacy Cross, CEO of Planned Parenthood, Mar Monte Yevanit Reschechtko, Senior Associate Communications Director at Ibis Reproductive Health Please note that this event is for high school and middle school students. For any questions, please reach out via email. This program is part of Creating Citizens, the civics education initiative at Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 26 min