Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

In 1861, abolitionist Wendell Phillips said, “I think the first duty of society is justice.” What, then, would he think about the current state of America’s Department of Justice?  Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporters Carol Leonnig and Aaron C. Davis say that throughout his first administration, President Donald Trump did more than any other president to politicize the nation’s top law enforcement agency, pressuring his appointees to shield him, to go after his enemies, and even to help him remain in office after his 2020 election defeat. They say the Justice Department has never fully recovered.  Decisions and actions by the Justice Department during the Trump and Biden presidencies demonstrate how much has changed. Leonnig and Davis explore what has happened in their new book Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department. They say the subversion of the Justice Department over the last decade threatens rule of law in the United States as we have long known it.  They put blame not only on Trump administration efforts to undermine the department but also the delays in investigating Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election under Biden’s attorney general, Merrick Garland. Leonnig and Davis say a daily war was secretly waged for the soul of the department.  Join us for a special online-only discussion that will take you inside the rooms where fateful decisions were made—with fateful results. Hear Leonnig and Davis’ jaw-dropping account of political partisans and enablers wrecking democracy, heroes who still battle to preserve the rule of law, and a call to action for those who believe in liberty and justice for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political polarization has become a top concern for Americans, surpassing issues such as immigration, inflation or crime, according to an October 2025 poll by The New York Times and Siena University. This is a major shift from before the 2024 election, when it "barely registered" as an issue. Most voters now doubt the country's divisions can be overcome.  Still, Americans also say they want leaders to cooperate across party lines. So what should be done? Liam deClive-Lowe believes that part of the answer is to make it less risky for politicians to collaborate across the aisle. He’s the president and co-founder of American Policy Ventures (APV), a nonpartisan organization that works with members of Congress, philanthropists and policy leaders to “de-risk cross-partisan collaboration and pragmatic governance.”  The APV team, including former Republican and Democratic staffers, seeks to achieve this by changing the incentive structures that deepen polarization. When politicians are seen working with the other side, they are often demonized by their own base. DeClive-Lowe wants cooperation to become something that is rewarded, not punished.  APV is just one of a number of recently formed groups in the nation’s capital looking to promote bipartisanship and solve the polarization crisis. DeClive-Lowe will join Commonwealth Club World Affairs to discuss the growing movement, APV’s efforts, and actions ordinary citizens can take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agriculture is directly responsible for 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and farmers and ranchers face growing climate impacts every day, from more severe storms to intense droughts, making it harder to grow food.  The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office ⁠estimates⁠ emissions from the agriculture sector will modestly increase over the next 30 years. Yet the Trump administration is ⁠slashing programs ⁠that help reduce emissions, feed people, protect farmworkers and animals and sensitive lands. In addition, the Trump administration’s tariffs and trade wars have affected the cost of machinery and sales of major crops. What will these changes mean for our national food system? How are farmers weathering these impacts? And where are people building resilience regardless of federal policy?  Episode Guests: Lisa Held, Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor, Civil Eats Megan O'Rourke, Congressional Candidate NJ07; Former USDA Scientist John Bartman, Illinois farmer Byron Kominek, Owner and Manager, Jack's Solar Garden Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 05:30 – Lisa Held on major climate and agriculture stories in 2025 07:30 – Climate change is making it harder to be a farmer 09:15 – Changes at USDA 15:00 – How SNAP cuts affect consumers and farmers/growers 18:30 – Trump admin penalizing efforts/grants that support DEI efforts in agriculture 24:00 – John Bartman shares his journey to regenerative agriculture 30:00 – Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities Program and cutbacks under Trump 34:30 – Trade war between China and US is hurting soybean sales and Amazon rainforest 37:10 – Byron Kominek on how he got into agrivoltaics and the benefits it offers 42:00 – Agrivoltaics is climate adaptation 51:20 – Megan O’Rourke on research around kernza, a perennial grain 54:00 – Most pressing challenges for agriculture right now 59:00 – Importance of food security at home and abroad, and role of US farmers 1:03:30 – Climate One More Thing For show notes , transcript, and related links, visit climateone.org/podcasts ****** 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 at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Funk, a former public defender and local activist, delves into the rich history of political resistance, highlighting its evolution from ancient defiance to modern movements like Black Lives Matter. He discusses civil disobedience, referencing Thoreau's philosophy and its influence on leaders like Gandhi and King. Funk shares insights on the Wide Awakes' mobilization in 1860 and the impact of nonviolent tactics during key protests, emphasizing the power of grassroots movements today. He urges practical civic engagement and maintaining hope in turbulent times.

In this insightful discussion, guests share their experiences and expertise in the disaster economy. Haley Geller recounts her harrowing evacuation from the Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting the struggles of navigating recovery while parenting. Ayurella Horn Muller sheds light on the diverse workforce in disaster response and discusses alarming exploitation and wage theft issues. Naveena Sadasivam exposes contractor fraud scams post-disaster and provides actionable tips for homeowners to safeguard against exploitation. Together, they reveal the complexities that survivors face in the aftermath of catastrophe.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan and author of True Gretch, shares her journey through significant challenges, from leading during the COVID-19 pandemic to navigating threats against her life. She reflects on her family's influence, the importance of femininity in leadership, and the lessons learned through trauma. Whitmer emphasizes the need for leaders to lower violent rhetoric and engage politically for change, advocating for democratic participation among young people while discussing her strategies for Michigan's economy and future.

Gloria Walton, President and CEO of The Solutions Project, and Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, explore the intersection of climate justice and grassroots activism. Walton emphasizes reframing frontline communities as victors and the need for philanthropy rooted in solidarity. Gatheru shares her journey to empower Black youth in climate spaces, advocating for nuanced storytelling and emotional literacy to drive action. Together, they highlight the importance of community resilience and collective care in the fight against climate change.

Elizabeth Yeampierre, an attorney and environmental justice leader at UPROSE, discusses local solar initiatives in Brooklyn that empower communities and reduce energy costs. Arturo Massol-Deyá, from Casa Pueblo in Puerto Rico, shares insights on building resilient solar microgrids after disasters. Skyler Zunk, CEO of Energy Right, talks about promoting solar in conservative rural Virginia, emphasizing energy independence and local economic benefits. Together, they underscore the importance of community-driven clean energy solutions.

Jonathan Karl, Chief Washington correspondent for ABC News and bestselling author, dives deep into the whirlwind of Donald Trump's second campaign. He shares gripping behind-the-scenes stories of election chaos, from Biden's unexpected withdrawal to allegations of assassination attempts. Karl highlights the shift in Trump's administration prioritizing loyalty and discusses the relentless news cycle reporters face. With insights on the future of American politics, he raises concerns about democracy's vulnerabilities and the evolving roles of political figures like J.D. Vance.

Willie L. Brown, Jr., a former San Francisco mayor and civic leader, shares his insights on community-driven solutions and philanthropy. Elisabeth Pang Fullerton discusses merging nonprofit and for-profit impact while advocating for universal healthcare access. Eddy Zheng emphasizes the importance of visibility and trust-based philanthropy in supporting incarcerated individuals. The dynamic roundtable allows attendees to share success stories, covering innovative initiatives like tiny homes for homelessness and tech solutions for nonprofit accountability.