Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Elie Mystal is no stranger to telling people the truth and how it is. As a commentator and lawyer, Mystal is familiar with law and the power that comes with knowing how to use your words in a powerful way. In his first book, Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution, he does just that.He offers an easily digestible argument primer, offered so that progressives like him can tell the Republicans in their lives why they might be wrong. Mystal brings his trademark humor, snark, and legal expertise to topics as crucial to our politics as gerrymandering and voter suppression, and argues legal concepts such as the right to privacy and substantive due process are under threat from the conservative courts.Join us as Elie Mystal makes his case with humor and a sharp sense of humor.SPEAKERSElie MystalJustice Correspondent, The Nation; Author, Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution; Twitter @ElieNYCIn Conversation with Melissa MurrayFrederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law, NYU School of Law; Co-host, "Strict Scrutiny" Podcast; Twitter @ProfMMurrayIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 1st, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women’s History Month at The Commonwealth Club kicks off early, with an exciting and multifaceted eventWhat is the state of sports in terms of equity and diversity? What are the most relevant accomplishments, challenges and urgent matters to tackle to make sports equal and accessible? Host and LGBTQ leader Michelle Meow will lead a special discussion featuring prominent local sports leaders. Co-presented with Michelle Meow Show.SPEAKERSChristina KahrlSports Editor, San Francisco ChronicleHannah GordonChief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, San Francisco 49ers (Participating Remotely)Michelle MeowProducer and Host, "The Michelle Meow Show" on KBCW/KPIX TV and Podcast; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors; Twitter @msmichellemeow—Co-HostIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 25th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wajahat Ali is an acclaimed journalist and lawyer whose writings cover the intersection of social justice, politics and race. His first book, Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American, details his Bay Area upbringing, his early career as a lawyer, and how he become one of the foremost and funniest public intellectuals in America as a middle-aged dad.Ali tackles the dangers of Islamophobia, white supremacy and chocolate hummus, peppering personal stories with astute insights into national security, immigration and pop culture. Join him and Krista Tippett, host of the acclaimed “On Being” program, to learn how we can all help cultivate a more compassionate, inclusive and delicious America.NOTESThis program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.SPEAKERSWajahat AliColumnist, The Daily Beast; Author, Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become AmericanIn Conversation with Krista TippettHost, "On Being"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 25th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Beyer announced his retirement from the high court. This set the stage for the fulfillment of a historic promise President Biden made on the 2020 campaign trail to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.Please join us for a candid conversation between Black women political and justice leaders as we deep-dive into what led us to this moment, how this nomination reflects the progress of our community and what it means to the African American community.SPEAKERSAimee AllisonFounder, She the PeopleDiana BectonContra Costa County District AttorneyLaDoris Cordell(Ret) Judge; Author, Her HonorJotoka EaddyFounder, #WinWithBlackWomenCarolyn WysingerEducation Coordinator, The Commonwealth Club of California—ModeratorIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 25th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, abortion advocates have raised alarm bells on the risk of abortion rights being taken away. Today, that possibility has arrived.A tidal wave of anti-abortion bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country and the fate of Roe v. Wade will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court mid-year.At this pivotal moment, the leaders from Planned Parenthood and NARAL will speak at this special INFORUM virtual event offering their thoughts on how we got here and what the future holds.NOTESPresented by INFORUM.In association with the Psychology MLF.SPEAKERSAlexis McGill JohnsonPresident and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund; Twitter @alexismcgillMini TimmarajuPresident, NARAL Pro-Choice America; Twitter @mintimmMarisa LagosCorrespondent for California Politics and Government, KQED; Twitter @mlagos—ModeratorIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 23rd, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we alone? Avi Loeb, Harvard’s top astronomer, doesn’t seem to think so. He believes that our solar system was recently visited by advanced alien technology from a distant star. In 2017, scientists in Hawaii observed an object soaring through the sky, moving too fast along a strange orbit for Loeb to conclude that it was a regular asteroid. Instead, he suggested the object could be a piece of advanced technology created by a distant alien civilization.In his new book, Extraterrestrial, Loeb takes readers inside the thrilling story of the first interstellar visitor to be spotted in our solar system. He outlines his controversial theory and its profound implications: for science, religion and the future of our species and planet. Loeb challenges readers to aim for the stars—and to think critically about what’s out there, no matter how strange it seems.Join us as Avi Loeb takes us through a sky-bounding and mind-blowing journey of the wonders of space and what could be out there.SPEAKERSAvi LoebFrank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science and Former Chair, Harvard University's Department of Astronomy; Author, Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond EarthIn Conversation with Brian HackneyAnchor and Meteorologist, CBS5/KPIXIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 22nd, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does racism cost us? Tying together economics and deeply personal stories from across the United States that convey the cost of a broken system, political strategist Heather McGhee roots out the racist policies and politics that she says plague the finances and lives of Americans. In her debut book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, she makes her case: racism and a flawed zero-sum structure are at the root of all our dysfunctions.Traversing across the country, McGhee shares both the big picture and individual tales of the cost of playing the zero-sum game. McGhee brings people of all races and creeds to share their accounts of lost homes and lost dreams, owing to the mentality that some must lose for others to win. Indeed, in a system where education is a private commodity and incomes for many Americans have remained stagnant, she says winning is not an option.Yet, there is reason for hope. In combat against this system, McGhee has seen sparks of a “Solidarity Dividend” that transcends racism and demands a win for all. McGhee will set out her vision for a future that moves beyond the zero-sum and into radical compassion to the benefit of all.SPEAKERSHeather McGheeChair of the Board, Color of Change; Author, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together; Twitter @hmcgheeIn Conversation with Lara BazelonProfessor of Law and Director of Criminal Juvenile Justice and Racial Justice Clinical Programs, University of San FranciscoIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 25th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fatherhood is far from a one-dimensional experience—often, aspects of our identity such as race and other influential circumstances have influenced how we end up having and raising our children. Shaka Senghor, the New York Times bestselling author of Writing My Wrongs, can attest strongly to this fact: While Senghor's first son was raised during his time in prison, his second was born following his release. These contrasting experiences have not only taught Senghor the nuanced meanings of fatherhood in light of varying tribulations, but lessons that he wished he could’ve known throughout his life’s journey—both as a father and a son.In his new book, Letters to the Sons of Society, Senghor translates wisdom about the meaning of manhood into yet another masterful work of text. He will do the same at INFORUM, conflating his book’s lessons about mental health, healing and masculinity into a must-have conversation designed to leave all men—fathers, sons and beyond—in a much better position to cultivate positive relationships with one another as their lives move forward.NOTESThis program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.SPEAKERSShaka SenghorAuthor, Letters to the Sons of Society: A Father's Invitation to Love, Honesty, and FreedomIn Conversation with LaDoris CordellJudge (Ret); Author, Her Honor: My Life on the Bench . . . What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change ItIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 17th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a 20-year time frame, methane is 80 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide. Nationally, 37% of methane emissions come from cows. 17% of all US methane emissions come from food waste rotting in landfills. More than 100 countries, including the US, signed The Global Methane Pledge, promising to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. In California, a new law went into effect directly addressing the state’s methane emissions from organic waste and dairy farms. The law targets a 40% reduction in the same time frame. That’s ambitious. What effect will this law have on industrial agriculture, and the general population?  Guests:Neil Edgar, Executive Director, California Compost CoalitionJ Jordan, Policy Coordinator, Leadership Council for Justice and AccountabilityMichael Boccadoro, Executive Director, Dairy CaresMonique Figueiredo, Chief Executive Officer / Founder / Co-Owner, Compostable LAAllen Williams, Understanding Ag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the leadership of Black women from the Bay Area, including congresswoman Barbara Lee and Vice President Kamala Harris. Today, a historic number of Black women are serving on school boards, transit agencies, and city councils—and blazing the trail for the next generation of diverse civic leaders in this region. What’s more, an impressive cohort of Bay Area Black women are running for local and statewide office in the upcoming midterm elections.Join the San Francisco Foundation and The Commonwealth Club of California to learn about the leadership journeys of Black women from the Bay Area who are either serving in or running for public office. Speakers include BART Board Director Lateefah Simon, Emeryville City Councilmember Courtney Welch, California Assembly District 20 candidate Jennifer Esteen, and Oakland mayoral candidate Allyssa Victory.NOTESThis program is made possible by San Francisco Foundation's Bay Area Leads donors. SPEAKERSJennifer EsteenCalifornia Assembly District 20 Candidate; Trustee, Alameda Health SystemLateefah SimonBoard Director, BARTAllyssa VictoryOakland Mayoral Candidate; Staff Attorney, Criminal Justice Program, ACLU of Northern CaliforniaCourtney Cecelia WelchEmeryville City Councilwoman; Director of Policy and Communications, Bay Area Community Land TrustBrandi HowardChief of Staff, San Francisco Foundation—ModeratorIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 17th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices