Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

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Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

In 2020, exploring the harsh complexities of racism and systemic injustice is still a painful task for most adults, but how do our children process these concepts? How should we have these difficult conversations with our children, and how can we make sure that they feel empowered to change society as they grow? Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith join INFORUM to teach us how. Kendi is a New York Times best-selling author, an acclaimed academic and a leading voice on racial justice in America. His newest work is a children’s book titled Antiracist Baby, and in it he uses playful images and straightforward language to introduce complicated topics like power, racial disparity and antiracism for readers of all ages. Briscoe-Smith is a child psychologist and the director of diversity, equity and inclusion with the Wright Institute Clinical Program. Much of her work focuses on trauma and how children understand race. This conversation will be moderated by Julie Lythcott-Haims, the author behind the critically-acclaimed and award-winning memoir Real American, a book about growing up Black and biracial in white spaces. Together, these experts will explain how we can help future generations understand the true meaning of equality and also give them the tools necessary to fight for it. NOTES Part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation This program is in partnership with Common Sense Media Common Sense The Commonwealth Club’s work continues to value equity, tolerance and the achievement of a prosperous, supportive and just society. In honor of this conversation, please consider donating to the Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research.

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Ian Clark Devine: Fighting Elder Financial Abuse Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

The exploitation of their Aunt Huguette by her professional advisors and caregivers horrified the Clark family. By the time she passed away in 2011 at age 104, Huguette’s attorney, accountant and medical caretakers had manipulated her out of nearly $40 million. The 2013 book, Empty Mansions, told some of the story. Determined to bring good from a terrible situation, the Clark family resolved to protect vulnerable elders across the country. In 2018, multiple generations of the Clark family—descendants of Huguette’s father, Senator William A. Clark—established the Huguette Clark Foundation to protect vulnerable seniors and hold accountable those who abuse them. Ian Clark Devine is a long-time leader in nonprofit and foundation management. He is a great-grand-nephew of the late Huguette Clark, whose financial exploitation sparked his interest in the protection of elders. Elder abuse affects millions of people across all socioeconomic levels. Isolation, mental illness and dementia exacerbate the problem by making elders even more susceptible to those who would exploit them. With some 10,000 Americans reaching age 65 every day and life expectancies lengthening, elder abuse is a societal concern that could be on the rise for decades. Recognizing this concern, the United Nations has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. What are the signs of elder abuse? What can be done to stop it? How are legal protections, established in California more than a decade ago, performing to protect seniors and their assets? Join an important conversation about what we can do to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society

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Joan Ryan: Team Chemistry and the Secret to Success Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

For decades, beloved Bay Area sportswriter Joan Ryan has written about winning (and losing) sports teams. In her groundbreaking new book, Intangibles, Ryan explores the importance of team chemistry and the mystery of why some teams "click," foster trust and respect, and push players to exceed their own potential. In sports, team chemistry is often overlooked, in part because it is assumed that it can’t be scientifically measured. But after interviewing more than 100 players, coaches, managers and statisticians in addition to reviewing the thousands of games she has covered as a journalist, Ryan shows that the social and emotional state of a team does affect performance and should not be underestimated. Hear Ryan discuss the importance of team chemistry, and how some of our favorite teams have the intangible “it” factor and some, too often, don’t.

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Jonathan Karl: Front Row at the Trump Show Jun 17, 2020

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Veteran journalist Jonathan Karl has known and covered Donald Trump longer than any other White House reporter. And during this time he has been praised, has fought, and been branded an enemy of the people by President Trump himself. Karl says we have never seen a president like this—norm-breaking, rule-busting, dangerously reckless to some and an overdue force for change to others. He goes on to argue that we are witnessing the reshaping of the presidency. Get an extraordinary look at the president, the person and those closest to him. Karl will discuss the key moments defining the Trump presidency and offers his personal insights to what it is like being front row at the "Trump Show."

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Krista Tippett: Mindfulness in Uncertain Times Jun 16, 2020

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In the midst of one of modern history’s most uncertain moments, how can we all work to keep mindful of ourselves and those who matter most to us? Krista Tippett’s podcast, "On Being," aims to shine a light on people whose insights illuminate the best aspects of the human spirit. Every week, Tippett talks to writers, scientists, poets, activists and theologians from an array of faiths who have all opened themselves up to her compassionate yet searching conversations. In times like these, it’s easy to lose track of what keeps us grounded in the human experience. Join us for an enlightening conversation with one of America’s luminaries as she discusses her fiercely hopeful vision for humanity in these uncertain times.

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An Iconic Treasure: The AIDS Memorial Quilt Comes Home Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

Join us to learn the story behind the AIDS Memorial Quilt, as the Quilt's caretakers share their personal stories reflecting on 40 years of the pandemic. We'll discuss the Quilt's deep roots in San Francisco; meet the "Mother of the AIDS Quilt, who has been there since the beginning and is still there today to "take care of her boys"; learn about the Quilt's move to the care of the National AIDS memorial and how it is a powerful tool to teach—and reach—today's generation about HIV/AIDS; and hear personal stories behind the panels of the Quilt. While the United States and the world are reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, learn about the parallels and differences between this pandemic and the AIDS pandemic, and how the Quilt provided healing and became a source of support to today's first-responders via mask-making. NOTES This program contains some explicit language This program is produced in partnership with AIDS2020 Made possible by the generous support of Gilead and Comcast

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Marc Morial and Michael Tubbs: What's Next for America? Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

As Americans continue to grieve, protest and cry out over the death of George Floyd and the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, many wonder if this will be the tipping point for permanent change to the American justice system. And if not, what does the future hold for civil rights and American democracy? As leader of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization, Marc Morial is a leading voice in the battle for jobs, education, housing and voting rights equity. He previously served as the highly successful mayor of New Orleans as well as the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. On November 8, 2016, Michael Tubbs was elected to serve as the mayor of the city of Stockton, California. Upon taking office in January 2017, Mr. Tubbs became both Stockton’s youngest mayor and the city’s first African-American mayor. Michael Tubbs is also the youngest mayor in the history of the country representing a city with a population of more than 100,000 residents. Join an important intergenerational conversation about the next steps Americans can and must take. NOTES Co-Presented by INFORUM

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Divergent Minds Thriving in Adulthood Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

While topics such as ADHD, autism, bipolar and dyslexia are often discussed in the context of children, what happens after these children grow up, and what happens when they don’t receive such diagnoses until their 50s, 60s or later? Jenara Nerenberg offers practical takeaways and surprising scientific discoveries on how families, society and medicine can better meet the needs of those with mental and sensory processing differences. Nerenberg, an award-winning reporter with the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center and the Garrison Institute, is the founder of The Neurodiversity Project. Her work appears in CNN, Fast Company, KQED, Healthline and Time. She is a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health and UC Berkeley. Nerenberg was named a brave new idea speaker by the Aspen Institute for her work in destigmatizing and celebrating mental differences among adults later in life. Her new book is: Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed For You. MLF ORGANIZER Denise Michaud NOTES MLF: Grownups

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CLIMATE ONE: Will Climate Matter in the Election? Jun 14, 2020

Show notes

After a fleeting moment atop the national political agenda last year, climate change has been eclipsed by the global pandemic. A recent poll from Yale found that public engagement on climate change is at or near historic levels. But will that matter when people vote? The Environmental Voter Project asserts that many people who say they care about climate and the environment don’t actually cast ballots. Further, when talking to pollsters they lie and say they did vote. How will mainstream media cover climate in national and regional elections? Will President Trump’s stance on climate hurt Republicans in down-ballot races? Do Joe Biden’s policy positions on climate really matter? Join us with Vannessa Hauc, journalist and senior correspondent at Noticias Telemundo, Jeff Nesbit, executive director at Climate Nexus, and Nathaniel Stinnett, founder and executive director of the Environmental Voter Project, for a conversation on climate coverage in the race for the presidency.

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Lavender Talks: LGBTQ Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

Immigration has been a flash point in U.S. politics for years, but for the past several years, it has been one of the defining dividing lines in American life. When you add LGBTQ status to the normal challenges facing immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, even more hurdles come up. What are the problems new arrivals to this country are struggling with? What is being done to help them? What can be done? Join us for the third in our new series of Lavender Talks—produced in partnership with San Francisco Pride, which is celebrating 50 years in 2020. Our panel will feature immigration and human rights advocates and legal experts. NOTES In association with San Francisco Pride Made possible by the generous support of Gilead and Comcast And thanks to San Francisco Pride Legacy Partners: Bud Light Hilton San Francisco Union Square KPIX 5 CBS Bay Area Kaiser Permanente Genentech Gilead GLBT Historical Society KBCW TV Parc 55 San Francisco Smirnoff Recology T–Mobile

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