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Midterm Madness: What's Happening This November [Trojan Family Weekend 2026] Nov 07, 2026

Show notes

For the 2026 USC Trojan Family Weekend, CPF Co-Directors and veteran political strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy host a conversation on the biggest stories shaping the final stretch of the 2026 midterm elections. They discuss key races, campaign strategies, polling trends, and political dynamics that could determine control of Congress and influence the remainder of President Trump's second term. Featuring: - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife - Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future

BallotPalooza: CA Ballot Measures 2026 Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join political experts Brooke Armour, Christian Grose, and Mike Madrid for a discussion on the initiatives heading to California voters this November. They discuss how direct ballot measures are a dominate feature of California elections, and break down the pros, cons, and context behind the initiatives, who is funding them, and what their passage would actually mean for Californians. Featuring: - Brooke Armour: Executive Vice President, California Business Roundtable - Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC - Mike Madrid: Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife - Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future

We are immensely grateful to Jeff and Sue White for making this and other programming possible, and for contributing their insights as well as their constant support of the Center.

Presidents and Civility Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Fred Ryan, Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Center on Civility and Democracy, for a discussion on the state of American political discourse. They discuss presidential leadership and the role of civility in American democracy. Featuring: - Fred Ryan: Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Center on Civility and Democracy, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Co-Founder of Politico, former Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan

- Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Education Reform: What's Working and What's Not? Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins education experts Amy McIntosh, Pedro Noguera, and Marshall Tuck for a discussion on the state of American education. They discuss which education reforms are working, and which ones are not, the state of our K-12 education, charter schools, and public education spending. This conversation is part of CPF's Jeff and Sue White Dialogue Series. Featuring: - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Pedro Noguera: Dean, USC Rossier School of Education - Marshall Tuck: CEO, EdVoice; Former CEO, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools; Former President, Green Dot Public Schools - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

We are immensely grateful to Jeff and Sue White for making this and other programming possible, and for contributing their insights as well as their constant support of the Center.

Midterm Tsunami? A Conversation with Fall 2026 CPF Fellows Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join Fall 2026 CPF Fellows, Michael Donilon, Julianna Goldman, Mike Madrid, Amy McIntosh, Claudine Schneider, and Jeffrey Toobin, for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service. Featuring: - Mike Donilon: Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Julianna Goldman: Former White House Correspondent, Bloomberg & CBS News; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Mike Madrid: Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island); Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Jeffrey Toobin: Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of The Nine and The Run of His Life; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife - Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future

Climate Forward 2026: "Is There A Republican Way Forward?" May 08, 2026

Show notes

CPF Director Bob Shrum talks with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) about climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-RI) - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Climate Forward 2026: "Can States And Cities Lead On Climate?" May 08, 2026

Show notes

Former California Senator Martha Escutia talks with Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discuss the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California's role as a leader in climate change. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

Featuring:

- Mary Nichols: Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board - Alex Nieves: Climate Reporter, POLITICO - Nancy Sutley: Deputy Mayor and CSO, Los Angeles - Martha Escutia: Former California State Senator and Assemblymember; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future

Climate Forward 2026: "Opening Plenary with Former EPA Administrator Regan" May 08, 2026

Show notes

CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference features a talk with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai and Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discuss the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administration, and how politics impact climate action. This conference is in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

Featuring:

- Michael S. Regan: 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Joe Árvai: Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Can You Really Say That? A Conversation with Former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

CPF and the USC Open Dialogue Project host a conversation on free speech in the United States with former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson. They discuss free speech law, misconceptions, and how First Amendment conflicts shape politics, the courts, and civil liberties. This conversation is in partnership with Voices for Liberty, USC Gould School of Law, USC Heterodox Academy, USC Price School of Public Policy, and the USC Open Dialogue Project. Featuring: - Nadine Strossen: Former President, ACLU; Professor, New York Law School - Franita Tolson: Dean, USC Gould School of Law; Former Election Law Analyst, CNN - Andrew T. Guzman: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, USC

California at 175 Conference: "First in Taxes, First in Results?" Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Former Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin moderates a conversation with political experts David Crane, Bob Hertzberg, and Richard Leib on how California's tax structure compares nationally. They discuss whether the state's high revenue levels translate into effective public and private outcomes, and what reforms could better align fiscal policy with performance. CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan gives closing remarks. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. Featuring: -David Crane: Co-Founder and President, Govern for California -Bob Hertzberg: Former Speaker, California State Assembly; Former Majority Leader, California State Senate -Richard Leib: Chair, Board of UC Regents; President and CEO, Dunleer Strategies -Ron Galperin: Former Controller, City of Los Angeles; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future

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