CIIS Public Programs

Pioneering Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Magdalena Yesil came to the United States in 1976 with two suitcases and $43, unaware of the challenges she would face as an immigrant woman. In this episode, Magdalena is joined by CIIS professor Sara Salazar for a conversation about her life and the lessons she learned breaking glass ceilings to rise to the top in Silicon Valley and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Yalom is joined in a conversation with CIIS core faculty Barbara Morrill about his life, his work, and the profound power of self-reflection.

Join San Francisco poet Brynn Saito for a conversation with Layli Long Soldier about her journey creating her latest collection of poetry WHEREAS, which she wrote as a response to the congressional resolution “Apology to Native Peoples.”

Journalist and author Sasha Abramsky is joined by CIIS professor Andrej Grubacic in this conversation about America's most dangerous epidemic: irrational fear.

In this conversation with CIIS professor Rachael Vaughan, award-winning neuroscientist Matthew Walker reveals his groundbreaking exploration of sleep, explaining how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better.

Indie game developer turned social activist Zoë Quinn is joined by CIIS faculty Zara Zimbardo for a rare public conversation about her experience at the center of the Gamergate controversy and her journey to overcome it by working to make the internet a better, safer place for everyone.

In this episode, CIIS faculty Andrej Grubacic uncovers the relatively unknown history of exiles and activists and their impact on the past and future of the capitalist civilization. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

In this conversation with Steven Tierney, Professor of Community Mental at CIIS, Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Wright shares his journey exploring psychology, philosophy, and meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.

Jorge N. Ferrer, professor of East-West Psychology at CIIS is joined by Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness professor Matthew T. Segall for an exploration of participatory spirituality, which holds that human beings are active co-creators of spiritual phenomena and worlds.

Jorge N. Ferrer, professor of East-West Psychology at CIIS is joined by Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness professor Matthew T. Segall for an exploration of participatory spirituality, which holds that human beings are active co-creators of spiritual phenomena and worlds.