Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Michael David Lukas, who attended The American University in Cairo and was a Fulbright scholar in Turkey, will discuss his critically acclaimed multigenerational novel, The Last Watchman of Old Cairo. Lukas weaves an intriguing tale, using real and fictional characters from old and modern Cairo; Victorian England; and Berkeley, California. The novel follows Joseph (the son of a Muslim father and Jewish mother) as he traces his forefather's role in guarding Cairo’s historic Ibn Ezra Synagogue and the ties that bind his family. Lukas' last book, The Oracle of Stamboul, has been translated into more than a dozen languages. MLF Organizer Name Celia Menczel Notes MLF: Middle East

Is philanthropy, by its very nature, a threat to democracy? Though we may laud wealthy individuals who give away their money for society’s benefit, Rob Reich shows how such generosity not only isn’t the unassailable good we think it is, but it might also undermine democratic values. Big philanthropy is often a conversion of private assets into public influence—a form of power that is largely unaccountable and tax-advantaged. And small philanthropy, or ordinary charitable giving, can be problematic as well. These outcomes are shaped by the policies that define and structure philanthropy. Reich asks: What attitude and what policies should democracies have concerning individuals who give money away for public purposes? Differentiating between individual philanthropy and private foundations, Reich suggests that the goal of mass giving should be the decentralization of power in the production of public goods, such as the arts, education and science. For foundations, the goal should be long-term horizon innovations that enhance democratic experimentalism. Reich concludes that philanthropy, when properly structured, can play a crucial role in supporting a strong liberal democracy. MLF Organizer Name George Hammond Notes MLF: Humanities

Stabilizing our climate is going to take some hard truths – and hard numbers. “If you look at 1.5 degrees, it's about 13 years,” says Stanford’s Arun Majumdar. “If you look at 2 degrees, it’s 20 years. And after that, it’s zero.” We can fight back with the power of zero: a zero-carbon grid, zero-emission vehicles, zero-net energy buildings and zero- waste manufacturing. Whether through massive technological breakthroughs or deployment of existing technologies, powering these opportunities will require funding and policy changes. Can a four-zero solution lead to a low carbon-future?

Sebastian Gorka served as deputy assistant to President Donald Trump for much of 2017 and continues to be an outspoken supporter of the president’s agenda. Currently, Gorka works as a national security strategist for Fox News. Since his emergence on the political stage, his controversial nationalist views have seen a resurgence across the western world. In his book Why We Fight, Gorka asserts that if America wants to succeed in the war on terror, we need a clear, unifying doctrine. He believes willful ignorance about our adversary—whether it’s Russia, China or the global jihadi movement—has crippled America and our will to fight outside threats. Join us for a conversation with this provocative figure who worked for Trump and continues to influence global affairs.

Deciding how to structure your estate plan often presents daunting ethical and emotional challenges. As you ponder how to distribute your assets, you may struggle to design a plan that seems fair not just to you, but also to your heirs. Often, different family members have radically disparate needs, and there may be worthy causes that you would like to support. How can you create a legacy that honors your personal values without provoking family disputes or hurt feelings among those you leave behind? MLF ORGANIZER NAME Denise Michaud

In this special edition of our program, we will take a look at the fight over the landmark anti-gay Briggs Initiative 40 years later. Join us as Michelle Meow brings her long-running daily radio show to The Commonwealth Club one day each week. Meet fascinating—and often controversial—people discussing important issues of interest to the LGBTQ community, and have your questions ready.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is one of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures. For more than five decades, from working with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to his own two presidential campaigns and beyond, Jackson has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice. On August 9, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. As America grapples with polarization and increased threats of violence against social and political leaders, various ethnic groups, and the media, is it still possible for Americans to lessen the heated rhetoric and bridge divides? Come for a conversation with a man who has been called the “conscience of the nation.” Jackson will discuss the possibilities for America to be inclusive and to find common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.

How did we come to separate our understanding of economic/financial value from social/environmental value? How did we come to think of ourselves as being separate from our neighbors, community and planet? By crafting a new, holistic understanding of ourselves and our relationship to one another, we are able to approach a deeper, more significant understanding of the purpose of capital, which may then anchor our definition of the purpose of capital, how we understand the nature of returns (both financial and extra-financial) and a deeper understanding of the meaning of money. In a fireside chat, Donna Morton and Jed Emerson will explore these ideas—history and culture—connecting those within the current trend toward impact investing and sustainable finance as vehicles to generate financial returns with social and environmental impacts and the creation of a more just world for both human and nonhuman communities. The audience will come away with a new mindset for a future that is clean, just and regenerative for people and planet. Asking new questions—how can the people left out of the economy become our greatest assets—financial activism could unite Occupy and Wall Street, the 99 and the 1 percent. Movements such as Black Lives Matter, sanctuary cities, intersectional feminism and climate justice are the edges and opportunities for finance. Beyond divestment, the speakers will discuss moving finance from harm to healing. ** This podcast contains explicit language **

This program is part of our Good Lit series, supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. In Jose Antonio Vargas’ own words, his story as an undocumented citizen is “only one of an estimated 11 million in the United States.” While the details differ, they all have common threads—a feeling of homelessness in place you call home and the ever-looming fear of an uncertain future. Vargas argues that the psychological trauma attached to those experiences is often felt for generations. Join the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer as he chronicles his journey in becoming arguably the most recognizable undocumented figure in the United States and how he also became the voice of those displaced by a highly hostile, anti-immigrant culture. He will also offer insight into the everyday life of those living on the fringes of a society that does not welcome them and the unwavering spirit and generosity that perseveres in that community.

An evening celebrating the Ace of Cups, the pioneering all-female band from the 1960s San Francisco rock music scene and its debut studio album that almost never happened. Please join us for an evening of songs, stories and celebration. Learn about the rich story of this unique band that began in 1966 in an apartment on Waller Street in San Francisco. This intimate gathering will feature an interactive blend of live music and an extended panel discussion with the members of the Ace of Cups—all women 70 and over—and special guest appearances from luminaries from the 60s era. The evening will also include rare video—archival and contemporary. The Ace of Cups was legendary from the beginning—five uniquely talented women writing fantastic songs, rocking as hard as any band at the time and harmonizing like psychedelic angels. The Ace of Cups performed with fellow artists such as The Band, Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service; even Jimi Hendrix was an avowed fan. Despite eliciting music industry interest for their exceptional songs, sublime harmonies and exuberant live performances, the Ace of Cups never got a chance to make a record of their own. Until now … With the enthusiastic support of High Moon Records, and under the guidance of celebrated producer Dan Shea, four of the band’s original members holed up in San Rafael’s Laughing Tiger Studios to record gems from their back catalog and newly composed material that is as timely as it is timeless. Their self-titled debut album blends pure rock, folk, blues and gospel influences with a pop sensibility and a garage band rush—all tinted by an intoxicating psychedelic sheen. As news spread that the Cups were recording, old friends—including Bob Weir, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taj Mahal, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady—began to come by the studio to offer support and musical contributions. Thirty-six songs were recorded, and what started out as a chance to set the record straight has turned into a history-making second act. Dennis McNally will be hosting the evening. McNally is a former Grateful Dead publicist, historian and author of A Long Strange Trip, the definitive history of the Grateful Dead. Special Guests Mountain Girl aka Carolyn Garcia, Activist, Prankster, Cultural Icon Wavy Gravy and Jahanara Romney, Cultural Icons, Activists Nicholas G. Meriwether, Cultural Historian, Archivist Sunshine Powers, Owner, Love on Haight; Activist; Cultural Icon Barry Melton, Musician, Attorney, Counterculture Historian * The music tracks played during this presentation have been left out of the podcast while they are remixed. Pending record company approval, they may be added in at a later date. Find out more about the actual album release on the Ace of Cups website. ** This Podcast Contains Explicit Language **