Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among teens in the U.S. In this program, Elliot Kallen, who founded A Brighter Day in honor of his late son, Jake, will discuss the organization's efforts in fighting depression and teen suicide. A Brighter Day reaches out to teens suffering from depression and other related issues while allowing them to maintain their dignity. The charity connects teens to the resources they need, showcasing local bands in a way that helps teens learn about depression and its risk factors. MLF ORGANIZER NAME Patrick O'Reilly NOTES MLF: Psychology

Climate change is sometimes called the anti-story because the end is uncertain and far in the future. But several recent documentaries tell climate-related stories with real human drama. My Country No More, Hillbilly, Saving the Dark, and Point of No Return are four favorites for summer viewing picked by the Climate One team at the Commonwealth Club.

This event is the latest in our member-led forums’ Crisis in Our Country summer series. Join us for an enlightening evening with four seasoned California political journalists who will share their insights on the upcoming all-important November 6 general election. They will explain the state's major issues, take audience members inside the politics of the campaign and discuss what's at stake as voters decide who will occupy California's highest office. This November, voters will also select the new superintendent of public instruction, the attorney general, 100 state legislators and 53 U.S. representatives. The moderator, Dave Lesher, is co-founder, CEO, and editor in chief of CALmatters, the nonpartisan state news nonprofit that now has the biggest statehouse news team in the area. The discussion will be followed by a question and answer session. MLF ORGANIZER NAME Norma Walden NOTES MLF: Middle East

Four prominent New York Times political journalists will take The Commonwealth Club stage to discuss the most consequential midterm election in a generation. What will the results mean for California and the nation? Following the California primary, Adam Nagourney, New York Times Los Angeles bureau chief, will moderate a discussion about the shape of the races, the role President Trump will play in this election, the future of polling and more. He will be joined by White House reporter Maggie Haberman, who was part of the team honored with a Pulitzer Prize in April for its coverage of Russia’s influence in the 2016 election; Nate Cohn, domestic correspondent for “The Upshot,” a data-driven blog that features a digital probability needle on The New York Times website on each election night; and national political correspondent Alex Burns.

How did we get here and what do we do next? Pfeiffer was one of President Obama’s longest-serving advisors, working on two presidential campaigns and spending 6 years in the White House as communications director and senior advisor to the president. Now he co-hosts the wildly popular Pod Save America podcast, along with Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, which brings insiders' expertise to bear in a twice-weekly discussion about the latest happenings in the White House and Congress. Pfeiffer shares never-before-heard stories about working in the Oval Office and reflects on those years of massive change that helped rewrite the rules of politics. He addresses the current political landscape and offers a hopeful message for where our country can go from here. Part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by The Bernard Osher Foundation

Come hear a gripping tales that will amuse, shock and inspire. Growing up poor and black in the rigidly segregated South, Spencer Christian relied on his family’s strong values to overcome adversity. On "Good Morning America" from 1986 to 1999, he was a daily presence in the homes of millions of Americans. By every conventional standard, he had it all—a loving wife and two wonderful children, a beautiful home, and a rewarding and remarkable career. Yet, he was living a double life that was largely unknown to the TV-viewing public. For nearly 30 years, he was a compulsive gambler — and fully addicted to the high-roller lifestyle. By the time he found the courage to confront his dependence, he had lost over $3 million, his home, his job—and most important—his family. Spencer reveals his roller-coaster rise to success and crash to rock bottom. He also details his rebounding, rebuilding, and recovery of hope and happiness. Spencer Christian is an Emmy Award-winning reporter best known for his 13 years on "Good Morning America," where he covered the national weather reports in addition to traveling throughout the United States and abroad reporting on a wide range of topics. Since 1999, Spencer has been the weather forecaster on San Francisco’s ABC7 News team. Part of the Good Lit Series, underwritten by The Bernard Osher Foundation

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation. It’s almost a cliché: it’s good to be different. However, it’s hard to believe this when there are a plethora of experiences and challenges that hinder anyone who exists beyond the structure of traditional power. But today, there are women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and millennials in the world who are ready to make a difference. Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia House minority leader and candidate for governor of Georgia, wants to show everyone that there is truth in the cliché and value in the struggle against traditional power structures. In her new book, Minority Leader: How to Lead from the Outside and Make Real Change, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your own passion, regardless of the scale or target. She discusses personal stories about launching a company, starting a daycare center for homeless teen moms and running a successful political campaign to show how ambition, fear, money, and failure function in leadership. Join this special conversation about how being in the minority can provide unique and vital strength!

The need to invest in California’s transportation system is dire and after years of seeking a solution to the state’s transportation crisis, the state legislature passed and the governor signed SB 1, also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, increasing transportation funding by $54 billion over a decade. SB 1 provides the first significant, stable and ongoing increase in state transportation funding in more than two decades. This free, half-day summit hosted by the Mineta Transportation Institute looks at how SB1 funds are being implemented and documents the strategies that state, local and regional governments and transportation agencies are taking to address California’s transportation needs. Underwritten by the Mineta Transportation Institute

Let’s talk politics! Everyone from TV stars to American first ladies is weighing in on the controversial separation of children from their parents at the border; plus San Francisco finally has a result from its mayoral election; Trump is facing new legal challenges; and with the primaries out of the way, the campaign has begun for the November election day. Join us as we discuss the biggest, most controversial and sometimes the surprising political issues with expert commentary by panelists who are smart, are civil and have a good sense of humor. Join our panelists for informative and engaging commentary on political and other major news, audience discussion of the week’s events, and our live news quiz! And come early before the program to meet other smart and engaged individuals and discuss the news over snacks and wine at our members social (open to all attendees).

Darshan-Leitner, the founder and director of the Israel Law Center, will discuss the unconventional Israeli task force Harpoon, which was created to combat terrorism. Leitner has appeared on CNN, BBC, Fox News, among other media outlets, and will explain the unconventional ways Israel’s espionage service Mossad waged financial warfare against extremist organizations and regimes funding worldwide terrorism and how Harpoon’s cloak-and-dagger campaign became the blueprint for American efforts to fight threats such as ISIS. After her presentation, Leitner will sign the book she co-wrote with Sam Katz of The New York Times, Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism’s Money Masters. MLF ORGANIZER NAME Celia Menczel NOTES MLF: Middle East