Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

In this lecture, Dr. Akil Palanisamy will describe the outlines of a comprehensive roadmap to optimal health, one that combines the most effective aspects of the “paleo” diet (so-called because it seeks to emulate the diet of early humans), cutting-edge nutritional science, and the time-tested philosophy and techniques of ancient Ayurvedic medicine. He will share practical tips on what to eat in order to boost well-being and vitality, and he will have detailed and practical information about implementing these concepts in daily living. Dr. Palanisamy is a Harvard-trained physician who practices integrative medicine, incorporating the best of conventional medicine and alternative therapies. A holistic doctor, he completed his premedical training in biochemistry at Harvard University, received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his residency in family medicine at Stanford University. He also completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona, and is certified by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine at Georgetown University. Dr. Akil practices at The Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco, one of the oldest centers for integrative medicine in the United States.

George Shultz has had a distinguished career in government, academia and the world of business. He is one of two individuals who have held four different federal cabinet posts; he has also taught at three of this country’s great universities. In 1989 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Come hear Secretary Shultz’s seasoned observations on foreign policy, economics and on what makes great presidential leadership, especially as the Trump Administration's policies begin to take shape.

Caring deeply about our children is part of what makes us human. Yet the thing we call “parenting” is a surprisingly new invention. In the past 30 years, “parenting” has transformed into an obsessive, controlling, goal-oriented effort to create a particular kind of child. But children are designed to be messy and unpredictable, playful and imaginative, and to be very different both from their parents and from each other. Drawing on the study of human evolution and her own cutting-edge research, Gopnik shatters key myths of “good parenting,” and suggests a new approach—where variability and flexibility in childhood lets them innovate, create and survive in an unpredictable world.

With stock market values at near-record highs, again, how is the clean tech sector doing? One index of solar stocks is down 50 percent from a year ago and the industry was stung by the high-profile flame-out of SunEdison. Overall, however, the clean energy industry is growing and creating jobs. One recent report found the number of people who work in renewable energy grew 5 percent to 8 million people worldwide. What technologies are most promising for making money and getting a job? What areas offer the biggest prospect for game-changing breakthroughs? Join a conversation with three battle-hardened experts about what’s real and what’s hype in today’s clean power landscape. Climate One is excited to be working with CleanTech Open for this program, making it the kick-off event for Clean-Tech Week 2016. We will be hosting a post-event reception for extended networking and mingling.

In his new book, Rosenbaum and co-editor Barry Magidin bring together various essayists who examine critical concerns and creative engagment of zen experience with mindfulness practice. The marketplace, mindfulness myths, fantasies and facts, solitude and mindfulness in the arts, feminism and Zen liberation, Western Buddhism—all consider the topic. Rosenbaum introduces the topic with the "Zen in America" question of "Universal Mindfulness—Be careful what you wish for?" Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum is a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist who is a Zen practitioner and senior teacher in the Taoist practice Dayan QiGong.

Patricia Schultz has a dream job: traveling the globe and writing about it. She is the author of the international #1 bestsellers, 1000 Places To See Before You Die (translated into 25 languages) and her new book,1000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die. With these works, she has reinvented the idea of travel book as both wishlist and practical guide. She was recently chosen by Forbes as one of the 25 most influential women in travel, and was executive producer of the Travel Channel’s TV show based on her first 1000 Places book. Schultz will focus on emerging destinations, featuring four eye-opening trips that have slowly and recently been securing their places in the global limelight: Iran, Myanmar, Cuba and Antarctica (including the Falkland Islands and South Georgia). Listen to her experience and anecdotes and learn why Americans are joining the still limited number of travelers who return with similar tales of an authentic, safe, fascinating and welcoming adventure.

In this era of career uncertainty, low retirement savings and digital disruption, boomers may be feeling discouraged, categorized by ageism, insecure in their own abilities and fearful of the future. Boomer career coach John Tarnoff's new book, Boomer Reinvention: How to Create Your Dream Career Over 50, is actually a love note to this generation, proposing clear and achievable strategies for how boomers can prevail through these troubled times, and steer their own course toward meaningful, purposeful and prosperous careers past traditional retirement. Tarnoff will be in conversation with Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Encore.org. Freedman’s mission is to celebrate and facilitate the career contributions of aging professionals in these encore careers. Boomers came of age wanting to make a difference in the world. On this Valentine's Day 2017, now more than ever, Tarnoff and Freedman will be here to reaffirm that, yes, boomers can still make that difference.

Whether you’re single, attached, or “complicated” this Valentine’s Day, beer and INFORUM will always love you back, so spend the evening with us! Join leaders from top San Francisco breweries—including Fort Point Beer Company, Magnolia Brewing Company, Anchor Brewing and Local Brewing—for a conversation about beer and why it’s great to brew in San Francisco, moderated by Kate Sofis of SFMade. Plus, we’re talking the talk and pouring the pour: Participating breweries will have beer flowing after the conversation, and we’ll provide the snacks. Come to learn and sip, sample standards or decide on a new standby, and meet someone new or bring a favorite!

It's the fifth anniversary of Week to Week, the political roundtable of The Commonwealth Club of California! It's going to be a big year for all things political, so join us as we explore 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!

Dr. Hendel, who describes himself as a pragmatic centrist with a national liberal identity, will discuss regional issues confronting the Middle East. He will also explore the influence of the Russian-Iranian relationship in the Middle East. Dr. Hendel is the director of the Institute of Zionist Strategies and is an award-winning radio and print commentator on political and human rights issues. He was a post-doctoral fellow at the Began-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies and was communication director for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2011-12. His latest book is called, Iran vs Israel: A Shadow War.