Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

After their journey through disparate and widely scattered ruins, they changed forever the world's view of the widespread, advanced Maya society. Carlsen, formerly a San Francisco Chronicle reporter and Pulitzer finalist, traveled the explorers’ 2500-mile route himself to prepare for writing the book.

In 25 years as a “60 Minutes” correspondent, and prior to that as CBS News White House correspondent, she has interviewed the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Boris Yeltsin, Yasir Arafat, and virtually every top U.S. official. Here’s a rare chance to hear Lesley Stahl unedited—on politics, media, the challenges facing women, and her own personal rise to success. She’ll also discuss what she says is her most transformative life experience: becoming a grandmother. Ms. Stahl says the therapeutic effects of grandchildren on grandparents and families in general are eye-opening. In her professional life, Lesley Stahl covered Watergate, the assassination attempt on President Reagan, and the 1991 Gulf War. Her “60 Minutes” pieces have encompassed terrorist capabilities to hack the U.S. infrastructure, a profile of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, an inside look at Guantamo Bay Prison, and China’s huge real estate bubble. These stories and your questions … in our 60 Minutes with Lesley Stahl.

Lama Tsomo, one of the first American lamas ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and author of Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?, comes to the Club to introduce meditation in an accessible, non-religious way for people living and working in contemporary society. Originally trained as a counseling psychologist, Lama Tsomo started studying Buddhism in 1992, speaks fluent Tibetan, and was ordained in the Nyingma path in 2005. Scientific research now shows that meditation improves health, productivity, and happiness. In this two-hour workshop, Lama Tsomo will briefly introduce the benefits of meditation in her signature style, which is playful, rich in stories, and brings depth, and then focus on teaching a beginner-level meditation. She will also share ways to sustain a meditation practice over time and will discuss how practicing and studying with others in a learning circle can be tremendously beneficial for personal and spiritual development. There will also be a lively question and answer opportunity.

Many people were introduced to “familial AD” through reading the book or viewing the film Still Alice written by Lisa Genova. However, many—but not all—of the risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer’s are not genetic and are potentially modifiable; that is, they can be identified, addressed and reduced. Patricia Spilman speaks from results of the scientific work in a laboratory setting to inform you of the top risk factors that are potentially modifiable.

Additionally, in 2016, single women will be one of the most pivotal voting groups heading into the general election, being courted by Democrats and Republicans. At the centennial of the first woman elected to Congress (which was three years before women legally earned the right to vote), their presence and influence in Washington has reached a tipping point that affects not only the inner workings of the federal government, but also directly influences how Americans live and work. Jay Newton-Small will discuss how women make an enormous impact once they reach critical mass (20–30 percent) in the private and public sectors.

From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to building LEED-certified terminals to providing habitats for endangered species, the San Francisco International Airport has long set the standards for sustainability for large and small public and private agencies and organizations.

Here’s a chance to get his unfiltered views on Republicans, Democrats, media, race relations and the country as a whole. Related to his new book, he’ll also give his take on what the Founding Fathers and such notables as Ronald Reagan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King and Betty Friedan would think of America today. Williams will discuss how each of these modern-day founders has extended the Founding Fathers' original vision and changed fundamental aspects of our country, from immigration to the role of American labor in the economy, from modern police strategies to the importance of religion in today’s political discourse. Williams has interviewed numerous influential people and presidents over the course of his career, including presidents Obama, Clinton, Reagan, and both Bushes. A recipient of several awards for his writing and investigative journalism, he also won an Emmy Award for television documentary writing and has received widespread critical acclaim for a series of documentaries, including: "Politics: The New Black Power" and "A. Phillip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom." Additionally, he is the author of six books, including the non-fiction bestseller Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965 and Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary.

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 member social (open to all attendees).

Counterintuitive and countercultural, Puett shares why the important teachings developed more than 2000 years ago still apply today. Hear more about the ideas that will help change your life.

Huffington takes on sleep from every angle and offers the latest scientific recommendations and expert tips to achieve a better night's sleep.