Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

When EMILY’s List began, there were only 12 Democratic women in the House and none in the Senate; today, EMILY’s List has played a vital role in helping to elect 19 female senators, 11 governors and 110 Democratic women to the House. Malcolm's new book, When Women Win: EMILY's List and the Rise of Women in American Politics, includes interviews with some of today’s most celebrated Democratic female politicians, including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Tammy Baldwin and others. The book also recounts some of the most daunting political challenges for Democratic female candidates over the past three decades, including the historic election of Barbara Mikulski as the first female Democratic U.S. senator elected in her own right, the defeat of Todd Akin by Claire McCaskill, and Elizabeth Warren’s hard-fought victory over Scott Brown. Join us for a lively discussion with Ellen R. Malcolm about the evolution of EMILY’s List, the brave women who have successfully navigated our nation’s tough political landscape and what the future holds for women in politics.

Monday Night Philosophy erases 500 years and takes you back to Antwerp in 1516, where a young British diplomat, Thomas More, cools his heels during a diplomatic mission to Bruges by entertaining his friends Erasmus and Pieter Gillis with fanciful tales of the discovery of the island of Utopia ("no place"). The traveler, Raphael Hythlodaeus ("archangel nonsense"), narrates his tale of discovery just 24 years after Columbus sailed to the Caribbean. But philosophical and ironical gold are the treasures of Utopia. The gold Columbus sought is dismissed so thoroughly that Utopians use it to make toilets. Enjoy a glimpse of late medieval humanist humor, before Henry VIII ruined all the fun.

Join us as Janice Kaplan, award-winning investigative reporter and best-selling author, shares her insightful stories and the results of her research into how gratitude can transform every aspect of life, including marriage and friendship, money and ambition, and health and fitness. Her straightforward, science-based recommendations about how to incorporate simple and effective gratitude-based practices into your relationships and your work could transform your life!

Hoarding, riots, neighborhoods filled with abandoned homes and businesses, fires left to burn themselves out, power outages—residents quickly devolve into survival mode of doing whatever they think is necessary to stay alive. How far-fetched is this disturbing “what if” story? Would the infrastructure, water policies and human kindness of Silicon Valley be up to the challenge of losing unlimited access to the precious resource we take for granted: water?

Dyson takes a deeper look and explores the powerful and surprising ways that race and politics have shaped Obama’s identity and time in office. He reveals some of the president’s greatest achievements and most challenging obstacles that will define what kind of legacy Obama leaves behind. Dyson also offers his thoughts on what can be done to spark social change and justice in our country.

This dynamic panel of experts and student leaders will discuss everything from root causes of social isolation to alarming statistics that impact everything from academic failure—including increased school truancy rates—to adverse medical outcomes—including include the risk of obesity, substance abuse and poor cardiovascular health. From the perspective of scientists to students to celebrities, our panelists will talk about how policy leaders, parents, teachers, students and the media can help understand and end the epidemic of social isolation among our youth. Laura Talmus is the founder of Beyond Differences, a Bay Area nonprofit that empowers youth to end social isolation and create more inclusive school environments. Dr. Matt Pantell is a UCSF pediatrician who was part of a research study in 2013 called “Social Isolation and Mortality: A Comparable Predictor to Mortality as Traditional Clinical Risk Factors“ American Journal of Public Health). Jonathan Martin is a former NFL offensive tackle for the Dolphins and 49ers, a member of Stanford University's Cardinals, and a national spokesperson for Beyond Differences. Edyn Jensen and Carl Heil-Simpson both represent high school students in the Beyond Differences leadership program.

Some have taken the fight abroad: an American was among those who planned the attacks in Mumbai, and more than 80 U.S. citizens have sought to join ISIS. Others have acted on American soil, as with the attacks at Fort Hood and the Boston Marathon. What motivates them, how are they trained, and what do we sacrifice in our aggressive efforts to track them? Drawing on his extensive network of intelligence contacts, from the National Counterterrorism Center and the FBI to the NYPD, Peter Bergen offers an inside look at the controversial tactics of the agencies tracking potential terrorists—from infiltrating mosques to massive surveillance; at the bias experienced by innocent observant Muslims at the hands of law enforcement; at the critics and defenders of U.S. policies on terrorism; and at how social media has revolutionized terrorism.

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).

Gottfried practices functional medicine, a systems-based approach to address health from your DNA to your daily habits. Learn how to optimize brain function and improve wellness and resilience to stress.

NextTracker CEO and long-time senior executive in the solar power industry Dan Shugar has spent 28 years advancing renewable energy. As founder and CEO, Shugar has served NexTracker from inception to one of the fastest-growing clean technology companies. As CEO of Solaria Corp., Shugar led the company through a 5-times annual revenue growth over a three-year period. During his leadership as president of SunPower Corp. and president of PowerLight, he oversaw revenue growth from less than $1 million to over $830 million and was responsible for the completion of more than 500 projects serving commercial, industrial and utility clients worldwide. He has invented various PV system applications, holds multiple U.S. patents and has published over 50 technical papers. Shugar holds a BS in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Golden Gate University.