Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Socially responsible corporate brands are increasingly using fair-trade practices to create a variety of products made around the world. How are businesses ranging from home furnishings to clothes to toys implementing these practices in their global industries to make sure the products are sustainably sourced? And how does that benefit the consumer, protect the environment and bring greater strength and transparency to the production supply chain? Join our panel of business and non-profit experts for some yummy treats to eat and drink—and a discussion of the real-world reasons businesses are choosing to prioritize the social good—along with their bottom line.

Relying on their own words, which he recorded years ago, Schwartz takes us deep into the details of the men who built it, and the conditions they worked (and died) under to complete it. He also explores the role of nurses who treated the injured and what is required of the craftsmen and women who maintain this iconic San Francisco landmark. Everyone wonders who built the pyramids and how they did it. Schwartz tells the equally fascinating story of who and how for the Bay Area's not quite as ancient but nearly as famous bridge.

With an unpredictable presidential election on the horizon and likely continued congressional gridlock, as well as external threats to the United States from terrorism, will the U.S. economy continue to improve? Don’t miss a lively discussion featuring a rare appearance by one of the U.S. government’s top economists and a veteran presidential advisor, who will give their takes on where the U.S. and global economies are headed and what should be done to keep them on track. Dr. Williams’ research focuses include monetary policy under conditions of uncertainty, business cycles, innovation, and productivity. Prior to his work with the Federal Reserve, he served as senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers and as a lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.He holds a Ph.D. in economics at Stanford University, a Master’s of Science from the London School of Economics, and an A.B. from the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Taylor's fields of expertise are monetary policy, fiscal policy, and international economics. He served as a member of the Congressional Budget Office's Panel of Economic Advisers and as a Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, in which he was responsible for currency markets, international development, oversight of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and for coordinating policy with the G-7 and G-20. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University and a BA in economics from Princeton University.

Itaranta and Parzybok explore how extreme weather conditions and resource scarcity can affect climate change.

Sensory science is increasingly proving that we don’t perceive reality: we construct it through perception. In her new book, award-winning science journalist Kara Platoni introduces us to the researchers at the forefront of this fascinating field and the biohackers who are determined to speed up the slow pace of human perceptual evolution.

Nearly 200 countries have pledged to go on a carbon diet. But does what happens in Paris, stay in Paris? How does the US plan to keep its climate promises? Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy Hal Harvey, CEO, Energy Innovation Danny Kennedy, Managing Director, California Clean Energy Fund Lyndon Rive, Co-founder and CEO, SolarCity This program was recorded in front of a live audience at the Commonwealth Club of California on January 26, 2016.

From very different perspectives, two female adventurers share their extraordinary worldwide experiences to inspire action to meet urgent environmental challenges that face us now and in the future. Their message is one of inspiration and hope that all of us working together can save and preserve the wild and wonderful environments on our planet. Learn about their work, adventures and inspiration, now and for the future of planet earth.

For those who are always short on time when it comes to cooking, her recipes—which include breakfast bakes, soups, salads, casseroles, and more—can all be prepared ahead of time, making putting food on the table that much easier.

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).

Her first posts were to the Ivory Coast and to Cyprus. Before coming to San Francisco this August, as the deputy consul general for the Pacific Northwest, Baer served as desk officer for Israel's Department of Multilateral Institutions, coordinating Israel's cooperation with the European Union, NATO, etc. She will discuss her experiences and comment on the European situation with regards to Israel.