Let's Find Common Ground

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins education experts Amy McIntosh, Pedro Noguera, and Marshall Tuck for a discussion on the state of American education. They discuss which education reforms are working, and which ones are not, the state of our K-12 education, charter schools, and public education spending. This conversation is part of CPF's Jeff and Sue White Dialogue Series. Featuring: - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Pedro Noguera: Dean, USC Rossier School of Education - Marshall Tuck: CEO, EdVoice; Former CEO, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools; Former President, Green Dot Public Schools - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

We are immensely grateful to Jeff and Sue White for making this and other programming possible, and for contributing their insights as well as their constant support of the Center.

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join Fall 2026 CPF Fellows, Michael Donilon, Julianna Goldman, Mike Madrid, Amy McIntosh, Claudine Schneider, and Jeffrey Toobin, for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service. Featuring: - Mike Donilon: Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Julianna Goldman: Former White House Correspondent, Bloomberg & CBS News; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Mike Madrid: Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island); Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Jeffrey Toobin: Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of The Nine and The Run of His Life; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife - Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF Director Bob Shrum talks with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) about climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-RI) - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Former California Senator Martha Escutia talks with Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discuss the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California's role as a leader in climate change. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

Featuring:

- Mary Nichols: Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board - Alex Nieves: Climate Reporter, POLITICO - Nancy Sutley: Deputy Mayor and CSO, Los Angeles - Martha Escutia: Former California State Senator and Assemblymember; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference features a talk with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai and Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discuss the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administration, and how politics impact climate action. This conference is in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

Featuring:

- Michael S. Regan: 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Joe Árvai: Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

CPF and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences host the annual Warschaw Lecture Series examining "The Influence of Jewish Values and Faith in American Public Life," bringing together perspectives that highlight how faith traditions inform public service, policy, and civic life. This discussion features United States Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in conversation with USC Dornsife Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Richard Fliegel. They discuss how Senator Slotkin's faith informs her public service and current events in U.S. and international politics. Featuring: - Elissa Slotkin: U.S. Senator (D-MI) - Richard Fliegel: USC Dornsife Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs - James Bullock: USC Dornsife Dean

CPF and the USC Open Dialogue Project host a conversation on free speech in the United States with former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson. They discuss free speech law, misconceptions, and how First Amendment conflicts shape politics, the courts, and civil liberties. This conversation is in partnership with Voices for Liberty, USC Gould School of Law, USC Heterodox Academy, USC Price School of Public Policy, and the USC Open Dialogue Project. Featuring: - Nadine Strossen: Former President, ACLU; Professor, New York Law School - Franita Tolson: Dean, USC Gould School of Law; Former Election Law Analyst, CNN - Andrew T. Guzman: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, USC

Former Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin moderates a conversation with political experts David Crane, Bob Hertzberg, and Richard Leib on how California's tax structure compares nationally. They discuss whether the state's high revenue levels translate into effective public and private outcomes, and what reforms could better align fiscal policy with performance. CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan gives closing remarks. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. Featuring: -David Crane: Co-Founder and President, Govern for California -Bob Hertzberg: Former Speaker, California State Assembly; Former Majority Leader, California State Senate -Richard Leib: Chair, Board of UC Regents; President and CEO, Dunleer Strategies -Ron Galperin: Former Controller, City of Los Angeles; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future

POLITICO's Melanie Mason moderates a conversation with political experts Douglas Becker, Susan Estrich, Ken Khachigian, and Hank Plante on the history of political parties in California, voter trends from the 2024 presidential election, how the "Trump factor" affects Democrats and Republicans, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. Featuring: -Douglas Becker: Professor of International Relations, USC -Susan Estrich: Legal Expert; Political Strategist -Ken Khachigian: Aide to President Nixon; Chief Speechwriter for President Reagan -Hank Plante: Peabody and Emmy Award Winning Journalist; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Melanie Mason: California Bureau Chief and Co-Author of POLITICO's California Playbook

CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference begins with welcome remarks from CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy, CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan, and Neeraj Sood, USC Open Dialogue Project Director. Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta moderates a conversation with political experts Mike Bonin, Fernando Guerra, Mike Murphy, and Amy Thoma Tan on the 2026 ballot initiatives in California. They discuss the most impactful ballot measures in California history, how Democrats and Republicans utilize ballot initiatives, and the initiatives in the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conference is in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. Featuring: -Mike Bonin: Director, CSULA Pat Brown Institute; Former Member, Los Angeles City Council; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future

-Fernando Guerra: Director, LMU Center for the Study of Los Angeles

-Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future

-Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs

-Seema Mehta: Veteran Political Reporter, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future

-Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future

-Neeraj Sood: Director, USC Open Dialogue Project