This week's episode (episode 6) features a question posed by Lorri Sulpizio, an activist for women in leadership, as well as a professor of leadership at USD and the CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute, about polarization in America, answered by six diverse guests (see below):

The recent election has showed a more divided and polarized America than we’ve seen in awhile. The tendency to make those with different viewpoints than us “the other” seems to be contributing to a fractured and fearful country. Is it possible to create a more unified country? What conversations are needed and how can we begin to connect with each other across difference?

The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

This week's episode (episode 5) features a question posed by Brian Kim, writer for the California Magazine, about American morality, answered by six diverse guests (see below):

Is it environmentally moral to be an American? How about in regards to American foreign policy?

The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

This week's episode (episode 4) features a question posed by Mauro Sifuentes, a Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit, about Sexual Violence, answered by six diverse guests (see below):

Recent news is showing a big push to hold individuals accountable for acts of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Do you think that the degree of outrage toward these individuals is justified and will it help to prevent future harm? Or could this outrage also come from our cultural desire to punish individuals through legal and prison systems, never really getting to the roots of the problem - and what exactly are those roots?

The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

This week's episode (episode 3) features a question posed by Justin Brooks, Director of the California Innocence Project, on prison systems, answered by six diverse guests (see below).

What role, if any, should victims and their families play in the criminal justice system? Should they be allowed to testify at sentencings about the impact the crime has had on their individual lives? How do you think being a victim of a crime might change your beliefs?

The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

This week's episode (Episode 2) features a question posed by Stephanie Caughlin, the CEO of Seabreeze Organic Farm, about feeding the masses, answered by six diverse guests (see below):

The world’s human population is expected to increase from current 7.3 billion people to 8.5 billion in 14 years. By whom and how might food be produced to feed the masses?

The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

We Need To Talk Series (Episode 2). The question on this week's episode was posed by .

Six diverse perspectives on Feeding the Masses.

Part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Featuring Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Stephanie Caughlin (CEO of Seabreaze Organic Farm), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a Domestic Violence Nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

We Need To Talk Series (Episode 1). The question on this week's episode was posed by Lorri Sulpizio, a professor of Leadership at USD and Founder of the Lotus Leadership Institute:

Leadership continues to be viewed as the same thing as roles of authority (CEO, Boss, Senator), and “leadership” roles are still held predominantly by white, heterosexual, males. Why is the concept of leadership still associated so strongly with men? What will it take for us to embrace a non-masculinized view of leadership and begin to open leadership up to women? Why is the concept of leadership very white-centered? What will it take for us to fully embrace leaders of color?

Part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Featuring Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Stephanie Caughlin (CEO of Seabreaze Organic Farm), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).

A conversation on listening without judgment.

Conversation led by professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley, Clark Kellogg. Joining Clark in the conversation were Antonio Montalban (UC Berkeley professor of mathematics), Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Michael Ranney (UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge).

Episode hosted by Thought Lounge Founder, Axel Cramer.

A conversation on "otherizing" and the election. How can we come together across difference?

Conversation led by Bay Area Actress Sarah Brazier.

Episode hosted by Thought Lounge Founder, Axel Cramer.

Featured guests including Antonio Montalban (UC Berkeley professor of mathematics), Clark Kellogg (UC Berkeley professor of design thinking), Michael Ranney (UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge).

For more on TL Sessions, visit thoughtlounge.org/tl-sessions

Professor of mathematics at UC Berkeley, Antonio Montalban, leads a conversation with other Berkeley professors on deciphering truth in media.

Joining him in the conversation is Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Michael Ranney (professor of cognitive science at UC Berkeley), Clark Kellogg (professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley), and Axel Cramer (founder of Thought Lounge).

This episode was hosted by Axel Cramer.

Please leave comments below and share on social media tagging #ThoughtLounge!

Professor of cognitive science at UC Berkeley, Michael Ranney, leads a conversation on the nature of understanding as it relates to climate change. Joining him in the conversation are Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Antonio Montalbon (professor of mathematics at UC Berkeley), Clark Kellogg (professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge).

For more information on Michael's work, visit and share http://HowGlobalWarmingWorks.org.