University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

Writer/director Catherine Hardwicke discusses her directorial debut film, Thirteen, a realistic drama of an innocent teenage girl thrown into a curious world of rebellion, sex, and drugs. In conversation with moderator Matt Ryan, Hardwicke discusses the process of working with co-writer Nikki Reed to capture the reality of Reed’s own teen years, and to transform them in turn into this harrowing yet relatable film. Hardwicke also discusses the joys and challenges of directing, touching briefly on her other directorial work, Twilight. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37106]

Climate scientist Julie Kalansky discusses how drought in California and Nevada is a common occurrence, with the attendant water restrictions and threat of severe wildfires bringing the reality of climate change into sharp focus. Future climate projections for the region suggest a trend toward more extremes, including more severe and prolonged drought as well as exceptionally wet years. Learn about the science of drought and how the Scripps-based California Nevada Climate Applications (CNAP) program works to provide drought tracking and early warning in support of drought preparedness and resilience in the face of a changing climate. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 37031]

Hester Blum, David Clark, and Korenna Estes discuss the film Frozen Obsession, which follows the 18-day, 2,000-mile Northwest Passage Project expedition through the stunningly beautiful and extreme Canadian Arctic, aboard the Swedish research icebreaker Oden. In conversation with Ian Kellett, Blum, Clark, and Estes discuss the process of making the documentary and the lessons they learned as a part of this project, as well as larger issues of climate change. Frozen Obsession follows the expedition of some of the many scientists who are racing to understand a fast-warming Arctic, exploring how environmental changes currently unfolding in the polar regions will affect life on a planetary scale. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37105]

Dr. Diane Havlir knows it takes a community to end a pandemic. Latinx was particualry hard hit with COVID-19. She talks about what Unidos en Salud did to respond to the virus and where things stand in the race between the virus and the vaccine.

Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37137]

In conversation with moderator Sara Pankenier Weld, filmmaker Holly Morris discusses her 2015 documentary, The Babushkas of Chernobyl. The film offers an intimate look at the remarkable women who continue to live, fish, and forage in the shadow of the ruined Chernobyl nuclear power plant, having refused to leave their homes following the 1986 explosion at reactor 4. Morris details the triumphs and challenges of making this film, the ongoing impacts of the Chernobyl disaster, and the power of community in the face of adversity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37107]

Breakthroughs in genomics and targeted therapies are revolutionizing the practice of clinical oncology. Precision genomics and immunotherapy offer promise to improve outcomes in cancer, but doing so means we need to move beyond historical models for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Razelle Kurzrock, MD discusses insights from this rapidly changing field and addresses some of the ethical challenges that must be met if we are to transform the lives of patients with cancer. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36637]

Anna Eng, a senior organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), explains from experience how faith-based community organizing works. David Beckmann argues that the faith-based community organizing movement has contributed to increasing political participation among low-income Americans. He also talks about the Poor People's Campaign and the positive impact of social media. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36993]

Mark Tuszynski, MD, Ph.D., Bob Yant, and Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, Ph.D. discuss the newest research and treatments for spinal cord injury, including how neural stem cells may be leveraged to potentially regain function. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37102]

Joseph Sullivan, MD, Professor of Neurology and of Pediatrics; UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco; Director of the UCSF Pediatric Epilepsy Center; Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Education] [Show ID: 36981]

Eve Ekman is a contemplative social scientist and teacher in the field of emotional awareness and burnout prevention. She discusses how to develop emotion awareness and enact compassion. She also addresses the issue of burnout and things to do to manage emotions and their power. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36875]