Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Author: Commonwealth Club of California Language: English Episodes: 100
For nearly a century, the Commonwealth Club of California Podcast has served as a vital platform for civic dialogue, directly from the nation's largest public affairs forum. Each episode captures live, thoughtful conversations with leading voices from across the political spectrum and various fields, all committed to exploring the most pressing issues of our time. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit operation, the Club’s priority is substance over soundbite, fostering a depth of discussion that is increasingly rare. You’ll hear authors, policymakers, scientists, and cultural figures engage in nuanced debates and detailed analyses, reflecting a genuine diversity of perspectives. This isn't just a recording of events; it's an ongoing, accessible chronicle of American and global thought. The audio you find in this podcast feed originates from the longest-running weekly radio broadcast of its kind in the United States, a tradition started in 1924, now shared with a modern audience. Updated frequently throughout the week, the feed ensures you have direct access to a forum where complex ideas about government, society, and current events are given the time and respect they deserve. Tune in for a consistently enlightening experience that challenges assumptions and provides context far beyond the daily headlines.
Episodes
The Race for Governor 2026: Matt Mahan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:11
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has a lot in common with his Democratic opponents in the race for California governor. Like them, he is making affordability and cutting red tape centerpieces of his campaign. But he has been mo…
The Invisible Water: How Culture Shapes Mental Illness and Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:12
“I don’t know who discovered water, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a fish.” Like a fish in water, we rarely notice the cultural forces that surround us every day—especially when it comes to our mental health. Join UCSF ps…
Jennifer Doleac: The Science of Second Chances in Criminal Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:20
Jennifer Doleac studies the economics of crime and discrimination. And when she considers criminal justice reform, she’s not only hopeful but actually optimistic that things can improve for the entire system as a whole.…
Jim Collins: What to Make of a Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:38
It is a question just about everyone confronts in their life, and it centers on how we find our way in the world. How do we deal with challenges that can radically change a life? And what comes next? Author Jim Collins r…
Maya Shankar: The Other Side of Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:04
Change can come from out of nowhere. A relationship ends, a doctor gives an unwelcome diagnosis, a business closes, a loved one passes away. At times like those, it can feel as if we’re in free-fall into the unknown. May…
Jessica Riskin: The Power of Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:50
Rarely does a historian of science have the opportunity, in the midst of changing trends in a science, to point backwards in time and explain how dismissive reactions to the ideas of a scientific pioneer might have harme…