Episodes

Bridging the rural / urban college degree divide. Why do rural adults have significantly lower rates of college degree attainment versus urbanites ? Our guest explores the reasons and how to boost rural participation.

Gladstone Institutes will expand lab capacity significantly in Mission Bay. The biotech industry is likely to play an even more significant role in San Francisco’s economy as Artificial Intelligence and Biotech converge.

The War in Iran to change the regime is unlikely to be a short uncontested conflict. Already the IRGC is launching missiles at neighbors and as far afield as Diego Garcia and Cyprus. The current 5 day battle pause is unlikely to result in a ceasefire: the existential threat to the regime will be me…

While most European countries have rejected wealth taxes as disincentives for investors and tech investors, California may vote in November to impose a 5% “one time” excise tax on billionaires. The likes of Larry Page and Mark Zuckerberg are looking to relocate to Florida or Texas to avoid it. Wil…

Paramedics show up when you call 911: no questions asked. They never know what they will find once they arrive. And in city like San Francisco with over 8000 homeless people, emergency medical services are in constant need.

Since he was a boy, Volker wanted to travel to South America. His wish came true January 6th 2026 when he boarded a flight to Lima, the capital of Peru.🇵🇪 for the last two months he has traveled to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, the Amazon “, Lake Titicaca and Tacna in the Atacama desert. In today’s episode…

A story of manipulation and fine art forgery to make money to pay for a privileged lifestyle. The backdrop is Harvard where prep school grads arrive with social skills that protagonist Chris doesn’t have. And he feels disadvantaged socially as a result. Lucien senses that and pressures Chris to for…

In a historic first, a member of the Royal Family was arrested and police searched his residences for files and electronic devices. Andrew has been accused of public misconduct while serving as the UK trade envoy.

Every year the Chamber sponsors a poll of San Franciscans regarding the health and vitality of our economy and well being of the City by the Bay. The results were unveiled last week at the City Beat breakfast. Mayor Lurie gav...

If you feel the economy isn’t working for you and you don’t understand why. Read Capital Offence. Paul Musson lays out in non jargonese what ails the economy and what steps policy makers must take to get us back on track. Capitalism, not Democratic Socialism holds the answers.

Venezuela’s ex President sits in a New York jail awaiting trial as a narco terrorist. Meanwhile Oil Giants are reluctant to re-enter Venezuela because of past political instability. What does the future hold ?

The heart of San Francisco, from its’ earliest days, has always been Union Square. As the City reimagines its’ future during the 250th anniversary of its founding, Union Square features st the center of those plans.

Prime Minister Starmer appointed Lord Mandelson UK Ambassador to Washington in early 2025. While Mandelson’s past association with pedophile Epstein was known, Starmer charges Mandelson with lying about the breadth and the depth of the relationship during the vetting process. Starmer’s judgment i…

A collection of 40 essays that examines modern life, culture, and the challenges of to individuality in the digital age. Bill Deresiewicz was a Professor English Literature at Yale University.

Significant foreign policy activity by the Trump Administration in January 2026 will have long lasting impacts: Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Board of Peace.

As American universities opened satellite campuses in China and the Middle East and more foreign students came here to study, it seems that instead of our free speech values influencing them, often the reverse has happened. And too often university administrators acquiesce to such pressure because …

The International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. provides a window on the world of espionage to the public. It has become one of the most popular museums for visitors to the nation’s capital.

Deon Meyer is one of South Africa’s leading authors. His books have been translated into 28 languages in 40 countries. Leo features the detective team of Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido.

President Trump has announced his administration plans to purchase Greenland, a Danish dependency in the Arctic 3 times as big as Texas. The President has cited security concerns, but there is little support for the move either in Denmark, Greenland, NATO capitals or the US.

The middle class in America has lost ground with stagnant wages, costly housing, declining retirement benefits while education and health costs soar. Congress needs to buttress the economic agenda that created the middle class in the 1940s and 50s.

San Francisco’s hospitality industry is a key component of the regional economy. But the Covid pandemic and inept political management slowed our recovery. But 2025’s results for the industry augur well for 2026 as the Super Bowl returns to San Francisco and more conventions are coming to Moscone C…

Nicolas Maduro was the President of Venezuela until he was deposed by a US Delta Force team, early Saturday January 3rd along with his wife Cilia Flores. Successive US administrations have confronted Maduro and before him Hugo Chavez over a host of issues including drugs.

A post retirement trip to South America fulfilling a boyhood dream is an opportunity to discover the unique fauna and flora of the continent. But it is also a vehicle for deeper self awareness and knowledge to shape post retirement direction and purpose.

Rich Outzen analyzes the dynamics of the Armenian and Azerbaijan relationship and its neighbors Turkey. Russia and Iran. He also highlights TRIPP. Reasons for optimism.