Episodes
2
March 30, 2026
Subsense: a Brain Computer Interface Technology, powered by NanoParticles. Talking with founder and CEO Tetiana Aleksandrova.
A nanoparticle nasal spray that can cross the blood /brain barrier. A noninvasive, non surgical method to access the brain for medical treatment purposes and to provide a direct portal for Artificial Intelligence.
Guest: Tetiana Aleksandrova
1
March 26, 2026
Educated Out: How rural students navigate elite colleges - and what it costs them. Talking with author Mara Casey Tieken.
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.
Guest: Mara Casey Tieken
20
March 25, 2026
In conversation with Dr. Deepak Srivastava, President of the Gladstone Institutes.
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.
Guest: Deepak SRIVASTAVA
19
March 24, 2026
The Iran War and The Organization of Turkic States. Talking with geopolitical strategist and national security expert Alp Sevimlisoy.
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 met by a fight to the death. Boots on the ground, forever wars, soaring gasoline prices - where will this conflict take us ?
Guest: Alp Sevimlisoy
18
March 22, 2026
California considers a tax on Billionaires: Profoundly anti-Capitalist, or an Idea whose time has come ?
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. Will California’s crazy politics kill the tech goose that laid the golden egg ?
Guest: Jim Herlihy
17
March 18, 2026
A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance. Talking with paramedic and author Joanna Sokol.
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.
Guest: Joanna Sokol
16
March 11, 2026
On the Road in Peru. Talking with Volker Langbehn
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 he shares his adventures !
Guest: Volker Langbehn
15
March 10, 2026
LUCIEN: Talking with author J.R. Thornton
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 forge works of art.
Guest: J.R. Thornton
14
Feb. 22, 2026
The Andrew Files: Epstein 2.0 ??
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.
Guest: Jim Herlihy
13
Feb. 17, 2026
San Francisco puts its best foot forward. Talking with Rodney Fong, CEO of the SF Chamber of Commerce.
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 gave the Keynote address and CEO Rodney Fong presided. In today's podcast, Rodney discusses the poll results.
Guest: Rodney Fong
12
Feb. 16, 2026
Capital Offence: Why some benefit at your expense. Talking with author Paul Musson.
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.
Guest: Paul Musson
11
Feb. 12, 2026
Venezuela and the fall of Nicolas Maduro. What does History teach us ? Talking with Professor Colin Lewis
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 ?
Guest: Colin Lewis
9
Feb. 11, 2026
The Union Square Alliance: Maintaining a San Francisco Gem. Talking with Marisa Rodriguez.
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.
Guest: Marisa Rodriguez
10
Feb. 10, 2026
Mandelson, Epstein, Starmer. Can Sir Keir Starmer survive as Prime Minister. Talking with Jim Pickard, Deputy Political Editor, Financial Times.
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 in Ty he appointment was questionable at best. And when added to his already numerous unpopular decisions and policies, it simply reinforces the view that he is not suited to be Prime Minister.
Guest: Jim Pickard
8
Feb. 4, 2026
The End of Solitude. Talking with author Bill Deresiewicz
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.
Guest: Bill Deresiewicz
7
Jan. 28, 2026
Regime transformation versus Regime change. Talking with Alp Sevimlisoy
Significant foreign policy activity by the Trump Administration in January 2026 will have long lasting impacts: Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Board of Peace.
Guest: Alp Sevimlisoy
6
Jan. 27, 2026
Authoritarians in the Academy. Talking with author Sarah McLaughlin
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 of lucrative donations and full tuitions.
Guest: Sarah McLaughlin
5
Jan. 22, 2026
The International Spy Museum, Washington D.C. Talking with Executive Director Chris Costa.
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.
Guest: Christopher Costa
4
Jan. 20, 2026
Leo: A Benny Griessel Novel. Talking with author Deon Meyer.
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.
Guest: Deon Meyer
3
Jan. 19, 2026
Greenland, Denmark, and the US: A History and where do we go from here . Talking with Mikkel Runge Olesen. ?
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.
Guest: Mikkel Runge Olesen
2
Jan. 12, 2026
The Middle Class New Deal. Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream. Talking with Professor A. Mechele Dickerson.
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.
Guest: Professor Mechele Dickerson
1
Jan. 8, 2026
San Francisco's Hotel Industry is our face to the World. Talking with Alex Bastian.
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 Center.
Guest: Alex Bastian
20
Jan. 7, 2026
Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, is deposed by a US Delta Force Team. Talking with Aileen Teague.
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.
19
Dec. 29, 2025
From the Caribbean to Tierra delFuego - Driving the PanAmerican Highway. Talking with Volker Langbehn.
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.
Guest: Volker Langbehn