CIIS Public Programs

In this episode, Doug Vakoch, the President of Messaging Extra Terrestrial Intelligence - or METI, and CIIS professor, examines the social and cultural aspects of extraterrestrial contact.

Author and activist Julia Serano is joined by CIIS professor Zara Zimbardo for a conversation about how to make feminist and queer movements more inclusive.

Author and anthropologist David Graeber is joined by debt researcher Jason Wozniak for a conversation about the phenomena of meaningless jobs.

In this episode, comedian, activist, and author Franchesca Ramsey is joined in conversation by author and comedian Sarah Cooper about the many ways we communicate with each other.

Mycologist and author Paul Stamets explores the magical world of mushrooms, deepening our understanding of the planet and its people.

Activist, author, and former Black Panther Party member Angela Davis talks with CIIS Professor Danielle Drake about her life and work.

Ethnobotanist Kathleen Harrison is joined in conversation by CIIS's Natalie Metz to explore entheogens and the rich and complex relationship between plants, mushrooms, and human beings.

Physicist and author Alan Lightman is joined in conversation by CIIS’s Matthew Segell to explore our quest for truth and meaning, and the role of religion and science in that quest.

Chelsea Manning is joined by CIIS professor Carolyn Cooke to explore the ethical questions presented by artificial intelligence, and to discuss transgender identity and activism.

Berkeley Professor of Psychology and author Charlan Nemeth is joined by CIIS Provost Liz Beaven to discuss the usefulness of dissent and how we can make better decisions by challenging the status quo.

Human rights advocate and author Maria McFarland Sanchez-Moreno is joined by Brady Morales-Woolery to discuss corruption in Colombia’s military and political establishment.

Artificial Intelligence engineer Laura Montoya is joined by TechCrunch diversity reporter, Megan Rose Dickey to explore the role of gender in Artificial Intelligence and how it impacts society. This conversation was part of our series on Technology and Consciousness.

Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu explores how to live with mindfulness, compassion, and responsibility. He is joined in conversation by CIIS professor Helge Osterhold.

Disability studies scholar Sara Acevedo discusses disability culture and identity, from the perspective of disability communities themselves. Visit www.ciis.edu/podcast for a full transcription of this episode.

Author Ayelet Waldman is joined in conversation by CIIS writing professor Carolyn Cooke to discuss her personal experiment with the therapeutic value of psychedelics.

Journalist Celeste Headlee is joined by CIIS professor Zara Zimbardo to discuss ways to have meaningful conversations in a politically and socially polarized time.

CIIS professor Sergio Rodriguez-Castillo examines why it makes sense to invite spirituality into the workplace, and how to do it.

In this episode integrative health pioneer Deepak Chopra explores practical ways to experience higher consciousness, transformation, and healing.

In this episode, author Joy DeGruy is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Denise Boston to explore how trans-generational trauma and systems of oppression have influenced race relations in America today.

In this episode, journalist and poet Minal Hajratwala draws from the realms of creativity and politicized somatics to talk about migration and the body. This event was part of the Haresh and Joan Shah Lecture and Performance Series.

Author Ijeoma Oluo is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Denise Boston. They explore Ijeoma’s new book, So You Want To Talk About Race, and examine the racial landscape in America today.

In this episode, author and coder Ellen Ullman is joined in conversation by CIIS writing professor, Carolyn Cooke, to explore the transformation of society through the rise of the internet.

In this episode, historian and author Leslie Berlin is joined in conversation by hacker and inventor Mitch Altman to explore how hippies and hackers built the largest center for innovation in the history of the planet - and why it can’t be replicated elsewhere.

In this episode, Artificial Intelligence scientist and buddhist teacher Nikki Mirghafori and computer scientist Steve Omohundro discuss how the concept of karma can guide us as we push forward towards creating non-human intelligence.

Alexis Okeowo, a writer for the New Yorker, is joined in conversation by Mimi Lok from Voice of Witness to discuss the stories of ordinary people fighting extremism in Africa.