Policy Chats

In this episode of Policy Chats, Former U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius joins host Dori Pham to discuss the evolution of U.S.–Vietnam relations, the enduring process of reconciliation, and the opportunities and challenges shaping the bilateral partnership in the twenty-first century. The conversation covers how decades of reconciliation efforts have transformed former adversaries into strategic partners...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Former US Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine joins hosts Dori Pham and Ari Chung to discuss the inner workings of U.S. foreign policymaking, the value of diplomacy and local expertise, crisis management, counterterrorism, post-conflict governance, and the challenges of translating strategic goals into effective action. Through her experiences in the Middle East, she prov...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Ambassador Ronald Neumann joins host Dori Pham and Liam Burley to discuss diplomacy in conflict environments. Drawing on his experience as U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Bahrain, and Afghanistan, he explains how effective diplomacy relies on trust, patience, local knowledge, and credibility. The conversation covers diplomatic leadership in unstable regions, the relati...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Nick Maduros joins host Dori Pham to discuss how California is modernizing state government and improving public service delivery. Drawing on his leadership experience, he highlights the challenges of reforming legacy systems, streamlining operations, and building a more efficient and responsive government. The conversation explores key barriers to reform, includin...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Mark Takano joins host Dori Pham to discuss his journey from educator to policymaker and how his background shapes his approach to public service. Drawing on over two decades as a public school teacher and his leadership in Congress, he shares insights on education reform, veterans’ policy, and the realities of navigating complex legislation. The conversation highl...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Thomas Countryman joins host Dori Pham to discuss his career in diplomacy and the realities of nuclear arms control policymaking. Drawing on his experience as Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, he explains how negotiations actually work inside government and why consistency is critical in preventing nuclear proliferation....

In this episode of Policy Chats, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis joins host Dori Pham to discuss his career in diplomacy and key moments in U.S. foreign policy. Drawing on his experience in Cuba and at the United Nations, he explains how trust, emotional intelligence, and negotiation shape diplomatic outcomes. The conversation explores the 2015 U.S.–Cuba normalization, challenges in global conflict...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Erin Edwards, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Riverside, joins Dean Mark Long, host Dori Pham and Shivani Narang to discuss how place based policy and community design shape public health and longevity. Drawing on her background in local government and nonprofit leadership, Edwards explains how the Blue Zones model turns global research into practical stra...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, sits down with host Dori Pham to discuss education policy and the role of school choice in expanding opportunity for students. Drawing on his experience in education reform, Mitchell explains how policies such as charter schools, education savings accounts, and voucher programs aim to give famil...

In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Professor Babcock, Associate Dean and Professor at the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, to discuss liberalism, economic reasoning, and the changing role of government in today’s policy environment. Professor Babcock argues that recent policy decisions reflect a shift away from evidence-based, deliberative policymaking toward a mor...

In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Professor Wei Guo, Associate Professor at the UCR School of Public Policy, to discuss how climate related disasters strain state and local public finances and what that means for equity and long term resilience. Professor Guo explains why disaster recovery spending often remains elevated for years, while revenue effects especially prop...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Professor Jennifer Gaudette joins host Dori Pham to discuss polarization in local politics and how voters make decisions in nonpartisan elections with limited information. She explains how the absence of party labels and the decline of local news push voters to rely on shortcuts like endorsements. Professor Gaudette shares her research showing that police union end...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Congressman Jay Obernolte joins host Dori Pham and guest co host Lloyd Levine for an in depth conversation on artificial intelligence policy, innovation, and democratic governance. Drawing on his background as a computer engineer, entrepreneur, former mayor, and state legislator, Congressman Obernolte explains how his technical training shapes his approach to feder...

In this episode of Policy Chats, former Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil Sakauye joins hosts Dori Pham and Jaz Williams for a wide ranging conversation on how courts can strengthen a thriving, prosperous, and abundant society. Chief Justice Cantil Sakauye breaks down how California’s judiciary is structured across 58 counties, explaining the distinct roles of the trial courts, Courts of App...

In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes for a conversation about what it takes to build abundant, welcoming communities at the local level. From immigration enforcement protocols to housing policy and public art, Councilmember Cervantes explains how city decisions shape daily life for families, students, and workers across Rive...

In this episode, Graham Steele, former Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the U.S. Treasury and current academic fellow at Stanford Law School, discusses the implications of cryptocurrency and blockchain on the central banking functions of government. This is the eighth episode in our 11-part series,  Technology vs. Government , featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Host Dori Pham and Paula Omokhomion joins California State Treasurer Fiona Ma for a thoughtful conversation about how the state’s financial decisions shape the future of public higher education and economic opportunity. Throughout this episode, Treasurer Ma explains how financial planning during economic downturns can protect students and families from rising tuiti...

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Esterling, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at UC Riverside, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about using technology to make public meetings more inclusive and effective. This is the seventh episode in our 11-part series,  Technology vs. Government , featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. About Dr. Kevin Esterlin...

In this episode of Policy Chats, Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson of California's 60th Assembly District sit down with hosts Dori Pham and Rachel Strausman. Together, they explore his journey from founding SBX Youth and Family Services to serving in the legislature, and how his lifelong commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities has shaped his approach to policymaking. From tackling the sc...

In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Assistant Director Marisol Torres and Policy Intern Germaine Ho from The Well, UC Riverside’s student health promotion department. Together, they explore the topic of menstrual equity, the challenges students face in accessing period products, and how policies are working to address period poverty on college campuses.  From research-ba...

In this episode, Policy Chats hosts our second live podcast recording, featuring researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experiences discussing the current policies that shape reentry, higher education, and employment access post-incarceration. This panel was produced in collaboration with the UCR Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies. Panelists include: Dr. Annika Anderson ,...

In this episode, City of Redlands Councilmember Denise Davis ,   talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about  her work advancing equity, tackling homelessness, and building stronger, more connected communities at the local level. About  Denise Davis : Denise Davis was elected in 2018, and is proudly the first openly LGBTQ Council Member in the City of Redlands. She serv...

In this episode, Dr. Pierre Berastaín, the Centre for Public Impact's Regional Director for North America ,   talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about  his journey from Peru and his extensive work in addressing systemic challenges like immigration, gender-based violence prevention, and restorative justice. About  Pierre Berastaín : Dr. Pierre R. Berastaín is a pu...

In this episode, Deb Aikat, University of North Carolina Professor of Journalism and Media, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how technology impacts government processes and media communication. They discuss the media's crucial role during the pandemic and emphasize the importance of providing balanced news to support a healthy democracy. This is the seventh episode in...

In this episode, Cara Chiaraluce, Santa Clara University Professor of Sociology, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the impact of internet access on health outcomes. This is the sixth episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. About Cara Chiaraluce: Cara Chiaraluce specializes in the fields of care...