Policy Chats: Recent Episodes

UCR School of Public Policy

Join us for chats with various voices in the public policy world about today's most pressing societal issues. This podcast is a production of the School of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside.

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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 Esterling:
Kevin Esterling is Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, chair of political science, and the Director of the Laboratory for Technology, Communication and Democracy (TeCD-Lab) at the University of California, Riverside, and affiliate of the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC). He is the past interim dean and associate dean of the UCR Graduate Division. His research focuses on technology for communication in democratic politics, and in particular the use of artificial intelligence and large language models for understanding and improving the quality of democratic communication in online spaces. His methodological interests are in artificial intelligence, large language models, Bayesian statistics, machine learning, experimental design, and science ethics and validity. His books have been published on Cambridge University Press and the University of Michigan Press, and his journal articles have appeared in such journals as Science, Nature, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature Human Behavior, the American Political Science Review, Political Analysis, the Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, and the Journal of Politics. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, The Democracy Fund, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Institute of Education Sciences. Esterling was previously a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in Health Policy Research at the University of California, Berkeley and a postdoctoral research fellow at the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions at Brown University. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago in 1999.

Interviewer:
Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp
https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu

Subscribe to this podcast so you do not miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes at https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode of Policy Chats, hosts Rachel Strausman and Dori Pham sit down with Assemblymember Corey Jackson of California’s 60th Assembly District. 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 school to prison pipeline to championing affordable housing and advancing juvenile justice reform, this episode highlights the ways Assemblymember Jackson has worked to dismantle systemic inequities. He also reflects on the importance of building resilient communities through government and nonprofit collaboration, and why long term investment in people is key to breaking cycles of poverty and instability.

This episode is not just a conversation, it is a call to reimagine how policy can better serve those most impacted by inequities. Tune in to hear how Assemblymember Jackson is working to create lasting change in California and beyond.

Topics Covered:

  • Assemblymember Jackson’s journey from student leader to legislator
  • Founding and growth of SBX Youth and Family Services
  • The school-to-prison pipeline and juvenile justice reform
  • The importance of sealing juvenile records for a fresh start
  • California’s affordable housing crisis and social safety net programs
  • How government and nonprofits can build resilient communities

📍 This episode is produced by the UCR School of Public Policy and features insights that align with our motto: “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World.”
🎧 Guest Speaker:
Assemblymember Corey Jackson, California State Assembly, District 60
Interviewed by Rachel Strausman and Dori Pham, UCR Public Policy Students and hosts of Policy Chats

🎵 Music by: Vir Sinha
🔗 More on the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ucr_spp
👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and stay tuned for more conversations on the policies shaping our future!

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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-based policy briefs to creative programs like Flow Into Summer, this episode looks at how public health, education, and equity come together to make a difference. Additionally, Marisol and Germaine will discuss the barriers created by stigma, the difficulty of getting policies implemented effectively, and why collaboration between departments matters.
This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a reminder that institutions have a responsibility to support their students in every way. Tune in to hear how advocacy, empathy, and education are helping to bring real change to UCR and beyond.

Topics Covered:

  • What is period poverty?
  • How menstrual inequity impacts student wellbeing
  • Current UC and CSU policies, including AB 367
  • Data-driven approaches to policy writing
  • Institutional strategies to provide free menstrual products
  • The importance of stigma reduction and faculty training
  • Visions for a future of comprehensive menstrual access

📍 This episode is produced by the UCR School of Public Policy and features research-informed insights that align with our motto: “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World.”

🎧 Guest Speakers:

  • Marisol Torres, Assistant Director at The Well
  • Germaine Ho, Policy Intern at The Well
  • Interviewed by Dori Pham, UCR Public Policy Student and incoming host of Policy Chats

🎵 Music by: Vir Sinha

🔗 More on the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast

📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ucr_spp

👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and stay tuned until the end for bonus reflections from the new host and ongoing research updates!

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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, CSUSB Project Rebound Executive Director/Principal Investigator
  • Pete Pridanonda, UCR Department of Economics Ph.D. Candidate
  • Sofia Alvarenga, CSUSB Project Rebound Outreach Coordinator
  • Ryan Uribe, UCR School of Public Policy Student

Learn more about the Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies via presleycenter.ucr.edu

Stay tuned until the end of the episode for bonus content featuring panelists' research, as well as a discussion with the incoming host of Policy Chats, Dori Pham!

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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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 served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2018-2020, running meetings in the Mayor’s absence, and sitting on a number of subcommittees including the budget subcommittee, the COVID-19 subcommittee, the City Manager Recruitment subcommittee, and has been a liaison to the Cultural Arts Commission, the Traffic and Parking Commission, the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission, OmniTrans, SBCTA, and the Santa Ana River Conservancy Commission. Denise has also served as the City of Redlands voting delegate each year for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.

Learn more about Denise Davis via https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddavis11

Guest:

Denise Davis (Councilmember, City of Redlands)

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠.

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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 public health leader and advocate with academic degrees in Social Anthropology, Divinity, and Public Health from Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill. He co-founded Caminar Latino – Latinos United for Peace and Equity, a national organization supporting Latino families affected by domestic violence, and has held leadership roles in several organizations focused on gender-based violence, including Harvard’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. Pierre has led federal grant programs, trained nationally and internationally, and advanced culturally competent approaches to violence prevention. Originally from Peru, he now lives in Washington, DC with his husband and has been recognized among Boston’s Top 25 Most Influential LGBTQ People of Color.

Learn more about Pierre Berastaín via https://centreforpublicimpact.org/team/pierre-r-berastain/

Guest:

Pierre Berastaín (Regional Director for North America, Centre for Public Impact)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Liam Burley (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠.

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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 our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

About Deb Aikat:

A former journalist, Deb Aikat has served as a faculty member in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media since 1995. Aikat’s peers elected him to lead as the 2023 President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), the premier 112-year-old scholarly organization with members in 43 countries across six continents. An award-winning scholar, Aikat theorizes the role of media platforms in two democratic societies, India, the largest democracy of 1.4 billion people, and the United States, one of the oldest modern democracies. By integrating news agenda-setting and agenda melding concepts, Aikat has theorized how media platforms in India and the U.S. are empowering people to protest, publish and provoke ideas through media platforms devoid of government control.

Learn more about Deb Aikat via https://hussman.unc.edu/people/deb-aikat

Interviewers:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://myadv.ucr.edu/forms/spp-neumann

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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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 carework, gender and family, and health. Chiaraluce has published articles in the Journal of Family Issues, American Behavioral Scientist, and her forthcoming book Becoming an Expert Caregiver: How Structural Flaws Shape Autism Carework and Community (Rutgers University Press, 2024) examines the process through which lay women become expert caregivers to provide the best care for their children. Prior to joining the department in 2015, she taught Sociology at UC Davis (where she won the 2013 "Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award") and California State University- Sacramento. Chiaraluce is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, received her B.A. in Sociology from Assumption College, and M.A. and Ph.D. from UC Davis.

Learn more about Cara Chiaraluce via https://www.scu.edu/cas/sociology/faculty-and-staff/cara-chiaraluce/

Interviewer:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from last year! In this episode, AllSides Co-Founder and CEO John Gable talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how understanding media bias and filter bubbles can help better bridge gaps amongst political polarization.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: ⁠⁠⁠WSJ.com/UCRiverside⁠⁠⁠

About John Gable:

John Gable received his B.A. in Philosophy, with an emphasis in Mathematics, from Vanderbilt University as well as Masters of Business Administration from Duke University. He has worked in a variety of fields, having previously been an Executive Director for various political campaigns, a Product Manager at Microsoft, the President of Stearns Ventures, and now the Co-Founder and CEO of AllSides. Overall, John Gable is a high technology executive focused on building, marketing and monetizing products, online services and teams that have a positive social impact.

Learn more about John Gable via ⁠https://www.allsides.com/news-source/john-gable⁠

Podcast Highlights:

"The medium, the content, and the way we interact is driven a little bit by the medium itself. And what I thought about the internet was that it was mostly by metaphor: this is similar to that, and therefore you're a friend of a friend or I'm searching for something similar to what I'm trying to solve. I thought it would encourage us to think by metaphor or if you will, [in the extreme sense] stereotype."

  • John Gable on the topic of how the internet is structured to make connections, which can initially be beneficial, but can also lead to dangerous steryotypes.

"[With the way the internet works] we see an issue, and we only hear or get information that we already agree with, which might only be 10% of what we need to know about an issue. But we hear that 10,000 times, and so we're really absolutely confident with no doubt that we're correct. But we know less about the issue than we did before the Internet.”

  • John Gable on the topic of how filter bubbles can limit our access to necessary information, despite the increased access to information the internet seems to provide.

“[What we need to do is] get people out of the information filter bubble. Get them out of the relationship filter bubble, and provide people the skills and confidence to disagree, to have a conversation and not agree with each other and recognize the differences and appreciate the differences that each of us bring to the table. With that, that's how it would get to a better place.”

  • John Gable on the topic of how teaching people to understand the value in disagreement can help people be more aware of filter bubbles.

Guest:

John Gable (Co-Founder and CEO of AllSides)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Divya Bharadwaj (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

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In this episode, Juliana Maria Trammel, Associate Professor of Journalism & Mass Communications and Laura Robinson, Professor of Sociology talk with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges and vulnerabilities with delivering information and services using eGovernment. This is the fifth episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at:⁠⁠WSJ.com/UCRiverside⁠⁠

About Juliana Maria Trammel:

Dr. Juliana Maria Trammel is a communications consultant, professor, and researcher. She has 12 years of experience in the field of communications that includes journalism, public relations, organizational and strategic communication, and communications research. She is currently an associate professor of Journalism & Mass Communications at Savannah State University. She earned a Ph.D. in Communication and Culture (organizational communication) from Howard University; a MA in Public Communication (social marketing) from American University; and a BA in Print and Broadcast Journalism (double major) from Rust College.

Learn more about Juliana Maria Trammel via https://www.savannahstate.edu/class/departments/mass-communications/juliana-trammel.shtml

About Laura Robinson:

Laura Robinson specializes in digital sociology, research methods, and global media in Brazil, France, and the U.S. Robinson’s work has appeared in journals including Information, Communication and Society; New Media & Society; Sociology, and Sociological Methodology. Robinson earned her Ph.D. from UCLA, where she held a Mellon Fellowship in Latin American Studies and received a Bourse d’Accueil at the École Normale Supérieure. She also earned degrees from Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3 and USC. Leadership to the discipline has included serving as CITAMS Section Chair and as a member of the ASA Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities in Sociology.

Learn more about Laura Robinson via https://www.scu.edu/cas/sociology/faculty-and-staff/laura-robinson/

Interviewers:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, CEO of Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, Carolyn Fajardo talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about modern approaches to food insecurity and long-term, sustainable solutions. Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at:WSJ.com/UCRiverside ⁠About Carolyn Fajardo:Carolyn Fajardo, born Carolyn Solar, is a Latina and the first in her family to earn a bachelor's degree. She graduated from California State University, San Bernardino, with a BA in Communications and began her career in food banking as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for FARSB. She later pursued her MBA at California Baptist University while advancing to the role of Development Director. Later, she was appointed CEO.

Learn more about Carolyn Fajardo via ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynfajardo/Interviewer:Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Dori Pham (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)Music by: Vir SinhaThis is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, Catherine Sandoval, Santa Clara University Law Professor and Patrick Lanthier, co-founder of RIVERA/LANTHIER & Associates talk with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how social vulnerabilities and the digital divide shape disaster response outcomes. This is the fourth episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at:WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About Catherine Sandoval:

Catherine Sandoval is a tenured Law Professor at Santa Clara University, specializing in Communications and Energy law. She served in the US federal government as a Presidential-nominated, Senate Confirmed Board Member of the US Chemical Safety Board, and as Director of the FCC Office of Communications Business Opportunities. California Governors Brown and Davis appointed her as Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission, and Undersecretary of California’s Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency, She earned a B.A. from Yale University, a Master of Letters from Oxford University where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Learn more about Catherine Sandoval via

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-sandoval-7a2a2416a/⁠

About Patrick Lanthier:

Patrick Lanthier co-founded RIVERA/LANTHIER & Associates, a Silicon Valley-based technology and policy firm in 1997. At AT&T & BELL Labs, he was on early Cellular, Internet, and National Security & Emergency Preparedness teams. He co-founded New Ventures (total $1B) and advises 22 countries’ Emergency Communications Planners, the United Nations, the European Union, and the US Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State. He advised at Carnegie Mellon University, Santa Clara University, and both California’s Emerging Technology Fund and its Office of Emergency Services. He has led teams in more than 50 countries. His education includes California Polytechnic, San Francisco State, Golden Gate, Seton Hall, and The Wharton School. He testified in the US Congress and other venues.

Learn more about Patrick Lanthier via

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lanthier-6ba8068/⁠

Interviewers:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, President of Cover My Mental Health, Joe Feldman talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about policies addressing mental health care parity and the role of employers in improving access to care.Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside About Joe Feldman:Founder Joe Feldman began advocating for access to mental health care after overcoming denials for a family member’s care, including with a successful federal lawsuit. His advocacy work has included policy-driven discussions with legislators and regulators, a board role with The Kennedy Forum Illinois, presentations to parent groups, and publication of actionable guidance such as a 2021 article in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice on medical necessity letters.Learn more about Joe Feldman via https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmfeldmanInterviewer:Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)Music by: Vir SinhaThis is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, Noah McClain, Assistant Professor of Sociology talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about security and technology vulnerabilities within New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This is the third episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About Noah McClain:

Noah McClain (PhD, New York University) is a sociologist with interests spanning the sociologies of cities, law, inequality, complex organizations, work, policing, and security, and how these intersect with technologies high and low. Dr. McClain has published a broad range of articles dealing with these topics in venues such as the Journal of Consumer Culture, Poetics, and Information, Communication, and Society. He has served on the faculties of Illinois Tech, and the Bard Prison Initiative, where he was also a postdoctoral research fellow. He is also a former investigator of police misconduct for the City of New York.

Learn more about Noah McClain via https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-mcclain-2b415769

Interviewer:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Watch the video version of this episode via: https://youtu.be/kKr6yODUQGQ

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠⁠⁠

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, Director of Mapping Black California, Candice Maystalks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the availability of comprehensive data, how gaps in population data impact policy, and the critical role data plays in shaping informed, equitable policies.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About Candice Mays:

Candice Mays serves as Mapping Black California’s Project Director. Alongside a diverse professional background in grassroots nonprofit organization management, development, and grant making, she spent three years as a literacy teacher with the New York City Department of Education after receiving her M.A. in English Education from New York University. Her time as a public school educator inspired her pursuit of an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Fiction at the University of Miami where was a Michener Teaching Fellow and a M.F.A. Summer Award winner. Her research experience includes conducting cultural and historical analysis of Louisiana Creoles reflecting the content of her fiction which critically examines multi-cultural, African American existence in non-inclusive spaces. Having returned to Southern California and her beloved Riverside County, Candice seeks to humanize GIS by mining narratives from data on all things historical, Californian, and most importantly, Black.

Learn more about Candice Mays via https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-mays-a7382b8

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by: Vir Sinha

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, John Thomas Flynn, Former CIO for the States of California and Massachusetts talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about government's current challenges regarding technology implementation and utilization. This is the second episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About John Thomas Flynn:

John Thomas Flynn is MeriTalk’s Senior Advisor for Government Programs. He was the first Chief Information Officer for both the State of California and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). He was also a White House appointee in the Reagan and G.H.W. Bush administrations.

Learn more about John Thomas Flynn via https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtflynn/details/experience/

Interviewer:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Music by: Vir Sinha

Commercial Links:⁠

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

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In this episode, Author of Recoding America, Jennifer Pahlka, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about government's current challenges regarding technology implementation and utilization. This is the first episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About Jennifer Pahlka:

Jennifer Pahlka is a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists and a senior advisor to the Abundance Network. She founded Code for America in 2010 and led the organization for ten years. In 2013, she took a leave of absence to serve as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama and helped found the U.S. Digital Service. She served on the Defense Innovation Board, started by the late Ash Carter, under Presidents Obama and Trump. At the start of the pandemic, she also co-founded U.S. Digital Response, which helps government meet the needs of the public with volunteer tech support. She has received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and was named by Wired as one of the 25 people who has most shaped the past 25 years. She serves on the boards of US Digital Response, America’s Frontier Fund, and the Volcker Alliance.

Learn more about Jennifer Pahlka via https://www.jenniferpahlka.com/

Interviewers:

Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow)

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

LINK YOUTUBE-ANCHOR
Music by: Vir Sinha
Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey Orielle Lake, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about shifting the narrative on international climate justice using a feminist lens.

Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside

About Osprey Orielle Lake:

Osprey Orielle Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, working nationally and internationally with grassroots and frontline women leaders, policy-makers, and diverse coalitions to build women's leadership, climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean energy future. Osprey is the Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations, and actively leads WECAN International's projects — from various trainings and work to shift the narrative on climate justice using a feminist lens, to engagements at United Nations climate conferences — from frontline delegations, to campaigns such as the 'Women for Forests' program. Osprey was the visionary behind the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit, which brought together 100 global women leaders to draft and implement a 'Women’s Climate Action Agenda', and co-founded the International Women’s Earth and Climate Initiative (IWECI), the precursor initiative of WECAN International.

Learn more about Osprey Orielle Lake via https://www.linkedin.com/in/osprey-orielle-lake-4286bb12

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Watch the video version via: https://youtu.be/c1TtUF1lm3E

Music by: Vir Sinha

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

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In this episode, Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments Kurt Wilson talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about community development, disproportionate minority contact deficiencies within the criminal legal system, and regional governance and collaboration.

About Kurt Wilson:

Dr. Kurt Wilson serves as the Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), bringing over 25 years of local government leadership experience. A native of the Inland Empire, Dr. Wilson has held senior management roles in five cities across the West Coast and served in both state and federal capacities, including two gubernatorial appointments from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His career highlights include guiding the City of Stockton through a financial recovery from bankruptcy to becoming one of the most fiscally healthy large cities in the U.S. Dr. Wilson is also an educator, teaching courses in public policy and government operations, and has held leadership roles such as Vice President of the California affiliate of the International City and County Management Association.

Learn more about Kurt Wilson via https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-wilson/

Podcast Highlights:

"There was a time in our history... that once someone is convicted of doing something, we sort of throw them away... and then when they come out, having been in that environment, we're somehow surprised that things didn't get better."

  • Kurt Wilson on the topic of the evolution of reintegration processes into society, post-incarceration.

"A lot of equity efforts fail because they're presented in a way where there's a clear winner and subsequently a clear loser. The person who feels as if they're being attacked, or that they're likely to lose is inherently going to push back. We see that in issues of race, we see that in issues of policing, all of our social issues, it's a very similar theme where we're not starting from the same place. By understanding that from the get-go, you're able to come up with some concepts to make a little bit more sense."

  • Kurt Wilson on the topic of equity efforts and how framing can affect public perception of key issues.

Guest:

Kurt Wilson (Executive Director, Western Riverside Council of Governments)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Esa Hasan (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, United Nations Senior Policy Advisor Manav Sachdeva talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about his insights from his decorated career in international policy and how he works to help countries navigate from conflict to stability.

About Manav Sachdeva:

Manav Sachdeva is a senior policy advisor and emergency expert personnel deployed at short notice for the United Nations Development Programme. He has worked for the UN and UNDP in several capacities since 2007 including as programme specialist for Asia Pacific and Arab States, Development consultant, senior advisor to Afghanistan UNWOMEN, and as a proposal writing consultant for UNDP Somalia. Manav’s cross-border cooperation and peace/stabilization missions have included, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, Liberia, and Kosovo. He holds a graduate degree in Economic Development and State/Society structural relations from Columbia University and academic research experience with Harvard University.

Podcast Highlights:

“The more you get knowledge of places on the ground, [and] the more you [hear] the stories about them, [you learn that they don't] have control over their own narrative... they have a whole set of issues that have not been listened to."

  • Manav Sachedva on the topic of the importance of giving people the space to tell their own stories so they can advocate for what their communities need, especially in the Global South.

“There are layers of suffering and we need to... listen. So the main thing I find in transition [from conflict to stability] is the mistakes we make when we don't listen…there is a cost to not listen in this line of work”

  • Manav Sachedva on the topic of the importance of intentionality and learning from the locals when helping areas transition from times of conflict to stability.

“We did a project and we dug a well where we didn't even check if the ground were levels were good enough - people do silly things out of hubris. So, check yourself a little bit because if you do it with humility you will have such a happy life."

  • Manav Sachedva on a project he worked on in Afghanistan and the value of maintaining humility when trying to help others.

Guest:

Manav Sachdeva (United Nations Senior Policy Advisor)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:⁠

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

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In this episode, Judge Magdalena Cohen, Jennifer Bender, Eric Stopher, Deborah Johnson, and Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (or CARE) Act and the intersection of mental health and criminal justice in California.

Podcast Highlights:

“We do what we can to make sure that coming out of an inpatient setting, that person is prioritized, to receive the services that they need, including medication. We have a whole host of outpatient clinics from the city of Riverside all the way to Blythe, and so really we try to work with that individual to provide them with the best of their needs. And it's individualized, whatever it's going to take… to keep that person stable in the community.”

  • Deborah Johnson on the topic of ensuring that care is provided to individuals beyond hospitalization, helping ease them with their transition.

“It's a policy thing that has to be looked at, is how are we going to plan for those housing issues [that are so prevalent in California], not only in Care Courts, but in any other program that the state wants to have the counties look at, and even with LPS. And I think that that's not a problem, but something that Riverside is not unique to, but it's certainly more unique than some of the other larger counties in California.”

  • Eric Stopher on the topic of how Riverside County is preparing to provide housing amidst a state housing shortage.

“Even though there are a range of services available, some of the limiting factors are having enough providers to be able to offer services to everyone who might need [them]. There's a lot of variation from county to county with respect to the resources that are available, meaning that a lot of times it feels like access to mental health services can really be determined by the zip code that you live in.”

  • Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday on the topic of geographic barriers to resources.

Guests:

Judge Magdalena Cohen (Judge, Riverside Superior Court)

Jennifer Bender (Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Public Defender’s Office)

Eric Stopher (Deputy County Counsel, County of Riverside )

Deborah Johnson (Director of Innovation/Integration, Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health)

Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday (Senior Behavioral Scientist; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School)

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
spp-ikhrata.eventbrite.com

bit.ly/spp-ikhrata

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, California State Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about election policies and civic engagement.

About Sabrina Cervantes:

Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes was elected in November 2016 and represents California’s 58th Assembly District. Assemblymember Cervantes earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and completed an executive education program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She currently serves as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, leading a record-breaking 35 legislative members, which also includes a historic number of 21 Latinas. The first Latina Millennial elected to the State Assembly, she is currently a member of the Human Rights Campaign and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of California, Riverside (UCR) School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Sabrina Cervantes via https://a58.asmdc.org/biography

Podcast Highlights:

“One thing that I have learned, being the first Latina millennial to represent us here in the legislature... [is that] bringing these experiences to these positions of power and advocacy and having a seat at the table, that's what drives good public policy, that we each have something to bring to the table. No matter your background, no matter your experience, that's what makes the difference in the future of our communities.”

  • Sabrina Cervantes on how diverse individual experiences drive good public policy.

“In 2021, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted by a vote of 4 to 1 to adopt a Supervisorial district map for the 2020 round of redistricting that was really fraught with a lot of controversy. Many individuals, organizations, and elected leaders really noted that it fractured the Latino community within our county. That means it dilutes the Latino voting power and their capacity to elect a representative of their choice. And so this failure to protect voting rights and comply with state and federal law underscores the need for an independent redistricting commission to draw fair maps for Riverside County. That is why we got to work on AB 1307 [to allow] truly independent and unbiased citizens who are empowered to draw supervisorial districts for Riverside County.”

  • Sabrina Cervantes on the importance of electing an independent citizen’s redistricting board for Riverside County.

“Even in these positions of power as a woman of color and just a minority, we are still not the majority. When I step into rooms, oftentimes I'm still the only woman or woman of color, whether that's locally or whether that's in Sacramento. And we are changing that paradigm by electing more women and people of all different backgrounds. And I just really always encourage folks to lean in with the experiences that you bring to create that positive change and that ripple effect that will come with it.”

  • Sabrina Cervantes on increasing diversity within the elected representatives.

Guest:

Sabrina Cervantes (California State Assemblymember)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Joseph Anastacio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/57h7hjkC6ME

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://bit.ly/spp-homeless-aid

https://www.scipolsymposium.org/

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

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This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about increasing equity and job quality with the groundbreaking California Senate Bill 150.

About Lola Smallwood-Cuevas:

Since graduating from the California State University at Hayward, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has had an influential career, working with the Newspaper Guild before co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. She later went on to become the Project Director for the UCLA Labor Center, where she directed the Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity (CARE) at Work, before becoming California State Senator in 2022, representing the 28th District.

Learn more about Lola Smallwood-Cuevas via https://sd28.senate.ca.gov/biography

Podcast Highlights:

“Far too many of our families are living in poverty, far too many of our families are facing homelessness, food insecurity, and the only way we can transform that is through quality work and particularly working with our union partners and our education partners.”

  • California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on the topic of the necessity of collaboration to achieve meaningful progress for working-class families.

“Our bill ensures that every project that we are building through these climate resiliency funds are built with community benefits agreements and project labor agreements... Our intention is that all of the work, including the manufacturing, will also be supported by this policy... because at the end of the day, our state only does well when all of the workers in our state are doing well."

  • California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on the topic of the relationship between the success of California workers and the success of the state as a collective.

"We have tremendous state agencies that have tremendous resources, some of the most creative minds in this state. And our job [as legislators] is to make sure that we are bringing them to the table, and we're breaking down their silos so that they can come together, share information, maximize their capacity, and do the work that the people of California needs them to do."

  • California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on the topic of the role of legislators in supporting individuals to make change.

Guest:

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (California State Senator)

Interviewers:

Raiyan Kalam (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/9ukTHtM-Tcs

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
CARE Act Live Podcast Recording: https://presley-care.eventbrite.com/

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This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Chairman of the Board Bob Mendez talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about policies that impact middle income families, and how we can alter existing policies to create a better environment for them to thrive.

About Bob Mendez:
A former member of the US Navy, Bob Mendez has had a decorated career in finance, having worked at Merrill Lynch Smith Barney, and Morgan Stanley. He also is actively involved in his community as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Chairperson on Budget Engagement Commission for the City of Riverside, and a member of the Honorary Commanders - a civilian organization that supports the March Air Reserve Base.
Learn more about Bob Mendez via https://www.raymondjames.com/rlmwealthgroup/about-us/bio?_=bob.mendez

Podcast Highlights:

“When we look at middle-income families as a whole in our society, they provide us with a source of economic stability in that they generally make up the largest portion of the workforce. They can provide a steady stream of local income and taxes as well. And it's critical, especially for any local economy like here in Riverside, which [needs to be able to demonstrate they have a stable workforce] in order to be able to effectively borrow. Plus, they provide consumer spending, which is critical for our local businesses…”

  • Bob Mendez on the topic of the value middle income families bring to local families.

“The California Environmental Quality Act, is designed to protect our environment. So, I understand the need for CEQA and I like some aspects of it, but there are certain things that could easily be tweaked in order to help, especially suffering middle income families. It's my understanding that, when a developer is looking to build a housing unit, there is approximately $40,000 to $50,000 of cost associated with just regulations that go into the building of just one unit. And we could make simple, I think, adjustments there [so that middle income families can have access to housing they can afford].“

  • Bob Mendez on the unintended consequences policies such as CEQA bring forth, despite good intentions. “I always say it comes down to three things, and it's jobs, jobs, and jobs. You know, we really need to come together, you know, in terms of being able to all move in the right direction to produce good paying jobs for individuals. You know, we just really have to break down all these silos between the city, the county, even our institutions of higher education, and the chamber, you know, where we all work collectively together for the betterment of our community."

  • Bob Mendez on the importance of collaboration between sectors to create jobs and effective change.

Guest:

Bob Mendez (Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Chairman of the Board )

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Pia Prashanth (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/AoX6HO_K8AY?si=aH7l4IouhnzmuSkt

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Dr. Johannes Moenius, Peggi Hazlett, Sheheryar Kaoosji, and Dr. Juan De Lara talk with the University of California, Riverside Inland Center for Sustainable Development about the impacts of logistics and warehousing on employment and quality of jobs in the Inland Region.

About the Inland Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD):

Established in 2003, the ICSD conducts and disseminates research and reports on issues of suburban growth and its impact on social, environmental, and transport systems. At our center, we focus on our region's interconnections between social well-being, the economy, and environmental sustainability.

Learn more about ICSD via icsd.ucr.edu

Podcast Highlights:

“It's really hard to overestimate the importance of the logistics sector for the Inland Empire at this point in the economic development of the Inland Empire and actually also for the Southern California region. It’s by now the largest employer - about 16.4% of all employment in the Inland Empire actually is in the logistics sector."

  • Dr. Johannes Moenius on the topic of the impact of the logistics sector within the Inland Empire.

“This sector in particular has designed its workflows and its work systems in a way to really take advantage of temporary work to really keep a permanent underclass of workers who are always desperate to get a permanent job. It also destabilizes the sector because those people who do have permanent jobs know there's always somebody looking over their shoulder for the next person who's trying to get their job, doing that same job sometimes for half the wage.”

  • Sheheryar Kaoosji on the topic of the detrimental hiring practices that are standard within the warehousing industry.

“I'd like to see a shift in the narrative when we start to talk about these things. I'd like to see some change in the way that the industry is upskilling its employees to make sure that they are the next generation of workers that we need to have to move with the technology changes that are happening in the industry.”

  • Peggi Hazlett on the topic of the future of warehousing industry jobs as technology only continues to advance.

Guests:

Dr. Johannes Moenius (William R. and S. Sue Johnson Endowed Chair of Spatial Economic Analysis and Regional Planning at University of Redlands)
Peggi Hazlett (Chief Executive Officer, Greater Ontario Business Council)
Sheheryar Kaoosji (Executive Director, Warehouse Worker Resource Center)
Dr. Juan De Lara (Director, Center for Latinx and Latin American Studies at University of Southern California)

Interviewer:

Rick Bishop (External Director, Inland Center for Sustainable Development)

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winning-big-for-workers-through-politics-and-policy-registration-799346445737

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode.

Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, President and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Nicholas Adcock talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the importance of local economies and their relevance in an increasingly globalized world.

About Nicholas Adcock:

Nicholas Adcock currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Riverside and previously served as president of the Pick Group of Young Professionals. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of California, Riverside. Nicholas Adcock joined the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce in 2009 as the Community Development Coordinator and rose through positions of Communications & Marketing Manager and Governmental Affairs Manager before becoming the organization's Vice President in 2013. During that time, he focused on projects like securing state funding and accreditation for the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, advocating for reform and relief for businesses against predatory litigation, and securing local control of Ontario International Airport. More recently, Nicholas led the effort to transition several of the Chamber’s value and membership programs to virtual settings and provide the latest news, resources, and information to local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about Nicholas Adcock via https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-adcock-b5b77b75.

Podcast Highlights:

“We naturally tend to think that with the internet and e-commerce and all the wonderful sort of tools and realms in which people communicate or engage with each other, we tend to think that everything is on a global economy. And there are parts of it where it certainly is. But if you think for the average person so much of their lives is impacted and influenced by local decisions… In a globalized world that we live in, being hyper-local is more important than ever.”

  • Nicholas Adcock on the topic of the importance of local economies amid an increasingly globalized world.

“And when you have strong economies, strong communities, it's because usually everybody understands where they bring the most strengths and not trying to be one thing for all people. I'm not trying to replicate government because that's their job. I'm not trying to replicate a corporation because that's their job. I'm trying to replicate what a Chamber of Commerce is set to do. I'm kind of bridging the gaps of what the other entity in a way can't fulfill.”

  • Nicholas Adcock on the topic of how a strong local economy is built by different organizations focusing on their specialties.

“The trick of it all is you've got to think about a problem we experience today, can we fix it so that it's not a problem still 10 years from now... To some degree I try to feel like if we can figure out whatever that root problem is then usually it helps us both both in both contexts, both today and tomorrow.”

  • Nicholas Adcock on the topic of the necessity of solving local problems so they don’t persist and remain future issues.

Guest:

Nicholas Adcock (President and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Naia Pizarro (UCR Public Policy Major, UCR School of Public Policy Student Senator)

LINK YOUTUBE-ANCHOR
Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Associate Professor Katie Attwell talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine hesitancy, mandates, and public health policy.

About Katie Attwell:

Associate Professor Katie Attwell is a political science and public policy scholar at the University of Western Australia, where she leads VaxPolLab. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at Telethon Kids Institute, Perth and is the Chair of the Collaboration on Social Science and Immunisation (COSSI), Australia’s national network of vaccination social science researchers. A/Prof Attwell is a global expert in vaccine hesitancy and vaccination policies for childhood and COVID-19 vaccines. Her recent Discovery Early Career Researcher Award fellowship (DECRA 2019-2022) funded by the Australian Research Council explored mandatory childhood vaccination policies in Australia, Italy, France, and California. Arising from this project is her book, co-authored with Mark Navin, entitled America’s New Vaccine Wars: California and the Politics of Mandates (OUP, 2023). Associate Professor Attwell led the interdisciplinary West Australian project “Coronavax: Preparing Community and Government”, which engaged in community and government research for the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, funded by Wesfarmers and the Health Department of Western Australia. From 2023, Associate Professor Attwell leads MandEval, a mixed methods and multi-country study of the implementation and impact of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Australia, Italy, France and California, a $4.7 million dollar project funded by the Medical Research Future Fund of the Australian Government.

Learn more about Katie Attwell via https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/katie-attwell

Podcast Highlights:

“How we navigate [vaccine policies is] always contextual and informed by the political community that we're talking about. What you might get away with in California, you would not get away with in a red state and what you get away with in Australia, you might not get away with in California. You have to look at the people, you have to look at the political ideology, the history.”

  • Katie Attwell on the importance of understanding the context in which a policy is being implemented.

“The activists and the technical experts and civil society actors and elected officials who changed California's vaccination policy, they were so successful in mobilizing a discourse that gets you thinking about vulnerable people.”

  • Katie Attwell on the success of California policy actors in informing the public about the risks of nonvaccination on vulnerable populations. “It's crucial that you understand [policy] receptiveness, not just because the policy might backfire, but because if you bring in a policy that you can't then implement and enforce, you're actually bringing people's attention to government's weaknesses and that could be potentially quite damaging as well.”

  • Katie Attwell on why it is crucial to ensure policy survives implementation.

Guest:

Katie Attwell (Associate Professor, University of Western Australia)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Andrew Shannon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
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This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Mayor of Palm Springs Grace Garner talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about housing affordability, income disparities, and gentrification in the context of Palm Springs. About Grace Garner:Grace Garner earned her Bachelor of Arts from the Pitzer College in Political Studies and Gender/Feminist Studies before receiving her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. Previously, she has served as a board member of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, was the Chief Operating Officer at Americans for Financial Reform, and was an Attorney Case Manager at White & Case LLP. Since serving on the Palm Springs City Council, Grace Garner has become a board member for the Desert Regional Medical Center as well as California State University-San Bernardino. Learn more about Grace Garner via https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegarner/ Podcast Highlights: “We need people to do maintenance work, we need people to do landscaping, we need people to wash dishes at restaurants and to cook in our kitchens. And to decide that they're not worthy of living somewhere because the rent would be lower is just really disrespectful to all of the people that literally make Palm Springs what it is.”- Grace Garner on the topic of the importance of the workforce population in Palm Springs and why they deserve access to housing. “There's one condo complex for instance that half of the units are vacant, and these are one bedroom units and so they're perfect for somebody who's kind of just entering college or someone who is just a single person or maybe a couple for them to move in. So how do we connect with this private condo association to then encourage their owners to rent out the home long term for workforce housing?”- Grace Garner on the topic of how the unused vacant housing in Palm Springs can be rented to provide income for homeowners and housing for the workforce. “So if we can get that down to a more reasonable rent based on a person's income, then that would help a lot. They're still going to pay more than they would for a low income unit because they have the means to, but instead of paying 50% of their monthly income they'll pay the 30% which is supposed to be the standard rate that we should all be paying but almost none of us are."- Grace Garner on the topic of how rent rates need to be structured for people who don't qualify for low-income housing, but also can't afford to use half of their salary on rent alone. Guest:Grace Garner (Mayor of Palm Springs)

Interviewers:Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)Matthew De Haro (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/WV9q-jAhm4A

Music by: C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Executive Director of the California Storage and Solar Association Bernadette Del Chiaro talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the importance of solar energy and storage, as well as how they are essential to a sustainable future.

About Bernadette Del Chiaro:

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Bernadette Del Chiaro went on to work as an organizer for Green Corps. She later worked at the Toxics Action Center and Environment California and Environment America as a director, before joining the California Solar and Storage Association in 2013. Since joining, Bernadette has built the organization into the largest clean energy business group in the state. She's authored several clean energy reports and has been quoted widely in the media including MSNBC, NPR, BBC, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and dozens of local and trade outlets.

Learn more about Bernadette Del Chiaro via https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-del-chiaro-7598706/

Podcast Highlights:

“There's really nothing as abundant as solar energy and the sun's energy. It is just the single most abundant natural carbon free resource on the planet... So we've already figured it out. The question is just how do we deploy it as quickly as possible and get it in the hands of everybody so that we can solve climate change sooner than later. So to really put it more bluntly, we can't solve climate change without solar energy. It is that important and it's that foundational to our clean energy future.”

  • Bernadette Del Chiaro on the importance and abundance of solar energy, and how we have the resources we need to create a sustainable future.

“And if you boil down climate change, which sometimes can seem like a pretty complex issue, it really comes down to one simple thing, which won't be easy, but is moving off of fossil fuels and to do that as quickly and with as little disruption to our society as possible.”

  • Bernadette Del Chiaro on the simplicity of the approach we need to take on climate change.

“There's a lot of things that local governments can do to make [the change to solar] faster. There's a software that the Department of Energy has developed where every single building in America can tap into that software for free and provide instantaneous permitting. So, you don't have to literally drive down to the permitting office with a piece of paper anymore. You can just use your computer, you enter in some information and out spits the permit, the permission to go build your solar system. That kind of thing is really groundbreaking, but we need all of our California cities and counties to actually adopt it”

  • Bernadette Del Chiaro on the statewide developments that increase accessibility to solar panel permitting.

Guest:

Bernadette Del Chiaro (Executive Director, California Solar and Storage Association)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Watch to the video version here: https://youtu.be/zDUQdgemXPk

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

Considering a Career in International Public Service with Mayor General Barrye Price

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In-Person Watch Party at HUB 355 (free pizza, boba, and a book for in-person attendees) or via Zoom Webinar

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In this episode, Associate Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability Dr. Francesca Hopkins talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about comprehensive solutions to climate change, as well as the importance of local change amid global warming.

About Francesca Hopkins:

Francesca Hopkins earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies and Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley. She also completed her M.S. and Ph.D. in Earth System Science from the University of California, Irvine. Before joining the University of California, Riverside Department of Environmental Studies as an Assistant Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability, Francesca was a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Currently, Francesca runs the UCR Greenhouse Gas Emissions Lab, which studies emissions that affect the climate and air quality with the goal of developing the science to reduce these emissions.

Learn more about Francesca Hopkins via https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-hopkins-a904822/

Podcast Highlights:

“There's so many other ways we contribute to climate change... So I think we always need to think about what are these solutions that are going to give us a ’win-win’. Not just reduce emissions, but increase our joy and help us feel good. I think those are the best ones.”

  • Francesca Hopkins on the topic of how solutions to climate change can better other aspects of our lives, such as mental health and well-being.

“Cities have a really unique power and role in reducing transportation emissions, because they're often in control of what gets built, how it gets built. And really, we need to think about changing the form of our cities in California, so they're not so spread out [to promote reduced emissions by walking more]. And that's going to solve other problems, hopefully, including housing affordability issues that we have, and building houses in wildfire prone areas.”

  • Francesca Hopkins on the topic of the power of city planning to reduce emissions.

“Because right now, we have a chance to redesign our future. We can actually create the world we want. And we definitely need to think about how the climate is impacting that. But we can do that without knowing how tropical storm tracks might change slightly in the next decades, I would argue.”

  • Francesca Hopkins on the topic of how slight uncertainties as to the exact effects of climate change don’t need to be resolved to take effective action.

Guest:

Francesca Hopkins (Associate Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability)

Interviewer:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Episode image designed by Freepik (www.freepik.co)

Commercial Links:
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This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Coachella, Neftali Galarza talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about education as a means to break opportunity barriers and how education can adapt amid an ever-changing world.

About Neftali Galarza:

In addition to being Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Coachella, Neftali Galarza is also the Director of the Community Engagement and Partnerships Team within the Riverside County Office of Education. Previously, he served as the Director of Community Outreach for the California Alliance for Renewable Energy Solutions and was a Board Trustee for the Coachella Valley Unified School District. Neftali completed his B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Labor Studies at the University of California, Riverside. Neftali also holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from California Baptist University.

Learn more about Neftali Galarza via https://www.linkedin.com/in/neftali-galarza-1810a999/

Podcast Highlights:

“The party politics, that doesn't matter when you're a three year old trying to get into preschool or you're a ten year old in elementary school or twelve year old in middle school or fifteen year old in high school. These party politics that are so divisive - they don't matter to these kids. And we need to bring back the conversation centered around the children, not about party politics that we're bringing into our school districts.”

  • Neftali Galarza on the topic of how divisive politics can delay necessary reforms to education.

“I grew up in a mobile home park in Oasis, which is in Riverside County. There are to this day, a lot of communities don't have access to potable water... The idea that those students can go to college or go to a workforce, a CT program, and then join the labor union. Through education, you create these opportunities. Now you could jump a few economic ladders. Now you're in a different tax bracket. And that's through education that we have these opportunities to be able to create a community that moves forward, progresses and that we bring everyone together.”

  • Neftali Galarza on the topic of the power of education to help communities break socioeconomic barriers.

“And I mentioned it's very important to have paid internships too... I had to take loans to do these internships and I'm paying them off now. I'm grateful that things have worked out for me, but it was a gamble on myself and the organizations that I wanted to intern in for. When we have a paid internship program, we can ensure that a college student isn't working at a fast food restaurant, going to school full time, and then looking for unpaid internship program.”

  • Neftali Galarza on the topic of the necessity of paid internships for college students, so they don't have to sacrifice their education for work experience or an income.

Guest:

Neftali Galarza (Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Coachella)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Raiyan Kalam (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/CGb_oBVTGCE

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about volunteerism and uniting individuals through service.

About Josh Fryday:

Appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Josh Fryday leads California Volunteers, which works to establish and maintain a statewide volunteer corps to help with the state’s response to emergencies and disasters. Josh Fryday was previously Mayor of Novato, Novato City Councilmember, Chief Operating Officer for NextGen Climate and Past President of Golden State Opportunity. In addition to obtaining his B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy as well as his J.D. in law from UC Berkley, Josh Fryday also served in the military as an Officer in the United States Navy and as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG).

Learn more about Josh Fryday via: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/about-us/cso/

Podcast Highlights:

"We have really big issues facing California, facing our country, facing the planet... But I feel very strongly that if we're going to actually tackle some of these big issues, we have to figure out how to bring everyone to the table. How do we make everyone part of the solution? How do we engage everyone? How do we bring people together so that they can solve problems in communities together?”

  • Josh Fryday on the topic of unity through volunteerism.

"With this [Job Corps] program, we're providing real economic opportunity. But what we're also saying is that you don't have to decide between pursuing your passion, something you're passionate about, or a paycheck - that you can actually do both. That you don't have to decide between whether you want to launch a career and be able to feed your family or help your community, that you can actually do both.”

  • Josh Fryday on the topic of creating programs that allow for financial need to no longer be a barrier to service.

"But I think the reason California is viewed as a leader, not just of the country, but of the planet, is because a lot of the values that we hold dear are universal. The value of making sure that people are included. The value of embracing diversity. The value of taking care of our environment. These are things that are not unique just to California. I think… because of our culture's willingness to innovate and try new things and invent new things, [our volunteer programs] are very compelling and become scalable across the rest of the world.”

  • Josh Fryday on the topic of the universal values California shares with the rest of the world.

Guest:

Josh Fryday (California Chief Service Officer)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

View the video version here: https://youtu.be/I0jjDm4EyO0

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Rachel Strausman takes over the reins as host of Policy Chats from our previous host, Kevin Karami.

AllSides Co-Founder and CEO John Gable talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how understanding media bias and filter bubbles can help better bridge gaps amongst political polarization.

About John Gable:

John Gable received his B.A. in Philosophy, with an emphasis in Mathematics, from Vanderbilt University as well as Masters of Business Administration from Duke University. He has worked in a variety of fields, having previously been an Executive Director for various political campaigns, a Product Manager at Microsoft, the President of Stearns Ventures, and now the Co-Founder and CEO of AllSides. Overall, John Gable is a high technology executive focused on building, marketing and monetizing products, online services and teams that have a positive social impact.

Learn more about John Gable via https://www.allsides.com/news-source/john-gable

Podcast Highlights:
"The medium, the content, and the way we interact is driven a little bit by the medium itself. And what I thought about the internet was that it was mostly by metaphor: this is similar to that, and therefore you're a friend of a friend or I'm searching for something similar to what I'm trying to solve. I thought it would encourage us to think by metaphor or if you will, [in the extreme sense] stereotype."

  • John Gable on the topic of how the internet is structured to make connections, which can initially be beneficial, but can also lead to dangerous steryotypes.

"[With the way the internet works] we see an issue, and we only hear or get information that we already agree with, which might only be 10% of what we need to know about an issue. But we hear that 10,000 times, and so we're really absolutely confident with no doubt that we're correct. But we know less about the issue than we did before the Internet.”

  • John Gable on the topic of how filter bubbles can limit our access to necessary information, despite the increased access to information the internet seems to provide.

“[What we need to do is] get people out of the information filter bubble. Get them out of the relationship filter bubble, and provide people the skills and confidence to disagree, to have a conversation and not agree with each other and recognize the differences and appreciate the differences that each of us bring to the table. With that, that's how it would get to a better place.”

  • John Gable on the topic of how teaching people to understand the value in disagreement can help people be more aware of filter bubbles.

Guest:

John Gable (Co-Founder and CEO of AllSides)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Divya Bharadwaj (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:
https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Assistant Professional Researcher Deborah Lefkowitz talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about public health policy.

About Deborah Lefkowitz:

Deborah Lefkowitz received her BA summa cum laude in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University, and her PhD in Social Ecology from the University of California Irvine. Dr. Lefkowitz’s research focuses on cancer survivorship, health disparities, and health law and policy, with a focus on vulnerable cancer populations in Southern California’s Inland Empire. Prior to pursuing research, Dr. Lefkowitz was an internationally recognized visual artist and documentary filmmaker, and created a significant body of work on how individuals confront traumatic, life-altering experiences.

Learn more about Deborah Lefkowitz via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/deborahl

Podcast Highlights:

"I think we have to say our health care system is really broken. It's very fragmented. And what that means, is that it takes a lot of work to get access to care and that work is disproportionate if you have a low income.”

  • Deborah Lefkowitz on the topic of the burden inflexible work creates for obtaining necessary care.

"I actually think it's a real mistake to think that we could actually make informed choices in advance about the best health insurance for our own needs... I hear a lot less discussion about insurance companies making health care decisions. That's essentially the system that we have now, where you need prior authorization from many health care plans for many types of procedures. And it's essentially insurance adjusters who are making those health care decisions, sometimes life and death decisions.”

  • Deborah Lefkowitz on how insurance adjusters currently are making the life-altering decisions for people about which procedures are covered.

“The ACA removes the barrier to insurance of having a preexisting health condition... So if we think today about how many of the people in the US have had COVID-19, that's most people in the US, that would be considered a preexisting condition under pre ACA circumstances… So if in the future, people who have had a COVID infection developed health problems that could be linked to that infection, then they would be excluded from health insurance. And this is currently the case for millions of Americans.”

  • Deborah Lefkowitz on how the Affordable Care Act still benefits a majority of Americans today in ways they may not realize.

Guest:

Deborah Lefkowitz (Assistant Professional Researcher)

Interviewers:

Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

View the video version here: https://youtu.be/M4mjoVkbJHo

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp-calvols.eventbrite.com/

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Director of the Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies Sharon Oselin talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the California Fair Chance Act and barriers to integration following incarceration.

About Sharon Oselin:

Dr. Oselin is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside and Affiliated Faculty of the Labor Studies Program. She earned her Ph.D. from UC Irvine and is a past fellow of the American Association of University Women. Her broad research interests encompass crime, deviance, and criminal justice, gender and sexuality, organizations, and culture.

Learn more about Sharon Oselin via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/soselin
https://presleycenter.ucr.edu/about/people

Podcast Highlights:

“With growing public awareness and legislators' awareness about some of the harms of mass incarceration in particular... there has been significantly retooled efforts to focus on policies and laws that help reduce those inequalities but also deal with some of the consequences for those that have been justice-impacted in various ways.”

  • Sharon Oselin on the topic of new efforts to promote policies that help those that have been justice-impacted.

“Individuals with records have a lot of obstacles to contend with... one of the biggest challenges is finding employment and we know that employment is often correlated with whether someone reoffends or returns to prisons”

  • Sharon Oselin on the impact obtaining employment has on possible future incarcerations.

“There's many factors that are important of course, such as securing housing, family relationships, social support, and so forth, but employment is a huge factor in predicting someone's success... that's why there are a lot of policies that specifically target employment opportunities.”

  • Sharon Oselin on the importance of employment following incarceration.

Guest:

Sharon Oselin (Director of the Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Catherine Mah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Director of Operations & Strategies for Act Now for Mental Health Joy Chen talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Mental Health Awareness and Challenges.

About Joy Chen:

Joy, a UCR and School of Public Policy Alum, has extensive experience in both local and state government settings. Joy graduated from Yale with a Master's in Public Health and currently works as the Director of Operations & Strategies for the Act Now for Mental Health non-profit. Joy is also a Policy Director for Healthsperian LLC.

Learn more about Joy Chen via https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-chen-mph-99678a124/

Podcast Highlights:

“Mental Health and behavioral health have been issues long before the pandemic, if anything, the pandemic just revealed and exacerbated this issue.”

  • Joy Chen on the topic of mental health policymaking.

“We feel like we're so small and can't address anything that happens in the world, but what we do have control over is volunteering in our communities.”

  • Joy Chen on the importance of community investment.

“One of the big reasons anxiety and depression have been destigmatized has been because of social media. It has made others feel less alone...I think hearing other people talk about what they are going through is so helpful in helping us process our emotions and understand that it isn't just us."

  • Joy Chen on the topic of social media's role in awareness.

Guest:

Joy Chen (Director of Operations & Strategies)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Giovanna Arena (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Attorney Thy Bui talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges, intricacies, and tips on the legal profession.

About Thy Bui:

Thy represents employers in single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff lawsuits in state and federal court. She regularly defends employers in lawsuits alleging causes of action for discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour violations, and other statutory and common-law claims arising from the employment relationship. In addition to her litigation practice, Thy also performs workplace investigations and provides day-to-day counseling advice to employers.

Learn more about Thy Bui via https://www.constangy.com/people-Thy-Bui

Podcast Highlights:

“At some point, it becomes a sales job...the people that pay you are the clients... [and people] don't ask themselves am I good at sales, how are my soft skills, do people relate to me, can I convince somebody that I'm fun to work with? These are not things that people think about.”

  • Thy Bui on the importance of soft skills and building connections.

“While there may be more information or people to consult, in the end, you have to make that decision and you have to be okay with no matter what the consequences are because you can't control the future."

  • Thy Bui on the topic of decisiveness in the legal profession.

“Make it fun. A lifetime of work is a long time! If you're just in it for the money and you're not having fun you're going to burn out fast, especially for a profession as demanding as the legal profession.”

  • Thy Bui's advice for anyone interested in pursuing a legal profession.

Guest:

Thy Bui (Attorney)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Water Consulting Expert Les Chau talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about California's Water Challenges.

About Les Chau:

Mr. Chau specializes in One Water consulting, climate adaptation planning, water resource studies, water quality compliance, and water infrastructure asset management. His experience includes watershed analysis with a focus on overall environmental impacts and climate change effects on water supplies and infrastructure.

Learn more about Les Chau via https://www.linkedin.com/in/leschau/

Podcast Highlights:

“We need to really have a futurist strategy on how to grow the California economy...That I think requires us repurposing some of our existing commerce which is agriculture.”

  • Les Chau on the concept of repurposing agricultural land.

“Be a champion of your own community, be a champion of safe drinking water, be a champion to represent underrepresented communities.”

  • Les Chau on the role everyone can play in addressing the water crisis.

“It's not engineering and science in the forefront; it's really our political will.”

  • Les Chau on the role politics plays in water policy.

Guest:

Les Chau (Water Consulting Expert)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Non-Profit Worker and School of Public Policy Alum Andrea Rayas talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Community Work with Second-Hand Smoke in Multifamily Housing Units.

Podcast Highlights:

“Research has shown that African American and Latinx communities are most affected by it, especially children.”

-Andrea on the topic of second-hand smoke and the communities most impacted by it.

“We work with a community who are constantly working, who are not politically involved at all...we think it's important to also provide training or capacity building for them...encouraging them to make public comments, empowering them to attend meetings...”

-Andrea on the challenges of working with community members and how to empower them.

“The way they can get involved is by addressing it to their other peers, neighbors, landlords, property management, attending meetings [and expressing their concerns]”

-Andrea on the topic of student involvement in addressing second-hand smoke.

Guest:

Andrea Rayas (Non-Profit Worker)

Interviewers:

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Andrew Shannon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link: https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Dean of the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy Mark Long talks with a student about Affirmative Action Policies in College Admissions.

About Mark Long:

Mark C. Long began his role as Dean of the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside in January 2023, following the successful tenure of Anil Deolalikar, who served as founding Dean of SPP. From 2004-2022, Long was a Professor of Public Policy and Governance and Adjunct Professor of Economics at the University of Washington. He served as the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance's Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (2018-19) and Associate Dean for Research (2016-18). Long served on the faculty of George Washington University as an assistant professor of economics and public policy and administration from 2002-04.

Learn more about Mark Long via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/marklong

Podcast Highlights:

“If your goal is representation by race, but you use other indicators like income or wealth, you need to put as much as four times as much weight on those other factors than you would if you just put weight directly on race. From an efficiency perspective, if what you're interested in is generating racial representation, it's inefficient to put weight on socioeconomic status.”

  • Mark Long on the topic of different indicators for racial representation in college admissions.

“Yes, you can predict race, but you can't predict race, particularly with the date that universities have on hand.”

  • Mark Long on the topic of using measures to predict race to increase racial representation on college campuses.

“Those gaps are present as of kindergarten, so clearly, things are going on in the homes and communities of these students before they even hit high school.”

  • Mark Long on the challenges minority students face from an early age.

Guest:

Mark Long (Dean of the School of Public Policy)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Register for the event here: estolano-jan24.eventbrite.com

Click here to learn more about Dean Long's research on this issue.

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Found Dean of the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy, Anil Deolalikar talks with students about the most pressing challenges the world faces today.

About Anil Deolalikar:

Anil Deolalikar has been the founding dean of the School of Public Policy since February 2013 and a professor of economics at UC Riverside since 2003. Deolalikar is a development economist who has published four books and 75 articles on the economics of child nutrition, health, education, poverty, and social protection in developing countries. In addition to his research, Deolalikar has extensive public policy experience.

Learn more about Anil Deolalikar via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/anild

Podcast Highlights:

“In some ways, you can almost think about California as a giant experiment to show what can be done by policy to control emissions.”

  • Anil Deolalikar on the topic of climate change and California's efforts to address it.

“If you look at the average pay of a CEO in a company relative to the average production worker...that ratio used to be the average CEO was paid 25 times more...today it is 300 times. That tells you how unequal things have become.”

  • Anil Deolalikar on the rise of inequality.

“It may mark the end of this four-decade period of globalization... We could have two sets of supranational organizations in the world-one allied with the Chinese and one allied with the United States.”

  • Anil Deolalikar on the economic conflict between China and the United States.

Guest:

Anil Deolalikar (Founding Dean, UCR School of Public Policy)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Catherine Mah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Zeno Marganian (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Andrew Shannon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Water Law Partner Wesley Miliband talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the policy issues and potential solutions to California's water challenges.

About Wesley Miliband:

"Wesley Miliband is an environmental lawyer focused on water resources. He focuses on securing and protecting water rights and water supplies, including assistance with water transfers as well as the infrastructure necessary to treat, store and deliver water. His practice lends itself to related environmental issues involving water quality impacts to surface water and groundwater supplies, fisheries and riparian habitats, regulatory permitting, and environmental compliance with federal and state requirements, including the California Environmental Quality Act."

Learn more about Wesley Miliband via https://www.aalrr.com/attorneys-Wesley_A_Miliband#Overview

Podcast Highlights:

“What that means is California's driest six years, over an approximately 128 years that we as a state have been recording precipitation, just happened in the last ten years alone.”

  • Wesley Miliband on the dire situation regarding California's droughts and water supply.

“I would say that our population growth is a massive contributor... We are a growth-intense state, and the existing infrastructure, on top of that, has aged. So I think those are two huge contributors to why existing logistical challenges become even more challenging”

  • Wesley Miliband on the topic of logistical challenges California faces.

“I think a part of it is trust-building-in my mind, it will never go away however much we can advance technology...trust is still a fundamental necessity to getting things done.”

  • Wesley Miliband on the topic of infrastructure and implementing new projects and ideas.

Guest:

Wesley Miliband (Water Law Partner)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Catherine Mah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Former District Attorney of San Bernardino County Michael Ramos talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the Supreme Court going into the upcoming elections.

About Michael Ramos:

Michael A. Ramos was elected as San Bernardino County’s District Attorney in 2003 and served in the position until 2019. He currently serves as one of the External Relations Directors for the Robert Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies at the UCR School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Michael Ramos via https://presleycenter.ucr.edu/about/people#external_relations_directors

Podcast Highlights:

“It will be interesting to me to see if that same energy after the decision on Roe v. Wade comes out in the ballot box. If it does, then that tells you that the decision by the United States Supreme Court lit a fire under the public.”

  • Michael Ramos on the topic of Roe v. Wade and the response by the American public.

“My concern, and I think the public's concern, is judicial activism-the judges crossing the line to the political world, the legislative world.”

  • Michael Ramos on the topic of justices potentially crossing the line and involving politics in their decisions.

“You may think your vote doesn't count, but it does. Every vote from a local school board race to the United States president is key to our society continuing to be what we are in the world.”

  • Michael Ramos on the importance of voting.

Guest:

Michael Ramos (External Relations Director for the Center of Crime and Justice Studies)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Jeanine Nassar (Associate Students of UCR Vice President of Internal Affairs)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, the Director of Legislation and Community Affairs for Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest, Karen Borja, talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about reproductive rights in 2022.

About Karen Borja:

Karen Borja is the Director of Legislation and Community Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. Ms. Borja is a dedicated community organizer and health advocate.

Learn more about Karen Borja via https://www.linkedin.com/in/kborja01/

Podcast Highlights:

“In California, abortion is still safe, legal, and protected, that all patients regardless of where they're traveling from will be able to access at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.”

  • Karen Borja's statement on abortion care in California.

“It is essential that our state continue to have the strongest laws in the country so that we could continue to be a beacon of hope for those that need access to essential healthcare.”

  • Karen Borja on the topic of California's Proposition 1 and the importance of the upcoming Midterm Elections.

“We are with you. We believe in care no matter what.”

  • Karen Borja on Planned Parenthood's stance on abortion rights.

Guest:

Karen Borja (Director of Legislation and Community Affairs for Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Link:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, the Host of the Urban Planning is Not Boring Podcast, Natalie Ikhrata talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Urban Planning and its challenges.

About Natalie Ikhrata:

Natalie is pursuing her Master's in Urban Planning, Housing, and Transportation at the University of Southern California. She is a transportation planner and co-host of her podcast, Urban Planning is Not Boring.

Learn more about Natalie Ikhrata via https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-ikhrata-82a192195/

Podcast Highlights:

“Every single moment is planned for you. It's kind of funny to think about but it's so true.”

  • Natalie Ikhrata on the prevalence of urban planning in our daily lives

“We really do need to acknowledge that public participation and partnership is extremely important.”

  • Natalie Ikhrata on the topic of compromise in real estate development.

“We've had past planning practices, but a permanency of infrastructure has allowed people to still stay in the same residences that maybe haven't been updated, renovated, or redeveloped, and it's causing significant issues.”

  • Natalie Ikhrata on the topic of historical practices and policies and how they affect us today.

Guest:

Natalie Ikhrata (Podcast Host)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Catherine Mah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Urban Planning is Not Boring: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/urban-planning-is-not-boring/id1631872994

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, University of California Riverside Alumni Samuel Roberts & Semi Cole discuss with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about their covid-equity project, San Bernardino for Rapid Recovery, and the need for continued covid mitigation and prevention measures.

About Samuel Roberts:

Samuel Roberts is a current MPP candidate and Dean's Merit Scholar at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy. Co-founder of San Bernardino for Rapid Recovery (SBRR), Samuel's interests and passions include education and civic engagement policy.

Learn more about Samuel Roberts via https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-roberts-9a3419193/

About Semi Cole:

Semi Cole is an aspiring civic leader and entrepreneur focused on leadership and making an impact. As a Co-founder of SBRR, Semi is passionate about discussing the health issues facing San Bernardino and hopes to expand the non-profit's mission beyond COVID-19 to address the other health concerns in the region.

Learn more about Semi Cole via https://www.linkedin.com/in/semi-cole/

Podcast Highlights:

“It's about building relationships...it's up to community members like ourselves to step up and broker the conversations, to spend time and fill in the gaps.”

  • Semi Cole on the importance of community members engaging with one another to ensure safety and security.

“The first grant we got was from Core in partnership with the California Department of Public Health and the CR Health Foundation. We got nearly a quarter-million dollars to fund the operation-that was a huge moment for us.”

  • Samuel Roberts on the journey to starting SBRR.

Guests:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Alumni & Co-Founder of SBRR)

Semi Cole (UCR Alumni & Co-Founder of SBRR)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Learn more about San Bernardino for Rapid Recovery via https://www.instagram.com/sbrapidrecovery/

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Economics Matthew Lang talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about gun violence and gun control.

About Matthew Lang:

Professor Lang is an Associate Professor of Teaching at the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on a variety of areas, including Applied Microeconomics, Mental Health, and Firearms sales.

Learn more about Matthew Lang via https://sites.google.com/site/matthewdlang18/home

Podcast Highlights:

“The relationship between firearm access and suicide is significantly stronger in the research than firearm access and homicide.”

  • Matthew Lang on the topic of the role mental health plays in gun violence.

“COVID increased uncertainty...everyone was fearful and uncertain.”

  • Matthew Lang on the topic of COVID and firearm sales.

“As much as we talk about firearms as a polarizing topic in policy...we think there's a massive partisan divide when it comes to firearms; I don't believe that. I don't think the overlap between gun rights and gun control is that far off. I think there's more overlap than media in general wants to admit.”

  • Matthew Lang on the role media plays in the gun debate.

Guest:

Matthew Lang (Professor of Economics)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology Steven Brint talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Student Loan Forgiveness.

About Steven Brint:

Steven Brint is a Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on a wide variety of political and social topics, but he has a special interest in the policy analysis of higher education.

Learn more about Steven Brint via https://spp.ucr.edu/faculty-spotlight-steven-brint

Podcast Highlights:

“The problem with college costs is extremely complex...they are the root, and this policy does not address it.”

  • Steven Brint on the idea that college costs are the core issue.

“Part social welfare program, partly a middle-class benefit, and partly a kind of pork barrel that is intended to make the (Democratic) party look good to constituency groups they depend on.”

  • Steven Brint on the topic of the politics behind the policy.

Guest:

Steven Brint (Professor of Public Policy and Sociology)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor Stan Oklobdzija talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the housing crisis.

About Stan Oklobdzija:

Professor Oklobdzija is a visiting Assistant Professor at UC Riverside's School of Public Policy. His research focuses on state and local politics with special attention to housing policy.

Learn more about Stan Oklobdzija via https://stanokl.github.io/

Podcast Highlights:

“The fundamental thing that defines housing markets in a lot of these job-rich centers in the United States is fundamental scarcity. For about the last 50 years or so, cities in America have not been building to meet demand and population growth.”

  • Stan Oklobdzija defining the crux of housing shortages.

“If you have 50% of your wealth tied to a home (which the average American does), you're going to want to defend it at all costs. What do you do to defend it? You block competition. You own a scarce asset; that asset appreciates more rapidly than if it's a commonplace asset.”

  • Stan Oklobdzija on the topic of homeowners and the motivation behind limiting housing production.

“Creating uniform standards, creating a buy right process of development, such that if you meet these certain conditions, your project gets approved. This is the way it's done across the developed world.”

  • Stan Oklobdzija on the topic of government intervention and addressing the core issues of the housing crisis.

Guest:

Stan Oklobdzija (Professor of Political Science)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber talks with a student and alumnus from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her career in public service.

About Shirley Weber:

Shirley Nash Weber, Ph.D. was nominated to serve as California Secretary of State by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 22, 2020, and sworn into office on January 29, 2021. She is California’s first Black Secretary of State and only the fifth African American to serve as a state constitutional officer in California’s 170-year history.

Learn more about Shirley Weber via https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/about

Podcast Highlights:

“I didn't see politics as the only way to make a difference.”

  • Shirley Weber on the topic of making a difference in our communities.

“I never felt I had to force myself to be the leader. I believe very strongly that the best people in organizations are great followers.”

  • Shirley Weber on the topic of leadership.

“Never wait for the big moment. Do it now.”

  • Shirley Weber on the topic of getting involved and making a difference.

Guest:

Shirley Weber (California Secretary of State)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Alumnus)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Executive Director of the Student Debt Crisis Center Cody Hounanian talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the student debt crisis.

About Cody Hounanian:

Cody Hounanian began his work with Student Debt Crisis Center working on issues like consumer protection policies and student loan refinancing. As executive director, Cody oversees the budget and program management of SDCC and is in charge of day-to-day operations.

Learn more about Cody Hounanian via https://studentdebtcrisis.org/about/

Podcast Highlights:

“When you have a debt burden of 1.7 trillion dollars and you have 42 million Americans impacted, it's an issue that cannot be ignored today.”

  • Cody Hounanian on the topic of the debt ballooning exponentially.

“And we're now looking at a scenario in our society in which many people do not think higher education provides enough benefits and it's because debt has stripped all those benefits away.”

  • Cody Hounanian on the conversation of attending college and its benefits.

“We need to stop treating it as if it's only about the bottom line as if we're running a bank.”

  • Cody Hounanian on the topic of the greedy nature of student loans.

Guest:

Cody Hounanian (Executive Director of SDCC)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Government Relations and Public Policy Advisor Greg Rodriguez talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the similarities and differences between the HIV and COVID-19 public health crises.

About Greg Rodriguez:

Greg L. Rodriguez serves as Government Relations and Public Policy Advisor for Supervisor Perez in the fourth district in the County of Riverside. He has government experience having previously worked for the office of Congressman Ruiz.

Learn more about Greg Rodriguez via https://rivco4.org/About/About-Manuel-Team

Podcast Highlights:

“You had facilities that would not treat HIV and AIDS patients...so how do you get over and shine a light on that stigmatization? That's where you saw the shift is when activists made this not only a public health crisis but also a social crisis.”

  • Greg Rodriguez on the topic of stigma and discrimination and how it impacts public health.

“I think it is human nature when we're faced with fear or crisis, we're looking to figure out where it came from, who caused it...however, I think it was escalated in the COVID case.”

  • Greg Rodriguez on the topic of discrimination and racism during COVID-19.

“Social media has played a huge role...when it's spread over and over again, it, unfortunately, becomes a part of people's dialogue.”

  • Greg Rodriguez on the topic of misinformation and anti-science sentiment.

Guest:

Greg Rodriguez (Government Relations and Public Policy Advisor)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Kevin Esterling talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about digital democracy and echo chambers.

About Kevin Esterling:

Kevin Esterling is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and the Director of the Laboratory for Technology, Communication, and Democracy (TeCD Lab), at the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on institutional design for communication in democratic politics, and he has interests in Bayesian statistics, experimental design, and science ethics and validity. His current work focuses on deliberative democracy and the design of technology that leads citizens to engage constructively in public discourse.

Learn more about Kevin Esterling via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/kevine

Podcast Highlights:

“The advantage is that we as individuals don't have to rely so much on intermediaries to express our concern to government.”

  • Kevin Esterling on the advantages of digital democracy.

“If social media platforms just become a cesspool of misinformation and ideological content, at some people will find it less useful...”

  • Kevin Esterling on the topic of social media and echo chambers.

“Technology is neither good nor bad, it's just how it's designed and how it ends up getting used.”

  • Kevin Esterling pointing out the "gray area" that technology often falls into.

Guest:

Kevin Esterling (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Zeno Marganian (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Dr. Ryan Bixenmann from the California Council of Science and Technology talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the importance of careers in science policy.

About Dr. Ryan Bixenmann:

Ryan Bixenmann, Ph.D. is a Senior Science Officer at the California Council of Science and Technology (CCST). In this role, Ryan connects relevant experts to decision-makers that request additional technical information to carry out their mission and better serve Californians.

Learn more about Dr. Ryan Bixenmann via https://ccst.us/people/staff/ryan-bixenmann/

Podcast Highlights:

“I knew I wanted to do something outside of just research-I wanted to have an impact on society.”

  • Dr. Ryan Bixenmann on the topic of science careers focused on policy, not research.

“Knowing that people who are doing the cool stuff you want to do had help getting there and they talked to someone...”

  • Dr. Ryan Bixenmann on the topic of advancing your career through networking.

“When you're sitting there with the power to make decisions, it's really difficult when you have a bunch of diverse stakeholders because they all have different perspectives, priorities, and needs.”

  • Dr. Ryan Bixenmann on the challenges of decision-making and the vast factors that need to be considered.

Guest:

Dr. Ryan Bixenmann (Senior Officer at CCST)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/PhaseCommercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, UCR Professor of Public Policy Dr. Richard Carpiano talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about COVID-19 and its future.

About Dr. Carpiano:

Richard M. Carpiano is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside. Trained as public and population health scientist and medical sociologist, Carpiano studies how social factors, such as socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His research focuses on an extensive range of health issues and populations, spanning the life course and US and international contexts.

Learn more about Dr. Carpiano via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/rcarpian

Podcast Highlights:

“There was this sort of false binary that you were either for public health...or you were somehow pro-economy.”

  • Dr. Carpiano on the politicization of COVID-19 and the divisions that were created.

“I worry that we're getting in that same mindset again, cases are dropping, we can return to normal...and we're just not there yet.”

  • Dr. Carpiano on the cycle of opening and closing society.

“This really is, in many respects, our new normal.”

  • Dr. Carpiano on the topic of COVID-19 being the "new normal" for our society.

Guest:

Dr. Carpiano (Professor of Public Policy)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities Kiril Tomoff and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Paul D'Anieri talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

About Kiril Tomoff:

Kiril Tomoff is the Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCR. His research interests include the intersection of musical life and Russian and Soviet history, as well as twentieth-century world history, transnational cultural exchange, and the Cold War.

Learn more about Kiril Tomoff via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/kiril

About Paul D'Anieri:

Paul D’Anieri is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy. He studies politics in the former Soviet Union, focusing on Ukraine and on Ukraine-Russia relations. He also teaches and studies economics and budgeting in universities, based on his experience as an administrator at UCR, the University of Florida, and the University of Kansas.

Learn more about Paul D'Anieri via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/danieri

Podcast Highlights:

“Putin and the other Russian nationalist elites around him fear the emergence of a democratically elected state with a functioning civil society in Ukraine, not because such a state poses a direct threat to Russia, but because the example it provides for Russians who might unfavorably compare that to the regime he's created in Russia.”

  • Kiril Tomoff on the topic of Putin's underlying fears and goals embedded in the motives over the Ukrainian invasion.

“Putin's entire basis of power is based on the idea that democracy was a disaster and that Russia is not suited for democracy and democracy is not suited for Russia.”

  • Paul D'Anieri on the topic of Putin's anti-democratic stance.

Guests

Kiril Tomoff (Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities)

Paul D'Anieri (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Mufida Assaf (UCR Business and Political Science Double Major, Executive Vice President of ASUCR)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Co-Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine Dr. Julianne McCall talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about scientific and evidence-based policymaking.

About Julianne McCall:

Julianne McCall serves as Co-Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine, housed within the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. In that role, she oversees cross-sector health policy working groups and projects, research grantmaking, and state government interagency efforts, which include serving on Governor Newsom's COVID-19 Testing Task Force and as a writer of the forthcoming CA Surgeon General's Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Learn more about Julianne McCall via https://sciencetopolicy.ucr.edu/professional-leadership

Podcast Highlights:

“We don't see the world objectively; that's why we have tools, censors, devices that are detecting phenomena at granular levels that we are completely blind to.”

  • Julianne McCall on the topic of human nature in research and policymaking

“The distribution of a finite resource that matters the most.”

  • Julianne McCall on the role and importance of funding in regards to research and solutions to problems.

“A number of Americans and Californians have this lens within their faith communities, within a goodwill or golden rule framework, and ensuring fairness is top of mind for many folks.”

  • Julianne McCall on the topic of equity when it comes to solving real-world problems.

Guest:

Julianne McCall (Co-Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Economics Dr. Joab Corey talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the evolving economies of the world.

Learn more about Dr. Corey via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/jcorey

Podcast Highlights:

“This COVID-19 pandemic has actually led to an increase in real wages among the lowest quartile of earners...”

  • Dr. Corey on one of the complex impacts the pandemic has had.

“A lot of people are using this opportunity to not stay at a job they decided they don't like, but use this opportunity to create a new job for themselves that may be more fulfilling.”

  • Dr. Corey on the topic of self-employment.

“There is a greater variety of quality now than ever before.”

  • Dr. Corey on the idea that consumers have more quality options now than ever before.

Guest:

Joab Corey (Professor of Economics)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Zeno Marganian (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Former District Attorney of San Bernardino County Michael Ramos talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Crime Prevention.

About Michael Ramos:

Michael A. Ramos was elected as San Bernardino County’s District Attorney in 2003 and served in the position until 2019. He currently serves as one of the External Relations Directors for the Robert Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies at the UCR School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Michael Ramos via https://presleycenter.ucr.edu/about/people#external_relations_directors

Podcast Highlights:

“Not every family has that, and so when they get to that point where they start their education, they're already behind.”

  • Michael Ramos on the impact education has on kids who miss pre-school.

“I think that's where our communities need to step up....it really comes down to our local communities, mayors, cities councils...”

  • Michael Ramos on the importance of local communities in helping kids beyond school.

“I think that people are curious about people's backgrounds and are more open to learning about one another.”

  • Michael Ramos on the societal and cultural changes that are creating new ideas.

Guest:

Michael Ramos (Former District Attorney)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Commercial Credits: Eboni Odior, Johanna Arias

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Former Riverside Chief of Police Sergio Diaz talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges of policing.

About Sergio Diaz:

Sergio G. Diaz was the chief of police for the city of Riverside, California between July 1, 2010, and September 19, 2019. Prior to joining the Riverside Police Department, Sergio was a police officer in the city of Los Angeles for 33 years, retiring at the rank of Deputy Chief in 2010.

Learn more about Sergio Diaz via https://presleycenter.ucr.edu/about/people#external_relations_directors

Podcast Highlights:

“Policing is one of those professions where people believe that they know what's involved.”

  • Sergio Diaz on the topic of the misconceptions that exist on policing.

“But what we can all do to be safer is to invest more and better in our children.”

  • Sergio Diaz on the topic of crime prevention.

“The best thing you can do to encourage good policing is to refrain from encouraging bad policing.”

  • Sergio Diaz on the challenges involved in creating safe communities and how police can improve.

Guest:

Sergio Diaz (External Relations Director and Former Chief of Police)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Zeno Marganian (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Commercial Credits: Eboni Odior, Johanna Arias,

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, California State Controller Betty Yee talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her career in public office.

About Betty Yee: State Controller Betty T. Yee was elected in November 2014, following two terms of service on the California Board of Equalization. As Controller, she continues to serve the Board as its fifth voting member. Reelected for a second term as Controller in 2018, Ms. Yee is only the tenth woman in California history to be elected to statewide office.

Learn more about Betty Yee via https://www.sco.ca.gov/eo_about_bio.html

Podcast Highlights:

“The other frustrating part, I have to say, is being a woman. We are still not taken seriously. I know I had an opponent who specifically ran against me because he thought that he could beat a woman.”

  • Betty Yee on the disadvantages of running as a woman.

“I'm convinced today, that this is the case, (and the government has to do a better job making the connection) that any challenge being faced anywhere in California can be solved in California.”

  • Betty Yee on the challenges of public office.

“Do it in an informed way and the most informed way is to know yourself first.”

  • Betty Yee's advice to students interested in running for office.

Guest:

Betty Yee (California State Controller)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Commercial Credits: Eboni Odior, Johanna Arias, Raiyan Kalam

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Economics Dr. Bree Lang talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Low-Income Housing and the Housing Crisis.

About Bree Lang:

Bree Lang is an economics professor at the University of California, Riverside. Her research areas include urban economics, taxation, subsidized housing, and public finance.

Learn more about Bree Lang via https://sites.google.com/site/breejoneslang/

Podcast Highlights:

TheUS Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordability as someone who is spending 30 percent or less of their income on housing. And if you look in California in particular, in the mid-2010s, 80 percent of households were spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In the mid-2000s, 30% of people were spending over 50% of their income on rent.

  • Bree Lang on the severity of the housing crisis and its effect on families.

If I want to be optimistic for just one moment, I think that COVID has also shined a light on a lot of these root problems where we are talking about kind of this inequality and upward mobility. I think that we're more likely to be having conversations about those big picture issues.

  • Bree Lang on the topic of COVID-19 and its impact on the discussion surrounding the housing crisis.

I think it's important to be open-minded about these things and to be willing to listen to people so that we can come to a solution that's going to work for everybody.

  • Bree Lang on the topic of solving the housing crisis.

Guest:

Dr. Bree Lang (Professor of Economics)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Raiyan Kalam (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Senior Advisor of the California Council on Science & Technology Dr. Jun Bando talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the role science plays in public policy.

About Jun Bando:

K. Jun Bando is the Senior Advisor to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). She focuses on guiding strategic planning and organizational transformation to enhance CCST’s contributions to strengthening California’s policies with science.

Learn more about Jun Bando via https://ccst.us/people/staff/jun-bando/

Podcast Highlights:

“ One thing that is really helpful in this regard is training scientists to be science translators-topic of going from science/research to policy.”

  • Jun Bando on the topic of going from science/research to policy.

“As with all major change, taking full advantage of these tools is going to require vision, strong leadership, and institutional cultures that really embrace innovation and collaboration.”

  • Jun Bando on the topic of online learning and the new opportunities and challenges students and schools face.

“Science really needs to work to build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable culture within the field.”

  • Jun Bando on the topic of racial justice issues within the science field and the effort it will take for reform

Guest:

Dr. Jun Bando (Senior Advisor at CCST)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Sean Nguyen (UCR Public Policy Major, Peer Academic Advisor)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, President and co-founder of Legis Lorna Seitz talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about electronic public discourse.

About Lorna Seitz:

Lorna Seitz is an expert in developing transformative laws, policies and programs. Seitz has 20+ years of experience in policy development, legislative analysis and institutional reform. She specializes in facilitating collaborative problem-solving processes, promoting civic engagement with policy-making and oversight processes, and establishing systems to address wicked problems. She is the co-founder and President of Legis, a non-profit founded to realize the potential of 21st century technology to overcome barriers to inclusive, responsive, evidence-based policy and law development.

Learn more about Lorna Seitz via https://spp.ucr.edu/senior-policy-fellow-spotlight-lorna-seitz

Podcast Highlights:

“The video footage that we've been able to see has been very impactful.. we have the ability to see more primary evidence now.”

  • Lorna Seitz on the impact of modern technology and social media.

“So it really will shift the paradigm of a large number of people when they both have access to relevant information and also have the ability to discuss it with people.”

  • Lorna Seitz on the impact that accurate information and healthy discourse has on people's views.

“You might have the policy people come up with this policy, and then if you look at the law, it says something totally different; there's a radical disconnect.”

  • Lorna Seitz on the topic of evidence and logic-based policy making.

Guest:

Lorna Seitz (President and co-founder of Legis)

Interviewers:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Public Policy Qingfang Wang talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the unique challenges Latina-Owned businesses face.

About Qingfang Wang:

Qingfang Wang's research area lies broadly in immigration, labor market, and development. With a Ph.D. in geography, Wang is particularly interested in how place–as both worksite and residential location–interacts with race, immigration status, and gender in shaping labor market experiences and social-economic wellbeing. Her work has been funded by the Kauffman Foundation, National Science Foundation, HUD, and other agencies. Her recent work includes research on immigrant, ethnic and female entrepreneurship, and transnational migration of the highly skilled, especially in the higher education sector.

Learn more about Qingfang Wang via: https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/qingfang

Podcast Highlights:

“A large number of Latina-Owned Businesses...are in the low wage, low skill, and easy to enter industries which haven't adopted technology that much before COVID.”

  • Qingfang Wang on the role the technological divide plays in driving the inequalities that hinder the growth of Latina-Owned Businesses.

“Many of these short-term impacts are imbued upon the long-term issues...under COVID-19, it's just revealed.”

  • Qingfang Wang on the idea that the core issues minority-owned businesses face were embedded long before COVID-19.

“It is fundamental for [the government] to keep people informed by providing accurate, timely, and consistent information and evidence...under COVID-19 we see [people] live with uncertainty...”

  • Qingfang Wang on the role the government plays in supporting Latina-Owned Businesses.

Guest:

Qingfang Wang (Professor of Public Policy)

Interviewer:

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/PhaseUpbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, the Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator at the California Immigrant Policy Center. Benyamin Chao talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Immigration Policy.

About Benyamin Chao:

Benyamin Chao is the Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator at the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC). His duties include working with the California Protecting Immigrant Families (CAPIF) Coalition to protect access to safety net programs for immigrants in California.

Learn more about Benyamin Chao via https://caimmigrant.org/about/our-staff/benyamin-chao/

Podcast Highlights:

“...Immigrants have been excluded from public healthcare systems.”

  • Benyamin Chao on the topic of unique challenges immigrants face.

“My mom would tell me...don't apply for calfresh, don't share your information because it may give you away or be used against you. ”

  • Benyamin Chao on his personal and family experience under old immigration policies.

“If hundreds of thousands or millions of people in California get access to a pathway to citizenship, that also would allow them to qualify for federal safety net programs as well... And I think the fundamental question is who belongs in California? And for me, I believe, that we are slowly helping people see that your immigration status does not affect whether or not you belong.”

  • Benyamin Chao on his hopes for the future of immigration policy and the discussion surrounding it.

Guest:

Benyamin Chao (Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, the Dean of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy Anil Deolalikar, and Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology Bruce Link talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine inequity.

About Anil Deolalikar:

Anil Deolalikar has been founding dean of the School of Public Policy since February 2013 and a professor of economics at UC Riverside since 2003. Deolalikar is a development economist who has published four books and 75 articles on the economics of child nutrition, health, education, poverty, and social protection in developing countries. In addition to his research, Deolalikar has extensive public policy experience.

Learn more about Anil Deolalikar via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/anild

About Bruce Link: Dr. Bruce Link earned his BA from Earlham College and MS and PhD degrees from Columbia University. His interests are centered on topics in psychiatric and social epidemiology. He has written on the connection between socioeconomic status and health, homelessness, violence, stigma, and discrimination.

Learn more about Bruce Link via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/brucel

Podcast Highlights:

“And so now, you have a situation where I believe a third to a half of all the currently available vaccines and produced vaccines in the world are under the control of the rich countries who constitute less than 12 or 13 percent of the world's population.”

  • Anil Deolalikar on the topic of the disparity between countries and their access to vaccines.

“This is something I study all of the time; how do we create inequalities in health...It keeps happening. ”

  • Bruce Link on the topic of how inequities in health are created.

“I think just relaxing the intellectual property rights for a limited period probably would not have done very much unless the pharmaceutical companies also contributed their manufacturing know-how and skills to developing countries.”

  • Anil Deolalikar on the topic of intellectual property rights of vaccines

Guests:

Anil Deolalikar (Dean of the UCR School of Public Policy)

Bruce Link (Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by: C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound

https://www.fretbound.com/

Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Former Executive Director of Disability Rights California Catherine Blakemore talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about challenges the disabled population faces.

About Catherine Blakemore:

Growing up in Southern California, Blakemore recalls being instilled with a desire to help others. Blakemore’s grandmothers and a great-grandmother were teachers, as was her mother, who was frequently assigned to work with children who had more trouble learning. Blakemore counts among her strengths her ability to come up with creative solutions that work for both sides in a dispute. She is also particularly proud of helping to change attitudes about people with disabilities and said she remains excited about her work despite decades of doing it.

Learn more about Catherine Blakemore via https://www.calbarjournal.com/September2016/TopHeadlines/TH1.aspx

Podcast Highlights:

“So really if you're a person with a disability, you can experience almost in any part of your life some challenge in getting services that you need.

  • Catherine Blakemore on the topic of the wide scope of challenges disabled persons face.

“A lot of work to be done in the area of better providing services, recognizing the value and kind of inherent dignity of people with mental health disabilities, addressing the stigma that people face...”

  • Catherine Blakemore on the topic of mental health disabilities and the unique issues they face.

“Because the worst consequences of any pandemic is suddenly you have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that are losing their housing, which just destabilizes so many things in their life...”

  • Catherine Blakemore on the topic of how California handled COVID-19 in relation to the disabled population.

Guest:

Catherine Blakemore (Former Executive Director of Disability Rights California)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Riverside School Board Member Angelo Farooq talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about returning to the classroom in the fall.

About Angelo Farooq:

Dr. I. Angelo Farooq is proudly born and raised in Inland Southern California. He grew up attending local public schools in Riverside County within Jurupa Valley. Angelo and his two younger sisters were raised by a single low-income mother who instilled the value of education to transcend their challenging economic circumstances. These experiences shaped him to prioritize the advancement of equity and access to opportunities for diverse students.

Learn more about Angelo Farooq via http://riversideunified.org/cms/One.aspx?pageId=13815216&portalId=580805

Podcast Highlights:

“What we've been seeing just from our data and anecdotally as well is that the social emotional aspect, the mental health, has been a challenge. For some students much more so than others...”

  • Angelo Farooq on the topic of why returning to in-person learning is so important.

“Our reopening plan has always been based on age appropriateness and readiness.”

  • Angelo Farooq on the topic of adjusting any reopening plans to varying student needs.

“The public consciousness overall, there's more of an awareness, an appreciation of the value that school districts and public education plays in our communities that transcends just educating our students.”

  • Angelo Farooq on the topic of what society has learned from distanced learning this past year.

Guest:

Angelo Farooq (Riverside Unified School Board Member)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, U.S. Office of Government Ethics Chief of Staff & Program Counsel Shelley Finlayson talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about ethics and transparency within the executive branch of the federal government.

About Shelley Finlayson:

Ms. Finlayson joined OGE in 2006, initially serving in roles related to OGE’s legislative affairs and budget programs. Early in her tenure at OGE, Ms. Finlayson was honored to be selected as a Brookings LEGIS Fellow, through which she served with the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the UCR School of Public Policy Advisory Board.

Learn more about Shelley Finlayson via https://oge.gov/Web/OGE.nsf/Resources/Meet+OGE’s+Chief+of+Staff+&+Program+Counsel,+Shelley+K.+Finlayson

Podcast Highlights:

We lead the program to ensure that public employees carry out the government responsibilities entrusted to them with impartiality.

  • Shelley Finlayson on the topic of why the Office of Government Ethics was created.

All of us are harmed when important government missions are derailed by ethics issues or violations and the public confidence is lost...

  • Shelley Finlayson on the topic of the importance of transparency and public trust.

The idea that someone who's an expert in a particular area is going to come and bring their expertise to the government, that's a good thing. What we don't want them to bring with them is financial ties.

  • Shelley Finlayson on the topic of financial conflicts of interest.

Guest:

Shelley Finlayson (U.S. Office of Government Ethics Chief of Staff & Program Counsel)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park Janelle Wong talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about anti-Asian violence and discrimination in America.

About Janelle Wong:

Janelle Wong is Professor of American Studies and a core faculty member in the Asian American Studies Program. From 2001-2012, Wong was in the Departments of Political Science and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. She received her PhD in 2001 from the Department of Political Science at Yale University. Wong is also a Senior Researcher at AAPI Data.

Learn more about Janelle Wong via https://amst.umd.edu/faculty/janelle-wong/

Podcast Highlights:

The research I do at AAPI data shows that many Asian Americans as well as people from other racial groups don't feel confident in or are reluctant to report a hate crime to law enforcement.

  • Janelle Wong on the topic of why hate crime data is not necessarily representative.

Ethnic studies programs and trying to institute more coursework and substantive content on not only Asian American history and engagement, but also in the kinds of discrimination Asian American communities have faced can be implemented at the local level...

  • Janelle Wong on the topic of what can be done at the local level to support the AAPI community.

Hate crime legislation alone is not going to solve our problems.

  • Janelle Wong on the topic of focusing on more than hate crime when discussing ways to help the AAPI community.

Guest:

Janelle Wong (Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Jenny Chen (UCR MPP Candidate, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Research Associate at Pew Research Center Andrew Daniller talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about public opinion regarding gun violence in America.

About Andrew Daniller:

His research is primarily focused on the role of news media in shaping public opinion. Before arriving at the Annenberg School, he received a Master's degree in Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University. Former George Gerbner Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn more about Andrew Daniller via https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/andrew-daniller/

Link to Pew Research Center report on views on gun policy:

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/04/20/amid-a-series-of-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-gun-policy-remains-deeply-divisive/

Podcast Highlights:

Only about 2 in 10 Republicans told us that gun violence was a very big problem compared to around three-quarters of Democrats...

  • Andrew Daniller on the topic of if gun violence is a partisan issue.

This urban, suburban, rural divide does matter in how people view gun policy and gun violence.

  • Andrew Daniller on the topic of if there are any trends regarding gun policy public opinion.

Republicans have become less supportive of assault-style weapons bans since 2017...

  • Andrew Daniller on the topic of if gun policy has become more polarized over time.

Guest:

Andrew Daniller (Pew Research Center Research Associate)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Genevieve Chacon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Director of the Center of Science to Policy at the University of California, Riverside Susan Hackwood talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about bridging the gap between science and public policy.

About Susan Hackwood:

Susan Hackwood is Professor of the Graduate Division and Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professor at the University of California Riverside. She is also Dean Emeritus of the Bourns College of Engineering. Until July 2018 she was the Executive Director of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). CCST is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of 200 plus science and technology leaders of the highest distinction.

Learn more about Susan Hackwood via https://sciencetopolicy.ucr.edu/professional-leadership

Podcast Highlights:

“There is an enormous need to bridge the science world with the policy world.”

  • Susan Hackwood on the topic of why Science to Policy was founded at UC Riverside.

"We were all amazed at the appetite, and the interest, and the willingness of graduate students to tiptoe into the policy world."

  • Susan Hackwood on the topic of the need for the Science to Policy program.

"A huge super goal that we have is to get more and more women to run for office."

  • Susan Hackwood on the topic of public policy's future.

Guest:

Susan Hackwood (Director of the Center of Science to Policy at the UCR)

Interviewer:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, UCR Professor of Public Policy and Sociology Richard Carpiano talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine hesitancy, herd immunity, and the possibility of vaccine passports.

About Richard Carpiano:

Richard M. Carpiano is Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is a public and population health scientist and medical sociologist. His research focuses on an extensive range of health issues and populations, spanning the life course and US and international contexts. The most recent arm of Carpiano’s research program investigates social, behavioral, attitudinal, and policy factors underlying vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US, Canada, and Denmark. As part of this work, Carpiano presently serves as a member of the Lancet's Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the United States.

Learn more about Richard Carpiano via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/rcarpian.

Podcast Highlights:

“The vaccines are incredibly safe, they're incredibly well monitored, and they're incredibly effective.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of why everyone who can, should receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

“No vaccine is 100% protective against a disease. And so we need as many people as possible to be vaccinated in order to provide additional protection to reduce infection.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of why a strong majority of people need to be vaccinated in order to attain herd immunity.

“It's going to come down to a lot of external forces on Americans...”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of vaccine passports most likely being required internationally.

“These tensions that always exist around individual freedoms versus the rights and the safety of the collective is the core public health.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of why any vaccine requirements may prove to be controversial.

Guest:

Richard Carpiano (UCR Professor of Public Policy and Sociology)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Andrea Rayas (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Relevant Podcast Episode:

COVID-19: State, National, and International Policies (with Rich Carpiano)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her accomplished career in public service.

About Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis:

Eleni Kounalakis is the first woman elected Lt. Governor of California. A native Californian, Kounalakis is California’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom by executive order. From 2010 to 2013, Kounalakis served as President Barack Obama’s Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Kounalakis was the first Greek-American woman – and at age 43 one of America’s youngest – to serve as U.S. Ambassador. Her highly acclaimed memoir, “Madam Ambassador, Three Years of Diplomacy, Dinner Parties and Democracy in Budapest” chronicles the onset of Hungary’s democratic backsliding.

Learn more about Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis via https://ltg.ca.gov/about/

Podcast Highlights:

“Honoring and respecting the fact that this beautiful country welcomed our family in and allows us to be part of our own governance was really the initial reason why I've had a lifetime of involvement.”

  • Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of what inspired her to enter a career in public service.

“What was relayed to me was that more than 90% of U.S. foreign policy, in fact, does not change depending who the president is, even if it is a president from a different party.”

  • Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of America's relationships with foreign countries drawing from her time as a U.S. Ambassador.

“About 1 out of 5 of all California jobs are associated with international trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism. So, when you think of the trade regime, it's determined by federal policy but it disproportionately affects us.”

  • Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of California's role on the world stage regarding trade and the economy.

Guest:

Eleni Kounalakis (Lieutenant Governor of California)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Alfredo Barcenas (UCR MPP Candidate, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, theoretical and evolutionary biologist and professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, Carl Bergstrom talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the era of "fake news" and how to combat disinformation.

About Carl Bergstrom:

Bergstrom uses mathematical models and computer simulations to study a wide range of problems in population biology, animal behavior, and evolutionary theory. He is interested in how current norms and institutions shape scientific knowledge. While researchers may be driven by intrinsic curiosity, they are constrained by the realities of the scientific ecosystem in which they operate and motivated by the other incentives — monetary and otherwise — with which they are confronted. He is also the author of the book, "Calling Bullshit".

Learn more about Carl Bergstrom via https://www.biology.washington.edu/people/profile/carl-bergstrom

Podcast Highlights:

“Over the last few years we have seen increasing weaponization of disinformation. Social networks are very vulnerable to the exponential spread of misinformation, but also to injection of disinformation by parties who want to disinform.”

  • Carl Bergstrom on the topic of why "fake news" seems to be at an all-time high today.

“Something like QAnon can not only contradict, but directly challenge the authority of not only media, but also state government agencies.”

  • Carl Bergstrom on the topic of the deterioration of trust in established institutions.

“Anti-vax sentiment can ultimately undermine our ability to fight the pandemic...”

  • Carl Bergstrom on the topic of disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest:

Carl Bergstrom (Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/imagery

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

Lizbeth Abeln Webinar

Marisol Franco Webinar

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California Amanda Goad talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about transgender rights in California and the country.

About Amanda Goad:

Amanda is the Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California. Amanda was previously a staff attorney in the LGBT & HIV Project of the National ACLU. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network.

Learn more about Amanda Goad via https://www.aclusocal.org/en/Amanda-goad

Podcast Highlights:

“Even as we're focused on implementation and making things even better in California, the trans rights movement at a national level is still unfortunately having to play a lot of defense.”

  • Amanda Goad on the topic of California paving the path for the trans rights movement.

Guest:

Amanda Goad (Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Daisy Gonzalez (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/imagery

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

The Role of Public Policy in Challenging Times: An Introduction to APPAM

Water Seminar Series: Water Partnerships between Cities and Farms in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

California Policy Links:

AB-2218 Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund

SB-132 Corrections

AB-1266 Pupil rights: sex-segregated school programs and activities

Transgender Organization/Agenda Links:

The Trans Policy Agenda

The Trans Agenda for Liberation

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, UCR Professor of political science Ben Bishin talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about what to expect from a partisan Congress as we enter President Biden's first term in office.

About Ben Bishin:

Benjamin G. Bishin is Professor of political science. His interests include questions of democracy, representation, identity and ethnicity, public opinion, legislative politics, Cuban-American and LGBT politics. He is author of Tyranny of the Minority: The Subconstituency Politics Theory of Representation and recipient of the 2001 Jewell-Loewenberg Award for the best paper on Legislative Politics and, along with his coauthors, winner of the 2011 and 2014 Bailey Awards for the best paper on gay and lesbian politics.

Learn more about Ben Bishin via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/bishin

Podcast Highlights:

“What becomes tricky with respect to an evenly split Senate is that there is actually, technically, not a majority within the Senate for purposes of operating. So they have to come to an agreement...”

  • Ben Bishin on the topic of how the Senate will function these next two years given that there are 50 sitting Republicans and 50 sitting Democrats.

“There are 28 states that have seen legislatures introduce bills that are attempting to restrict the ability of people to vote... all in response to the narrow victory that Democrats had in a number of swing states.”

  • Ben Bishin on the topic of the importance of passing election reform bill, H.R.1, following the widespread attempt to disenfranchise voters.

“The interesting thing about this upcoming election is that if there was ever an election where the incumbent party is likely to hold their seats, it's probably 2022.”

  • Ben Bishin on the topic of the future of both houses of Congress in the 2022 midterm election cycle.

Guest:

Ben Bishin (UCR Professor of Political Science)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Laura Shah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/imagery

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://giving.ucr.edu

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Director of Public Social Services in Riverside County, Sayori Baldwin, talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the many programs considered social services and their role in society both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Sayori Baldwin:

Sayori Baldwin is the Director of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS); consisting of over 4,200 employees who are responsible for administering the following programs: Children’s and Adult Services, Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh, CalWORKs, Employment Services, Homeless and General Assistance. Sayori comes with a wealth of experience within the Health and Human Services field having spent the last 30 years in a wide variety of programmatic and administrative roles that serves the most vulnerable children and adults in our communities. Sayori holds a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Podcast Highlights:

“The Department of Social Services employs approximately 4,200 employees and serves over 750,000 customers throughout the year.”

  • Sayori Baldwin on the scope and reach of the Department of Public Social Services in Riverside County.

“In social services, if money were reallocated, what we've been looking at is preventative and supportive services programs...”

  • Sayori Baldwin on the topic of what the future would look like if counties reallocated part of the budget to increase funding for social services.

“I really do think that community service and preventative services should always be key in order to alleviate the problems of society.”

  • Sayori Baldwin on the topic of how to help citizens and build a better society in the United States.

Guest:

Sayori Baldwin (Director, Department of Public Social Services, Riverside County)

Interviewer:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

UCR Water Seminar Series - Maura Allaire Registration Page

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

Resources:

http://dpss.co.riverside.ca.us

https://c4yourself.com/c4yourself/index.jsp

Apply for Social Services Programs: (877) 410-8827

Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: (800) 442-4918

Elder/Dependent Abuse Hotline: (800) 491-7123

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Kevin Esterling talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about utilizing technology to bridge the gap between constituents and representatives as well as rifts in the Democratic Party following this election.

About Kevin Esterling:

Kevin Esterling is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and the Director of the Laboratory for Technology, Communication and Democracy (TeCD Lab), at the University of California, Riverside. His current work focuses on deliberative democracy and the design of technology that leads citizens to engage constructively in public discourse. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, The Democracy Fund, and the MacArthur Foundation.

Learn more about Kevin Esterling via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/kevine

Podcast Highlights:

“We have a problem of scale in our democracy, which is that our country is of such a size that it's hard for individuals to find they have a voice in government.”

  • Kevin Esterling on the topic of why there is a lack of communication between constituents and their representatives.

“What we did for our project is that instead of limiting ourselves, let's think about is there a way to redesign the technology that would maybe enable a more constructive engagement between constituents and members of Congress? So that constituents don't feel like they're just being messaged to, but they were being listened to.”

  • Kevin Esterling on the topic of utilizing technology to bridge the gap between constituents and members of Congress.

“There really is, in principle, a lot of agreement within the Democratic Party. This kind of pace of change, I think, is what's frustrating Democrats...”

  • Kevin Esterling on the topic of the rift between moderates and progressives within the Democratic Party.

Guest:

Kevin Esterling (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Daisy Gonzalez (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

2020 Election: Analysis Part 1 (with Francisco Pedraza)

Water Seminar Series: Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Planning

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Chair of the UCR Graduate Student Researchers In Areas of Native American Studies Society, Roseanne Rosenthal talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Native American history, issues and policy implications.

About Roseanne Rosenthal:

Roseanne Rosenthal is Mescalero Apache and Tewa. She is a non-traditional student who decided to come back to school after decades of working as a nurse in many different areas. Roseanne is a Forensic Nurse and Crime Scene Investigator certified through the UCR Extension Center. Prior to being admitted to UCR’s Cultural Anthropology graduate program, she worked in the Emergency Room Trauma Center, as a Nurse Administrator for a multi-specialty medical group, and as a Nurse Case Manager for an HMO management company.

Roseanne is an active member in many organizations at UCR including having founded the Native American Honor Society and is the coordinator of the Indigenize UCR project. She is involved in the Native American Student Association (NASA), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and the Graduate American Indian Alliance (GAIA).

Podcast Highlights:

“A lot of [the Relocation Act of 1956] was sold as this is the American Dream, for lack of a better phrase, and it turned out not to be. [Native Americans] were just used as field workers and were living in horrible conditions.”

  • Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of discriminatory policies and practices against indigenous communities in the United States.

“A lot of times people think of Natives as in history. They don't think of us as here.”

  • Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of Native Americans feeling invisible and forgotten compared to other groups in the country.

“I think the first step, a major step, is to be transparent and not teach something that's romanticized.”

  • Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of what the Biden-Harris administration can do to aid the Native American community.

Guest:

Roseanne Rosenthal (UCR Anthropology Ph.D student)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Vivek Kakar (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://bit.ly/spp-giving2020

http://bit.ly/spp-gt

https://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/7616049423462/WN_eehUphe6TB-RnbZqZijSpw

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, UCR Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science Francisco Pedraza talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the 2020 election results.

About Francisco Pedraza:

Dr. Pedraza is a political scientist at the University of California, Riverside with appointments in the School of Public Policy and the Department of Political Science. His research centers on political attitude formation and political behavior, with a special emphasis on the attitudes and behaviors of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.

Learn more about Francisco Pedraza via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/fpedraza.

Podcast Highlights:

“It is hard to see a victory for those electoral college votes in [Arizona and Florida] happening without the Latino vote.”

  • Francisco Pedraza on the topic of voting blocks that influenced the results of this election.

“Political science literature on electoral and campaign outcomes, rule number one, is that incumbency is a huge advantage.”

  • Francisco Pedraza on the topic of why the presidency turned blue, but Congress and state elections are leaning red.

“We know that the norms and the expectations of making a concession speech and calling on all of your supporters to accept the loss is crucial.”

  • Francisco Pedraza on the topic of a smooth transition of power leading up to January 20th 2021.

Guest:

Francisco Pedraza (Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Arleth Flores Aparicio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

Derick Brinkerhoff Seminar

COVID-19 Panel

mpp.ucr.edu

Related Podcast Episodes and Webinars:

2020 Election: Voting By Mail (with Bob Page)

2020 Election: Who is Voting and Why?

Election Panel

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor of Political Science Jennifer Merolla and political science graduate students Mai Nguyen Do and Sarah Hayes talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about why the female, Black, and youth vote are so important.

About : Jennifer Merolla

Jennifer L. Merolla is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Riverside. Her research focuses on how the political environment shapes individual attitudes and behavior across many domains such as candidate evaluations during elections, immigration policy attitudes, foreign policy attitudes, and support for democratic values and institutions.

Learn more about Jennifer Merolla via https://politicalscience.ucr.edu/people/faculty/jennifer-merolla/

About Mai Nguyen Do:

My name is Mai Nguyen Do. I work as a researcher for AAPI Data and am a PhD student in the political science department. I'm particularly interested in migration, Southeast Asian refugees in the United States, and Asian American politics more generally.

Learn more about Mai Nguyen Do via https://socialinnovation.ucr.edu/mai-nguyen-do

About Sarah Hayes:

Sarah Hayes is a second year graduate student in the political science department. Her focus is American Politics with a focus in Black and Electoral politics. Sarah spends her time as a research associate for Center of Social Innovation working on projects to advance racial equity in the IE.

Podcast Highlights:

“...and so for women who really care about these issues, it's really important to become involved, to vote, to show up, to engage in your communities to try to address some of those areas where women still have a great deal of progress to make.”

  • Jennifer Merolla on the topic of the female vote.

“Young voters and young people are energized right now, the trouble is translating that energy into casting their ballot.”

  • Mai Nguyen Do on the topic of Gen Z and Millennials voting.

“What we have seen is a lot of ramped up attention surrounding Black politics, but also Black voting as well.”

  • Sarah Hayes on the topic of recent political events emphasizing Black voices and needs.

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Andrea Rayas (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/8916037471695/WN_Pna4aJkzTkqYxtqA7P3LTg

http://mpp.ucr.edu

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Bob Page talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about secure, safe, and efficient voting options in this upcoming election.

About Bob Page:

Mr. Page is responsible for all aspects of the election process for the county’s residents. He administers all local, state, and federal elections in the County of San Bernardino, including the management of voting systems, the employment and training of poll workers, election ballot processing, and vote tallying.

Learn more about Bob Page via https://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/DepartmentServices.aspx?ContactID=59

Podcast Highlights:

“ Well I would say that in this election we are seeing a number of states expanding the ability of their voters to vote by mail.”

  • Bob Page on the topic of the expansion of mail-in ballots due to COVID-19.

“ [The County does]prepay the postage on return envelopes... we have a number of early vote sites and polling places... a number of mail ballot drop boxes, and finally, if somebody wants to vote in person that's still available.”

  • Bob Page on the topic of the various options voters have when choosing how to submit their ballot.

“ I would advise not to wait until November 3rd to actually put [your ballot] in the mail.”

  • Bob Page on the topic of voting early to ensure that your vote is counted.

Guest:

Bob Page (San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Alfredo Barcenas (UCR MPP Candidate, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

Commercial Links:

https://bit.ly/spp-harnik-pc

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Cesunica Ivey talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about environmental racism.

About Cesunica Ivey:

Cesunica Ivey has a background in mathematics, civil engineering, and environmental engineering, and she received her Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in 2016. Her research interests include source apportionment of fine particulate matter, regional air quality modeling for health applications, global atmospheric modeling, and environmental justice.

Learn more about Cesunica Ivey via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/cesunica

Podcast Highlights:

“Environmental justice impacts are multidimensional and they have long-term health and socioeconomic consequences simply because you grew up in an environment in a hazardous neighborhood.”

  • Cesunica Ivey on the topic of why your environment impacts not only your economic status, but also your health.

“GIS enabled us to visualize and geolocate hundreds of thousands of measurements...”

  • Cesunica Ivey on the topic of Geographic Information System Mapping aiding environmental justice research.

“Much of the Inland Empire is at risk for disproportionate environmental hazards because the land is cheap and it is plentiful compared to that in the coastal communities. This is very attractive to industrial developers, particularly Amazon.”

  • Cesunica Ivey on the topic of the presence of warehousing in Southern California, and specifically Riverside and San Bernardino County.

Guest:

Cesunia Ivey (Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Paola Loera (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

C Codaine

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

Commercial Links:

https://bit.ly/spp-harnik-pc

https://spp.ucr.edu

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp

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In this episode, public policy student Sana Jaffery, real estate lawyer Scott Talkov, and Fair Housing of Riverside County program manager Nathan Cieszynski talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about options and resources for students who wish to terminate their leases due to COVID-19.

About Sana Jaffery:

Sana Jaffery recently found herself facing a housing issue, only to find out hundreds of students dealing with the same crisis. Jaffery had previously spoken about this issue on NBC4 News.

About Scott Talkov:

Scott Talkov is a real estate, business and bankruptcy litigation lawyer in Riverside, California and former partner at one of the Inland Empire’s oldest law firms.

Learn more about Scott Talkov via https://www.talkovlaw.com

About Nathan Cieszynski:

A HUD certified housing counselor, Nathan Cieszynski is a program manager and counselor at the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County.

Learn more about Nathan Cieszynski via https://fairhousing.net

Podcast Highlights:

“The landlord wants your money. You already have your money. So every time you pay them, the landlord has won."

  • Scott Talkov on the topic of understanding your position of power as a tenant.

“The city of Riverside has a program for rent relief and what it's set up to do is, is to bring you current on your rent.”

  • Nathan Cieszynski on the topic of utilizing government programs, if you would like to or must remain in your apartment lease.

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Genevieve Chacon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

Commercial Link:

bity.ly/uc-rent-el

Resources:

UC Riverside Legal Clinic

Talkov Law

12 Tricks to Terminate a Student Lease at UCR due to Coronavirus Force Majeure

Lease Termination Letter Template

Fair Housing Council of Riverside County

Rental Assistance Program

FHCRC Phone Number: 1-951-682-6581

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Val Verde Unified School District Superintendent Mike McCormick talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges school districts face as the academic school year begins and distanced learning continues. About Mike McCormick: Superintendent McCormick carries over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Beginning as a teacher at Home Gardens Elementary School, he became an Assistant Principal and Principal at both Vista Verde Middle School and Rancho Verde High School. Since 2015, he has served as Superintendent of Val Verde Unified School District. Learn more about Mike McCormick and Val Verde Unified School District here. Podcast Highlights: “I see on our State Superintendent Advisory Council with Tony Thurmond, and was able to be one of the first school districts in the state to apply to receive hot spots from Google and T-Mobile." - Mike McCormick on the topic of preparing to meet this moment, when students are dependent on technology, for nearly ten years. “At the highest policy level, I was asked by our State Superintendent Tony Thurmond to be on his Schools Reopening Advisory Task Force... I was fortunate to have conversations as a result of that task force with the Governor's office, legislators, and so kind of the policy discussion at that level was how do we have some practices and procedures in place that are going to hold districts harmless, hold students harmless..." - Mike McCormick on the topic of the statewide discussion on how to move forward with the school year, while keeping children and employees healthy and safe. "The research is telling us that three to four times is the rate that our Latinx and Black community members, students, and families are likely to contract COVID-19. And that was one of the guiding documents that helped really shine the light for us, and our Board ultimately made the decision that we're going to continue in full distanced learning...” - Mike McCormick on the topic of how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected minority communities in the United States, including his own district. Guest: Mike McCormick (Superintendent of Val Verde Unified School District) Interviewer: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, City Attorney for Mill Valley and Fairfield, Greg Stepanicich talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about "police power" and the legality of the shutdown.

About Mr. Stepanicich:

Mr. Stepanicich is the City Attorney for Mill Valley and Fairfield. He previously served as the City Attorney for Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, and Seal Beach. He joined the law firm of Richard Watson Gershon in 1977 and opened up the firm's San Francisco office in 1998. Mr. Stepanicich is also a UCR School of Public Policy Advisory Board member.

Learn more about Mr. Stepanicich via the City of Fairfield and the City of Mill Valley.

Podcast Highlights:

“I think there is no doubt that mask requirements, social distancing requirements, and the closure of businesses is going to be enforceable at this time”

  • Mr. Stepanicich on the topic of rules and regulations that are enforceable during these unprecedented times

“We end up relying on a Supreme Court case that goes way back to 1905 and it was a case involving Massachusetts and smallpox... and there the Court upheld a requirement that all adults in the state had to be vaccinated against smallpox”

  • Mr. Stepanicich on the topic of where in history we look to understand the legality of the shutdown

“ The violation of a public health order is a misdemeanor, a criminal offense, and can be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars and up to six months in jail for each time the regulation is violated”

  • Mr. Stepanicich on the topic of how the government can enforce laws and regulations, in order to increase public health and safety.

Guest:

Greg Stepanicich (City Attorney for Mill Valley and Fairfield)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Maya Prasad (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625

Voice Talent:

Paola Loera (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Kamillah Pollard (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Ana Yeli Ruiz (UCR MPP Candidate, Dean's Ambassador)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

Links:

American Lung Association in California Screening "Unbreathable: The Fight For Healthy Air": bit.ly/ala-unbreathable

"The Importance of the Black Press in the Black Lives Matter Movement": bit.ly/spp-black-press

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In this episode, psychology professor Aerika Loyd talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected minority communities in the United States and laid bare the deep roots of systemic racism in America ranging from healthcare inequity to lack of access in education.

About Aerika Loyd:

Dr. Aerika Brittian Loyd is an interdisciplinary, community-engaged developmental scientist, who employs psychology, human development, and prevention science theories to understand how intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and identity inform health and development for youth and young adults of color (e.g., African American and Latinx). The ultimate goal of her research program is to provide recommendations for culturally informed youth practice, prevention, and policy.

Learn more about her work via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/aerikal

Podcast Highlights:

“One thing I’ve been inspired by with the late John Lewis, is talking about how this is a movement of a lifetime.”

  • Aerika Loyd on the topic of ending racism in the United States

“I would like to redirect our conversation back to this conversation about… racial injustice and the protests following George Floyd’s murder. ”

  • Aerika Loyd on the topic of police brutality and Black Lives Matter

“The two pandemics that health researchers are talking about are COVID-19, a global pandemic, and racism as the second pandemic, and how they are interwoven together.”

  • Aerika Loyd on the topic of both COVID-19 and racism as public health crises

Guest:

Aerika Loyd (Associate Professor of Psychology, UC Riverside)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Arleth Flores Aparicio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Managing Director at the American Institutes for Research, Tracy Gray talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, about the challenges and opportunities faced by distanced learning, as well as depending on technology in education now, and in the future.

About Tracy Gray:

Dr. Gray is a Managing Director at the American Institutes for Research, and currently leads the Center for Technology Implementation. Before working at AIR, she was Vice President for youth services at the Morino Institute and was responsible for the design and implementation of the Youth Development Collaborative. Dr. Gray was also the deputy executive director and chief operating officer for the Corporation for National Service that enabled more than 50,000 corps members to work in 1,500 programs throughout the United States. She is also a UCR School of Public Policy Advisory Board Member.

Learn more about Tracy Gray via https://www.air.org/person/tracy-gray.

Podcast Highlights:

“Most schools and districts were ill-prepared to make this sudden transition...”

  • Tracy Gray on the topic of emergency distanced learning back in March as the country quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They also find themselves in these internet deserts, even if they went outside, having access to connectivity is far from a reality.”

  • Tracy Gray on the topic of the digital divide and the technological struggle many students will continue to endure as teaching continues remotely.

“It does offer an opportunity to really think about how we deliver education to students, what's important, and what are the systems that need to be in place...”

  • Tracy Gray on the topic of how COVID-19 will affect the future of education. She speaks about reconsidering the important support schools offer such as mental health and food services.

Guest:

Tracy Gray (Managing Director at the American Institutes for Research)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Kamillah Pollard (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, former California Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policyabout the implications and challenges the American system of employer-based insurance is currently facing due to COVID-19.

About Dave Jones:

Mr. Jones is a member of the UCR’s School of Public Policy Advisory Board. He previously served as California’s Insurance Commissioner from 2011 to 2019. The California Department of Insurance regulates the nation’s largest insurance market in the insurance industry which collects about 257 billion dollars in premiums annually from California. Prior to this role, Mr. Jones served in the California State Assembly chairing the Assembly Health Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services from 2004 to 2011.

Learn more about Dave Jones via https://spp.ucr.edu/about/people#advisory_board.

Podcast Highlights:

We may have an additional 7 million uninsured people in this country by a virtue of all the people that are unemployed and as those unemployments grow, we will have more people uninsured.

  • Dave Jones on the topic of the impacts COVID-19 has had on health insurance.

“Insurers did not price these policies based on having to pay out business interruption claims...450 billion dollars a month in losses that this may suffer as a result of business interruption and the insurers simply have not priced the policies to cover those losses.

  • Dave Jones on the topic of the impacts COVID-19 has had on other insurance industries like auto, business, and life insurance.

“One of the things we’ve learned tragically with COVID-19 is the importance of preparation and we simply weren’t prepared...so too with climate change, we’re not prepared.”

  • Dave Jones on the topic of the government and private sector response to COVID-19 and how it can help to respond to other issues.

Guest:

Dave Jones (School of Public Policy Advisory Board Member)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Eric Calderon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador ‘20)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Executive Director of Responsible Battery Coalition, Steve Christensen talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the important contribution of batteries in daily life, but specifically during a pandemic.

About Steve Christensen:

Steve Christensen is the Executive Director of Responsible Battery Coalition, a nonprofit coalition of companies, academics and organizations committed to the responsible management of the batteries of today and tomorrow. Prior to this role, he served as the Managing Director in the U.S. Public Affairs and Crisis Practice at Burson-Marsteller in Washington DC, where his clients include some of the world’s largest agriculture, chemical and consumer products companies. Before joining the private sector, Mr. Christensen served in several roles as a senior policy official at the United States Department of Agriculture where he concentrated his efforts on supporting public health and production agriculture through the development and implementation of sound science-based public policy. Mr. Christensen is also an Advisory Board member for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Steve Christensen via https://www.responsiblebatterycoalition.org/leadership-team/

Podcast Highlights:

“A concern we did have when things started to close down was a state government or some official not allowing recycling of batteries...we want to make sure that recycling would remain stable so we wouldn’t see an increase in resource extraction.”

  • Steve Christensen on the topic of battery production recycling and its role during COVID-19.

“The reliance on batteries, as we get out of this, one of the ways we are going to manage it is through battery operated devices, from your phone to a thermometer. It all relies on battery.”

  • Steve Christensen on the topic of COVID-19’s impact on battery support for the transportation in medical industries.

“It is rare that you will find a food or beverage company that relies on a single source or a single region for any aspect in their business...for the next generation of batteries...the majority of those materials are coming from China and there is no where else to get them.”

  • Steve Christensen on the topic of the prevalent issues within the supply change and obtaining the material needed for batteries.

Guest:

Steve Christensen, Executive Director of Responsible Battery Coalition

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Paola Loera (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, retired CEO of San Bernardino County, Greg Devereaux talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the different roles and responsibilities of counties versus cities in general, but especially amid a pandemic.

About Greg Devereaux:

Greg Devereaux has served in state and local government for nearly 40 years, holding various administrative leadership positions, including city manager in the cities of Fontana and Ontario. He was also the former Chief Executive Officer of San Bernardino where he helped the Board of Supervisors lead the County in a new direction and helped to stabilize county government finances, increase infrastructure maintenance, and restore community programs. Since his retirement, Mr. Devereaux has opened his own consulting firm working with both public and private clients. Mr. Devereaux is also a member of the advisory board for the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Greg Devereaux via http://www.sbcounty.gov/cao/main/Pages/Devereaux.aspx

Podcast Highlights:

“Counties, in relation to the state, we are arms of the state...if the state issues a public health order, counties have to follow that order...but counties can actually be more strict than the state.”

  • Greg Devereaux on the topic of the relationship between the counties of California and the state of California during this time of crisis.

“One of the things that everyone acknowledges that went wrong, both at a state and federal level, stockpiles of personal protective equipment needed in the healthcare system..were allowed to get outdated and some of the equipment was sold off.”

  • Greg Devereaux on the topic of the biggest gaps witnessed in our federal government, in relation to the response to COVID-19.

“I do think that, perhaps, business and government will have learned that remote working can be equally or more productive and has some side benefits like cleaner air and less congested freeways.”

  • Greg Devereaux on the topic of the new temporary and permanent changes post COVID-19 within our government and societies.

Guest:

Greg Devereaux (Retired CEO of San Bernardino County)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Daisy Gonzalez (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board, Dr. Angelov Farooq talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about state strategies and policies to combat historic unemployment, a struggling economy, and distance learning amidst a statewide shelter-in-place order.

About Angelov Farooq:

Angelov Farooq is the owner of AVM Innovation Consulting, LLC, a Southern California based economic development firm. In 2013, Dr. Farooq was appointed the Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration. . As Chairman, he leads the largest workforce development system in the country under the vision of the Governor & Secretary of Labor. In 2015, he was elected on the Board of Education for the Riverside Unified School District. Dr. Farooq is also the Founding Director of the UC Riverside Center for Economic Development.

Learn more about Angelov Farooq viahttps://angelovfarooq.com/about.

Podcast Highlights:

“The number one focus has been about the digital divide...not everybody is on an equal plainfield so getting people technology devices has been the number one priority.”

  • Angelov Farooq on the topic of school closures and addressing online learning from Governor Newsom and the state superintendent.

“The bottom line is there are a lot of inequities in a strong economy and those inequities can only be potentially extended even further during a crisis.”

  • Angelov Farooq on the topic of the impact of California's Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan during the unemployment crisis.

“There’s going to be a new normal after the shelter in place has lifted and the reality is that it’s likely going to be done in phases.”

  • Angelov Farooq on the topic of non-essential workers telecommuting due the pandemic.

Guest:

Angelov Farooq (Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Imad Jobah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

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In this episode, Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Philanthropy Director, Carolyn Solar talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy to discuss food insecurity amid this pandemic.

About Carolyn Solar:

Carolyn Solar currently serves as the Philanthropy Director for Feeding America in Riverside and San Bernardino. She joins Feeding America with experience running her own food blog, where she tastes, photographs, and reviews food from all over Southern California. Prior to this role, she served as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator where she directed and led all mail marketing initiatives and developed marketing content.

Learn more about Carolyn Solar viahttps://www.feedingamericaie.org/team.

Podcast Highlights:

“The people that are coming to us for support are everyday people like you or me, they just need extra help right now.”

  • Carolyn Solar on the topic of the recent changes in demand for food from food banks.

“Food insecurity has been an issue and will continue to be an issue...despite what's going on now, the need is still there.”

  • Carolyn Solar on the topic of the national attention that food insecurity is gaining due to COVID-19.

“We are going to keep continue to do these emergency distributions for as long as we are able to...”

  • Carolyn Solar on the topic of food distributions and preparing for possible decreased donations.

Guest:

Carolyn Solar (Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Philanthropy Director)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Aaron Walter (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, various UCR students talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policyabout their unique perspectives in regards to motivation, policies and more during COVID-19.

COVID-19 has impacted college students across the nation, and the world. The overnight transition to online learning has left some students vulnerable and worried about what is to come. These four students shine a light on their specific situations, and how they are coping during this crisis.

Podcast Highlights:

“For meetings it’s holding things through Zoom or a Group FaceTime and such, so you could always be in touch with familiar faces and not feel like you’re completely isolated. While still keeping yourself, your friends, and all relatives involved safe and healthy.”

- Carolina Cardenas on the topic of giving advice to her fellow colleagues on how to stay safe during COVID-19.

“What keeps me grounding is I would say thinking that I’ve done so much hard work during my undergraduate studies, it’s just not worth it to throw it all away...we all have future prospects as of now so we need to have that power within us to look forward.”

  • Edoardo Melchiori on the topic of staying motivated to continue academic coursework.

“The idea and the intent of the social distancing order policy, I would say, is definitely a good idea. Something as simple as literally don’t hang out with one another, can decrease the contractions of COVID-19.”

  • Luis Huerta on the topic of support of the social distancing orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“I think they are necessary because this virus does have a higher death rate for people who are immunocompromised and people that are older. I do think some younger, healthier people are taking for granted that they don’t have to worry about the threat as much.”

  • Julian Bell on the topic of implemented policies that are reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

Guests:

Carolina Cardenas (Political Science Major, Sophomore)

Edoardo Melchiori (UCR Business Major, Senior)

Julian Bell (UCR Electrical Engineer Major, Senior)

Luis Huerta (UCR Political Science Major, Junior)

Interviewer:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Group Manager of the Water Resource Management at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Brad Coffey talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the safety, reliability, and affordability of water during this pandemic.

About Brad Coffey:

Brad Coffey serves as Group Manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He leads the Water Resource Management Group and is responsible for planning and managing metropolitan's imported and local water resource programs, advancing water-use efficiency, and providing supply and demand forecasts for the region. Recently, Mr. Coffey has served as an Assistant Manager for the System Operations Group. As Assistant Manager, he helped manage more than 900 employees who import, treat, and deliver water throughout Southern California.

Learn more about Brad Coffey via http://www.mwdh2o.com/WhoWeAre/Management/Executive-Staff

Podcast Highlights:

“Your drinking water is heavily protected against many things, including the virus which causes COVID-19.”

  • Brad Coffey on the topic of concerns regarding the quality of water during COVID-19.

“Hand washing is one of the main things we can do to fight this virus so it would be unconscionable for us to turn off the tap, shut someone off, and they couldn't have water to wash their hands. That just won’t happen.”

  • Brad Coffey on the topic of water industries maintaining services for customers.

“Almost all the clogs in sewer systems these days, it’s not by fats or greases, its by these sanitary wipes...it's really not good for the sewage collection systems.”

  • Brad Coffey on the topic of flushing down sanitary wipes and showing up in sewages.

Guest:

Brad Coffey (Group Manager of the Water Resource Management at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California)

Interviewer:

Kurt Schwabe (Associate Dean, Chair and Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, UCR School of Public Policy)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michael Huerta talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policyabout the possibilities of the airline industry facing bankruptcy due to COVID-19.

About Michael Huerta:

Michael Huerta served as a former administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration between 2013 and 2018. He was nominated by former President Barack Obama and was the longest tenured Administrator in the agency’s history. Before being named Administrator, Mr. Huerta served as Acting Administrator of the FAA from 2011 to 2013 and FAA Deputy Administrator from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Huerta currently serves as a transportation industry consultant, including acting as a Senior Advisor to Macquarie Capital. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Mr. Huerta is a UC Riverside Alumnus (‘78) and serves as an Advisory Board Member for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy.

Learn more about Michael Huerta via https://spp.ucr.edu/about/people#advisory_board

Podcast Highlights:

“I don’t think you can make a general statement about how the industry overall will do. It’s very airline specific and a lot of it’s going to be driven by the markets they are in and their own financial position going into that.”

  • Michael Huerta on the topic of effects on the airline industry following COVID-19 .

“The airline needs to be looking at this for the long term and I think that as we come out of a crisis like this, the public will remember who were the good operators, who were the corporate citizens that really worked with people”

  • Michael Huerta on the topic of airline companies decisions to refund flight tickets due to the flight restrictions.

“As we came through 9/11, it became very clear what we were responding to, what we were fighting. And with COVID-19, there is still a lot of debate about what the enemy is and what we know about that enemy and how we respond to that”

  • Michael Huerta on the topic of the comparison between COVID-19 and 9/11 in relation to the airline industry.

Guest:

Michael Huerta (UCR alum and School of Public Policy Advisory Board Member)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Sam Roberts (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, President of Filament Strategies LLC and former member of the California State Legislature, Lloyd Levine talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policyabout the effects of COVID-19 on students, legislation, and non-essential business.

About Lloyd Levine:

Lloyd Levine ('92) is a UC Riverside alumnus and one of the state’s leading experts on energy, telecommunications, and technology policy. Between 2002 and 2008, Mr. Levine served as a member of the California State Legislature where he was chair in the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. He is now president of Filament Strategies, a Sacramento-based consulting firm, and provides consulting services in the technology and environmental sectors. As president, Mr. Levine works on issues ranging from Electric Vehicles to broadband adoption and the digital divide. Mr. Levine is also an Advisory Board member of UC Riverside’s School of Public Policy and in 2018 he was named a Senior Policy Fellow.

Learn more about Lloyd Levine via https://spp.ucr.edu/about/people#advisory_board

Podcast Highlights:

“I think it’s going to exacerbate existing disparities...households where the parents don’t have the education level or where they have to go out of work and can’t help the children, those sorts of things will make it more challenging.”

  • Lloyd Levine on the topic of the consequences of remote learning during COVID-19.

“Ultimately, I don’t even know when we’re going to go back, I don’t even know how we are going to go back. Are we going to go back in July and it’s going to be phased in to return to work, vulnerable people stay home. How do we determine who’s vulnerable?”

  • Lloyd Levine on the topic of the uncertainties on how work life will resume during Covid-19.

“The theatre organizations with a budget between 2 million and 10 million are really struggling... We have no revenue coming in, but unlike the big ones we don’t have any endowment.”

  • Lloyd Levine on the topic of how the art community is being affected by Covid-19.

Guest:

Lloyd Levine (UCR alum, School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow and Advisory Board Member)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Arleth Flores Aparicio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Richard Carpiano talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the short term and long term impacts on public health and daily life during COVID-19.

About Richard Carpiano:

Richard Carpiano is a Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is also the co-editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the leading journal for medical sociology scholarship. As a population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Carpiano examines how social factors, like socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His most research program investigates social, behavioral, and attitudinal factors underlying child vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US and Canada.

Learn more about Richard Carpiano viahttps://sociology.ucr.edu/faculty/richard-m-carpiano/

Podcast Highlights:

“Our public health system is something that’s been underinvested in for many years and so I’m hoping, from a taxpayer standpoint and a citizen standpoint, of public support for these important government services.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of short term and long term impacts of COVID-19.

“It really does highlight the importance of, not just the government sector, but also the civil sphere and society itself.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of different policies and orders being implemented to slow down coronavirus.

“We are going to see in the aftermath of this, some very pronounced inequalities.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of the economic impact of COVID-19.

Guest:

Richard Carpiano (Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, UC Riverside)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Eric Calderon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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In this episode, Professor Richard Carpiano talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policyabout the severity of COVID-19 in relation to public health in general, as well as in comparison to other global infectious diseases, such as measles or SARS.

About Richard Carpiano:

Richard Carpiano is a Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is also the co-editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the leading journal for medical sociology scholarship. As a population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Carpiano examines how social factors, like socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His most research program investigates social, behavioral, and attitudinal factors underlying child vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US and Canada.

Learn more about Richard Carpiano viahttps://sociology.ucr.edu/faculty/richard-m-carpiano/

Podcast Highlights:

“Viruses unfortunately do happen and outbreaks do occur...but it presents a nice opportunity for us to be thinking about how important public health is, not just private health care.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of COVID-19 labeled as a public health emergency and international concern from the World Health Organization.

“An eccentric question gets a larger issue of how does the public perceive risk...and our brains are just not very good at thinking about risk.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of why behaviors change when a threat of virus heightens.

“Whenever there is misunderstanding, whenever there is confusion...and it comes from a particular region of the world… we associate certain features with those characteristics.”

  • Richard Carpiano on the topic of the similarities and differences between coronavirus and SARS.

Guest:

Richard Carpiano (Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, UC Riverside)

Interviewers:

Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador)

Eric Calderon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)

Music by:

Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20)

This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.