Ciis Public Programs & Performances

Boots Riley, the writer and director of Sorry To Bother You, and lead singer of The Coup discusses creativity and activism with local writer Chinaka Hodge.

In this episode, poet and scholar Cameron Awkward-Rich discusses his work, which broke new ground in Trans, Queer, Black, and American poetry. He was joined in conversation by writer and curator James Fleming.

In this episode, psychologist and professor Alinne Barrera joins psychiatrist and UCSF Clinical Informatics fellow Steven Chan to explore how recent advances in technology and artificial intelligence are changing the way we seek and provide mental health care.

Stanford Professor and author Leah Weiss is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Alumni Richard Buggs to explore practical, evidence-based strategies for using ancient wisdom traditions to improve your work.

In this episode, psychologist and author Stuart Ablon is joined in conversation by Nicolle Zapien, CIIS’s Dean of Professional Psychology and Health, to explore the science of how people change.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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