The San Francisco Experience

The US spends $500 billion annually on medical costs that could be avoided if more Americans took their prescribed meds for chronic diseases. HiDo has developed a technology to improve medication adherence while improving patient health.

The Chamber promotes policies that ensure all Americans benefit from technology and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.

Spillover, or zoonosis, is the infection of humans with animal viruses. In his book Spillover, David Quammen recounts the frightening phenomenon whereby EBOLA, HIV, SARS among other diseases have moved into human populations. About 60% of human diseases originated in animals. And what is the probable origin of the next pandemic ?

The CCP is promoting the compatibility of traditional Confucian philosophy and Marxist theory. As China rejects the liberal democratic tradition of the World Order it looks to a home grown philosophy as the foundation of its worldview.

We should all aspire to not only survive but to thrive in our lives. In this book, Rand Selig outlines a roadmap to achieving a meaningful life of purpose, intentionality and focus.

The UK and the United States have entered into a tripartite agreement to share nuclear submarine technology with Australia. The multi year arrangement will furnish 8 nuclear attack submarines through the 2040s. The submarines will replace 6 diesel powered Collins Class subs that will be based in Perth WA. The agreement also encompasses undersea weapons, AI capabilities and training of Australian sailors.

Two competing world views - Atlanticism (Liberal Democracy, Free Markets, Rule of Law) and Eurasianism (Authoritarianism, non-independent judiciaries, state controlled economies) present a stark choice as geopolitics dominates international relations. Russia and China are the principal proponents of Eurasianism whereas the United States and the West subscribe to Atlanticism.

Anti-Disinformation operatives helping to sort fact from fiction. And with the advent of AI in the 2024 election cycle, voters need to be wary, basing their choice on facts.

Dr. Michael Baker retired after a 40 year career in general surgery and a parallel career in the military, teaches an Advanced Trauma Life Support course to Ukrainian medical personnel in country. He is preparing for his fourth deployment to Ukraine and shares his experience with us.

Mexico has become America's largest trading partner. June 2nd, presidential elections will feature two female candidates running in first and second place: our neighbor is likely to elect its first woman President.

With the Biden and Trump camps close to wrapping up their respective parties' nominations, focus shifts to other key races. One of them is for the open California Senate seat left vacant with the death of Dianne Feinstein. A surprising backfired result where front runner Adam Schiff in an effort to elevate Republican Steve Garvey handed him first place in a field of 5 candidates !

BMO, the 8th largest bank in North America, sponsors an innovative program for Women entrepreneurs with start ups in the Fintech field. Chicago where BMO has its' US headquarters, has the distinction of fostering women tech founders. 37% of tech startups in Chicago are headed or co-headed by women.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago, almost 1 million Russians have left the country taking up exile in Georgia, Armenia, Western Europe and beyond. And the death of Alexei Navalny on February 16th may galvanize them in the lead up to Putin's re-election, March 2024, with his widow Yulia Navalny vowing to take up his mantle.

Milton Friedman was a Nobel Prize winning economist who championed the Monetarist School of Economics at University of Chicago and beyond. In addition to his economic policy making role he was also a political philosopher whose views were implemented in the United States and abroad.

This is the fourth episode in our coverage of the Ocean Global Race around the world, following the French boat Neptune. One of the crew suffers from Parkinsons ; raising awareness of the disorder is one of the goals of the Neptune crew.

Can America wall off other countries from access to high speed processors essential to build super computers and the development of Artificial Intelligence ?

Turkey finally agrees to Sweden's NATO application, with a $23 billion F16 deal and tougher Swedish anti-terrorist laws. But Hungary will have the last word.

Marc Andreessen lays out a 5000 word case to be optimistic and welcoming to new technology for the economic betterment of all as narrated by host, Jim Herlihy.

Half of Americans get their news from social media like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X and even TikTok. Mike brings a critical eye to this space and helps listeners to be more discerning consumers of news sourced from social media outlets.

Chinese fiction has exploded with the arrival of the Internet. Who are the leading authors and what genres do Chinese readers favor ? How is a book published in China ? Does the Internet make fiction more accessible ?

Acclaimed photographer and writer Janet Sternburg moved to San Miguel de Allende in 2022. Her latest collection of photographs in Mexico - 90 - features people, places and objects accompanied by text and commentary by Janet and her Mexican collaborator, Jose Alberto Romero Romano.

The Maker, Tinkerer culture is very active globally. I met Professor Rolf Hut of the Technical University, Delft, the Netherlands at the American Geophysical Union Conference in San Francisco. He loves to MacGyver !

Critical Thinking skills are especially important in a world where we are awash in information, opinions and disinformation. And with the advent of AI, our ability to question, challenge and understand what we are told is more crucial than ever. Tom Chatfield offers a practical guide to think critically for all ages and all situations.

Ecuador's President Noboa has declared war on the Drug organizations which have infiltrated every institution in the country which have made Ecuador a key transhipment player in the global cocaine trade.

An Introduction to the Math of Voting Methods, is a readable book that presents math in a civics wrapper accomplishing two goals: civic education and improved math skills.

There is a growing collaboration between the Golden State and the UK through the Consulate General on legislative issues as diverse as AI, Climate Control, Alternate Energy and even Housing. It's a two way street where best practices from both jurisdictions inform policy in California and the UK.

Tom Rokicki will be speaking at the Joint Mathematics Meetings 2024, Saturday, January 6 at 9am about Serious Recreational Mathematics. His research shows that the Rubik Cube can be finished in 20 moves.

Geling Yan reached the pinnacle of success as a critically acclaimed writer in her native China and around the world. Yet when she spoke out on the handling of the Covid 19 crisis in China she was cancelled. Her books are no longer published or sold in China. But she decided to fight back: she has set up her own publishing company and has launched its first book Milati. She is in San Francisco to promote it.

Henry Kissinger's passing seemed to be covered more effusively and positively in China rather than the US where the coverage was muted and low key. China lamented that passing of a Great Man who reminded the Chinese public of the golden era of the bilateral relationship in the 1970s and 80s. In today's episode we will look at his legacy from both points of view.

Shohei Ohtani the 29 year old Japanese pitcher and designated hitter has signed a 10 year, $700 million contract with the LA Dodgers. It is the largest contract in professional sports history. Sports expert Vince Gennaro analyzes the ground breaking deal for us.

In our third podcast about the OGR competition, formerly known as the Whitbread, Skipper Tan Raffray relates the 7250 nautical mile journey across the Indian Ocean from South Africa to New Zealand. It took almost 6 weeks of sailing the Neptune to reach Auckland without incident.

Eleven nations have already adopted Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and the United States is considering such a plan. But for what benefit ? In this episode we explore what a CBDC is and whether it would benefit most Americans.

Our American Experiment is a collection of short stories, some fictionalized, some not that use paradox to highlight the differences in the African American versus White life experience. A thought provoking read that draws no conclusions nor makes judgments but simply sets out stories that challenge your beliefs.

Over 80 Million Americans use sharing economy Apps like AirBnB, Uber, Instacart, DoorDash. And Yoodlize is the latest access economy App that lets you rent out almost anything you own, from power tools, to skis, furniture, garden equipment, you name it. How does a start up with national ambitions raise capital in a crowded and highly competitive Venture Capital market ?

Henry Kissinger died on November 29th at the age of 100. As National Security Adviser and Secretary of State for Presidents Nixon and Ford, he was one of the most consequential Secretaries of State of the 20th Century. But his work to engage China and forge a bilateral relationship with the United States is still producing results today.

Our conversation about the role of water in the human experience is timely, given COP 28 is underway in Dubai. It is the UN Climate Change Conference that runs from November 30 to December 12.

The debacle over Sam Altman's firing and quick re-hiring at OpenAI underscores the fact that AI technology and the vast resources needed to fund it knows no borders. Will English be the dominant language of AI models or will it be Chinese or Arabic ?

China's modern history has been whitewashed by the CCP to conform with the approved narrative. But a brave group of writers, filmmakers and chroniclers are using digital technology to document an accurate history of China and to spread the word.

Daniel Markey discusses his recent article in "Foreign Affairs" about India and the US' growing strategic relationship.

Has a Cold War between China and the US already begun ? And if so, how will we manage the relationship ?

The APEC Economic Leaders Week culminated in a series of events that were both policy focused and social in nature. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was showcased.

The two Presidents met at a mansion 26 miles South of San Francisco, away from the congestion and bustle of downtown San Francisco. Their meeting lasted four hours and both leaders re-iterated the importance of the bilateral relationship between America and China.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai convene the Foreign Ministers of APEC.

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen's press conference, after having met with the APEC Finance Ministers. The press conference lasted about 22 minutes and she answered five questions from Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters among other outlets.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen hosted a series of bilateral meetings on Sunday with APEC member Finance Ministers with a view to continue to align key policies. She emphasized three finance track themes: 1) the responsible development of digital assets; 2) support for effective energy transitions; 3) sustainable finance.

The San Francisco Experience Podcast will feature brief daily summaries of Conference proceedings through November 17, 2023.

The SLEI program is open to Latino owned businesses that are generating $1million in annual sales and provides the tools to scale up operations. There are three pillars of the program, research, scaling and ecosystem. Dr. Porras has over 50 years of experience with the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

He is also the co-author of the best seller, "Built to Last".

From 1750 to 1918, there was an explosion of constitutional theory and adoption of written constitutions throughout the world, often in the wake of wars. A constitution was a sign of modernity and often served to mend a fractured nation. As civil society grew and literacy increased a constitution served as a binding promise between rulers and governed, primarily men.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened a global meeting about regulating AI Safety at Bletchley Park, the iconic stately home North of London where Alan Turing led a team that cracked the German Enigma Code. 29 countries including China attended. What was accomplished ? The US, EU and China have already created their own regulatory regimes. So what was Sunak's end game ?

Xi Jinping has put politics before business in China, making it more difficult for Chinese and expat managers to run businesses in the Middle Kingdom. How will the two leaders, Biden and Xi Jinping face off at the APEC 2023 conference in San Francisco ?