The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good welcomes Bill Browder, who was the largest foreign investor in Russia until he was denied entry into the country in 2005 and declared a threat to national security. His crime? Exposing corruption in Russian state owned companies. He has a lot of experience dealing with Russia and particularly with Vladimir Putin. He will discuss Putin’s place on the world stage, the invasion of Ukraine, and the threat that Putin poses to the Western world order as Ukrainian defenses languish at a stalemate. 

A timely and urgent briefing with one of the foremost battle-tested and celebrated combat leaders alive today, former U.S. Army General and former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, moderated by CNN's John Berman.

Venerated negotiator and diplomat Ambassador Dennis Ross gives his important insights in conversation with Harvard-trained lawyer and CEO Richard Salomon.

An important discussion with ace Israeli and US journalists on the fallout of Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israeli citizens and Israel’s powerful response in Gaza. Nahum Barnea comes to us from Israel.

The ability of the U.S. to act to help nations who are our allies and friends at this time of their dire need should not require accepting the false choice of supporting Ukraine over Israel, or Israel over Ukraine.

Happily, a legal path exists to aid both without burdening American taxpayers any more than meeting our obligations to Israel alone would entail: Seize the frozen $325 billion in Russian bank assets and transfer them to Ukraine.

Renowned climate scientist and author of Our Fragile Moment and The New Climate War will dive into recent weather events and the latest science on predictions for climate change.

Can the News Media be Trusted? A Conversation with Media Matters President Angelo Carusone Tucker Carlson suddenly ousted from his pinacle show at Fox. Fox News corporation fined nearly $800 million dollars for spreading falsehoods on the 2020 election. Artificial intelligence undermining trust and spreading misinformation. The public’s faith in media is at record lows. Can the news media still be trusted? Is there a remedy? We’re bringing in Angelo Carusone, president of the premiere media watchdog organization Media Matters, to tell us what we need to know in an exclusive, in-person discussion. As one of the top experts monitoring the increase in fake news and misinformation, he’ll be sharing his expertise and analysis of the impact this has on our politics and our social fabric. Angelo Carusone is an expert in not only the media and newspace but in the political realm.He has been president of Media Matters since 2016 after taking over from its founder David Brock. He has pushed the nonprofit media watchdog organization to bring attention to the disturbing rise of misinformation in the news media and alt-right news sources. He has led several campaigns for “brand safety” criticizing media figures like Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly, and is former Deputy CEO of the Finance and Administration of the Democratic National Convention.

What is the impact on our nation and society? Laurence H. Tribe, one of the nation’s most distinguished constitutional experts of our time, and Judge J. Michael Luttig, one of the most respected conservative voices in the justice system, discuss the profound implications of the Court’s rulings in a conversation moderated by political and legal commentator for the Boston Globe and MSNBC Kimberly Atkins Stohr.

How does the United States and China, two of the world's most influential and powerful nations, navigate their complex relationship across economic ties, security dynamics and geopolitical competition? Join The Common Good and Stephen Roach, one of the nation’s esteemed economists, for a conversation moderated by Amb. Robert Hormats, former Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs as they unravel the complexities that define the interactions between these powerful nations at a crucial inflection point.

The head of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt discusses the rising trend of online hate speech, normalized antisemitism, and supremacist groups - and what we can do to combat it so America doesn't reach the tipping point.

The Common Good Podcast invites you to an intimate dialogue with CEO Patricia Duff and distinguished venture capitalist Alan Patricof. A trailblazer who paved the way in VC, Patricof will discuss his new book, No Red Lights, and what keeps him moving and motivated in a life well-lived.

The secrets of Mar-a-Lago:  What’s at stake with the classified government documents retrieved in the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago?  Has our national security been jeopardized?  Are our assets in the field at risk? Join the Common Good to Find out.  Please join us for an important virtual briefing with two experts from the very top of their agencies, former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and former acting Director of the CIA Mike Morell.  About the 

Speakers:  Jeh Johnson - Jeh Charles Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security, is a partner in the Paul, Weiss Litigation Department and a member of the Firm’s Management and Partnership Committees. Secretary Johnson advises clients, including management teams and boards of directors, on crisis management, government and internal investigations, high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters, and legal aspects of cybersecurity and other security matters. He is also an experienced trial lawyer, and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Secretary Johnson is on the board of directors of Lockheed Martin. Since leaving government in January 2017, Secretary Johnson has been called upon to testify before Congress on cybersecurity matters three times, and is a regular commentator on national and homeland security on ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN and numerous other outlets. He was the 2018 recipient of the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award, presented at the Reagan Presidential Library and currently serves as a member of The Common Good Honorary Advisory Board.  

 Morell -  Michael Joseph Morell is the former Acting Director and Deputy Director of the C.I.A. He worked in the C.I.A. for 33 years. Morell has received multiple awards including the CIA’s highest ranking award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. He is also a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, West Point’s Center on Combating Terrorism, and the Madison Policy Forum. Morell has served as a member of President Obama’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technology, and is currently Senior Counselor and the Global Chairman of the Geo-Political Risk Practice at Beacon Global Strategies LLC.  To RSVP for upcoming events, visit our events page at: thecommongoodus.org

We are thrilled to host Supreme Court expert Jeffrey Toobin of CNN and Washington Post political columnist, Jennifer Rubin, with our moderator, attorney and reporter, Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Recent Supreme Court decisions have upended the legal, political, and cultural landscape - and more dramatic change is certainly ahead. Join our TCG panel as they discuss the vast potential impact of this new court on privacy, personal freedoms, government regulation, reproductive rights, the environment, gun control, access to voting, and other charged issues

What makes a great leader? What qualities does it take for someone to rise up and take charge of others and guide them into a better future? These are questions that have been asked by generations of aspiring politicians, CEOs, and grassroots organizers.

Today we’re diving into what makes or breaks a leader and the journey to get there - With a nation increasingly divided, these qualities are more important than ever.

For this episode of our TCG podcast we are honored to present David Gergen, the distinguished advisor to US presidents and a professor and founder of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School. Mr. Gergen was advisor to no less than three Republican Presidents and one Democratic one. He is senior political analyst at CNN   and we awarded David our American Spirit Award for distinguished public service some years ago and today is discussing insights from his terrific new book, Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made.

Many in the country were sent into a panic in recent weeks when a draft opinion on the case involving Roe v. Wade, written by conservative Justice Alito, was leaked to the public with the conclusion that the Constitution does not protect the right to abortion. The final decision from the Supreme Court is expected any day now. Will this 49 year old ruling be thrown away? Such a decision will have major consequences for the U.S. What are the many complications and impacts for the women in states if abortion becomes illegal?

Featuring Carol Sanger, Rebecca Tong, Dr. Wendy Chavkin, Brenda Feigen, and moderated by Kimberly Atkins Stohr

In recent years the fragility of our democracy has been exposed. Founded to offer both freedom and rights, this form of governance is precious. But it’s permanence cannot be taken for granted. How do we preserve our democracy in the face of the many threats and challenges before us?     

Join us in a conversation with one of the world’s leading experts on the crisis of liberal democracy, Yascha Mounk. With his brilliant insights, many that run counter to conventional wisdom, Mounk offers an optimistic set of ideas and proposals for how our democracies can endure and thrive in spite of our differences.   

To RSVP for upcoming events, visit our events page at: thecommongoodus.org

We are thrilled to have John Della Volpe, the dynamic Director of Polling at Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics, and a top authority on understanding American youth, together with two young and inspiring leading voices of Gen Z: Santiago Mayer, political strategist and Executive Director of Voters of Tomorrow, and Jing-Jing Shen, a Harvard student studying Chemistry and Government and 2021 Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project.  Our discussion will be led by another national expert on youth, David Burstein, the CEO & Co-Founder of Run for America.

The Washington Post has referred to John Della Volpe as one of the world’s leading authorities on global opinion and influence among young people, especially Millennials. We’ll discuss their anger at the serious problems being left them, their aspirations, and how to harness their passions to create the change we need moving forward.

Coming of age at a moment of division and disinformation, these teenagers and college students have organized around issues that impact their daily lives, from gun control to climate change to racial justice.  Our youngest citizens are the most diverse and most educated in history, making them more connected to the world around them then ever before  -  and they are not afraid to disrupt the status quo. How do they engage in our democracy? What are the issues that will drive their actions and their vote?

Women’s History Museum

with

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Smithsonian’s Lisa Sasaki and others TBD

Wednesday, March 16th

5:00 pm ET

Let’s celebrate! The culmination of a years-long effort to establish a women’s history museum in Washington, DC has finally come to fruition with the passage of the Smithsonian Women’s History Act.

Every young person visiting this museum will be able to see powerful examples of the heights that women can achieve, or the sacrifices and hard work by our women forebears that help women today reach their full potential.  Young people yearn to know about the inspirational examples of the amazing women who may be featured in the Museum.

About the Speakers:

Carolyn Maloney, a representative of New York, was the first woman to Chair the Joint Economic Committee, a House and Senate panel that examines and addresses the nation’s most pressing economic issues. She is also Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Congresswoman Maloney has led the effort to create a museum dedicated to the contributions women have made throughout the history of the United States.

Lisa Sasaki is the interim director of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Prior to this, Sasaki was director of the Audience and Civic Engagement Center at the Oakland Museum of California and director of program development Japanese American National Museum.

We are thrilled to have former presidential advisor David Gergen, a political analyst from the Atlantic Ron Brownstein, former GOP communications director Tara Setmayer, and Time magazine’s national political correspondent Molly Ball, join us for an important look back at Joe Biden’s first year as president, examining the successes and failures, low points and the highlights of the administration so far. Our expert panel will discuss how America has changed under President Biden, and share their thoughts on what is to come in 2022 and beyond.

What are we likely to see from the next 3 years of the Biden Presidency? What is the outlook for 2022? Join The Common Good for a smart and substantive discussion about how Biden is doing, how it fits in the historical context, and how he can do better.

Meet top Clinton aide and advisor Huma Abedin.   

Huma Abedin has led an extraordinary life and career that has spanned positions at the White House, the Senate, and the State Department as a top aide, advisor, and close confidant to former Secretary of State, US Senator, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Although Abedin has strived to stay out of the public eye, her recent best-selling memoir Both/And shares a poignant narrative of her family background and childhood in Saudi Arabia, her tumultuous marriage to political figure Anthony Weiner, and her work for stateswoman and candidate Clinton, that led her to serve as vice-chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President of the United States and deputy chief of staff to Clinton when she was U.S. Secretary of State, among other important roles.  

Finally sharing her experiences and lessons after decades as an extremely private but elite insider in the world of politics and policy, Abedin joins The Common Good for an exclusive, members-only in-person event hosted and moderated by legendary venture capitalist Alan Patricof.

Wednesday, February 23rd

5:00-6:00pm ET

We are thrilled to have Byron Wien, Vice Chairman of Blackstone, and Joe Zidle, Managing Director and the Chief Investment Strategist at Blackstone, return together for an important and timely conversation on the economy, the markets, and political and international events that may affect your portfolio, your business or simply your peace of mind.

Join us with these renowned experts for a special forecast examining many of the unusual factors of 2022, including growing political division, the ongoing impact of Covid, and a reckoning with America’s low-wage workers.

What are we likely to see in the next few months? What surprises should we expect in 2022? Join The Common Good to find out.

Kati Marton, an acclaimed journalist and author The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel, joins The Common Good to discuss the incredible and enduring legacy of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. Moderated by former US Ambassador to Germany, John Emerson. This definitive biography details the remarkable rise and political brilliance of the most powerful—and elusive—woman in the world.

The Chancellor is at once a riveting political biography and an intimate human story of a complete outsider—a research chemist and pastor’s daughter raised in Soviet-controlled East Germany—who rose to become the unofficial leader of the West.

Russia has been amassing troops on the border with Ukraine, threatening a massive invasion. NATO and EU nations have threatened severe economic sanctions, and have moved troops and weapons into Ukraine to help the fledgling democracy's defense.  Will we see the outbreak of war in Europe? What will the effect be for the United States and our allies?  Dr. Fiona Hill, former Senior Director for Europe and Russia at the United States National Security Council, is a leading expert on Russia and international affairs. She will discuss recent developments with Russia, Kazakhstan , and Ukraine as well as her excellent book There’s Nothing For You Here.   

Moderated by Mary Boies.   

Join The Common Good for far-ranging and informative conversations.

To understand the role of American diplomacy in the Middle East, Ambassador Martin Indyk returned to the origins of America-led peace efforts and the man who created the Middle East peace process - Henry Kissinger.  Based on his research into American and Israeli archives, interviews with Kissinger, and his own years of experience as the US ambassador to Israel, Indyk’s new book, Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy, offers the key to securing stability, and with that, peace in the Middle East. 

Join The Common Good as we discuss the lessons we can take from the brilliant strategic efforts and the carefully considered steps of the past to seek more effective efforts for peace in the future. There are lessons here for diplomacy that can be employed not only in that region but in other conflicts around the world.

On January 6, 2021 our nation watched in shock as a group of rioters stormed the US Capitol, intent on disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes and formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.   What have we learned about this unprecedented event in American history?  The investigation is still ongoing but much has been uncovered about how it was planned, the people who carried it out, and some of the leaders involved in the attempt to stop the peaceful transition of power. Join The Common Good as we take a closer look at events and the grave implications of January 6th, 2021 with Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and Boston Globe reporter, Jazmine Ulloa.

Join The Common Good in a discussion with politician David Jolly, American legal scholar Martha Minow and chair of the FCC Newton Minow. Moderated by Rick Salomon.  Reserve to our other events by visiting us online at www.thecommongoodus.org

Representative Abigail Spanberger flipped a Republican district in 2018 and has taken issue with the sweep of the Biden agenda. Spanberger discusses her views on the historic infrastructure bills, the impact of dramatically rising inflation, and other hot button topics.

Letitia “Tish” James currently serves as Attorney General of New York State. She has spearheaded many important cases over her career such as the lawsuit against the NRA for fraud and corruption, the investigation into Facebook on competition and misconduct allegations against the former Governor. James recently announced her candidacy for New York State Governor in 2022. Moderated by Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion writer at The Boston Globe and MSNBC contributor.

Representative Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, and educator, is the first woman ever to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in Congress. In 2018, Houlahan flipped the district blue, which had previously been held by a Republican for over two decades.  

Join us to hear her thoughts on the historic infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better legislation as they churn through Congress as well as her other legislative priorities. Moderated by Kay Koplovitz.

Meet New York State Governor Kathy Hochul! As you know, Governor Hochul took office this summer making history as the first female Governor of New York.

The Common Good is joined for a special discussion with Former Clinton White House Lawyer and author Gary Ginsberg about presidential friendships and the unlikely people who served as close confidants to our nation’s leaders. Moderated by legendary venture capital investor Alan Patricof.

Alvin Bragg has spent the better part of two decades in the courtroom, standing up to the powerful and fighting to get justice. He served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General in New York State where he oversaw some of the office’s biggest cases, including suing Harvey Weinstein and his company for the existence of a hostile work environment; challenging the Trump administration over the census; and bringing significant criminal charges in bribery, securities fraud, and Medicaid fraud.

He is now running for Manhattan District Attorney. Join The Common Good to learn more about Bragg’s impressive record and his plans for the district, moderated by City & State publisher Tom Allon.

The durability of Roe vs. Wade has perhaps never been more at risk than it is today. Texas’ new abortion, which effectively bans most abortions, deputizes private citizens to sue those involved in performing abortions and offers a financial incentive for them to do so. Because SCOTUS declined to prevent this bounty system from taking shape in America’s second most populous state, lawmakers and executives in at least seven other states have said they are considering similar statutes. What does the future of Roe vs. Wade look in America, and what can be done to combat these draconian laws? The future of Roe v Wade with Wendy Davis. Moderated by legal expert Kimberly Atkins Stohr.

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the whistleblower behind Donald Trump’s infamous impeachment trial, is regarded as an American hero. His lifelong dedication to bravery began as an immigrant from the Soviet Union, to his service in the US Army, his rise to National Security Council Director of European Affairs, and eventually deputy assistant to the president. It was in this position that he felt it was his duty to report the phone call that would go down in history. Vindman’s memoir, “Here, Right Matters” delves into his personal and professional life leading up to today. The Common Good welcomes the Lt. Col. back to speak on his life of service.

Join The Common Good with Dr. William Haseltine to discuss Covid-19, where we are and where we’re going. Moderated by Honorary Advisory Board Member, Susan Del Percio.

20 Years, 2 Trillion dollars and countless lives - was it finally time to leave Afghanistan? Join The Common Good as we explore the consequences -humanitarian, security, political - of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan with  Ambassador Peter Galbraith, the Honorable Mike Rogers, and Captain Matt Zeller. Moderated by Felicia Taylor.

There is perhaps no greater authority on policing in America than Bill Bratton. But Bill Bratton is not only an expert on policing, he was also in the key position to assist in combating terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent terror threats in New York and Los Angeles.  

Join The Common Good as Ken Auletta, best-selling author extraordinaire and famed columnist for The New Yorker, leads a conversation with Commissioner Bratton on Bratton’s new book, “The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America” as a jumping off point.  

We’ll look at Bratton’s extraordinary career, how policing has changed (for good and bad) over the years, and get his thoughts on national security more generally.  Bratton was known for improving community relations with the police and significantly reducing crime rates. How did he do it? Can we do it again?  With crime rates rising, particularly violent crime, we need to know. Don’t miss this essential conversation.  

During a 46-year career in law enforcement Bill Bratton, ever results-driven, instituted progressive change while leading six police departments, including seven years as Chief of the Boston and Los Angeles Police Departments and two nonconsecutive terms as the Police Commissioner of the City of New York. He is the only person ever to lead the police agencies of America’s two largest cities. In the words of our Honorary Advisory Board member and former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Bill Bratton is “America’s police commissioner.”

The Common Good sits down with Representative Elissa Slotkin. Moderated by Jane Harman.

How has the American economy evolved over time and is our unique brand of capitalism still the envy of the world? Well, we are still one of the richest countries in the world, with the largest economy and some of the most dynamic, innovative companies, but there have certainly been growing pains - extreme inequality, waning upward mobility, and decreasing competitiveness. So how did we get here and what lessons can be learned from our past?   Zachary Karabell has some thoughts.  Author, commentator, investor and all-around renaissance man, Karabell tells the story of money and power in the United States, using Brown Brothers Harriman, the oldest private bank in America, as his lens and narrative arc. Present at the creation of the post-World War II international system, BBH’s fingerprints can be found on many of the major economic developments of the 20th century. Karabell also acknowledges a particular model of capitalism that BBH came to define and inhabit that he believes to be a more constructive version than the current publicly traded shareholder variant, where gains are privatized and losses socialized. Conversely, BBH’s model in 1800 and today is that of a private partnership - the risk is theirs and so are the rewards. At its core, this is a story of capitalism and how its evolution shaped America.   We can think of no better moderator to lead this sweeping conversation than historian and TCG Honorary board member, Douglas Brinkley.   Zach and Doug will explore the history of American power and capitalism, offering, if not a lesson, an example of a more responsible, restrained, and perhaps gentler version of capitalism for today and the future.

Representative Porter is undoubtedly a rising star in the Democratic party. Join The Common Good for our Rising Leaders Series: Meet Representative Katie Porter (D-CA). Moderated by Tom Rogers.

Voting rights around the country are being severely curtailed. In fact, according to the Brennan Center, as of March 24, legislators have introduced 361 bills with restrictive provisions in 47 states. That’s 108 more than the 253 restrictive bills tallied as of February 19, 2021 — a 43 percent increase in little more than a month. With instances of voter fraud virtually nonexistent, the rationale for much of this legislation is dubious at best. Voting rights shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

Join The Common Good and experts, Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, Carol Anderson, author and Chair of African American Studies at Emory University, and David Litt, author and former speechwriter to President Obama.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, "domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal, persistent terrorism-related threat to our homeland today." Join our stellar group as they discuss this metastasizing threat, and what can be done to fight it. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, ADL Vice President Oren Segal, and national security and terrorism experts, Professor Robert Pape and former FBI agent Michael German.

The Common Good presents Immigration within the United States with President of the Migration Policy Institute Andrew Selee and national immigration correspondent for the New York Times, Miriam Jordan. Moderated by immigration reporter Dara Lind.

The Common Good presents  a top-tier line up with Anita Dunn, Senior Advisor to the White House;  David Frum, bestselling author, writer for The Atlantic, and former speechwriter for Pres. George W.  Bush; and to lead the conversation, TCG is proud to have revered presidential historian and member of our Honorary Advisory Board, Douglas Brinkley. We’ll look at Joe Biden’s Presidency and the state of American politics from the left and the right, with an eye towards the future that’s informed by the past.

The Common Good New York City Mayoral Series presents a Conversation with candidate Shaun Donovan about his race. Moderated by Kathryn Wylde.

Four years ago, Clint Watts warned us that the Kremlin misinformation and online manipulation playbooks were warping American politics so effectively that they would be adopted by authoritarians, dark political campaigns, and unregulated corporations. Hear from two experts in national and cyber security on right he was, and what we can do to change it. Moderated by Honorary Board Member Hon. Jane Harman

The Common Good’s New York City Mayoral Speaker Series presents a Conversation with candidate Ray McGuire about his candidacy.