CIIS Public Programs

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.

Journalist Celeste Headlee is joined by CIIS professor Zara Zimbardo to discuss ways to have meaningful conversations in a politically and socially polarized time.

CIIS professor Sergio Rodriguez-Castillo examines why it makes sense to invite spirituality into the workplace, and how to do it.

In this episode integrative health pioneer Deepak Chopra explores practical ways to experience higher consciousness, transformation, and healing.

In this episode, author Joy DeGruy is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Denise Boston to explore how trans-generational trauma and systems of oppression have influenced race relations in America today.

In this episode, journalist and poet Minal Hajratwala draws from the realms of creativity and politicized somatics to talk about migration and the body. This event was part of the Haresh and Joan Shah Lecture and Performance Series.

Author Ijeoma Oluo is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Denise Boston. They explore Ijeoma’s new book, So You Want To Talk About Race, and examine the racial landscape in America today.

In this episode, author and coder Ellen Ullman is joined in conversation by CIIS writing professor, Carolyn Cooke, to explore the transformation of society through the rise of the internet.

In this episode, historian and author Leslie Berlin is joined in conversation by hacker and inventor Mitch Altman to explore how hippies and hackers built the largest center for innovation in the history of the planet - and why it can’t be replicated elsewhere.

In this episode, Artificial Intelligence scientist and buddhist teacher Nikki Mirghafori and computer scientist Steve Omohundro discuss how the concept of karma can guide us as we push forward towards creating non-human intelligence.

Alexis Okeowo, a writer for the New Yorker, is joined in conversation by Mimi Lok from Voice of Witness to discuss the stories of ordinary people fighting extremism in Africa.

In this episode, artist, creative coder, and researcher, Roopa Vasudevan explores what technology and data can teach us about ourselves. This event was part of the Haresh and Joan Shah Lecture and Performance Series.

Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who challenged Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, is joined by CIIS faculty May Elawar for a conversation about what an American looks like and what being a nation of immigrants really means.

In this episode, integral teaching expert and CIIS Provost Liz Beaven shares ideas for changes to traditional education that can better prepare our children for the future. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Pioneering Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Magdalena Yesil came to the United States in 1976 with two suitcases and $43, unaware of the challenges she would face as an immigrant woman. In this episode, Magdalena is joined by CIIS professor Sara Salazar for a conversation about her life and the lessons she learned breaking glass ceilings to rise to the top in Silicon Valley and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Yalom is joined in a conversation with CIIS core faculty Barbara Morrill about his life, his work, and the profound power of self-reflection.

Join San Francisco poet Brynn Saito for a conversation with Layli Long Soldier about her journey creating her latest collection of poetry WHEREAS, which she wrote as a response to the congressional resolution “Apology to Native Peoples.”

Journalist and author Sasha Abramsky is joined by CIIS professor Andrej Grubacic in this conversation about America's most dangerous epidemic: irrational fear.

In this conversation with CIIS professor Rachael Vaughan, award-winning neuroscientist Matthew Walker reveals his groundbreaking exploration of sleep, explaining how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better.

Indie game developer turned social activist Zoë Quinn is joined by CIIS faculty Zara Zimbardo for a rare public conversation about her experience at the center of the Gamergate controversy and her journey to overcome it by working to make the internet a better, safer place for everyone.

In this episode, CIIS faculty Andrej Grubacic uncovers the relatively unknown history of exiles and activists and their impact on the past and future of the capitalist civilization. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

In this conversation with Steven Tierney, Professor of Community Mental at CIIS, Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Wright shares his journey exploring psychology, philosophy, and meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.

Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokno is joined by artist and activist Jadelynn Stahl for a conversation about how to triumph in the new political and social landscape.

Authors Sean Kelly, Sam Mickey, and Adam Robbert are joined by public radio journalist and CIIS grad Kat Snow in a conversation about ecology as a connective science and its impact on our society.

This episode features Brewster Kahle, Digital Librarian and founder of the Internet Archive, and Wikimedia Foundation Creative Director Heather Walls in conversation about the Internet and how its systems exhibit impermanence as well as permanence over time.

Award-winning author and scholar David George Haskell is joined by CIIS professor Elizabeth Allison for a conversation about nature's most magnificent net workers.

Richard Tarnas, founding director of the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at CIIS, shares historical and present day correlations between planetary movements and the archetypal patterns during the Summer of Love.

Author and journalist Jo Piazza is joined in conversation by CIIS professor Nicolle Zapien to explore wedding and marriage rituals, customs, and traditions throughout the world.

In this episode, robotics engineer turned consciousness hacker Mikey Siegel is joined in conversation by Alexander Reben, an artist and roboticist. The two discuss the ethical implications of recent developments in artificial intelligence and technology.

Author and psychologist Shefali Tsabary is joined in conversation by Dean of Alumni Richard Buggs to explore the ways we unconsciously pass on psychological pain to our children.

In this episode, CIIS faculty Christine Brooks examines how nurturing our social networks increases our health and wellbeing. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Author and physician Gabor Maté is joined in conversation by CIIS Professor Meg Jordan to explore his life and work in trauma and addiction.

Science journalist Amina Khan is joined in conversation by curator Arianne Gelardin to discuss what nature can teach us about sustainable technology and innovation.

Poet and author Tyler Knott Gregson is joined in conversation by CIIS’s Director of the Center for Writing and Scholarship Brynn Saito to discuss poetry and the creative process.

Author and psychologist Harriet Lerner is joined in conversation by CIIS faculty member Barbara Morrill to explore what makes a good apology, and why they're so important.

Baratunde Thurston of The Onion and The Daily Show is joined in conversation by actor and director Rotimi Agbabiaka to discuss comedy, race, technology, politics, and everything in between.

CIIS faculty member and Expressive Arts Therapist Danielle Drake examines how communities who engage in creative processes can inspire social change. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Author and therapist Kate Levinson is joined in conversation with CIIS’s Kelly Kelly to discuss the intersection of money, business, and gender.

In this episode, ICU doctor and palliative care expert Dr. Jessica Zitter is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Alumni Richard Buggs to discuss her drive to help patients find a better path to the end of life.

Spiritual teacher and Vedic scholar Acharya Shunya is joined in conversation by CIIS Professor Debashish Banerji to discuss health and consciousness through Ayurveda lifestyle principles.

CIIS’s Natalie Metz explores the potential that psychedelics hold for the future of medicine.

Spiritual teacher and author Adyashanti discusses his belief that there are two spiritual instincts that reside deep within everyone.

CIIS Professor and creativity researcher Alfonso Montuori shares his 25 years of explorations in the field, illustrating the emerging face of the new creativity. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Self compassion researcher Kristin Neff joins CIIS faculty Michael Klein to examine how self compassion can lower anxiety and depression, and support more satisfying relationships.

Co-founders of the performance company Curious, Leslie Hill and Helen Paris, are joined in conversation by CIIS Visiting Faculty Ryan Tacata to talk about their work. This event was part of the Dancing with the So Called Dead Festival, a collaboration with the MFA Program in Theatre-Performance Making and The Arts @ CIIS.

Author and researcher David Levy joins CIIS Professor Sergio Rodriguez-Castillo to explore how we might move between the "fast world" of tech and the "slow world" of contemplation.

Indigenous scholar and activist Melissa Nelson and Zen teacher Wendy Johnson discuss ecological knowledge and how to listen to the land.