Our American Discourse, Ep. 12: The Great American Housing Finance System and the Role of the Federal Government
Housing is local, but money is global. What is the best way to allocate our resources toward housing affordability? In this episode, our resident housing finance expert Richard K. Green will walk us step-by-step through these winding routes we’ve constructed to access the American dream.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 11: Transit-Oriented Development
People are moving back into the cities, and cities are once again building the things that people want. But where should they go? In this episode, we define, describe, and debate “transit-oriented development” with Seva Rodnyansky.
Our Editorial in the New York Times: "We Stand For Access"
As a member of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, I'm proud to add my name to this letter to the editor in the New York Times.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 9: Build, Baby, Build! Make the City Affordable Again
What if the city’s rental affordability crisis were in your hands? Would you do something about it? In this episode, we get down to the grassroots of housing advocacy with Sonja Trauss.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 8: Who's Really in Charge? Government Bureaucracy Under Attack
The people who run our government from day to day aren’t the ones you voted for. They’re the bureaucracy, and the very survival of our democracy depends on them. In this episode, William Resh is their voice, and we would be wise to listen.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 7: Citizens Can't Get No Satisfaction
Americans are fed up. The government is not living up to their expectations. Trust is deteriorating every year. In this episode, we question these perceptions -- and the solutions they imply -- with Gregg Van Ryzin.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 6: Federalism and the Battle for Partisan Power
Our legislators don’t always do what they say, but they do have a strategy to design and implement our laws. It turns out that federalism is ground zero in their battle for partisan power -- and now we finally know how the game is being played. In this episode, we go behind-the-scenes with the researcher who uncovered these terms of engagement, Pamela Clouser McCann.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 5: The Art of Leadership in Precarious Times
Negativity, disrespect, and divisiveness seem to be the order of the day. Is good leadership dead? In this episode, we get a more realistic take on leadership from the contrarian guru Rob Asghar.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 4: The Ethics of Governing
Planners and policymakers have to balance competing needs, never more so than in today’s polarized environment. How do they do the right thing? In this episode, we find sagacity and even humor in the hard work of ethical governing with Lisa Schweitzer.
Turning the Corner: Progress Is Not Dead, Trump Is Not the Future
The voters of Los Angeles have taken a stand — and the world should pay heed.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 3: Good Governance and the Democratic Process
Our political institutions are under attack. Power has been concentrated, and minority rights have been threatened. What shall become of our constitutional system? In this episode, we navigate this treacherous onslaught with Dean Jack Knott.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 2: Migrant Entrepreneurs
Immigrants can transform developing nations and spur economic growth with their entrepreneurship. In this episode, we explore these transformative individuals with Jennifer Brinkerhoff.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 1: The Affordable Housing Crisis
Great knowledge need not whither on the academic vine. We bring you the smartest minds from the University of Southern California and beyond, wrestling with the defining challenges of our time. In their research, we find wisdom. In their voice, hope.
Listen to My New Podcast on "White Trash"!
The Bedrosian Center at USC hosts a monthly "Book Club" podcast, and this month they invited me to join them to discuss Nancy Isenberg's new book "White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America."
Just When We Need It Most, Film Speaks to Us with the Voice of Progress and Poetry
Proud to announce the video-on-demand release of my new film, "Lazy Eye," after a long successful run on the festival circuit!
Letter to a Trump Supporter #9: Donald Trump's Character
This is the ninth and last in my series of “Letters to a Trump Supporter,” from correspondence with a family friend who supports Mr. Trump. Yesterday, I addressed Hillary Clinton’s character. Today, I will address Donald Trump’s.
Letter to a Trump Supporter #8: Hillary Clinton's Character
This is the eighth in my series of “Letters to a Trump Supporter,” from correspondence with a family friend who supports Mr. Trump. He sent me a series of “debate questions“ that Rush Limbaugh wanted to ask Secretary Clinton, along with a couple other conspiracy theories that are floating around the Internet. This was my response.
Watch My New Talk on the Social Determinants of Health!
Last month, I was invited to speak at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine about historical examples of sustainable financing institutions to improve population health. This is the video of my talk.
Letter to a Trump Supporter #7: Black Lives Matter
This is the seventh in my series of “Letters to a Trump Supporter,” from correspondence with a family friend who supports Mr. Trump. Continuing our conversation about race, he sent me a video about Black Lives Matter. Below is my response.