Policy Chats

UCR School of Public Policy
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Policy Chats

Join us for chats with various voices in the public policy world about today's most pressing societal issues. This podcast is a production of the School of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside.

  1. Bridging Policy Gaps with Inclusive Data w/ Candice Mays

    5 DAYS AGO

    Bridging Policy Gaps with Inclusive Data w/ Candice Mays

    In this episode, Director of Mapping Black California, Candice Mays talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the availability of comprehensive data, how gaps in population data impact policy, and the critical role data plays in shaping informed, equitable policies. Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside About Candice Mays: Candice Mays serves as Mapping Black California’s Project Director. Alongside a diverse professional background in grassroots nonprofit organization management, development, and grant making, she spent three years as a literacy teacher with the New York City Department of Education after receiving her M.A. in English Education from New York University. Her time as a public school educator inspired her pursuit of an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Fiction at the University of Miami where was a Michener Teaching Fellow and a M.F.A. Summer Award winner. Her research experience includes conducting cultural and historical analysis of Louisiana Creoles reflecting the content of her fiction which critically examines multi-cultural, African American existence in non-inclusive spaces. Having returned to Southern California and her beloved Riverside County, Candice seeks to humanize GIS by mining narratives from data on all things  historical, Californian, and most importantly, Black. Learn more about Candice Mays via https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-mays-a7382b8 Interviewer: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Music by: Vir Sinha This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠⁠⁠  Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠⁠⁠.

    43 min
  2. The Role of Strong CIOs in Modern Government w/ John Thomas Flynn & Lloyd Levine (Technology vs. Government Ep. 2)

    NOV 9

    The Role of Strong CIOs in Modern Government w/ John Thomas Flynn & Lloyd Levine (Technology vs. Government Ep. 2)

    In this episode, John Thomas Flynn, Former CIO for the States of California and Massachusetts talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about government's current challenges regarding technology implementation and utilization. This is the second episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside About John Thomas Flynn: John Thomas Flynn is MeriTalk’s Senior Advisor for Government Programs. He was the first Chief Information Officer for both the State of California and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). He was also a White House appointee in the Reagan and G.H.W. Bush administrations. Learn more about John Thomas Flynn via https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtflynn/details/experience/ Interviewer: Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow) Music by: Vir Sinha Commercial Links:⁠ https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠ ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠  Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

    1h 7m

  3. NOV 8

    Is Gov. Keeping Up? The Digital Lag w/ Jennifer Pahlka & Lloyd Levine (Technology vs. Government Ep. 1)

    In this episode, Author of Recoding America, Jennifer Pahlka, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about government's current challenges regarding technology implementation and utilization. This is the first episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside About Jennifer Pahlka: Jennifer Pahlka is a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists and a senior advisor to the Abundance Network. She founded Code for America in 2010 and led the organization for ten years. In 2013, she took a leave of absence to serve as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama and helped found the U.S. Digital Service. She served on the Defense Innovation Board, started by the late Ash Carter, under Presidents Obama and Trump. At the start of the pandemic, she also co-founded U.S. Digital Response, which helps government meet the needs of the public with volunteer tech support. She has received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and was named by Wired as one of the 25 people who has most shaped the past 25 years. She serves on the boards of US Digital Response, America’s Frontier Fund, and the Volcker Alliance. Learn more about Jennifer Pahlka via https://www.jenniferpahlka.com/ Interviewers: Lloyd Levine (Former California State Assemblymember, UCR School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow) Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) LINK YOUTUBE-ANCHOR Music by: Vir Sinha Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/  Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

    1h 9m
  4. Climate Justice from an Intersectional Perspective w/ Osprey Orielle Lake, Exec. Dir. of WECAN

    NOV 1

    Climate Justice from an Intersectional Perspective w/ Osprey Orielle Lake, Exec. Dir. of WECAN

    In this episode, Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey Orielle Lake, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about shifting the narrative on international climate justice using a feminist lens.  Thank you so much to our generous sponsor for this episode, the Wall Street Journal. Activate your free school-sponsored subscription today at: WSJ.com/UCRiverside About Osprey Orielle Lake: Osprey Orielle Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, working nationally and internationally with grassroots and frontline women leaders, policy-makers, and diverse coalitions to build women's leadership, climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean energy future. Osprey is the Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations, and actively leads WECAN International's projects — from various trainings and work to shift the narrative on climate justice using a feminist lens, to engagements at United Nations climate conferences — from frontline delegations, to campaigns such as the 'Women for Forests' program. Osprey was the visionary behind the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit, which brought together 100 global women leaders to draft and implement a 'Women’s Climate Action Agenda', and co-founded the International Women’s Earth and Climate Initiative (IWECI), the precursor initiative of WECAN International. Learn more about Osprey Orielle Lake via https://www.linkedin.com/in/osprey-orielle-lake-4286bb12 Interviewer: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Watch the video version via: https://youtu.be/c1TtUF1lm3E Music by: Vir Sinha This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠  Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

    44 min
  5. WRCOG Exec. Dir. Kurt Wilson: State and Regional Perspectives on California’s Criminal Legal System

    OCT 18

    WRCOG Exec. Dir. Kurt Wilson: State and Regional Perspectives on California’s Criminal Legal System

    In this episode, Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments Kurt Wilson talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about community development, disproportionate minority contact deficiencies within the criminal legal system, and regional governance and collaboration.    About Kurt Wilson: Dr. Kurt Wilson serves as the Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), bringing over 25 years of local government leadership experience. A native of the Inland Empire, Dr. Wilson has held senior management roles in five cities across the West Coast and served in both state and federal capacities, including two gubernatorial appointments from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His career highlights include guiding the City of Stockton through a financial recovery from bankruptcy to becoming one of the most fiscally healthy large cities in the U.S. Dr. Wilson is also an educator, teaching courses in public policy and government operations, and has held leadership roles such as Vice President of the California affiliate of the International City and County Management Association.  Learn more about Kurt Wilson via https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-wilson/ Podcast Highlights: "There was a time in our history... that once someone is convicted of doing something, we sort of throw them away... and then when they come out, having been in that environment, we're somehow surprised that things didn't get better." -       Kurt Wilson on the topic of the evolution of reintegration processes into society, post-incarceration.  "A lot of equity efforts fail because they're presented in a way where there's a clear winner and subsequently a clear loser. The person who feels as if they're being attacked, or that they're likely to lose is inherently going to push back. We see that in issues of race, we see that in issues of policing, all of our social issues, it's a very similar theme where we're not starting from the same place. By understanding that from the get-go, you're able to come up with some concepts to make a little bit more sense." -       Kurt Wilson on the topic of equity efforts and how framing can affect public perception of key issues.   Guest: Kurt Wilson (Executive Director, Western Riverside Council of Governments) Interviewers: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Esa Hasan (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

    35 min
  6. UN Sr. Policy Advisor Manav Sachdeva: International Policy, From Conflict to Stability

    MAY 31

    UN Sr. Policy Advisor Manav Sachdeva: International Policy, From Conflict to Stability

    In this episode, United Nations Senior Policy Advisor Manav Sachdeva talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about his insights from his decorated career in international policy and how he works to help countries navigate from conflict to stability.   About Manav Sachdeva: Manav Sachdeva is a senior policy advisor and emergency expert personnel deployed at short notice for the United Nations Development Programme. He has worked for the UN and UNDP in several capacities since 2007 including as programme specialist for Asia Pacific and Arab States, Development consultant, senior advisor to Afghanistan UNWOMEN, and as a proposal writing consultant for UNDP Somalia. Manav’s cross-border cooperation and peace/stabilization missions have included, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, Liberia, and Kosovo. He holds a graduate degree in Economic Development and State/Society structural relations from Columbia University and academic research experience with Harvard University. Podcast Highlights:   “The more you get knowledge of places on the ground, [and] the more you [hear] the stories about them, [you learn that they don't] have control over their own narrative... they have a whole set of issues that have not been listened to." -       Manav Sachedva on the topic of the importance of giving people the space to tell their own stories so they can advocate for what their communities need, especially in the Global South. “There are layers of suffering and we need to... listen. So the main thing I find in transition [from conflict to stability] is the mistakes we make when we don't listen…there is a cost to not listen in this line of work” -       Manav Sachedva on the topic of the importance of intentionality and learning from the locals when helping areas transition from times of conflict to stability.   “We did a project and we dug a well where we didn't even check if the ground were levels were good enough - people do silly things out of hubris. So, check yourself a little bit because if you do it with humility you will have such a happy life." -       Manav Sachedva on a project he worked on in Afghanistan and the value of maintaining humility when trying to help others.  Guest: Manav Sachdeva (United Nations Senior Policy Advisor)  Interviewers: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador) Dinara Godage (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)  Music by: C Codaine ⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase⁠ Commercial Links:⁠ https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp⁠⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp⁠  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/⁠  Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via ⁠https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast⁠.

    33 min
  7. Panel: The Intersection of Mental Health and Criminal Justice

    APR 17

    Panel: The Intersection of Mental Health and Criminal Justice

    In this episode, Judge Magdalena Cohen, Jennifer Bender, Eric Stopher, Deborah Johnson, and Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (or CARE) Act and the intersection of mental health and criminal justice in California.   Podcast Highlights: “We do what we can to make sure that coming out of an inpatient setting, that person is prioritized, to receive the services that they need, including medication. We have a whole host of outpatient clinics from the city of Riverside all the way to Blythe, and so really we try to work with that individual to provide them with the best of their needs. And it's individualized, whatever it's going to take… to keep that person stable in the community.” -       Deborah Johnson on the topic of ensuring that care is provided to individuals beyond hospitalization, helping ease them with their transition. “It's a policy thing that has to be looked at, is how are we going to plan for those housing issues [that are so prevalent in California], not only in Care Courts, but in any other program that the state wants to have the counties look at, and even with LPS. And I think that that's not a problem, but something that Riverside is not unique to, but it's certainly more unique than some of the other larger counties in California.” -       Eric Stopher on the topic of how Riverside County is preparing to provide housing amidst a state housing shortage.  “Even though there are a range of services available, some of the limiting factors are having enough providers to be able to offer services to everyone who might need [them]. There's a lot of variation from county to county with respect to the resources that are available, meaning that a lot of times it feels like access to mental health services can really be determined by the zip code that you live in.” -       Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday on the topic of geographic barriers to resources.  Guests: Judge Magdalena Cohen (Judge, Riverside Superior Court) Jennifer Bender (Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Public Defender’s Office) Eric Stopher (Deputy County Counsel, County of Riverside) Deborah Johnson (Director of Innovation/Integration, Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health) Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday (Senior Behavioral Scientist; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School)  Interviewer: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador)  Music by: C Codainehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/PhaseCommercial Links:spp-ikhrata.eventbrite.com bit.ly/spp-ikhratahttps://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

    52 min
  8. Asm. Sabrina Cervantes: Voting and Campaign Transparency

    MAR 11

    Asm. Sabrina Cervantes: Voting and Campaign Transparency

    In this episode, California State Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about election policies and civic engagement.   About Sabrina Cervantes: Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes was elected in November 2016 and represents California’s 58th Assembly District. Assemblymember Cervantes earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and completed an executive education program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She currently serves as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, leading a record-breaking 35 legislative members, which also includes a historic number of 21 Latinas. The first Latina Millennial elected to the State Assembly, she is currently a member of the Human Rights Campaign and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of California, Riverside (UCR) School of Public Policy.  Learn more about Sabrina Cervantes via https://a58.asmdc.org/biography  Podcast Highlights:   “One thing that I have  learned, being the first Latina millennial to represent us here in the legislature... [is that] bringing these experiences to these positions of power and advocacy and having a seat at the table, that's what drives good public policy, that we each have something to bring to the table. No matter your background, no matter your experience, that's what makes the difference in the future of our communities.” -      Sabrina Cervantes on how diverse individual experiences drive good public policy.  “In 2021, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted by a vote of 4 to 1 to adopt a Supervisorial district map for the 2020 round of redistricting that was really fraught with a lot of controversy. Many individuals, organizations, and elected leaders really noted that it fractured the Latino community within our county. That means it dilutes the Latino voting power and their capacity to elect a representative of their choice. And so this failure to protect voting rights and comply with state and federal law underscores the need for an independent redistricting commission to draw fair maps for Riverside County. That is why we got to work on AB 1307 [to allow] truly independent and unbiased citizens who are empowered to draw supervisorial districts for Riverside County.” -       Sabrina Cervantes on the importance of electing an independent citizen’s redistricting board for Riverside County. “Even in these positions of power as a woman of color and just a minority, we are still not the majority. When I step into rooms, oftentimes I'm still the only woman or woman of color, whether that's locally or whether that's in Sacramento. And we are changing that paradigm by electing more women and people of all different backgrounds. And I just really always encourage folks to lean in with the experiences that you bring to create that positive change and that ripple effect that will come with it.” -       Sabrina Cervantes on increasing diversity within the elected representatives.  Guest: Sabrina Cervantes (California State Assemblymember)  Interviewers: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Vice Chief Ambassador) Joseph Anastacio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador)  Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/57h7hjkC6ME Music by: C Codainehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/PhaseCommercial Links: https://bit.ly/spp-homeless-aid https://www.scipolsymposium.org/ https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

    31 min
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About

Join us for chats with various voices in the public policy world about today's most pressing societal issues. This podcast is a production of the School of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside.

Information

  • Creator
    UCR School of Public Policy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © UCR School of Public Policy
  • Show Website
    Policy Chats

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