Thought Lounge Podcast

Polarization In America

This week's episode (episode 6) features a question posed by Lorri Sulpizio, an activist for women in leadership, as well as a professor of leadership at USD and the CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute, about polarization in America, answered by six diverse guests (see below): The recent election has showed a more divided and polarized America than we’ve seen in awhile. The tendency to make those with different viewpoints than us “the other” seems to be contributing to a fractured and fearful country. Is it possible to create a more unified country? What conversations are needed and how can we begin to connect with each other across difference? The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine). This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Is It Moral To Be An American?

This week's episode (episode 5) features a question posed by Brian Kim, writer for the California Magazine, about American morality, answered by six diverse guests (see below): Is it environmentally moral to be an American? How about in regards to American foreign policy? The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine). This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Sexual Violence

This week's episode (episode 4) features a question posed by Mauro Sifuentes, a Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit, about Sexual Violence, answered by six diverse guests (see below): Recent news is showing a big push to hold individuals accountable for acts of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Do you think that the degree of outrage toward these individuals is justified and will it help to prevent future harm? Or could this outrage also come from our cultural desire to punish individuals through legal and prison systems, never really getting to the roots of the problem - and what exactly are those roots? The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine). This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Prison Systems

This week's episode (episode 3) features a question posed by Justin Brooks, Director of the California Innocence Project, on prison systems, answered by six diverse guests (see below). What role, if any, should victims and their families play in the criminal justice system? Should they be allowed to testify at sentencings about the impact the crime has had on their individual lives? How do you think being a victim of a crime might change your beliefs? The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine). This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another.

Feeding the Masses

This week's episode (Episode 2) features a question posed by Stephanie Caughlin, the CEO of Seabreeze Organic Farm, about feeding the masses, answered by six diverse guests (see below): The world’s human population is expected to increase from current 7.3 billion people to 8.5 billion in 14 years. By whom and how might food be produced to feed the masses? The guests featured in this episode are Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a domestic violence nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine). This episode is part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another. We Need To Talk Series (Episode 2). The question on this week's episode was posed by . Six diverse perspectives on Feeding the Masses. Part of the We Need To Talk series: conflicting perspectives, presented side-by-side, with utmost respect for one another. Featuring Lorri Sulpizio (CEO of the Lotus Leadership Institute), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Stephanie Caughlin (CEO of Seabreaze Organic Farm), Mauro Sifuentes (Youth Program Manager at a Domestic Violence Nonprofit), and Brian Kim (writer for California Magazine).