Imagine a man walking down the streets of Berkeley, California, wearing nothing but trash bags and tattered clothes, with tousled hair and dirt caked all over his nearly soleless shoes... yet he has perfect posture, as if a two-by-four is strapped to his back. This tells a different story about the man. Posture can denote class, confidence, arrongance, and personality. For the singer, it is tone and correct use of the body as an instrument. For the keyboardist it is equilibrium and the ability to move in any direction with precise force at any moment. For the zen master it is attentiveness. For the boxer or tai-qi practitioner it is health, protection, and force. Whatever field, profession, or moment it is, posture plays a key role within it.

Bio of Professor Moroney: http://music.berkeley.edu/people/davitt-moroney/

Bio of Professor Zook: http://iastp.berkeley.edu/People-Detail/Darren%20Zook

Perfect Posture, False Facts, Politics of Time | UC Berkeley

Are we all just living in each other's paranoia?
If we just stop an meditate on things long enough and with an open enough mind, will we all come to the same conclusions?
What should we mean when we say someone is ignorant?
Where in your life do you see something as art where others do not? How does your art make analogous the thing that you're trying to convey to the viewer?
What if everyone in a college campus community went thorough a small violence prevention training (for rape, fights at parties, bullying, etc.) and were given some sort of certificate for it?
What is the right kind of social conditioning?
About Don Lubach and his work: http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/first-year-and-graduate-initiatives

Conditioning, Ignorance, Art and Analogy, Green Dot | UC Santa Barbara

San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame Ed Collin's speaks about his time in Cuba and how aging has affected him during this Thought Lounge Session.

More on the entire Thought Lounge Session by the Host:  "On day eighteen of eighteen of a trip to Cuba, a 69-year old man finds himself in tears inexplicably. On St. Patrick's Day, a first-year college student finds himself trapped in his car by middle-aged women dancing in the street. In times of constant war, a young woman wonders if choosing not to fight is a viable option. In times of divisive rhetoric, a father ponders the factors that define and create a meaningful community."

A Closer Look at Aging

For more information on Ryan Ratcliff visit: https://www.sandiego.edu/business/directory/biography.php?_focus=1074https://www.sandiego.edu/business/directory/biography.php?_focus=1074

Let's draw some groups of college students. Some know what they want to do and learn, and some do not. Of those that do, they pursue knowledge for beauty's sake, or perhaps to achieve something to further other life goals. Of those who do not, some know that they are at college to learn what they want to learn and do, and some have no idea why they are there. Of those who do know but know they are there to learn what they want to learn, they collect stories and experiences, travel, and cherish every new pursuit with rigor. Of those who do not know why they are there, they have almost passively arrived at college on the path of least resistance. Isn't it odd that something that you would think would take a lot of effort like applying for and being accepted to a top-tier university, is actually just the default for most?

"Everything we're forced to learn [...] we quickly forget, but the things we set out to learn ourselves — to quench a thirst — are never forgotten, and inevitably become an important part of our existence."
—Werner Herzog, Conversations with Paul Cronin

Why go to College?

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests this week are Heidi Cruise, Larry Zieger, Sten Walker, Axel Cramer, Dave Ellison, and Reza Palizban.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, "What is the closest you've come to perfect communication?"

What is Perfect Communication?

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests this week are Larry Zeiger, Axel Cramer, Dave Ellison, Sten Walker and Heidi Cruise.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, "When have you been most scared and have you recovered?"

Scariest Experience

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests this week are Axel Camer, Dave Ellison, Heidi Cruise, Larry Zeiger and, Reza Palizban.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, "Can you describe something you believe can greatly help people?"

5 Things That Will Better Our World

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests this week are Dave Ellison, Sten Walker, Axel Cramer, Larry Zeiger and Heidi Cruise   On this episode, our guests answer the question, “What are you ready to let go of?”

Things To Let Go Of

Welcome to a brand new Big Questions Series!  In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made?

Biggest Mistake Ever Made

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “What did you learn from your Father?”

What Did You Learn From Your Father

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests this week are Dave Ellison, Axel Cramer, Sten Walker, Reza Palizban and Larry Zeiger.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, "What is the toughest decision you've ever made?"

Toughest Decision

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “What do you think about when you are alone?”

Alone

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “Why is life worth or not worth living?”

Is Life Worth Living?

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “Who would you drink with?”

Who Would You Drink With?

In our Big Questions series, we invite 6 people to answer 6 big questions.  Each episode is one question.  Our guests in series 2 are: Eric Silverman, Gary McIntire, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Light, Leo Hurtado and Andy Felando.  On this episode, our guests answer the question, “What is you most hilarious life story?”

Funniest Life Story 2

Mike Dorrell, Professor of Biology at Point Loma Nazarine University discusses the intersection of science and faith.

Science and Faith

On this episode we have an excerpt from a thought lounge session with Dylan Bier on Motivating Change.

Motivating Change

Dean Nelson, Director of the Journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University and the host of the Writers Symposium by the Sea speaks on storytelling.

Storytelling

As the Thought Lounge Podcast transitions to a new era we put your ears at ease with the voice of the new host and producer of the Thought Lounge Podcast, Axel Cramer in a TL Session on the topic of the conscious use of technology.

Conscious Use of Technology

On this episode we have an excerpt from a Thought Lounge Session with Ted Miguel, a professor of Economics at UC Berkeley on the topic of climate change.

Ted earned degrees in both Economics and Mathematics from MIT and received a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University.  He was awarded the 2005 Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, and was the winner of the 2005 Kenneth J. Arrow Prize along with a slew of teaching awards.

Climate Change

On this episode we have an excerpt from a Thought Lounge Session with Sven Neth on cognitive bias. 

Sven played a key role in the early development of Thought Lounge and is currently pursuing a PhD in psychology at UC Berkeley.  

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes to be the first to listen to our latest series entitled “We Need To Talk” where we showcase different perspectives from our society, particularly less-heard, but commonly-held, on the hardest questions relevant to the present state of our society.

Cognitive Bias

Professor of cognitive science at UC Berkeley, Michael Ranney, leads a conversation on the nature of understanding as it relates to climate change. Joining him in the conversation are Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Antonio Montalbon (professor of mathematics at UC Berkeley), Clark Kellogg (professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge).
For more information on Michael's work, visit and share http://HowGlobalWarmingWorks.org.

Cognition and Climate Change

Professor of mathematics at UC Berkeley, Antonio Montalban, leads a conversation with other Berkeley professors on deciphering truth in media.

Joining him in the conversation is Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Michael Ranney (professor of cognitive science at UC Berkeley), Clark Kellogg (professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley), and Axel Cramer (founder of Thought Lounge). 

This episode was hosted by Axel Cramer. 

Please leave comments below and share on social media tagging #ThoughtLounge!

Deciphering Truth in Media

A conversation on "otherizing" and the election. How can we come together across difference? 

Conversation led by Bay Area Actress Sarah Brazier. 

Episode hosted by Thought Lounge Founder, Axel Cramer. 

Featured guests including Antonio Montalban (UC Berkeley professor of mathematics), Clark Kellogg (UC Berkeley professor of design thinking), Michael Ranney (UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge).

For more on TL Sessions, visit thoughtlounge.org/tl-sessions

"The Other" In The Election

A conversation on listening without judgment. 

Conversation led by professor of design thinking at UC Berkeley, Clark Kellogg. Joining Clark in the conversation were Antonio Montalban (UC Berkeley professor of mathematics), Sarah Brazier (Bay Area actress), Michael Ranney (UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science), and Axel Cramer (Founder of Thought Lounge). 

Episode hosted by Thought Lounge Founder, Axel Cramer.

Listening Without Judgment

We Need To Talk Series (Episode 1). The question on this week's episode was posed by Lorri Sulpizio, a professor of Leadership at USD and Founder of the Lotus Leadership Institute: 

Leadership continues to be viewed as the same thing as roles of authority (CEO, Boss, Senator), and “leadership” roles are still held predominantly by white, heterosexual, males. Why is the concept of leadership still associated so strongly with men? What will it take for us to embrace a non-masculinized view of leadership and begin to open leadership up to women? Why is the concept of leadership very white-centered? What will it take for us to fully embrace leaders of color?

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).

Bias in Leadership

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).

Feeding the Masses

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.

Prison Systems

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.

Sexual Violence

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.

Is It Moral To Be An American?

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.

Polarization In America

The Thought Lounge Podcast is an audio podcast aimed at promoting the art of in-person dialogue, sparking thought and conversation on big questions, bringing forward less-heard perspectives, and pursuing innovative ideas. 

Learn more or sign up for a TL Session at thoughtlounge.org

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