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Let's Find Common Ground

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Rating
★★★★★
4.6
from
43 reviews
This podcast has
269 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2020/05/01
Latest episode
2026/10/14
Average duration
68 min.
Release period
22 days

Description

The Bully Pulpit has merged with the Let's Find Common Ground podcast. As the tone of public discourse becomes increasingly angry and divisive, Let's Find Common Ground offers a healing path to reaching agreement and moving forward. At the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, we bring together top Republicans and Democrats to transcend partisan divisions and explore solutions to our most pressing national and global challenges. Join veteran strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy along with other Center staff and major voices for fun conversations that advance civil dialogue and practical politics. The conversations go behind the curtain with elected officials, campaign staff, journalists, academics, pundits, and political operatives. Every exchange is guided by standards central to the Center's mission: Respect each other and respect the truth. Opponents are adversaries, not enemies. And if you lose, don't burn down the stadium.

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Presidents and Civility
2026/10/14
CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Fred Ryan, Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Center on Civility and Democracy, for a discussion on the state of American political discourse. They discuss presidential leadership and the role of civility in American democracy.   Featuring: - Fred Ryan: Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Center on Civility and Democracy, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Co-Founder of Politico, former Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
Education Reform: What's Working and What's Not?
2026/09/22
CPF Director Bob Shrum joins education experts Amy McIntosh, Pedro Noguera, and Marshall Tuck for a discussion on the state of American education. They discuss which education reforms are working, and which ones are not, the state of our K-12 education, charter schools, and public education spending. This conversation is part of CPF's Jeff and Sue White Dialogue Series.   Featuring: - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Pedro Noguera: Dean, USC Rossier School of Education - Marshall Tuck: CEO, EdVoice; Former CEO, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools; Former President, Green Dot Public Schools - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife We are immensely grateful to Jeff and Sue White for making this and other programming possible, and for contributing their insights as well as their constant support of the Center.
Midterm Tsunami? A Conversation with Fall 2026 CPF Fellows
2026/09/12
CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join Fall 2026 CPF Fellows, Michael Donilon, Julianna Goldman, Mike Madrid, Amy McIntosh, Claudine Schneider, and Jeffrey Toobin, for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.   Featuring: - Mike Donilon: Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Julianna Goldman: Former White House Correspondent, Bloomberg & CBS News; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Mike Madrid: Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island); Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Jeffrey Toobin: Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of The Nine and The Run of His Life; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife - Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future
Climate Forward 2026: "Is There A Republican Way Forward?"
2026/05/08
CPF Director Bob Shrum talks with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) about climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.   Featuring: - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-RI) - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
Climate Forward 2026: "Can States And Cities Lead On Climate?"
2026/05/08
Former California Senator Martha Escutia talks with Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discuss the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California's role as a leader in climate change. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Mary Nichols: Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board - Alex Nieves: Climate Reporter, POLITICO - Nancy Sutley: Deputy Mayor and CSO, Los Angeles - Martha Escutia: Former California State Senator and Assemblymember; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Climate Forward 2026: "Opening Plenary with Former EPA Administrator Regan"
2026/05/08
CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference features a talk with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai and Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discuss the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administration, and how politics impact climate action. This conference is in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Michael S. Regan: 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Joe Árvai: Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
Can You Really Say That? A Conversation with Former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson
2026/04/14
CPF and the USC Open Dialogue Project host a conversation on free speech in the United States with former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson. They discuss free speech law, misconceptions, and how First Amendment conflicts shape politics, the courts, and civil liberties. This conversation is in partnership with Voices for Liberty, USC Gould School of Law, USC Heterodox Academy, USC Price School of Public Policy, and the USC Open Dialogue Project.   Featuring: - Nadine Strossen: Former President, ACLU; Professor, New York Law School - Franita Tolson: Dean, USC Gould School of Law; Former Election Law Analyst, CNN - Andrew T. Guzman: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, USC
California at 175 Conference: "First in Taxes, First in Results?"
2026/03/20
Former Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin moderates a conversation with political experts David Crane, Bob Hertzberg, and Richard Leib on how California's tax structure compares nationally. They discuss whether the state's high revenue levels translate into effective public and private outcomes, and what reforms could better align fiscal policy with performance. CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan gives closing remarks. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute.   Featuring: -David Crane: Co-Founder and President, Govern for California -Bob Hertzberg: Former Speaker, California State Assembly; Former Majority Leader, California State Senate -Richard Leib: Chair, Board of UC Regents; President and CEO, Dunleer Strategies -Ron Galperin: Former Controller, City of Los Angeles; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future
California at 175 Conference: "The Trends That Turned California from Red to Blue"
2026/03/20
POLITICO's Melanie Mason moderates a conversation with political experts Douglas Becker, Susan Estrich, Ken Khachigian, and Hank Plante on the history of political parties in California, voter trends from the 2024 presidential election, how the "Trump factor" affects Democrats and Republicans, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute.   Featuring: -Douglas Becker: Professor of International Relations, USC -Susan Estrich: Legal Expert; Political Strategist -Ken Khachigian: Aide to President Nixon; Chief Speechwriter for President Reagan -Hank Plante: Peabody and Emmy Award Winning Journalist; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Melanie Mason: California Bureau Chief and Co-Author of POLITICO's California Playbook
California at 175 Conference: "Ballot Initiatives 2026"
2026/03/16
CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference begins with welcome remarks from CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy, CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan, and Neeraj Sood, USC Open Dialogue Project Director. Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta moderates a conversation with political experts Mike Bonin, Fernando Guerra, Mike Murphy, and Amy Thoma Tan on the 2026 ballot initiatives in California. They discuss the most impactful ballot measures in California history, how Democrats and Republicans utilize ballot initiatives, and the initiatives in the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conference is in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute.   Featuring: -Mike Bonin: Director, CSULA Pat Brown Institute; Former Member, Los Angeles City Council; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Fernando Guerra: Director, LMU Center for the Study of Los Angeles -Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future -Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs -Seema Mehta: Veteran Political Reporter, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future -Neeraj Sood: Director, USC Open Dialogue Project
Rage & The Republic: A Fireside Chat with Jonathan Turley
2026/03/16
CPF hosts a conversation with attorney and legal scholar Jonathan Turley and USC Professor Morris Levy about Turley's new book, "Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution." They discuss the crisis of faith in American institutions, how key lessons from history can guide us through today's radical reform and political instability, and how the state of politics today affects democracy and freedom in the future. This conversation is in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and the USC chapter of the Heterodox Academy.   Featuring: -Jonathan Turley: Attorney and Legal Scholar; Author, "Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution" and "The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in the Age of Rage" -Morris Levy: USC Professor of Political Science and International Relations; Immigration and Voting Policy Expert -Neeraj Sood: USC Open Dialogue Project Founder; USC Professor -Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future
Redistricting Is Sexy! A Look Back on Prop 50 with CPF Fellow Seema Mehta
2026/02/26
Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta joins redistricting experts Christian Grose, Paul Mitchell, Matt Rexroad, and Amy Thoma Tan for a conversation on Prop 50, redistricting, and the future of representation in the United States. They discuss the history of redistricting, California's Proposition 50, Texas's redistricting bill, and how this influences political power, changing political norms, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of Mehta's study group "Politics, Polls, and Punditry — the Inner Workings of Modern-Day Campaigns."   Featuring: -Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC; Director, Democracy and Fair Elections Lab at USC Dornsife -Paul Mitchell: Democratic Redistricting Strategist -Matt Rexroad: GOP Redistricting Strategist -Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs -Seema Mehta: Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future -Diego Andrades: Assistant Director, USC Center for the Political Future
Britain, Europe, and America: The Future of the Transatlantic Alliance
2026/02/21
CPF Director Bob Shrum joins James Cleverly, former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department, for a conversation on the past, present, and future of US-UK relations. They discuss how leadership transitions, elections, and global crises shape cooperation between Washington and London, and what the next chapter of this transatlantic relationship may hold. This conversation is in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.   Featuring: - James Cleverly: British Conservative Politician; Member of Parliament for Braintree; Former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department; Former Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Education; Army Reserve Officer - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
New CPF Fellows on Politics Today
2026/02/18
CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Spring 2026 CPF Fellows Mark Campbell, Yemisi Egbewole, Garret Graves, and Seema Mehta for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections and media, ICE raids, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.   Featuring: Mark Campbell: GOP Campaign Strategist; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Yemisi Egbewole: Former Chief of Staff and Advisor to the Biden White House Press Office; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Garret Graves: Former U.S. Representative (R-LA); Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Seema Mehta: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
Warschaw Conference 2025: "From The Off-Year to the Midterms"
2025/12/22
USC Annenberg Media Center Director Christina Bellantoni leads a panel discussion with political and media experts Mark Campbell, Jon Favreau, John Heilemann, and Seema Mehta on the 2026 midterms. They discuss what to expect as we approach the 2026 midterms, what Democrats and Republicans need to do to reach voters, and the political implications of the 2025 special elections on the 2026 midterms. The panel ends with closing remarks from CPF Director Bob Shrum and USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"   Featuring: Mark Campbell: CEO and Founder, Intellz Inc.; Former Campaign Manager for Glenn Youngkin; Fellow, University of Chicago Institute of Politics; Political Director for Ted Cruz's 2016 Presidential Primary Campaign Jon Favreau: Co-Founder, Crooked Media; Host, Pod Save America; Former Chief Speechwriter for President Barack Obama John Heilemann: Chief Political Columnist & Host, Impolitic with John Heilemann, Puck; National Affairs Analyst, MS NOW Seema Mehta: Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times Christina Bellantoni: Professor & Director, Annenberg Media Center, USC James Bullock: USC Dornsife Dean Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Podcast reviews

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4.6 out of 5
43 reviews
★★★★★
laurieinsm 2022/07/11
Enlightening and uplifting
In an age where are country is so divided on many topics, I find "Let's Find Common Ground" enlightening and uplifting. It underscores how, despite ...
★★★★★
YodaOfCanton 2021/10/21
Informative and anti inflammatory
I’ve listen to several episodes. I fell I learn about various points of view and why people come to their viewpoints.
★★★★★
IvyVirginia 2021/04/16
Captivating perspectives
A very entertaining 30 minute look at topics that make you consider how to better understand an alternate perspective
★★★★★
justin kempf 2021/04/09
A message whose time is now
Let’s Find Common Ground is a refreshing voice that looks to overcome the pernicious polarization that plagues American politics. Justin Kempf Democr...
★★★★★
Richardrad 2020/06/04
Urgent yet informal. Passionate and fun.
It’s so easy to be angry and divided in a time of crisis. This podcast seeks solutions. Entertaining and informative, “Let’s Find Common Ground” seeks...
★★★★★
Jvmill 2020/05/18
Love the focus on solutions
If you’re tired of the endless finger pointing that seems to accompany so much political discourse, give this a listen and be amazed as smart, accompl...
★★★★★
Int6 2020/05/15
Thought provoking
Great to see intelligent discussion bringing together different points of view around important topics
★★★★★
luuuuumkkkkee 2020/05/12
Refreshing
A thoughtful and refreshing take compared to the polarized discussions we see in the media all day long. Thanks, Common Ground Committee for putting t...
★★★★★
Judy Kudos 2020/05/08
Let’s find common ground
Retired General Wesley Clark insights into rallying the troops and sharing a common cause couldn’t be more relevant.
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