In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Assistant Director Marisol Torres and Policy Intern Germaine Ho from The Well, UC Riverside’s student health promotion department. Together, they explore the topic of menstrual equity, the challenges students face in accessing period products, and how policies are working to address period poverty on college campuses. From research-based policy briefs to creative programs like Flow Into Summer, this episode looks at how public health...
Aug 01, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 1
In this episode, Policy Chats hosts our second live podcast recording, featuring researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experiences discussing the current policies that shape reentry, higher education, and employment access post-incarceration. This panel was produced in collaboration with the UCR Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies. Panelists include: Dr. Annika Anderson , CSUSB Project Rebound Executive Director/Principal Investigator Pete Pridanonda , UCR Department of...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 16
In this episode, City of Redlands Councilmember Denise Davis , talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her work advancing equity, tackling homelessness, and building stronger, more connected communities at the local level. About Denise Davis : Denise Davis was elected in 2018, and is proudly the first openly LGBTQ Council Member in the City of Redlands. She served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2018-2020, running meetings in the Mayor’s absence, and sitting on a number of ...
May 16, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 15
In this episode, Dr. Pierre Berastaín, the Centre for Public Impact's Regional Director for North America , talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about his journey from Peru and his extensive work in addressing systemic challenges like immigration, gender-based violence prevention, and restorative justice. About Pierre Berastaín : Dr. Pierre R. Berastaín is a public health leader and advocate with academic degrees in Social Anthropology, Divinity, and Public Health fr...
Apr 10, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 14
In this episode, Deb Aikat, University of North Carolina Professor of Journalism and Media, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how technology impacts government processes and media communication. They discuss the media's crucial role during the pandemic and emphasize the importance of providing balanced news to support a healthy democracy. This is the seventh episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Le...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 13
In this episode, Cara Chiaraluce, Santa Clara University Professor of Sociology, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the impact of internet access on health outcomes. This is the sixth episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring former California State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. About Cara Chiaraluce: Cara Chiaraluce specializes in the fields of carework, gender and family, and health. Chiaraluce has published articles in the Journal of Family Issu...
Feb 01, 2025•58 min•Season 6Ep. 12
This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from last year! In this episode, AllSides Co-Founder and CEO John Gable talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how understanding media bias and filter bubbles can help better bridge gaps amongst political polarization. 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 Gable : ...
Dec 27, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 11
In this episode, Juliana Maria Trammel, Associate Professor of Journalism & Mass Communications and Laura Robinson, Professor of Sociology talk with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges and vulnerabilities with delivering information and services using eGovernment. This is the fifth 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 Wa...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In this episode, CEO of Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, Carolyn Fajardo talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about modern approaches to food insecurity and long-term, sustainable solutions. 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 Carolyn Fajardo : Carolyn Fajardo, born Carolyn Solar, is a Latina and the first in her family to earn a bach...
Dec 17, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In this episode, Catherine Sandoval, Santa Clara University Law Professor and Patrick Lanthier, co-founder of RIVERA/LANTHIER & Associates talk with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about how social vulnerabilities and the digital divide shape disaster response outcomes . This is the fourth 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 Stree...
Dec 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In this episode, President of Cover My Mental Health, Joe Feldman talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about policies addressing mental health care parity and the role of employers in improving access to care.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 Joe Feldman : Founder Joe Feldman began advocating for access to mental health care after overcoming denia...
Nov 30, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode, Noah McClain, Assistant Professor of Sociology talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about security and technology vulnerabilities within New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority . This is the third 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 ...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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 B...
Nov 16, 2024•43 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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 ...
Nov 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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/UC...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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 Execu...
Nov 01, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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 expe...
Oct 18, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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 ...
May 31, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 13
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, inclu...
Apr 17, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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 Harvar...
Mar 11, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In this episode, California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about increasing equity and job quality with the groundbreaking California Senate Bill 150 . About Lola Smallwood-Cuevas : Since graduating from the California State University at Hayward, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has had an influential career, working with the Newspaper Guild before co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. She later went on to become the Project...
Feb 20, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Chairman of the Board Bob Mendez talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about policies that impact middle income families, and how we can alter existing policies to create a better environment for them to thrive . About Bob Mendez : A former member of the US Navy, Bob Mendez has had a decorated career in finance, having worked at Merrill Lynch Smith Barney, and Morgan Stanley. He also is actively involved in his c...
Jan 30, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode, Dr. Johannes Moenius, Peggi Hazlett, Sheheryar Kaoosji, and Dr. Juan De Lara talk with the University of California, Riverside Inland Center for Sustainable Development about t he impacts of logistics and warehousing on employment and quality of jobs in the Inland Region . About the Inland Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) : Established in 2003, the ICSD conducts and disseminates research and reports on issues of suburban growth and its impact on social, environmental, a...
Jan 19, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode, President and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Nicholas Adcock talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the importance of local economies and their relevance in an increasingly globalized world . About Nicholas Adcock : Nicholas Adcock currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Riverside and previously served as president of the Pick Group of Young Professionals. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political...
Jan 02, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, Associate Professor Katie Attwell talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine hesitancy, mandates, and public health policy . About Katie Attwell : Associate Professor Katie Attwell is a political science and public policy scholar at the University of Western Australia, where she leads VaxPolLab. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at Telethon Kids Institute, Perth and is the Chair of the Coll...
Dec 15, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, Mayor of Palm Springs Grace Garner talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about housing affordability, income disparities, and gentrification in the context of Palm Springs. About Grace Garner : Grace Garner earned her Bachelor of Arts from the Pitzer College in Political Studies and Gender/Feminist Studies before receiving her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. Previously, she has served as a board member of the Unitarian Universal...
Dec 01, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode, Executive Director of the California Storage and Solar Association Bernadette Del Chiaro talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the importance of solar energy and storage, as well as how they are essential to a sustainable future. About Bernadette Del Chiaro : After completing her Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Bernadette Del Chiaro went on to work as an organizer for Green Co...
Nov 20, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode, Associate Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability Dr. Francesca Hopkins talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about comprehensive solutions to climate change, as well as the importance of local change amid global warming . About Francesca Hopkins : Francesca Hopkins earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies and Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley. She also completed her M.S. and Ph.D. in Earth System Science from the University o...
Oct 30, 2023•28 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Coachella, Neftali Galarza talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about education as a means to break opportunity barriers and how education can adapt amid an ever-changing world. About Neftali Galarza : In addition to being Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Coachella, Neftali Galarza is also the Director of the Community Engagement and Partnerships Team within the Riverside County Office of Education. Previously, he served as t...
Aug 16, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 15
In this episode, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about volunteerism and uniting individuals through service. About Josh Fryday : Appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Josh Fryday leads California Volunteers, which works to establish and maintain a statewide volunteer corps to help with the state’s response to emergencies and disasters. Josh Fryday was previously Mayor of Novato, Novato City Councilmember, Chi...
Jul 28, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 14
