The San Francisco Experience - podcast cover

The San Francisco Experience

We are a "deep dive" news podcast, for Americans who get their news from the Internet. Our mission is to give the listener succinct, fact based analysis both non-ideological and independent from a California, Silicon Valley perspective. Your host Jim Herlihy is a published author: his novel “Deceit and Dirty Money” is available on line. He served as President of the SF Public Library Commission 1992 - 1996. While working in Latin America, he was a stringer for The Economist, The Times and the BBC. Jim serves as a director on two SF sister city boards : Bangalore, India and Cork, Ireland.
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Episodes

A CIA False Flag Plot. Lee Harvey Oswald, New Orleans, August 1963. Setting up the Fall Guy. Talking with Jefferson Morley.

George Joannides was a CIA Branch Chief at the CIA Miami Station. He was responsible for the Anti Castro student group the DRE. The DRE baited Oswald in New Orleans for passing out pro Castro flyers. They also ensured that Oswald was interviewed on radio and TV as a left wing Castro sympathizer. Those clips were used after the assassination to bolster the Oswald lone nut Castro supporter image.

Jul 11, 202549 minSeason 32Ep. 7

The Power of the Independent Voter. Talking with Adam Brandon

Independent voters, especially among Gen Z and Millennials is a growing cohort and eschews the binary choice of Democrat or Republican parties, unlike their Baby Boomer parents. Such a political realignment could help break the polarized politics that plagues our country.

Jul 11, 202541 minSeason 32Ep. 6

Michelangelo' s Sistine Chapel. The Exhibition. Talking with Martin Biallas.

Michelangelo's 34 frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, which he painted in the 16th Century, are considered to be one of the greatest artworks in the Western artistic canon. Martin Biallas, the CEO of SEE Global Entertainment, walks us through the creative genius behind the Exhibition which is currently on display at San Francisco's St. Mary's Cathedral as well as eight other global venues.

Jul 01, 202530 minSeason 32Ep. 2

10 year Moratorium on State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence. Talking with Justin Hendrix.

The Big Beautiful Bill contains AI legislation that would preclude all states from regulating AI for 10 years. Any existing laws would be paused for 10 years. Such action could decimate consumer protections. But AI fans argue that having 50 states each legislating their own rules would hamstring AI development putting the US at a competitive disadvantage to China.

Jun 20, 202528 minSeason 31Ep. 19

Accountability in Politics: Is there such a thing ? Talking with Lura Forcum

Independent voters are a growing slice of the American electorate: They swung to Trump in 2024 and 2016 and Biden in 2020. The Independent Center focuses on these voters who are fiscally responsible, socially tolerant and free to choose the best options for themselves, their families and communities.

Jun 18, 202542 minSeason 31Ep. 18

Los Angeles Anti ICE Riots and the California National Guard. Talking with Professor Jack Pitney.

When President Trump federalized the CA National Guard during the LA riots, he set up a confrontation with Governor Gavin Newsom who sued the Administration in Federal Court. While Newsom won the first round, Trump has appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with the CA National Guard continuing under the command of the President pending the appeal.

Jun 16, 202528 minSeason 31Ep. 17

San Francisco's Comeback. Talking with Erica Sandberg.

Mayor Daniel Lurie is 5 months into his term as Mayor of San Francisco and he is getting good marks so far. Journalist and San Franciscan Erica Sandberg discusses how the Mayor is managing a major transformation of The City by The Bay.

Jun 03, 202542 minSeason 31Ep. 14

1925: A Literary Encyclopedia. Talking with author Tom Lutz.

1925 marked a peak year in American Literature with the publication of The Great Gatsby, In our Time, The Harlem Renaissance. Tom has created a reference work marking the outstanding books and authors of the pivotal year for American Literature.

May 29, 202546 min

Ambassador William H. Luers. May 15, 1929 - May 10, 2025. An American Diplomat, Patron of the Arts, Museum Director, Author. In Memoriam.

Ambassador Bill Luers was an advocate of promoting American interests overseas, by showcasing our leading writers, painters and artists through Cultural Exchange Programs. He remained committed to the persuasive soft power of Culture to further US foreign policy goals. "Uncommon Company" is a memoir of his work promoting the Arts overseas and at home.

May 20, 20256 minSeason 31Ep. 10

Sailing Around the World with Parkinson's Disease. Talking with Ethan Henderson of The Michael J Fox Fdn and Amy Bridge of the Neptune Project.

Bertrand Delhom was the first person with Parkinson's to sail around the world in the competitive Ocean Global Race (OGR). Building on that experience to raise public awareness of Parkinson's a fundraising regatta will be held on the SF Bay in April 2026 and the MJF Fdn will be involved with sponsoring the Neptune in the 2027 OGR.

May 07, 202534 minSeason 31Ep. 5

Spark SF Public Schools. Talking with President Ginny Fang.

Spark SF Public Schools is the official non profit partner of The San Francisco Unified School District. They mobilize philanthropic and community support for San Francisco's public school students ranging from mental health programs to reading at grade level literacy.

May 01, 202527 minSeason 31Ep. 4

US Coercive Diplomacy and the Global Order. Talking with author Dr. Rich Outzen

The United States has often used pressure tactics like sanctions, military threats and diplomatic isolation - Coercive Diplomacy - to achieve foreign policy goals. But from 1990 to 2020 the results of such actions has been mixed. Why ? Is Coercive Diplomacy still a statecraft tool for the US to use so frequently ?

Apr 30, 202542 minSeason 31Ep. 3

Canada's Historic Election. Talking with Marci Surkes.

Canada goes to the polls on Monday April 28, 2025 to choose a new government. Incumbent Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre are the two main candidates for the top job. The election will be the first held against the backdrop of the Trump tariffs which have dominated the election campaign. The incumbent Liberals were likely to lose earlier this year but have surged back as President Trump taunted Justin Trudeau and suggested Canada should become the 51st sta...

Apr 25, 202538 minSeason 31Ep. 1
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