Grow, reflect, act together.
The New School is Commonweal’s learning community and podcast. Together, we explore life’s big questions, offering events and publications in Commonweal’s areas of focus: finding meaning in a changing world, growing inner and community resilience, advocating for justice, and stewarding the natural world.
Conversations for meaningful change
Be in the room during conversations with inspiring thought- and action-leaders of our time. Explore life’s big questions in a “slow conversation” setting, reflect on different worldviews, and find connection in a welcoming community.
How Flowers Made Our World
David George Haskell and Host Susan Grelock Yusem
Co-presented with Point Reyes Books
Join Host Susan Grelock Yusem in conversation with David George Haskell to talk about his new book, How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries (Viking). In this exquisite exploration of the role flowers played in creating the world we know today, David observes, smells, and studies flowers such as magnolias, orchids, and roses, as well as fascinating but less celebrated flowers such as seagrasses and tea. Through radical genetic flexibility, flowers turned past environmental upheavals into opportunities for renewal. This inventiveness allowed them to build and sustain rainforests, savannahs, prairies, and even ocean shores.
Looking to the future, flowers offer us lessons on resilience and creativity in the face of rapid environmental change. We need floral creativity, beauty, and joy more than ever. How Flowers Made Our World combines lyrical writing, sensual exploration, and the latest in scientific research to explore some of the most consequential life forms ever to have evolved, showing how our planet came to be and how it thrives today. | Artwork credit: Getty Images on Unsplash
Events that bring us together
Join live gatherings—online or in person—to share stories, reflect, and build community. From famous to quietly fabulous, our speakers and hosts are doing inspiring things in the world, and every voice is welcome.
Radio Facility Tour with Richard Dillman
Part of the On the Land Series
Saturday, June 27
1 pm – 2:30 pm PDT
On the land at Commonweal
Donations welcome
In person event only
Space is limited
As part of Commonweal’s 50th anniversary year celebrations, please join the Maritime Radio Historical Society’s Richard Dillman (call name W6AWO), for this tour of the radio facilities in the “back half” of the Commonweal main building.
Art for Our Common Good: Creativity, Health, and Civic Life
Sunday, July 12
11:00 am – 2:00 pm PDT
Join us at Commonweal or on Zoom
$20 suggested donation, no one turned away
What role can art play in helping us meet this moment? As communities face growing loneliness, burnout, environmental anxiety, and civic division, the arts can create spaces for healing, connection, and hope. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of healing arts at Commonweal, building on an earlier convening of leaders in arts, health, and community practice. This public gathering, hosted by Commonweal Board Member Lisa Simms Booth, opens the conversation to all.
Re-Dreaming Healing through Narrative and Story
Wednesday, July 15
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm PDT
Join us at Commonweal or on Zoom
$20 suggested donation, no one turned away
Lecture and Workshop with Visiting Scholar Catherine Olweny
Bringing with her the traditional Aboriginal practices of dadirri—a sacred practice of deep listening, reflection, stillness, and connection to the land—and yarning—a conversational practice used by indigenous Australians to share knowledge, stories, and culture—Catherine Olweny will talk about ways that art and narrative techniques allow difficult experiences to be shared.
Lines of inquiry that expand your worldview
Immerse yourself in a line of thought or inquiry at your own pace—building resilience and sparking new insights. Follow the journey of our Visiting Scholars, our favorite topics, and our favorite guests at Commonweal’s New School.
Words that inspire action
From thoughtful articles to creative zines and published books, the spirit of our community is captured in the sharing of ideas, stories, and practices that nurture resilience, wisdom, and care for the world.