About Commonweal New School

Dialogue, community building, podcasting since 2007

Imagine that you could be part of a conversation with best-selling journalist and author Anderson Cooper; watch interviews with integrative physicians like Rachel Naomi Remen and Donald Abrams; and hear conversations with social change and thought leaders like Bayo Akomolafe, Jeffrey Kripal, and Terry Tempest Williams.

Imagine that you were a member of a community that formed around these gatherings, that learns together about the changing world we live in. What if we looked, together, at how to build more resilience for body, soul, and community? Imagine that—and you have discovered Commonweal New School.

Bayo Akomolafe, Pat McCabe, Matthew Monahan, Baljeet Sandhu, Julian Corner, Taj James speak: Liberating Wealth in Prophetic Times
The New School is Commonweal’s learning community and podcast, offering conversations, readings, and performances with thought- and action-leaders of our time. Starting in 2007, we began experimenting with conversations recorded and posted to Apple’s new podcast platform. The podcast industry has grown up around us, and our community—in the Bay Area and around the world—continues to gather for conversations, music, art, and workshops. Most of our events are free, and so are our podcasts and videos—more than 400 on iTunes, Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, and our podcast library.
The Way of the Buddha, with Shodo Harada Roshi, Chisan Storandt, and Host Michael Lerner

The New School focuses on the emergent, seeking out those who are bringing dialogue, beauty, and change to the world. There are no required beliefs or perspectives, and we aren’t afraid to ask the difficult questions. Whether it is grief, or joy, or wonder, we are enriched by sharing the exploration together.

Welcome to Commonweal’s New School.

The New School was founded and is co-directed by Michael Lerner and Kyra Epstein.

Contact Us

Let us know how to get back to you.