The City Club of Eugene Podcast

DEI's Imperfect Allies

With new DEI directives from the federal government, how can people and institutions remain allies of DEI compliance, community and culture? And what is an imperfect ally?

Our speakers are Remi Calalang, PhD, assistant superintendent of Bethel School District; and Anna Lardner, mental health therapist and community organizer.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 10:57).

This program was recorded on July 25, 2025.

Deportation, Due Process and Democracy

Deportation actions by the federal government raise questions about due process and the threat to our democracy. Four speakers provide the history of immigration  and update us on the current situation.

Speakers include Tobin Hansen PhD, University of Oregon's Robert D. Clark Honors College; Katrina Kilgren JD, Kilgren Law; Benjamin Wang JD, Benjamin Beijing Wang PC; and Christine Zeller-Powell, JD, Director of Refugee and Immigration Services at Catholic Community Services.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 7:14).

This program was recorded on July 18, 2025.                                                                               

Deflection: What is it, and does it work?

Lane County offers a deflection program, which moves people to programs and treatment. Is it working? Learn about this project in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode.

Speakers include Chris Parosa, Lane County's district attorney; Clint Riley, Lane County's Deflection Program coordinator; and Art Zamudio, navigation team supervisor for Ideal Option.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 21:02).

This program was recorded on July 11, 2025.

Powering Oregon

What is the state's plan for meeting Oregon's future energy needs? An Oregon Energy Strategy is being developed, and City Club of Eugene attendees got a sneak peek. They also heard about "Beyonce" - bring your own new clean energy!

The Oregon Department of Energy speakers were Edith Bayer, Energy Policy Team Lead, and Alan Zelenka, Assistant Director of Planning and Innovation.

Due to technical difficulties, most of the Q&A was lost and no video is available.

This program was recorded on June 27, 2025.

Local Stories, Local Museums

Museums are "windows and mirrors," according to one of the speakers at City Club of Eugene's program on local stories and local museums. Who gets to tell those stories? How are they told?

Speakers include Keith Lohse, executive director of the Lane County History Museum; and Madeline McGraw, curator of the Springfield Museum.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 1:53).

This program was recorded on June 13, 2025.

Economics of Local Sports

"It's the most fun you can have while strengthening the economy." Dr. Mike Wilkerson, quoted in this podcast episode, was referring to the impact of sports, via travel and tourism, on local economies. City Club of Eugene asked two keen observers of the local sports scene to explain the economics of sports, using the Prefontaine Classic as an example.

Our speakers include JB Carney, senior director of sports for Eugene Cascades and Coast; and Matt Sayre, executive director of Collaborative Economic Development of Oregon.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 1:42).

This program was recorded on June 6, 2025.

 

Turtle Awards

The 2025 Turtle Award winners are Sharon Posner, Paul Solomon and Oblio Stroyman, all of whom are honored for their community work and sticking their necks out for the good of all. City Club of Eugene also inducted seven new members of the Order of the Turtle.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (audio-only in the beginning).

This program was recorded on May 31, 2025.

Updates, Oregon Country Fair

Oregon Country Fair has grown from humble roots to become a major event. In this episode of the City Club of Eugene's podcast, we hear more about how it grew as well as its community and philanthropic efforts.

Speakers include Kirsten Bolton, OCF's general manager; Paxton Hoag, OCF board member and coordinator; and Arna Shaw, OCF board member and vendor.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 8:21).

This program was recorded on May 16, 2025.  

Prevention: The Heart of Public Health

What is the role of public health, and prevention programs, studies and services does Lane County Public Health provide?

City Club of Eugene gathered four speakers to address how local prevention efforts promote health and wellness: Dr. Patrick Luedtke, Lane County's senior public health officer; Anne Marie Mauricio, PhD, associate research professor at the University of Oregon's Prevention Science Institute; Dr. Kim Ruscher, PeaceHealth Oregon's chief medical officer; and Jocelyn Warren, PhD, Lane County Public Health's division manager.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on May 9, 2025.  

 

LTD Now

Lane Transit District's CEO Jameson Auten updated City Club of Eugene attendees on the agency's current and future work to "connect community."

You may watch the entire program, including slides, on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 6:50).

This program was recorded on April 25, 2025.