On the next Fiat Lux Redux, Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 9 AM, “Coming Up Short: A Conversation with Robert Reich and Michael Lewis.” The sold-out event took place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Freight in downtown Berkeley and was presented by the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy as part of its Democracy Book Club series. The event underscored the importance of informed public discourse and was a highlight of the Goldman School’s commitment to enriching the understanding of democratic life through the works of influential authors.
Robert Reich, renowned political economist and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, and Michael Lewis, celebrated journalist and bestselling author of books The Big Short and Moneyball, discuss the urgent state of American democracy and the cultural, political, and economic challenges it currently faces. Reich draws from his latest memoir, Coming Up Short—a deeply personal reflection on his life, career in public service, and decades-long fight for economic justice and the 2025 documentary titled The Last Class that captures his final semester teaching his legendary “Wealth and Poverty” undergraduate course at UC Berkeley. Lewis focuses on themes from his latest edited volume, Who Is Government? which explores the critical, untold story of public service.
Through personal anecdotes, historical context, and sharp analysis, the conversation explores how forces like corporate power, economic inequality, and political polarization have brought American institutions to a critical crossroads, prompting a necessary and timely examination of how we got here—and inspiring action by focusing on what it will take to build a government that truly serves the people.
Fiat Lux Redux presents previously aired lectures, conversations, and podcasts originating on the campus of UC Berkeley every other Tuesday from 9am to 9:30am. These often-lengthy original programs have been edited to a 30-minute format by experienced KALX producers. The show’s name, Latin for “Let there be light”, is a reference to the University of California’s motto, which is also Fiat Lux. The show’s goal is to provide listeners with a window into the intellectual and cultural life of UC Berkeley and to showcase the wide range of subjects and diversity of thought and ideas that are present at UC Berkeley.
This program was edited by Lisa Katovich. If you have questions or comments about Fiat Lux Redux, contact lisa.katovich@gmail.com.
