Actor, comedian, writer, and producer Ed Helms is perhaps best known for his roles as Andy Bernard on The Office and Stu Price in The Hangover film trilogy. His newest […]

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman dives into his newest work — an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so […]

Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author Rick Atkinson joins us for a conversation about Fate of the Day, the second volume of his acclaimed Revolution trilogy. According […]

Catherine Coleman Flowers, one of the leading environmental justice activists of our times, has dedicated her life to fighting for the most vulnerable communities who have been deprived of the basic civil right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. Drawing inspiration from her newest book, Holy Ground, Flowers illuminates the most pressing issues of […]

As Michigan’s Secretary of State and chief election official, Secretary Jocelyn Benson has overseen several of the highest turnout, most secure elections in the state’s history. But her life changed in December 2020 when armed protesters descended onto her doorstep, threatening her family. Her only crime: certifying a fair and accurate Presidential election in which […]

One of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Amanda Nguyen is a force for resilience. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee and TIME’s 2022 Woman of the Year joins us to detail her healing journey and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard. She discusses her memoir Saving Five, […]

Jeffrey Seller is one of the most successful Broadway producers of our time — and the only one to have mounted two Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals: Hamilton and Rent. From his early days as an office assistant, to meeting Jonathan Larson and experiencing the triumph and tragedy of Rent, to working with Lin-Manuel Miranda on In […]

The #1 New York Times bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi joins us to discuss his groundbreaking narrative biography of Malcom X for young readers. In Malcolm Lives!, Kendi expertly crafts a telling of Malcolm X’s life, providing context for both Malcolm’s choices — and those around him — not just painting […]

Acclaimed author Ron Chernow, of Hamilton fame, is one of the most renowned voices in history and politics. Recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, Chernow has dedicated his life to telling the stories of some of the most notable figures in history. Join us as Chernow discusses his newest work, Mark Twain, a nuanced […]

Alison Bechdel is known for her pioneering comic strips Dykes to Watch Out For and the modern classics Fun Home (as well as the Tony-Award winning musical adaptation), Are You My Mother?, and The Secret to Superhuman Strength. But her acclaim doesn’t stop there — her last name is synonymous with the “Bechdel Test,” a […]

Leslie Odom Jr. burst onto the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton. Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sang for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before Hamilton, Odom put in […]

What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern was elected the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand at the age of thirty-seven, becoming the country’s youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years. Ardern exemplifies a new kind of leadership — proving that leaders can be […]

Born and raised in Chicago, chef Jesse Valenciana is a leading food journalist focused on Mexican cuisine, owner of the popular Nashville restaurant and food brand, The Secret Bodega, and […]

David “Teen Angel” Holland (now deceased) was the creator and publisher of the groundbreaking Teen Angel’s Magazine, which began in 1980. While the iconic Lowrider Magazine, founded in 1977, predates […]

World-renowned photographer, director, and urban lifestyle entrepreneur Estevan Oriol has built a career capturing both the gritty and the glamorous sides of Los Angeles. From intimate portraits of the rich […]

Step into the world of Cheech Marin — legendary actor, comedian, and cultural icon — as he shares his deep passion for Chicano art and his mission to elevate a […]

Nate Silver, founder of the popular data-driven news and analysis website FiveThirtyEight, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard H. Thaler come together for a wide-ranging conversation. In his most recent publication, […]

Moon landings and space walks once captivated the public’s attention. But, in recent decades, the U.S. space enterprise has waned. Now, that’s finally about to change. The award-winning Washington Post […]

Helping to establish the field of pop economics, the bestselling book Freakonomics sparked both public interest and academic debate. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original publication, author […]

Join us for an evening of conversation and tomfoolery with the one and only Nick Offerman. Offerman makes his return to Chicago to discuss his newest work, Little Woodchucks, an […]

At a time when many Americans believe the U.S. Constitution to be under threat — but disagree about the nature of that threat — bestselling author and Harvard professor Jill […]

Raised by ruggedly independent, scientifically minded parents – entomologist father, dietician mother – Atwood spent most of each year in the wild forest of northern Quebec. This childhood was unfettered […]

The internationally renowned, award-winning author Salman Rushdie discusses his newest novel, The Eleventh Hour, a spellbinding exploration of life, death, and what comes into focus during our “final act.” The […]