As Director of the Hayden Planetarium and the new host of the PBS magazine "NOVA Science NOW", Dr. Tyson is one of the most high profile astrophysicists in America. He hopes to use the state-of-the-art Hayden to capture the scientific curiosity of a new generation of young people. His recent books include One Universe: At Home in the Cosmos, Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries, and Origins, the companion book to his acclaimed four-hour miniseries on the PBS program "NOVA."
http://research.amnh.org/~tyson
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Veteran political humorist Kate Clinton examines the uses of humor in social movements from her particular point of view and practice as a lesbian feminist humorist performing for twenty years. Her “standup” lecture also reviews theories of contemporary comedy, debunks the premature report of the death of irony, and reveals the secret human longing for the wild ride of smart, challenging humor. Her most recent book, What the L?, looks at life under W in the USA.
http://kateclinton.com
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A consultant for the hit television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, “Dr. T.” is a forensic pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner in Las Vegas. His multi-media presentation shows how he uses scientific tools to solve criminal and medical mysteries in real life.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi/main.shtml
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How can we go beyond "me first" capitalism to find paths we each can walk to heal our planet? Lappé asks these questions in her best sellers Diet for a Small Planet and Hope's Edge: The New Diet For A Small Planet. Her new book, Democracy's Edge, helps readers discover their power to act.

Founder and executive editor of the popular website Feministing.com, author of Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters and a seasoned activist for women's rights, Jessica presents a fresh vision of feminism that debunks the myths and focuses on the future.  There's no rehashing the same old issues, no belaboring where today's young women have gone wrong.  Covering a range of relevant topics, Valenti provides young women a primer on why feminism matters.

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Enrique morones

In the debate about immigration, we often forget the human side of the story.  Enrique Morones is determined to help us remember.  The founder of Border Angels, a humanitarian organization which provides support and relief to migrant workers on the US-Mexican border, he wants Americans to know the truth about the people behind the immigration policy debates, both migrants and the vigilante Minutemen.

Charles kernaghan

Head of the National Labor Committee, Kernaghan brings the issues of sweatshop abuses and child labor home to Americans.  He travels the world exposing worker and human rights abuses by corporate giants like Wal-Mart.  Kernaghan and his organization have helped shape the debate over outsourcing, calling for laws to protect workers’ rights and end the “race to the bottom” in the global economy.

eugene linden

Endangered animals, the biodiversity crisis, threats to water supplies, global deforestation, and the politics of the environment are just some of the issues Linden tackles in his research and writing.  His new book Winds of Change shows how civilizations become prosperous and complacent during good weather, only to collapse as a result of drastic climate changes and their consequences.

susan douglas

Media critic, American Studies professor, and author of Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media, Susan Douglas reveals how television and advertising target images of women.  Her other recent books include Listening In, a history of radio listening, and The Mommy Myth, an examination of how motherhood has been portrayed in the mass media from the late 1960s to the present.

spencer overton

Voters don't choose politicians-politicians choose voters by manipulating election rules. What can we do to restore power to the people? A noted expert on campaign finance and voting rights law, Spencer Overton is the author of Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression. He currently serves as Chair of Barack Obama's Government Reform Committee, advising the candidate on policies related  to government ethics and transparency, lobbying and campaign finance reform. Overton articulates new ideas for enriching American democracy.

brooke stephens

A 20-year veteran of Wall Street, Brooke Stephens uses her knowledge of finance and business to help you turn your financial life around. She focuses on African Americans and women in the business world as well as money and finances for the future. Employing her money smarts, she helps people and companies yield great financial results!

charles cameron mann

A powerful storyteller, Mann’s most recent book 1491 explores the history of the Americas before Columbus.  A three-time National Magazine Award finalist, he has received awards for his articles and books on everything from emerging technologies to the business of medicine to endangered species.

Ecologist, poet and cancer survivor, Dr. Sandra Steingraber is recognized internationally as an expert on environmental links to cancer. Her highly acclaimed book, Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment, is a personal and scientific exploration of how toxic chemicals contribute to rising cancer rates in various communities, and won her praise as “the new Rachel Carson”. Dr. Steingraber offers insights into green architecture, campus sustainability, and the future of food in a world short of oil. It has been said, she "brings poetry to science and makes them dance. Her lectures open hearts as well as minds. She elucidates. She inspires."
http://www.steingraber.com

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He's earned the admiration and allegiance of A-list celebrities... and the fury of fur-flaunting fashionistas. Vice President of Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Dan Mathews has brought animal rights activism into the limelight, and raised both money and membership with tactics ranging from comical to controversial.
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We all want to do good while doing well, but how? Consultant and bestselling author of Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, Lee delivers a thought-provoking and inspirational message on how principled conduct under pressure and moral courage are the keys to effective leadership in school, work and life. A voice of uncommon power who emboldens every listener.
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Native American by birth and heritage, contemporary artist through hard work, destiny and the spirits, Jana brings a fresh outlook and exotic presence.  Jana states that “being an ‘Urban Indian’ is to walk in both worlds but not compromise my cultural identity.  I cannot ignore who I am and where I came from.  I am proud that I can maintain my traditional customs while living in today’s world.”

What beauty can be found at the ocean's greatest depths?  And how can we protect it?  Biologist and deep-sea explorer Edith Widder combines her expertise in research and technological innovation with a commitment to reversing the worldwide trend of degradation in our marine environment.  Her presentation gives a breathtaking view of the world beneath the surface of the seas.

Lisa see

Drawing on the history of her own family and community, Lisa See draws readers into the rich tapestry of life in both China and the United States through her acclaimed novels Flower Net, The Interior, Dragon Bones, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love.  Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family, was a bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book.

Jeffrey birnbaum

Jeff Birnbaum is a Washington Post columnist and a national political analyst for Fox New Channel. He is considered one of the country’s top experts in the ways politics and business interact, as has covered the White House, Congress and national politics for more than 20 years. He has done so at some of the nation’s finest publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine and Fortune Magazine, where he was Washington Bureau Chief for seven years.

Frederick Lane

If personal privacy is something we truly value, how do we find a balance with the role of emerging technologies?  Attorney and technology expert Lane takes a hard look at the rapid evolving laws governing computers, privacy and free speech, at home, in school and in the workplace.  Look for his recent books The Decency Wars: The Campaign to Cleanse American Culture and The Court and the Cross: The Religious Right’s Crusade to Reshape the Supreme Court.

stephanie coontz

Stephanie Coontz addresses today’s debates on marriage and family in the 21st century.  One of the most widely quoted researchers on family issues in America today, and the author of six books on family history and sociology, Coontz draws on history, facts, figures, and anecdotes to challenge our most cherished myths about the past and future of marriage, parenting and family relations.

Camille cooper

Cooper’s powerful multi-media presentation, "Discover the Truth," addresses issues of women in Hollywood and how the media portrays the "perfect American girl". She delivers a unique, humorous, and insightful look at a media industry obsessed with thinness and beauty.  Ms. Cooper has worked professionally in film and television.

alfred lubrano

Lubrano speaks from both personal experience and his work as a journalist about the role of class, culture and education across generations.  The author of the books Limbo: Blue-Collar Roots, White-Collar Dreams and Sons on Fathers, and a feature writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, he has won more than a dozen journalism awards.

patrice gaines

An award winning former Washington Post reporter, Ms. Gaines works to empower girls and young women at risk, drawing from her experiences on the streets and in prison.  She is co-founder of Brown Angel Center, providing formerly incarcerated women and their families with the tools to renew their lives.  Gaines is author of Laughing in the Dark and Moments of Grace: Meeting the Challenge to Change. She currently is doing commentaries for National Public Radio.

richard thau

While the media's saturated with "talking heads" offering commentary on the 2008 Presidential campaign, few possess the insights of messaging expert Richard Thau. Thau is tracking literally second by second how much voters agree or disagree with each candidate's replies as they deliver them. In a fascinating multi-media presentation featuring snippets from the debates, Thau shares a wealth of insights into who's resonating, who's sinking and why.

jianli yang

A leading organizer in the Chinese student democracy movement, he is among forty-nine individuals blacklisted by the Beijing government. As research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and President of The Foundation For China In The 21st Century, he continues to provide a forceful and unique perspective on this historic struggle. Jianli Yang, returned to his adopted home in 2007 in the United States after five years in Chinese prisons.

senator george mitchell

From his service in the US Senate, to brokering peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, George Mitchell is one of the nation’s most respected statesmen.  A man who has influenced the lives of Americans in uncountable ways, Senator Mitchell has many stories to share. His smooth delivery and unparalleled content make him one of the most sought after speakers.