Charles Johnson
National Book Award winner for Middle Passage, Charles Johnson has also written the novels Oxherding Tale, Dreamer, Faith and the Good Thing, and Night Hawks.
Non Fiction Authors
Steven Strogatz
An award-winning researcher, teacher, and communicator, Strogatz enjoys sharing the beauty of math though his books, essays, and public lectures. Author of The Joy of X
Michael J. Tougias
New York Times best-selling author of The Finest Hours, Tougias shares incredible survival stories, and shares lessons about decision-making, goal attainment, and resilience.
Chuck Collins
One of the foremost writers, researchers, and activists on the rise of economic inequality in our society and its harmful effects; born into the 1%, he has devoted his life to bridging the economic divide
Jeffrey Simon
An internationally recognized writer, lecturer and consultant on domestic terrorism and political violence. He runs Political Risk Assessment Co., Inc., a security and terrorism research consulting company.
Robert Kirshner
Part of the Nobel-Award winning research team on “cosmic expansion” — takes his audience inside the world of dark energy, exploding stars, and the accelerating universe.
Jessica Valenti
One of the Top 100 Inspiring Women in the world, Valenti is a columnist for the Guardian US and author of books on feminism, politics and culture. A leading voice in the #MeToo movement.
Tim Riley
Journalism professor and NPR commentator, Riley’s books on the Beatles and John Lennon are consider definitive works. He also speaks about the way that social media has changed the face of journalism.
Bob Reiss
With climate change creating new access to the Arctic, “the region is in danger of becoming a 21st-century Wild West—a free-for-all for power and riches opening up at the top of the planet.”
David Guterson
Guterson’s newest book Descent: A Memoir of Madness is a starkly revealing memoir of his fall into depression in the wake of a national tragedy, and his courageous journey to recovery
Charles Kimball
Middle East expert and analyst on world religions, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in America.
Richard Rodriguez
An award–winning, thought provoking writer, hailed in The Washington Post as “one of the most eloquent and probing public intellectuals in America”.
Video: Richard Rodriguez at the Library of Congress
Jon Leiberman
A true 21st century media personality, Jonathan Leiberman has effectively straddled the platforms of TV, radio, and online and print media to search for justice for victims of crimes and their families.
Jianying Zha
Born in Beijing, educated in the West, journalist and author Jianying Zha brings unique insight into the rapid changes and movement in Chinese culture, politics, and economics.
Sandra Steingraber
Internationally renowned anti-fracking activist and biologist, Steingraber reveals the harm that unsafe chemicals in our environment have on our health…and our children’s health
Video: Speaking out on Fracking
Video: The Legacy of Rachel Carson
Sonia Shah
What will the next new virus look like? Will it be drug-resistant? Where will it happen next? These are the questions Sonia Shah addresses in her newest book, Pandemic.
Urvashi Vaid
Nationally acclaimed LGBT leader, attorney, community organizer throughout her entire professional career. She offers an insightful analysis of the gay rights movement, past and future.
Video: Urvashi Vaid addresses the Fenway Health Women’s Dinner Party
Gary Hirshberg
Pioneer in green business and organic farming, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield Farm Yogurt. Develops sustainable and socially-responsible technologies and practices for businesses.