High altitude, higher thinking.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Denver, USA — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 20, 2026
Angela Davis · University of Denver (Margery Reed Hall) · September 21, 2026
Activist and scholar Angela Davis reflects on the history of civil rights movements and the continuing struggle for prison reform and racial justice. Her lecture will be followed b…
Isabel Wilkerson · Paramount Theatre Denver · September 21, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson explores the long shadows of social hierarchy and her work following up Caste. Expect a lecture followed by a moderated discussion an…
Fareed Zakaria · Colorado Convention Center · September 22, 2026
Journalist and international affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria examines major geopolitical trends shaping the next decade. He will discuss policy implications for the United States an…
Naomi Klein · Denver Center for the Performing Arts - Buell Theatre · September 22, 2026
Author and activist Naomi Klein presents on the economic and political dimensions of climate action and just transition strategies. The talk will be followed by a moderated audienc…
Atul Gawande · University of Denver - Anderson Academic Commons · September 22, 2026
Surgeon and author Atul Gawande examines how clinical practice intersects with health systems and public policy in the era of aging populations. He will reflect on lessons from his…
Nikole Hannah-Jones · Tattered Cover Book Store - Colfax · September 22, 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones discusses the craft of long-form investigative reporting and the challenges of covering racial justice today. She will read ex…
Amanda Gorman · Denver Botanic Gardens - Gates Center · September 22, 2026
Poet Amanda Gorman presents a reading of new and selected work that connects civic life to personal hope and political imagination. The program closes with a short conversation on …
Michael Pollan · Denver Museum of Nature & Science · September 22, 2026
Michael Pollan presents his latest research on sustainable food systems and the cultural forces shaping what we eat. The talk will pair policy discussion with practical ideas for h…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Tattered Cover Book Store - Colfax · September 22, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert reads from her latest reporting on biodiversity loss and climate impacts. The reading will be followed by a moderated Q&A and bo…
Bill McKibben · History Colorado Center · September 22, 2026
Environmentalist Bill McKibben leads a public conversation on climate activism, policy, and local strategies for reducing carbon footprints. The event will highlight regional initi…
Malcolm Gladwell · Tattered Cover (Colfax Avenue) · September 22, 2026
Malcolm Gladwell explores how intuition and statistics intersect in modern storytelling and decision-making. Expect narrative case studies and a conversation about how stories shap…
Atul Gawande · University of Denver - Hamilton Hall · September 22, 2026
Surgeon and public-health writer Atul Gawande examines the ethical and systemic challenges facing modern medicine. The talk will highlight strategies to improve patient outcomes an…
Yuval Noah Harari · Bellco Theatre at Colorado Convention Center · September 22, 2026
Historian Yuval Noah Harari offers a sweeping talk on AI, biotechnology, and how they may reshape human societies over the next decades. He will consider ethical frameworks and civ…
Ibram X. Kendi · History Colorado Center · September 22, 2026
Ibram X. Kendi outlines frameworks for institutional change and personal accountability in addressing systemic racism. The talk pairs historical context with concrete policy and co…
Adam Grant · Denver Botanic Gardens - Gates Hall · September 22, 2026
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant presents research on motivation, creativity, and how workplaces can foster thriving. The talk will include practical takeaways and audience Q…
Atul Gawande · University of Colorado Denver - Auraria Campus (Tivoli Student Union) · September 22, 2026
Surgeon and public health writer Atul Gawande presents ideas on improving systems of care and the ethics of medical decision-making. He will offer evidence-based proposals and take…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Denver Botanic Gardens (Mackey Auditorium) · September 22, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert discusses the current extinction crisis and the human role in accelerating climate change. She connects field reporting with pra…
Ta-Nehisi Coates · Tattered Cover Bookstore (Colfax) · September 23, 2026
Author Ta-Nehisi Coates reads from his newest work and reflects on storytelling, race, and memory in contemporary America. The program includes a moderated conversation and a book …
Roxane Gay · Lighthouse Writers Workshop · September 23, 2026
Author and critic Roxane Gay presents a lecture on the craft of memoir, cultural criticism, and the politics of voice. The evening includes a moderated conversation and audience qu…
Steven Pinker · Newman Center for the Performing Arts (University of Denver) · September 23, 2026
Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker presents a data-driven defense of human progress and the role of reason and science in solving societal problems. The evening will include a moder…