Innovation and introspection by the Sound.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Seattle, USA — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 16, 2026
Rebecca Solnit · Hugo House · September 17, 2026
Rebecca Solnit reads from her latest essays and speaks about activism, environment, and storytelling as tools for civic engagement. The event includes time for audience questions a…
Jia Tolentino · Hugo House · September 17, 2026
Staff writer and essayist Jia Tolentino reads from her newest collection and discusses craft, cultural criticism, and the responsibilities of the contemporary essayist. The evening…
Atul Gawande · Town Hall Seattle · September 17, 2026
Surgeon and author Atul Gawande discusses the moral and practical challenges of modern medicine, drawing on his most recent work. The event includes audience Q&A and a brief book s…
Michael Lewis · Seattle Public Library - Central Library · September 18, 2026
Best-selling author Michael Lewis reads from and discusses his latest book about markets, human behavior, and the stories that shape them. The talk will include a brief audience Q&…
Michael Pollan · Chihuly Garden and Glass · September 18, 2026
Journalist Michael Pollan discusses cultivation, food systems, and the cultural relationships we build with plants and landscapes. He pairs big-picture reporting with reflections o…
Atul Gawande · Town Hall Seattle · September 18, 2026
Surgeon and public-health writer Atul Gawande discusses innovations in health systems, medical ethics, and how policy shapes patient outcomes. He will take audience questions after…
Ta-Nehisi Coates · Seattle Public Library - Central Library · September 18, 2026
Writer and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates presents new work and discusses how history and memory shape contemporary debates over race and policy. A Q&A with the audience will follow t…
Jennifer Doudna · University of Washington - Henry Art Gallery · September 18, 2026
Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna discusses CRISPR gene editing, the ethical questions it raises, and the intersection of scientific innovation with public policy and art. The lecture…
Brian Greene · Pacific Science Center · September 18, 2026
Physicist and science communicator Brian Greene explores current ideas in cosmology and quantum gravity in an accessible lecture for nonspecialists. The evening concludes with audi…
Neil deGrasse Tyson · University of Washington - Meany Hall · September 18, 2026
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson connects big-picture cosmic perspectives to urgent discussions about Earth's climate and humanity's future. The talk blends accessible science wi…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Seattle Art Museum · September 18, 2026
Pulitzer Prize‑winning environmental journalist Elizabeth Kolbert presents research on biodiversity loss and the human choices that shape ecological futures. The talk will pair vis…
Roxane Gay · Seattle Public Library - Central Library · September 18, 2026
Roxane Gay discusses craft, the responsibilities of writers, and the role of empathy in storytelling. The event includes a short reading followed by audience Q&A.
Atul Gawande · University of Washington (Meany Hall) · September 18, 2026
Surgeon and writer Atul Gawande examines advances and persistent challenges in end-of-life care, medical systems, and patient choice. The event will pair a short lecture with quest…
Atul Gawande · University of Washington - Kane Hall · September 18, 2026
Surgeon and bestselling author Atul Gawande explores innovations and policy approaches to improve end-of-life care and decision making. The talk emphasizes practical reforms for cl…
Jennifer Doudna · University of Washington - Kane Hall · September 18, 2026
Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna discusses the scientific advances and ethical questions surrounding CRISPR and genome editing. The lecture will address public policy, equity, and th…
Ocean Vuong · Hugo House · September 18, 2026
Poet and novelist Ocean Vuong reads from his newest collection and discusses the craft of lyric prose and memory in contemporary poetry. The program includes a short interview and …
Jas Randhawa · Town Hall Seattle · September 18, 2026
<p>A decade after the Panama Papers exposed the hidden world of offshore finance, the investigation’s consequences continue to unfold. Governments have recovered at least $1.…
Aaron Hurst · Town Hall Seattle · September 19, 2026
<p>Across our modern landscapes, more and more people are voicing a want for community. Dynamic friend groups. High-performing colleagues and workplaces. Successful teams. An…
Ta-Nehisi Coates · Town Hall Seattle · September 20, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates reads from his latest work and discusses race, history, and American democracy in conversation with a local journalist. The program w…
Roxane Gay · Hugo House · September 20, 2026
Author and essayist Roxane Gay reads new work and discusses craft, vulnerability, and cultural criticism in contemporary literature. The evening includes a moderated Q&A and limite…