Power, policy, and ideas in dialogue.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Washington DC, USA — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Anne Applebaum · Wilson Center (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars) · September 15, 2026
Historian and journalist Anne Applebaum examines the rise of authoritarian tactics in democracies and the role of information ecosystems in enabling them. The talk will consider hi…
Roxane Gay · Georgetown University · September 15, 2026
Author and cultural critic Roxane Gay discusses literary craft, the responsibilities of public intellectuals, and the intersections of identity and storytelling. The session will p…
Samantha Power · Wilson Center (Smoot Theatre) · September 15, 2026
Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power discusses responses to contemporary humanitarian crises and the role of democratic institutions in protecting human rights. The sess…
Sylvia Earle · National Geographic Society · September 15, 2026
Marine biologist Sylvia Earle shares stories from decades of ocean exploration and the latest science on marine ecosystems under threat. She will highlight conservation successes a…
Ezra Klein · New America Foundation · September 15, 2026
Journalist and podcaster Ezra Klein talks about the role of media in shaping public policy and the possibilities for institutional reform. The event features excerpts from his podc…
Jennifer Doudna · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · September 15, 2026
Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna presents a public lecture on the scientific advances, ethical dilemmas, and societal implications of CRISPR gene editing. She will discuss recent bre…
David Remnick · Library of Congress · September 15, 2026
New Yorker editor David Remnick reflects on the role of long-form journalism in chronicling political and cultural change. He will trace newsroom evolutions and discuss the respons…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · September 15, 2026
Elizabeth Kolbert discusses recent findings on climate impacts and the intersection of science and policy in her new reporting. The talk will highlight case studies and conclude wi…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Library of Congress · September 15, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert discusses the latest science and reporting on climate change and biodiversity loss. She will read from her new book and take aud…
Brian Skerry · National Geographic Society — Grosvenor Auditorium · September 15, 2026
Renowned underwater photographer Brian Skerry presents a visual journey through the oceans and the conservation stories behind his images. He discusses photography as a tool for ad…
Ta-Nehisi Coates · Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW · September 15, 2026
Acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates reads from his newest book and reflects on race, memory, and narrative in American life. A moderated discussion follows with audience questions an…
Michelle Alexander · National Museum of African American History and Culture (Smithsonian) · September 15, 2026
Author and civil-rights advocate Michelle Alexander examines mass incarceration, racial justice, and proposals for meaningful legal reform. The talk will explore current policy deb…
Atul Gawande · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · September 15, 2026
Surgeon and author Atul Gawande discusses innovations in healthcare delivery and the systemic changes needed to improve outcomes. He draws on frontline experience to argue for huma…
Enric Sala · National Geographic Society · September 15, 2026
Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala presents new research on marine protected areas and actionable strategies for ocean recovery. The talk combines field photography with policy recom…
Margaret Atwood · Library of Congress · September 15, 2026
Renowned novelist Margaret Atwood discusses the role of archives, historical imagination, and storytelling in her work. The event includes readings from her latest book and an audi…
Fareed Zakaria · Wilson Center (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars) · September 15, 2026
Journalist and foreign-affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria discusses emerging geopolitical challenges and strategic options for U.S. foreign policy in a multipolar world. A post-talk Q&…
Fareed Zakaria · Georgetown University (Institute for the Study of Diplomacy) · September 15, 2026
Journalist and host Fareed Zakaria examines shifting global power dynamics and the implications for U.S. foreign policy. The talk will be followed by a faculty-moderated Q&A on dip…
Ta-Nehisi Coates · Politics & Prose Bookstore · September 15, 2026
Author Ta-Nehisi Coates reads from his latest work and joins a moderated conversation about race, history, and American identity. The evening closes with an audience Q&A and book s…
Katherine Hayhoe · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · September 15, 2026
Climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe explores strategies for communicating climate science effectively to diverse audiences and policymakers. The talk will include practical advice o…
Walter Isaacson · Library of Congress · September 15, 2026
Biographer Walter Isaacson discusses leadership, creativity, and the archival impulse in his recent work. He will reflect on the archival resources of the Library of Congress and h…