Society
Values

Finding ways to ground ourselves on a planet too often in turmoil can foster the resilience we need to function at our best. By maintaining close personal ties, learning new skills, engaging in civic activities, spending time in nature, enjoying the arts, and seeking counseling, we can support our physical and mental health in profound ways. Aspen Ideas: Health experts sha...

Everyone has a story to tell – and sharing them reminds us of our common humanity. Few know this better than StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark. Over the last 20 years, the organization has collected, archived, and shared the extraordinary stories of everyday people. Learn about the powerful ways storytelling and listening can help cultivate empathy and foster understanding.

How do we describe the Republican Party today, and what are the dynamics that will shape its future?

In their new book, co-authors and Stanford professors Rob Reich and Mehran Sahami argue that big tech’s obsession with optimization and efficiency has sacrificed fundamental human values. In this conversation, they outline steps we should take to change course and renew democracy.

Even at a time of intense partisan polarization, it is still possible to get things done in Washington. Hear from Representative Jason Crow (D-CO) and Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX), co-chairs of the House For Country Caucus, about the work they are doing on behalf of all Americans.

Join Dan Savage and Christine Emba as they shed light on the ever-evolving realm of sexual ethics in modern-day America. In this captivating discussion, Savage, renowned Savage Love columnist, and Emba, the provocative author of Rethinking Sex, delve deeply into the realms of consent, mutual pleasure, and the moral complexities and intricate power dynamics woven into our i...

In our discussions about people’s and society’s most desirable attributes, we use all these vague abstract words, like morality, virtue, and justice. But what does it actually look like to be a good person, in practical terms? Let’s walk through the steps. Author, columnist, and political and cultural commentator David Brooks is your guide.

“Self-care” is the buzzword of the moment. But far before face masks and digital detoxes, ancient philosophers were thinking of ways to enhance human flourishing. How do their ideas match up to today? Yale philosophy professor Tamar Gendler sits down with author Bruce Feiler, who traveled across the U.S. collecting stories on how we deal with life’s transitions. From mille...

Modern theories about what makes life meaningful can feel incomplete. How can we enrich these conceptions with ancient wisdom and knowledge traditions in a way that provides clarity about the substance of human flourishing?

For Kate Levin of Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul Minnesota, and Karen Brunwasser of FeelBeit (a community center that bridges divides between East and West Jerusalem), the arts aren’t just a supplement to life — they are a crucial balm to social division. Find out how institutions can harness the power of the arts to strengthen communities in th...

DOORS OPEN AT 6PM. In the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kate Winslet’s character erases painful memories of her ex-boyfriend. Could this be possible in real life? Neurotechnology, like decoded neurofeedback, offers ways to modify or erase unpleasant memories. Advocates believe it could improve mental well-being and heal emotional trauma. Forgotten memories co...

Stories matter, as do the ways we tell them. Hear from the founder of an audiobook empire and a renowned theoretical physicist on the art and power of capturing and conveying human experience through compelling narrative.

The 21st century is throwing a lot at us. How do ancient texts and traditions ground us, and what do they have to tell us about living a good life in today’s world?

The search for meaning is at the crux of the human condition and the basis of Life Worth Living, a new book emulating one of Yale’s most popular courses. In this lively “hot seat” discussion, professor Miroslav Volf discusses the book’s framework with host Kelly Corrigan. Afterwards, distinguished guests join in contemplating key questions such as: what’s worth doing, who...

The decline in trust of scientific institutions over the course of the pandemic is manifested in the number of Americans worried about the truth of scientific progress and the abilities of scientific leaders to be objective and credible. How do we rebuild trust?

A.I. experts are confronted with an enormous opportunity to build technology that benefits everyone, but it’s critical that these systems are built carefully. Discover the transformative potential of A.I. as we explore the essential guardrails required to ensure it remains a force for positive change.

In her new memoir, Mary Louise Kelly candidly explores the delicate balance between career and motherhood, sharing her insights as the host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” in the year leading up to her son’s departure for college. She and Kelly Corrigan, host of PBS’s “Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan,” sit down for a lively and honest conversation about the challenges of...

While Shakespeare’s themes are timeless, it may not always be easy for 21st century Americans to see themselves in his work. Join a director, a scholar, and the 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Fat Ham for a discussion of why and how the Bard still speaks to all of us.

E.O. Wilson said, “We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.” How should technology be designed and controlled so it improves our lives, economy, and culture without losing individuality, privacy, and trust in society and each other? Presented by Allstate

DOORS OPEN AT 6PM. The “On Being” podcast is acclaimed for its “mind- and heart-expanding” exploration of “theology, ethics, science, the soul, and what it means to be a human” (The New York Times). In this live taping, Krista Tippett turns that lens on the singularly delightful Kate Bowler, author of Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved. This pretern...