Category: Speaker

Common Read: Talking Across the Divide with Justin Lee

Conversation Moderated by Dr. Amanda Solomon Amorao, TMC Dimensions of Culture Director, Associate Teaching Professor

The UC San Diego Common Read is an opportunity for Tritons to be inspired, to spark curiosity, and to bring us together. Our second annual Common Read selection is Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With—and Maybe Even Change the World by Justin Lee.

Justin Lee has been successfully bridging cultural divides for 25 years. He first developed his strategic dialogue techniques while working at the difficult intersection of faith and LGBTQ issues, where he became internationally known for helping heal family and community rifts. Justin’s latest book, Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With—and Maybe Even Change the World, draws on scientific research and real-world examples to apply these same techniques to today’s political and social conflicts.

About Justin Lee

For more than 25 years, Justin Lee has been known for navigating divisive issues with thoughtfulness and nuance. He is the author of Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With—and Maybe Even Change the World, which is now being used as a textbook in college classrooms to teach students how to navigate areas of disagreement.

Justin began his work in the 90s as a spokesperson for Bridges Across the Divide, an organization fostering dialogue across lines of disagreement about sexual orientation. In 2001, he founded a faith-based nonprofit to adapt these conversations for Christian faith communities, where he became internationally prominent for helping families stay together despite differing views on LGBTQ issues. His first book, Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, has become one of the most widely read books on that subject, gaining him a reputation as one of the only experts in the field to have a large following among both progressives and conservatives. An updated and expanded edition of Torn was released in 2024.

Justin has co-hosted three podcasts, spoken in seven countries, and been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, the Dr. Phil show, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, and NPR’s All Things Considered. He speaks to audiences across the political and ideological spectrum and has been interviewed by hosts as different as Bill Maher, Joy Behar, and Laura Ingraham.

Today, Justin is focused on teaching people to apply the principles of strategic dialogue to the political, social, and personal causes they care most about. In addition to his speaking and nonprofit work, Justin continues to address a variety of topics on his YouTube channel and his website at GeekyJustin.com.

Clue: The Movie and Conversation with Lesley Ann Warren

Celebrate 40 years of this cult classic with a pre-screening conversation with the original Miss Scarlett-Lesley Ann Warren, sharing behind-the-scenes secrets, scandalous stories, and memories from the iconic whodunit.

The Making of Our Planet: Frozen Worlds

“This has been a true labour of love for hundreds of filmmakers, cinematographers, conservationists, editors, musicians and production teams, all of whom have brought their best work to the most important story that there is – a story that could not be more universal or more timely.”—David Attenborough

Four billion years. Millions of species. Five mass extinction events (and counting). It’s the story of Life on Our Planet. From the Emmy® Award-winning team behind Netflix’s Our Planet series, comes a new natural history speaker series event: The Making of Our Planet. Brought to you by Silverback Films and Producer esk. in association with Netflix, The Making of Our Planet is a new and immersive live show featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the explorers, filmmakers, scientists, and adventurers that created some of the most eye-catching footage of our planet. Join us live on stage as we bring to life these stories from the natural world. With a focus on climate fragility and climate migration, The Making of Our Planet tells an unprecedented story about overcoming obstacles on a global scale and explores the messages at the heart of these action-packed, emotional, and unforgettable sequences.

Frozen Worlds

The unforgiving frontier of climate change. The calving of a gigantic iceberg or the risks of fossil fuel exploration in the arctic are never far from our news screens. Yet what does it mean for those that live there? Join us as we follow polar bears, walruses, seals and penguins as they find their icy Edens in peril. Brought to you by the speakers, adventurers and explorers that have joined the tradition of the polar explorer and returned to tell us why this frozen frontier is vital for our planet.

Good Writing: An Evening with Anne Lamott & Neal Allen

Beloved author Anne Lamott has a new book out in March 2026 co-written with her husband, Neal Allen. Based on rules of writing Neal has collected over the years, it’s also a sideways glimpse into how Anne and Neal collaborate on writing, editing, and living together. Together, they bring humor, warmth, and wisdom to audiences seeking relief from political fear, help with roadblocks to creativity, and methods for taming life’s everyday gremlins.

Join bestselling author Anne Lamott and writer-spiritual coach Neal Allen for an inspiring and entertaining evening that will change the way you think about language. Based on their new book In Good Writing, this dynamic onstage presentation offers 36 powerful techniques for transforming worthy sentences into unforgettable ones.

Through lively conversation, humor, and a touch of creative tension, Anne and Neal will walk audiences through essential rules that can instantly elevate any piece of writing—be it a novel, blog post, essay, speech, or screenplay. With Neal’s sharply honed insights from a career in journalism and business, and Anne’s unmistakable wit and wisdom from Bird by Bird and her many bestsellers, the two explore both the fundamentals and nuances of great prose.

Expect a spirited exchange as they dive into tips like “Use strong verbs,” “Twist clichés,” “Draw on all five senses,” and “Give your sentence a finale”—all while sharing real-life examples, practical advice, and the occasional debate. Along the way, they’ll also touch on the realities of the writing life: facing down unfinished drafts, working with editors, and knowing when to bend the rules.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this live event is a must-see for anyone who wants to write more vividly, more persuasively—and with more joy.

Neal Allen is a writer, spiritual coach, and speaker. He is the author of Better Days: Tame Your Inner Critic (Namaste, 2023), and Shapes of Truth: Discover God Inside You, as well as the upcoming Good Writing: 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences with Anne.

Priya Krishna

An Evening with Priya Krishna

Discover what it takes to turn a passion for storytelling into a career in food and culture journalism with Priya Krishna, acclaimed food reporter for The New York Times and author of Indian-ish and Cooking at Home.

In conversation with Tamara Cunningham, UC San Diego’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Global Initiatives, Priya will share her journey—from growing up surrounded by bold flavors to reporting on how food connects people, places, and identity. Attendees will gain insights into her creative process, career path, and what it means to write about culture through the lens of food.

The evening concludes with an audience Q&A and book signing, with Priya’s titles available for purchase from the UC San Diego Bookstore.

Words of Welcome: A Conversation with Roxane Gay

Moderated by Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Becky Petitt

Join us for an engaging conversation and evening with renowned author, cultural critic and thought leader, Roxane Gay. As part of the Words of Welcome Common Read of American Like Me, this discussion will explore themes of identity, belonging and resilience. Roxane Gay, known for her powerful voice on issues of race, gender and social justice, will share her unique perspectives, making this a compelling and inspiring event for our campus community. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an important conversation on what it means to navigate identity and belonging in today’s world.

Breathe With Me: A Celebratory Conversation with Laura Linney and Jeppe Hein

As the grand finale of the multi-day Breathe With Me event, join us for an inspiring evening with award-winning actress Laura Linney and world-renowned artist Jeppe Hein. Together, they will explore the powerful intersection of art, mental health, mindfulness, and community, discussing how creativity can foster well-being and connection. This special conversation highlights the transformative role that art plays in nurturing the wellness of individuals and communities alike. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with two visionary artists as they share their insights on the healing potential of art.

Following the conversation, please join Church of Music’s musicians and DJ Alina for community celebration and closing party.

About ArtPower

ArtPower at UC San Diego is dedicated to igniting curiosity, sparking creativity, and fostering cultural engagement through the power of the performing arts. By presenting innovative, diverse, and adventurous programming, ArtPower connects the campus and community with world-class artists from around the globe. Our mission is to inspire audiences, nurture emerging talent, and create opportunities for artistic exploration that enrich the lives of students and the greater San Diego community. Through vibrant performances, educational initiatives, and collaborative experiences, ArtPower fosters a dynamic, inclusive cultural dialogue that empowers individuals to experience the transformative power of the arts.

About Stuart Collection

Distinguished from a traditional sculpture garden by its site-specific nature, many of the artworks are fused seamlessly to campus buildings or integrated into the landscape itself. Great care is taken to incorporate the university’s long- and short-range plans while maintaining the integrity of the art and providing provocative, thoughtful and carefully considered additions to the fabric of campus life.

The Stuart Collection matches and reflects the level of excellence exhibited by UC San Diego’s distinction as a science and technology powerhouse. There is a uniquely elevating alliance between the ongoing pursuits of a major research university and the expression of contemporary art. Both address the most important questions of our time and do so with ambition and intellectual courage.

Many of the artists who have designed works for the collection are associated with movements or attitudes that are seldom represented in public sculpture collections. They have been honored with every major award in the art world, ranging from the Pulitzer Prize to the Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Medal of Arts awarded by President Barack Obama. In addition, the collection includes four recipients of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant” which celebrates intellect, accomplishment and creative potential.

An Evening with Ocean Vuong

Moderated by UC San Diego Literature Professor Lily Hoàng

Join the author of Time is a Mother for a reading and conversation about his writing process, his influences, and the themes behind his New York Times-bestselling, deeply intimate second poetry collection.

About Ocean Vuong

Ocean Vuong is the author of the New York Times bestselling poetry collection, Time is a Mother (Penguin Press 2022), and the New York Times bestselling novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (Penguin Press 2019), which has been translated into 37 languages.  A recipient of a 2019 MacArthur “Genius” Grant, he is also the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds, a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2016, winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Whiting Award, the Thom Gunn Award, and the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. A Ruth Lilly fellow from the Poetry Foundation, his honors include fellowships from the Lannan Foundation, the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, The Elizabeth George Foundation, The Academy of American Poets, and the Pushcart Prize.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Hartford, Connecticut in a working class family of nail salon and factory laborers, he was educated at nearby Manchester Community College before transferring to Pace University to study International Marketing. Without completing his first term, he dropped out of Business school and enrolled at Brooklyn College, where he graduated with a B.A. in Nineteenth Century American Literature. He subsequently received his M.F.A. in Poetry from New York University. 

He currently lives in Northampton, Massachusetts and serves as a tenured Professor in the Creative Writing M.F.A. Program at New York University.

Ira Glass: Seven Things I’ve Learned

“It’s hard to make something that’s interesting. It’s really, really hard. It’s like a law of nature, a law of aerodynamics, that anything that’s written or anything that’s created wants to be medio-cre. The natural state of all writing is mediocrity… So what it takes to make anything more than mediocre is such an act of will…”―Ira Glass

Ira Glass is the creator, producer & host of This American Life, the iconic weekly public radio program with millions of listeners around the world. Using audio clips, music, and video, Ira Glass delivers a unique talk; sharing lessons from his life and career in storytelling: What in-spires him to create? What drives his passion? How have failures and successes informed his decisions? During his presentation, Ira Glass will mix stories live onstage and help his audience better follow the creative process of one of our foremost storytellers.

An Evening with Fran Lebowitz

“Fran Lebowitz’s trademark is the sneer; she disapproves of virtually everything except sleep, cigarette smoking, and good furniture. Her essays and topical interviews on subjects ranging from the difficulty of finding an acceptable apartment to the art of freeloading at weekend houses have come to be regarded as classics of literary humor and social observation.”—The Paris Review

Author, Journalist & Social Observer

In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators.

Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media – as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. The New York Times Book Review calls Lebowitz an “important humorist in the classic tradition.” Purveyor of urban cool, Lebowitz is a cultural satirist whom many call the heir to Dorothy Parker.

Lebowitz on frankness: “Spilling your guts is exactly as charming as it sounds.”

Lebowitz on herself: “Success didn’t spoil me, I’ve always been insufferable.”

This is Lebowitz off the cuff. Her writing—pointed, taut and economical—is equally forthright, irascible, and unapologetically opinionated.

Lebowitz was named to Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 2008. She remains a style icon. Lebowitz lives in New York City, as she does not believe that she would be allowed to live anywhere else.