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Now in its 28th season in Pasadena, The Distinguished Speakers Series is back at the Civic Auditorium, where the talks started in 1997.
The series once again has all-star lineup of live presenters for the upcoming 2024-25 season, including Trevor Noah, Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Emily Chang and Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko from National Geographic.
The season runs October to May with speaking events on six evenings.
“Our mission is to offer audiences across Southern California a unique way to enjoy a monthly dose of inspiration and connection,” series co-owner Kathy Winterhalder, said in a statement. “Our events spark engaging conversations, new ways to look at things and thoughtful discussion on the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times. We give neighbors from differing backgrounds and political persuasions the opportunity to come together during a time where it is both rare and necessary.”
Winterhalder noted the series’ more-for-less approach to providing quality speakers for a relatively low ticket price.
“Billionaires and CEOs understand the value of experiencing thought leaders live; they get exclusive invitations and pay tens of thousands of dollars traveling the world to attend events,” she said. “We present many of the same speakers as these forums. However, the big distinction is — for the price of a good steak dinner — we bring the same experience to our subscribers at the Civic Auditorium.”
The series kicks off Oct. 16 with comedian Trevor Noah, the Emmy-winning Host of “The Daily Show” and a best-selling author. Noah’s international credits include “two sold-out stand-up comedy tours, a bestselling autobiography about being ‘born a crime in South Africa,’ and most recently as Microsoft’s Chief Question Officer,” according to event organizers. “Known globally as one of comedy’s busiest and brightest stars, Noah will join the Series for a rare, intimate evening of conversation that will span his adolescent upbringing in apartheid South Africa, his barrier-breaking career and his new book, ‘Into the Uncut Grass.'”
Renowned observer and thinker Malcolm Gladwell will take the stage on Nov. 20.
“Gladwell has spent his career searching for the counterintuitive in what we all take to be the mundane: cookies, sneakers, and pasta sauce,” organizers said. Thanks to his best-selling books, these ordinary subjects have helped millions of readers grasp complex ideas like behavioral economics and performance prediction.”
Gladwell’s Distinguished Speaker Series presentation will focus on his soon-to-be-released book that challenges “the popular understanding of bias, crime, food, marketing, race, consumers and intelligence,” according to series organizers.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta has won multiple Emmy Awards and is CNN’s chief medical correspondent covering major developments in medicine, personal health and health care. Gupta will join the series on Jan. 15.
“Shaped by his experience as a practicing neurosurgeon and dedicated global journalist, Dr. Gupta will bring a unique perspective on the future of Global Health, including the latest advancements in science, the impact of AI on healthcare, innovation in brain health & aging, and the challenges and critical issues involved in medical breakthroughs,” series organizers said.
On Feb. 12 photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko, National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year, will lead their series audience “on an epic quest, on foot, through the entire length of the Grand Canyon — not ‘rim to rim’ as has been tackled by many — but 750 miles ‘end to end,'” series organizers said. “Their over 14-month hiking expedition will shed light on the health and future of this national treasure and invites us to contemplate the value of wild spaces.”
Zanny Minton Beddoes, the first female editor-in-chief of The Economist, on April 21 is set to provide timely insights on global events affecting business and industry — “such as COVID-19 or a consequential presidential election,” according to event organizers. Minton Beddoes will speak about “emerging markets, a precarious European Union, corporate America and the latest twists in U.S. politics.”
The Series concludes May 21 with Emmy-winning journalist Emily Chang, “whose reporting on global technology and media companies, startups, and the future of business had Business Insider calling her ‘the star Bloomberg anchor that everyone in tech needs to know,'” series organizers reported. Chang’s Distinguished Speaker Series talk will explore AI innovation, governance and the changing relationship between tech leaders and governments.
A moderated question-and-answer session provides audience members with the opportunity to interact with each speaker at the end of all series events.
The Distinguished Speaker Series takes place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St. The weeknight speaking events begin at 7:30 p.m.
The series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Single tickets are not available. Tickets range from $240 to $660 for premier seating for all six events. Subscriptions are available for purchase at www.speakersla.com.
