September 18-20, 2025

New York City

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US

The 17th annual Atlantic Festival took place September 18–20 and brought our essential journalism to life in New York City. Atlantic journalists explored the most consequential issues of our time alongside an outstanding slate of expert speakers. Whether you attended in-person or virtually, thank you for taking the time to join us.

Select sessions are now available to watch on demand. To stay up to date with the festival, join our festival list here. You’ll be the first to know about speakers, passes, and more.

Watch

2025 speakers

Scott Galloway

Professor, NYU Stern School of Business

View Speaker Events

Mike Pence

48th Vice President of the United States

View Speaker Events

Tekedra Mawakana

Co-CEO, Waymo

View Speaker Events

H.R. McMaster

Lieutenant General (Ret.) and Former National Security Adviser

View Speaker Events

Keri Russell

Actor and Executive Producer, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
See Full List
Close Speaker List

Adam Serwer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Adrienne LaFrance

Executive Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Alice McKown

Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Alisa Payne

Producer and Co-Founder, Message Pictures

View Speaker Events

Alison Roman

Author and Cook

View Speaker Events

Allison Janney

Actor, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Andrea Armstrong

Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law and a 2023 MacArthur Fellow

View Speaker Events

Andrea Valdez

Managing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Andrew Zimmern

TV Personality, Chef, Author, and Activist

View Speaker Events

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
Eli Lilly and Company

Anne E. White

Executive Vice President and President, Lilly Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company

View Speaker Events

Annette Gordon-Reed

Professor, Harvard University

View Speaker Events

Annie Lowrey

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Annie Polland

President, Tenement Museum

View Speaker Events

Arianna Huffington

Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

View Speaker Events

Aric Prather

Professor, Sleep Scientist, and Author

View Speaker Events

Arvind Krishna

Chair and CEO, IBM

View Speaker Events

Ashley Parker

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Ayad Akhtar

Playwright, McNeal

View Speaker Events

Dr. Becky Kennedy

Clinical Psychologist and Founder and CEO, Good Inside

View Speaker Events
Gilead Sciences

Betty Chiang

Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs Virology, Gilead Sciences

View Speaker Events

Bhumika Tharoor

Managing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Brent Minchew

Professor of Geophysics, California Institute of Technology, and Chief Scientist, Arête Glacier Initiative

View Speaker Events
MacArthur Foundation

Bria L. Gillum

Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice, MacArthur Foundation

View Speaker Events

Bryan Stevenson

Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative

View Speaker Events

Caitlin Dickerson

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Caity Weaver

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Caleb Madison

Director, Atlantic Games

View Speaker Events

Candace Montgomery

Executive Vice President, AtlanticLIVE

View Speaker Events

Cari Champion

Broadcast Journalist and Host

View Speaker Events

Catherine Coleman Flowers

Founder, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice

View Speaker Events

Chai Vasarhelyi

Director and Producer, Love+War

View Speaker Events
Cathay Pacific

Cindy Lam

Senior Vice President, Americas, Cathay Pacific

View Speaker Events

Clara Wu Tsai

Owner and Governor, New York Liberty

View Speaker Events

Clint Smith

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Courtney Boen

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Brown University

View Speaker Events

Damian Woetzel

President, The Juilliard School

View Speaker Events

Daniel Engber

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

David Letterman

Talk Show Host, Comedian, and Producer

View Speaker Events

Debora Cahn

Creator and Executive Producer, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis

Former director of the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

View Speaker Events

Derek Thompson

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Elizabeth Bruenig

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Ellen Cushing

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
Genentech

Erica Taylor

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Genentech

View Speaker Events

Ethan Hawke

Actor and Executive Producer, FX’s The Lowdown

View Speaker Events

Evan Smith

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Franklin Foer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Gal Beckerman

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Garry Kasparov

World Chess Champion and Chairman, Renew Democracy Initiative

View Speaker Events

Gayle King

Co-Host, CBS Mornings and Editor at Large, Oprah Daily

View Speaker Events
Gilead Sciences

Gené van den Ende

Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences

View Speaker Events

George Packer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Hanna Rosin

Senior Editor, The Atlantic and Host, Radio Atlantic

View Speaker Events

H.R. McMaster

Lieutenant General (Ret.) and Former National Security Adviser

View Speaker Events

Helen Lewis

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Isaac Stanley-Becker

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
Obesity Action Coalition

James Zervios

Chief Operating Officer, Obesity Action Coalition

View Speaker Events
Microsoft

Jared Spataro

Chief Marketing Officer, AI at Work, Microsoft

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jemele Hill

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jenisha Watts

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jennifer Doudna

Founder, Innovative Genomics Institute and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

View Speaker Events

Jonathan Lemire

Staff Writer The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Josh Tyrangiel

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Joshua Bennett

Professor, MIT and Author,The Singing Word

View Speaker Events

Joy Tao

Co-Founder and CTO, Partiful

View Speaker Events

Julianne Moore

Actress and Author

View Speaker Events

Julie Beck

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Kamilah Forbes

Executive Producer, The Apollo

View Speaker Events

Kate Marvel

Author and Research Scientist

View Speaker Events

Kathryn Bigelow

Director, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Ken Burns

Director and Producer, American Revolution

View Speaker Events

Keri Russell

Actor and Executive Producer, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Lisa M. Lawson

President and CEO, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

View Speaker Events

Lisa Mosconi

Director, Weill Cornell Medicine Women’s Brain Initiative and Program Director, Wellcome Leap

View Speaker Events

Lynsey Addario

Photojournalist and Author

View Speaker Events

Manuela Zamora

Executive Director, NY Sun Works

View Speaker Events
Genentech

Maria E. Wilson

Executive Director, Cardiovascular and Metabolism, Metabolic Drug Discovery Unit, Genentech Research and Early Development

View Speaker Events

Megan Garber

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Megha Garibaldi

Chief Growth Officer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Michael Roizen

Professor and Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

View Speaker Events

Mike Pence

48th Vice President of the United States

View Speaker Events

Monica Lewinsky

Podcast Host, Reclaiming With Monica Lewinsky

View Speaker Events

Nicholas Florko

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Nicholas Thompson

CEO, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Nisha Parikh

System Director, Women’s Heart Program, Northwell Health

View Speaker Events

Noah Hawley

Showrunner and Novelist

View Speaker Events

Noah Oppenheim

Screenwriter, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Pat Pataranutaporn

Professor and Researcher, MIT Media Lab

View Speaker Events

Peter McGuinness

President and CEO, Impossible Foods

View Speaker Events

Rebecca Rosen

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Reid Hoffman

Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Manas AI

View Speaker Events

Richard Ayoade

Comedian and Actor

View Speaker Events
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Richard V. Reeves

President, American Institute for Boys and Men

View Speaker Events

Rita Dove

Creative Writing Professor, University of Virginia

View Speaker Events
Genentech

Dr. Robyn Pashby

Clinical Health Psychologist and Founder, Health Psychology Partners

View Speaker Events

Ross Andersen

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
Diageo

Sally Grimes

CEO, Diageo North America

View Speaker Events

Sally Jenkins

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
CenterWell

Sanjay Shetty

President, CenterWell at Humana

View Speaker Events

Sarah Botstein

Director and Producer, American Revolution

View Speaker Events

Sarah Gregory

Criminal Justice Reform Advocate and Social-Work Professional

View Speaker Events

Sarah Spain

Journalist, Podcast Host, and Author

View Speaker Events

Scott Galloway

Professor, NYU Stern School of Business

View Speaker Events
Scout Motors

Scott Keogh

President and CEO, Scout Motors

View Speaker Events

Shari Goldfarb

Program Director, Young Women With Breast Cancer Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

View Speaker Events

Shirley Li

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Shreya Murthy

Co-Founder and CTO, Partiful

View Speaker Events

Sian Beilock

President, Dartmouth

View Speaker Events

Sophia Roe

Chef, TV Host, Writer, Producer, and Editor

View Speaker Events

Sophie Gilbert

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Spencer Rascoff

CEO, Match Group

View Speaker Events

Sterlin Harjo

Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, and Director, FX’s The Lowdown

View Speaker Events

Susan Orlean

Author, Joyride

View Speaker Events

Tekedra Mawakana

Co-CEO, Waymo

View Speaker Events

Thomas Chatterton Williams

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Tim Alberta

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Toluse Olorunnipa

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Tom Hanks

Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director

View Speaker Events

Tom Nichols

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Tracy Letts

Actor, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Vann R. Newkirk II

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Viraj Puri

Co-Founder and CEO, Gotham Greens

View Speaker Events

W. Kamau Bell

Writer, Director, and Comedian

View Speaker Events

Walt Hunter

Contributing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Walter Mosley

Author, Gray Dawn

View Speaker Events

Xochitl Gonzalez

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Yasmin Tayag

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

2025 Agenda

*Agenda subject to change
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
9:30 AM

Ideas Session, featuring H.R. McMaster, Jennifer Doudna, W. Kamau Bell, and Mike Pence

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

120 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Kick off The Atlantic Festival with the Ideas Session, where we will have a series of rigorous conversations to unpack the most pressing issues of our time. Lieutenant General (ret.) and former National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump H.R. McMaster will explore the global defense landscape with Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg; the award-winning comedian W. Kamau Bell will sit down with Atlantic contributor Jemele Hill to examine the role of comedians in political discourse and how humor evolves to reflect changing societal norms; the Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna will discuss the next frontier in medical innovation with Jeffrey Goldberg; and the 48th vice president, Mike Pence, will discuss the future of conservatism with Atlantic staff writer Tim Alberta.

Participants

H.R. McMaster

Lieutenant General (ret.) and Former National Security Adviser

View Speaker Events

Jennifer Doudna

Founder, Innovative Genomics Institute and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

View Speaker Events

Mike Pence

48th Vice President of the United States

View Speaker Events

W. Kamau Bell

Writer, Director, and Comedian

View Speaker Events

Jemele Hill

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Tim Alberta

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
12:30 PM

The Future of AI and HumanityUnderwritten by Microsoft

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Join as we explore the evolving relationship between humans and technology—unpacking the promises and challenges of an AI-driven world. Atlantic contributing writer Derek Thompson and Atlantic staff writer Josh Tyrangiel will examine the current state of play in AI. The MIT Media Lab professor and researcher Pat Pataranutaporn and Atlantic senior editor Hanna Rosin will survey the future of AI-human interaction and how technology can be designed to enhance human flourishing. The founder and CEO of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington, and Atlantic contributing writer Derek Thompson will explore how AI is driving innovation and helping individuals and organizations improve their health, well-being, and mental resilience. Hear from Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson as he brings his hit virtual series, “The Most Interesting Thing in Tech,” live to The Atlantic Festival.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter Microsoft. The Atlantic’s Nicholas Thompson and Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer of AI at Work Jared Spataro will explore how AI-powered frontier firms are using AI to drive productivity, accelerate decision making, and deliver measurable business value. It will also highlight how these firms are reimagining leadership in this new era of work—offering a blueprint for how others can unlock similar value by adopting AI with intention and clarity.

Participants

Pat Pataranutaporn

Professor and Researcher, MIT Media Lab

View Speaker Events

Hanna Rosin

Senior Editor, The Atlantic and Host, Radio Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Arianna Huffington

Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

View Speaker Events

Derek Thompson

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jared Spataro*

Chief Marketing Officer, AI at Work, Microsoft

View Speaker Events

Nicholas Thompson

CEO, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Josh Tyrangiel

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
*UNDERWRITER SPEAKER

The Climate Summit Underwritten by Allstate

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat—it’s here, reshaping our world in real time. Join The Atlantic for a powerful exploration of how innovation, storytelling, and justice are reshaping our response to a warming planet. First, we'll have a high-impact conversation at the intersection of climate science and cutting-edge solutions. The glaciologist Brent Minchew, the climate communicator Kate Marvel, and the nonprofit leader Manuela Zamora join the Atlantic staff writer Ross Andersen to dive into what’s changing—and what’s possible—when science meets urgency. Then, the Atlantic senior editor and Floodlines creator Vann R. Newkirk II leads a deep dive into the future of natural disasters—and how systemic inequities fuel their impact. Joining him are the environmental-justice icon Catherine Coleman Flowers and the producer and showrunner of Netflix's Katrina: Come Hell and High Water Alisa Payne, in a must-hear conversation about the stories we tell and the systems we need to rebuild for a just and resilient future.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter Allstate. The Atlantic’s chief revenue officer and publisher, Alice McKown, will join Allstate leadership to discuss the resilience gap and why disaster preparedness still matters.

Participants

Brent Minchew

Professor of Geophysics, California Institute of Technology and Chief Scientist, Arête Glacier Initiative

View Speaker Events

Kate Marvel

Author and Research Scientist

View Speaker Events

Manuela Zamora

Executive Director, NY Sun Works

View Speaker Events

Ross Andersen

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Alisa Payne

Producer and Co-founder, Message Pictures

View Speaker Events

Catherine Coleman Flowers

Founder, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice

View Speaker Events

Vann R. Newkirk II

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Alice McKown

Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
1:45 PM

Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice, and Finding Hope Book Signing with Catherine Coleman Flowers

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice founder Catherine Coleman Flowers will sign copies of her newest book, Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice, and Finding Hope. Books can be purchased in the lobby bookstore.

Participants

Catherine Coleman Flowers

Founder, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice

View Speaker Events
2:00 PM

Weight, What? *INDEPENDENT SESSION PRODUCED BY OUR UNDERWRITER GENENTECH

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

We’ve long been told that weight is a matter of discipline—that eating less and moving more is the answer. But what if that story is scientifically outdated? This session unpacks the neuroscience and psychology behind hunger, cravings, “food noise,” and the body’s complex relationship with weight—revealing how brain circuitry, not just behavior, plays a defining role in obesity. We’ll uncover the hidden biological alarm systems that resist weight loss, which evolved to protect us from starvation but are misfiring in today’s environment. Moderated by Dr. Erica Taylor, the vice president and chief marketing officer at Genentech, and featuring insights from Dr. Maria Wilson, James Zervios, and Dr. Robyn Pashby, we’ll challenge cultural myths and explore how science is reframing the future of obesity care.

Participants

Erica Taylor*

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Genentech

View Speaker Events

James Zervios*

Chief Operating Officer, Obesity Action Coalition

View Speaker Events

Maria E. Wilson*

Executive Director, Cardiovascular and Metabolism, Metabolic Drug Discovery Unit, Genentech Research and Early Development

View Speaker Events
Genentech

Dr. Robyn Pashby

Clinical Health Psychologist and Founder, Health Psychology Partners

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
2:30 PM

Ideas Session featuring Ayad Akhtar, Richard Ayoade, and David Letterman

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

85 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Join us for a series of fireside chats with cultural luminaries. First, the playwright Ayad Akhtar and Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg discuss how technology is redefining the future of art and humanity. Then, the British comedian and writer Richard Ayoade will sit down with the legendary late-night talk-show host David Letterman to discuss the personal and professional experiences that have shaped his approach to comedy and writing.

Participants

Ayad Akhtar

Playwright, McNeal

View Speaker Events

David Letterman

Talk Show Host, Comedian, and Producer

View Speaker Events

Richard Ayoade

Comedian and Actor

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
3:00 PM

Redefining American Justice Underwritten by the MacArthur Foundation

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

As criminal justice reform efforts gain momentum, why have so many struggled to deliver lasting safety, accountability, and fairness? This forum explores how lived experience, public will, and new ideas are reshaping the national conversation. Elizabeth Bruenig, a staff writer at The Atlantic, investigates how the American legal system defines accountability and retribution through deeply reported narratives. Joining her is Sarah Gregory, who brings firsthand experience with the justice system and advocates for solutions grounded in the realities of those most affected. Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and a leading voice in the movement for reform, has spent decades challenging injustice and inequality in courts and prisons. Through personal stories, investigative insights, and expert analysis, this conversation moves beyond what’s broken to consider what’s possible in the future of American justice.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter the MacArthur Foundation.

Participants

Elizabeth Bruenig

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Bryan Stevenson

Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative

View Speaker Events

Sarah Gregory

Criminal Justice Reform Advocate and Social-Work Professional

View Speaker Events

Jenisha Watts

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Clint Smith

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Andrea Armstrong

Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law and a 2023 MacArthur Fellow

View Speaker Events

Bria L. Gillum*

Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice, MacArthur Foundation

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
4:00 PM

Book Signing with Andrew Zimmern

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Chef, TV personality and activist Andrew Zimmern will sign bookplates for his upcoming release, Hope in the Water: The Blue Food Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for a Sustainable Future, co-authored by sustainable seafood expert Barton Seaver in collaboration with Fed by Blue. Books can be preordered in the lobby bookstore.

Participants

Andrew Zimmern

TV Personality, Chef, Author, and Activist

View Speaker Events
4:30 PM

The Future of Human Connection: Life, Love, and Loneliness in a Digital World Underwritten by Scout Motors

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

75 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

In an era defined by constant connectivity, many of us are feeling more disconnected than ever. The ways we relate to one another have been radically reshaped by technology—and the effects are both liberating and disorienting. This session brings together cultural thinkers, technologists, and relationship experts for a conversation on how digital life is transforming intimacy, identity, community, and belonging. Shreya Murthy and Joy Tao, the co-founders of the social event–planning app Partiful, and Atlantic staff writer Ellen Cushing will examine the value of in-person connection and how technology can help bring people together in an increasingly digital world, led by a managing editor at The Atlantic, Bhumika Tharoor. Then, Spencer Rascoff, the CEO of Match Group, joins Atlantic staff writer Annie Lowrey for a discussion on modern love in the age of the algorithm. What does it mean to be truly connected in the 21st century?

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter Scout Motors. The president and CEO of Scout Motors, Scott Keogh, joins The Atlantic’s CEO, Nicholas Thompson, to explore how our vehicles can help ensure innovation enables connection instead of replacing it, keeping us in contact on the road and off the grid while building community with one another and the land around us.

Participants

Scott Keogh*

President and CEO, Scout Motors

View Speaker Events

Shreya Murthy

Co-founder and CEO, Partiful

View Speaker Events

Joy Tao

Co-founder and CTO, Partiful

View Speaker Events

Spencer Rascoff

CEO, Match Group

View Speaker Events

Ellen Cushing

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Annie Lowrey

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Bhumika Tharoor

Managing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Nicholas Thompson

CEO, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.

Tastes of Tomorrow: What’s Next in Food and Beverage Underwritten by Diageo

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

From high-tech meat alternatives and a resurgence of plant-forward traditions to urban farms growing produce in the heart of cities, the food-and-beverage landscape is undergoing a seismic shift that's influencing the way we think about what we consume. Discover the latest culinary trends that are embracing culture and redefining what we eat and drink and how we create our meals. First, Viraj Puri, the CEO of Gotham Greens, and Peter McGuinness, the president and CEO of Impossible Foods, explore the technologies revolutionizing flavor, food access and consumer alternatives with Atlantic staff writer writer Yasmin Tayag. Then, award-winning chefs Andrew Zimmern and Sophia Roe join us for a discussion on the intersection of food culture and sustainability with Atlantic managing editor, Andrea Valdez.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter Diageo. Sally Grimes, the CEO of Diageo North America, the premium-drinks company, will sit down with The Atlantic’s Candace Montgomery for a thoughtful discussion about America’s modern cultural shift toward “mindful drinking.” They will explore the evolution of socialization and how consumers are becoming more intentional and selective about what and how they drink.

Participants

Viraj Puri

Co-founder and CEO, Gotham Greens

View Speaker Events

Peter McGuinness

President and CEO, Impossible Foods

View Speaker Events

Andrew Zimmern

TV Personality, Chef, Author, and Activist

View Speaker Events

Sophia Roe

Chef, TV Host, Writer, Producer, and Editor

View Speaker Events

Yasmin Tayag

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Andrea Valdez

Managing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Sally Grimes*

CEO, Diageo North America

View Speaker Events

Candace Montgomery

Executive Vice President, AtlanticLIVE

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
5:30 PM

Reception Featuring Diageo Choice Bar Underwritten by Diageo

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Close out the first day of festival programming at PAC NYC with a reception that reflects today’s evolving drinking culture: mindful, inclusive, and entirely your choice. Whether you’re sipping a traditional cocktail, enjoying a zero-proof option, or choosing something in between, it’s about what’s right for you, in that moment. Gone are the days when “having a drink” meant only one thing. With a growing array of nonalcoholic and lower alcohol-by-volume options, the new happy hour is all about flavor, flexibility, and thoughtful offerings. Join us for a relaxed evening with good company and space for everyone to gather.

7:30 PM

Atlantic Watch: The American RevolutionOut and Abouts

The Town Hall
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Enjoy an advanced screening of Ken Burns’s new PBS documentary series, The American Revolution. The series explores America’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. The American Revolution is an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America; the series follows dozens of figures, giving viewers a chance to experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it.

Following the screening, we’ll have a discussion with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, the series co-directors; Annette Gordon-Reed, a historian and adviser on the production; and actor Tom Hanks, who voiced several historical figures throughout the series. The conversation will be moderated by Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

Watch the first-look clips HERE.

Participants

Ken Burns

Director and Producer, The American Revolution

View Speaker Events

Sarah Botstein

Director and Producer, The American Revolution

View Speaker Events

Annette Gordon-Reed

Professor, Harvard University

View Speaker Events

Tom Hanks

Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Natalie MacMaster

Musician

View Speaker Events

Mary Frances Leahy

Musician

View Speaker Events
9:00 AM

Ideas Session, featuring Reid Hoffman, Tekedra Mawakana, Arvind Krishna, and Demetre Daskalakis

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

150 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Start your day at The Atlantic Festival at the Ideas Session. The Metropolitan Opera will open the show with a performance from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.

Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg will sit down with staff writers Anne Applebaum, Adam Serwer, and George Packer to discuss the political-violence crisis.

Demetre Daskalakis, the former director of the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, will discuss how this transformative moment in health policy will shape U.S. health care in the coming years with Atlantic contributing writer Evan Smith.

Tekedra Mawakana, the co-CEO of Waymo, will explore the future of mobility and autonomous driving with Atlantic contributor Derek Thompson.

Arvind Krishna, the CEO of IBM, will share his insights on the next big paradigm shift in technology—quantum computing—with Atlantic staff writer Josh Tyrangiel.

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and Manas AI, will sit down with Josh Tyrangiel and make the case for AI.

Participants

Tekedra Mawakana

Co-CEO, Waymo

View Speaker Events

Arvind Krishna

Chair and CEO, IBM

View Speaker Events

Derek Thompson

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Josh Tyrangiel

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Evan Smith

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis

Former director of the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

View Speaker Events

Reid Hoffman

Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Manas AI

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Adam Serwer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

George Packer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
12:00 PM

Atlantic Games Live: Bracket City

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Join Atlantic Games director Caleb Madison on the Lobby Stage to decode a Bracket City puzzle live during the festival. Work alongside Madison to solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history.

Learn more about The Atlantic Games here.

Participants

Caleb Madison

Director, Atlantic Games

View Speaker Events
12:30 PM

The Future of Women’s Sports

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

75 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Fifty years after the passage of Title IX, professional women’s sports is a huge business, boasting record-breaking viewership, sponsorship deals, and valuations. But challenges for equity with women’s male counterparts remain—in pay, media exposure, and access. Join Clara Wu Tsai, the owner and governor of the New York Liberty, and Atlantic contributing writer Jemele Hill for an inside look at how innovation and investments are expanding the reach of women’s sports. Then Hill leads a conversation about the explosive growth in women’s sports, the rise of the superstar player, and what’s ahead for the next generation of women’s athletes with the sports journalist and Atlantic staff writer Sally Jenkins, broadcast journalist and host Cari Champion, and Sarah Spain, the host of the podcast Good Game With Sarah Spain.

Participants

Clara Wu Tsai

Owner and Governor, New York Liberty

View Speaker Events

Jemele Hill

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Sally Jenkins

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Sarah Spain

Journalist, Podcast Host, and Author

View Speaker Events

Cari Champion

Broadcast Journalist and Host

View Speaker Events

Being Human: The Stories and Science Behind Our HealthUnderwritten by Eli Lilly & Company, Gilead Sciences

Zucotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Join us as we identify and unpack the most important breakthroughs that can help us all live healthier lives. Atlantic staff writers Yasmin Tayag and Nick Florko and Atlantic senior editor Daniel Engber set the stage with a deep dive into the state of our national health. The conversation will be led by Atlantic managing editor Andrea Valdez.

Then, the UCSF professor and sleep scientist Aric Prather unpacks the science behind sleep and shares strategies for healing and restful nights.

Also in this session, Lisa Mosconi, the author of The Menopause Brain; Nisha Parikh, the director of the women’s heart program at Northwell Health; and Shari Goldfarb, the director of the young women with breast cancer program at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center focus on the unique health-care needs of—and groundbreaking advances for—women as they move through pivotal life stages.

This session will also feature conversations produced by our underwriters, Eli Lilly and Company and Gilead Sciences. Anne E. White, executive vice president and the president of Lilly Neuroscience at Eli Lilly and Company, joins Atlantic chief growth officer Megha Garibaldi to explore the future of aging and Alzheimer’s disease, including the impact of emerging diagnostic tools such as blood biomarker tests.

Gené van den Ende, the vice president of U.S. Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences, and Betty Chiang, the vice president of U.S. Medical Affairs Virology at Gilead Sciences, discuss Gilead Science’s work addressing unmet needs for women with liver disease, identifying areas of opportunity to create better patient experiences and treatments.

Participants

Yasmin Tayag

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Nicholas Florko

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Daniel Engber

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Lisa Mosconi

Director, Weill Cornell Medicine Women’s Brain Initiative and Program Director, Wellcome Leap

View Speaker Events

Nisha Parikh

System Director, Women’s Heart Program, Northwell Health

View Speaker Events

Aric Prather

Professor, Sleep Scientist, and Author

View Speaker Events

Andrea Valdez

Managing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Megha Garibaldi*

Chief Growth Officer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Anne E. White*

Executive Vice President and President, Lilly Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company

View Speaker Events

Gené van den Ende*

Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences

View Speaker Events

Betty Chiang*

Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs Virology, Gilead Sciences

View Speaker Events

Shari Goldfarb

Program Director, Young Women With Breast Cancer Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
1:30 PM

Thrive Book Signing featuring author Lisa M. LawsonUnderwritten by The Annie E. Casey Foundation

PAC VIP South Bridge
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Young people need access to stable support systems to grow into successful adults, and breakthroughs in brain science are making this clear. Join us for an intimate gathering with the author Lisa M. Lawson to discuss her new book, Thrive: How the Science of the Adolescent Brain Helps Us Imagine a Better Future for All Children. Ms. Lawson is the president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that advances research to develop brighter futures for all children. In her current position and throughout her career, Ms. Lawson has led initiatives focused on improving child welfare, economic opportunity, community development, and juvenile justice reform.

All attendees will receive a signed copy of Thrive and the opportunity to receive a personalized inscription from Lisa. Light refreshments will be served.

Participants

Lisa M. Lawson*

President and CEO, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

View Speaker Events
*UNDERWRITER SPEAKER

Girl on Girl Book Signing with Sophie Gilbert

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Atlantic staff writer and author Sophie Gilbert will be signing copies of her book Girl on Girl Books can be purchased in the lobby bookstore.

Participants

Sophie Gilbert

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
1:45 PM

Atlantic Games Live: Bracket City

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Join Atlantic Games director Caleb Madison on the Lobby Stage to decode a Bracket City puzzle live during the festival. Work alongside Madison to solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history.

Learn more about The Atlantic Games here.

Participants

Caleb Madison

Director, Atlantic Games

View Speaker Events
2:30 PM

The Future of Aging Underwritten by Centerwell

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

75 min

Virtual or In-Person

Virtual / In-Person

Summary

Join The Atlantic as we explore what the future will bring for our ever-evolving understanding of aging and longevity. Atlantic staff writer Ross Andersen will lead a discussion with Michael Roizen, the chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic, to explain how science is redefining aging from just adding years to expanding what’s possible. Courtney Boen, a sociologist from Brown University, joins the conversation to share her research about how inequality, stress, and social connection influence how we age, explaining new approaches to unlock our full potential in later life. Then Gayle King, a co-host of CBS Mornings, along with the actress and author Julianne Moore, will sit down with Sophie Gilbert, staff writer at The Atlantic, to share how embracing later-life reinvention is creating unprecedented opportunities for purpose, creativity, and authentic self-expression.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter CenterWell. Dr. Sanjay Shetty, the president of CenterWell at Humana, will explore what it takes to transform a health system that wasn’t built for aging into one that truly supports independence, fulfillment and better outcomes. We’ll look at how business, government, nonprofits, and individuals can address the challenges of an aging population and offer proactive measures to build a future with team-based care and emerging medical advances.

Participants

Courtney Boen

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Brown University

View Speaker Events

Michael Roizen

Professor and Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

View Speaker Events

Ross Andersen

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Sanjay Shetty*

President, CenterWell at Humana

View Speaker Events

Candace Montgomery

Executive Vice President, AtlanticLIVE

View Speaker Events

Gayle King

Co-Host, CBS Mornings and Editor at Large, Oprah Daily

View Speaker Events

Julianne Moore

Actress and Author

View Speaker Events

Sophie Gilbert

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.

The Progress Summit: Building a Foundation for the Future Underwritten by The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

How do we solve the world’s most pressing issues? Join us for our annual celebration of curiosity and the breakthroughs that are changing the world. This year, we’ll explore how this rapid pace of progress is shaping the next generation, the challenges and opportunities these advances entail, and how we build the strongest foundation for the future. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist and founder and CEO of Good Inside, and Atlantic staff writer Julie Beck will explore how to navigate the challenges of modern parenting with effective strategies to foster resilience, secure attachments, and set healthy boundaries in a world of constant distraction and digital overload. Dartmouth’s president, Sian Beilock, and Atlantic executive editor Adrienne LaFrance will explore AI’s impact on education and how we can harness these technologies to enhance, not replace, human development. Then, NYU business professor Scott Galloway and Atlantic contributing writer Derek Thompson will survey how digital innovation is reshaping industry and society.

This session will also feature a conversation produced by our underwriter the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Lisa M. Lawson, the foundation’s president and CEO, will join the author and policy expert Richard V. Reeves to discuss her new book, Thrive: How the Science of the Adolescent Brain Helps Us Imagine a Better Future for All Children, and the essentials that young people need to successfully cross the bridge to adulthood.

Stay tuned for more speakers to be announced.

Participants

Becky Kennedy

Clinical Psychologist and Founder and CEO, Good Inside

View Speaker Events

Adrienne LaFrance

Executive Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Scott Galloway

Professor, NYU Stern School of Business

View Speaker Events

Derek Thompson

Contributing Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Lisa M. Lawson*

President and CEO, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

View Speaker Events

Richard V. Reeves*

President, American Institute for Boys and Men

View Speaker Events

Sian Beilock

President, Dartmouth

View Speaker Events

Julie Beck

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
3:00 PM

Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World Book Signing with Anne Applebaum

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Atlantic staff writer and author Anne Applebaum will be signing copies of her newest book, Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World. Books can be purchased in the lobby bookstore.

Participants

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
3:30 PM

Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse Book Signing with Thomas Chatterton Williams

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

30 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Atlantic staff writer and author Thomas Chatterton Williams will be signing copies of his new book, Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse. Books can be purchased in the lobby bookstore.

Participants

Thomas Chatterton Williams

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
4:30 PM

Ideas Session, featuring Monica Lewinsky, Keri Russell, Allison Janney, and Debora Cahn

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

70 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Enjoy two dynamic conversations. First, Monica Lewinsky, the activist and podcast host, will sit down with Atlantic staff writer Sophie Gilbert to discuss how cultural influences and societal expectations have shaped things for women, and to explore how we can rewrite the narrative for future generations.

Next, enjoy an exclusive first look at Season 3 of Netflix’s The Diplomat, followed by a timely conversation about gender and power with the actors Keri Russell and Allison Janney, and the series creator, Debora Cahn.

Participants

Allison Janney

Actor, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Debora Cahn

Creator and Executive Producer, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Keri Russell

Actor and Executive Producer, Netflix’s The Diplomat

View Speaker Events

Monica Lewinsky

Activist and Podcast Host, Reclaiming With Monica Lewinsky

View Speaker Events

Shirley Li

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Sophie Gilbert

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

The Big Story: Trump, Politics, and the End of Knowledge

Nichols Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

In this session, we’ll go behind the headlines with Atlantic journalists to explore the year’s biggest stories. First, hear from The Atlantic’s politics team—Ashley Parker, Toluse Olorunnipa, Anne Applebaum, and Tom Nichols—as they discuss the latest news from the White House and the halls of Congress with Atlantic staff writer Jonathan Lemire.

Next, hear from Franklin Foer, Megan Garber, Rebecca Rosen, and Adam Serwer as they discuss the recent assaults on human knowledge and progress. The conversation, led by Atlantic staff writer Helen Lewis, will explore how these deliberate attacks will affect America’s future ability to solve problems, prevent disease, design policy, inform the public, and make technological advancements.

Participants

Ashley Parker

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Tom Nichols

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Franklin Foer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Megan Garber

Staff Writer, The The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Rebecca Rosen

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Adam Serwer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Helen Lewis

Staff Writer The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Toluse Olorunnipa

Staff Writer The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jonathan Lemire

Staff Writer The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Atlantic Reads: Walter MosleyOut and Abouts

McNally Jackson Books - South Street Seaport
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Join us at McNally Jackson as the author Walter Mosley discusses the release of his new book, Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery. In this thrilling mystery, the happy rhythm of Los Angeles detective Easy Rawlins’s new life is upended when a figure from his past returns and threatens to destroy the peace he’s fought for.

Participants

Walter Mosley

Author, Gray Dawn

View Speaker Events
5:30 PM

The Big Story: What Does It Mean to Be an American?Out and Abouts

Tenement Museum
Learn More +
Duration

105 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Sold Out
Summary

Following a tour of the Tenement Museum, join Atlantic journalists Clint Smith and Xochitl Gonzalez and the Tenement Museum’s president, Annie Polland, for a conversation about immigration, Black history, and the contested meaning of what it means to be an American. Through personal stories and historic insight, we’ll explore how immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities—as well as Black Americans—have shaped the nation’s identity. We’ll underscore the urgency of preserving and teaching these American stories that are central to the fabric of our nation.

Participants

Clint Smith

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Xochitl Gonzalez

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Annie Polland

President, Tenement Museum

View Speaker Events

Friday Evening Reception With Cathay PacificUnderwritten by Cathay Pacific

PAC NYC Lobby, 2nd Floor
Learn More +
Duration

90 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Summary

Mingle and network with fellow attendees while sipping on craft cocktails, including two exclusive drinks straight from Cathay Pacific’s business-class menu. Light refreshments will also be served, featuring Asian flavors inspired by some of the world-class dishes available on Cathay Pacific’s in-flight service. The reception will also include a toast to The Atlantic Festival from Cindy Lam, Senior Vice President, Americas, Cathay Pacific

Participants

Cindy Lam*

Senior Vice President, Americas, Cathay Pacific

View Speaker Events
*This session is produced by our underwriter and is independent of The Atlantic’s editorial staff.
6:30 PM

Atlantic Reads: Susan OrleanOut and Abouts

McNally Jackson Books - South Street Seaport
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Join us at McNally Jackson as the author and journalist Susan Orleans discusses her storied career and the release of her new book, Joyride. A celebration of a writing life, her new memoir is a masterful account of finding her creative calling and purpose, and an essential guide to embracing a creative path.

Participants

Susan Orlean

Author, Joyride

View Speaker Events

Gal Beckerman

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
7:00 PM

A Night Out With The AtlanticUnderwritten by Cathay Pacific Out and Abouts

Zuccotti Theater (PAC NYC)
Learn More +
Duration

145 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

First, enjoy a cocktail reception hosted by our underwriter Cathay Pacific. The reception is for guests 21 and older.

Then, enjoy a screening of the premiere episode of the new FX series The Lowdown. The series follows the gritty exploits of citizen journalist Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa “truthstorian” whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble. Following the screening, enjoy a fireside chat with the creator, executive producer, writer, and director, Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs), and the star and executive producer, Ethan Hawke, moderated by the Atlantic staff writer Shirley Li.

Finally, watch a sneak peek of the new Kathryn Bigelow film, A House of Dynamite, before its October release. The Netflix film is centered on White House staffers grappling with an impending missile strike on America that unfolds in real time as tensions escalate. Following the exclusive clip, hear a conversation with the director Kathryn Bigelow, the writer Noah Oppenheim, the actor Tracy Letts, and the Atlantic staff writer Tom Nichols about the film. The Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg will lead the conversation.

Participants

Ethan Hawke

Actor and Executive Producer, FX’s The Lowdown

View Speaker Events

Sterlin Harjo

Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, and Director, FX’s The Lowdown

View Speaker Events

Shirley Li

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Kathryn Bigelow

Director, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Noah Oppenheim

Screenwriter, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Tracy Letts

Actor, Netflix’s A House of Dynamite

View Speaker Events

Tom Nichols

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Jeffrey Goldberg

Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
12:00 PM

The Big Story: A New Era of ImmigrationOut and Abouts

Soho (address provided upon purchase)
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Join Atlantic staff writers Caitlin Dickerson and Isaac Stanley-Becker as they discuss the state of U.S. immigration. The conversation, led by Atlantic staff writer Franklin Foer, will examine ICE’s explosive growth, the surge of detentions, the realities of immigration enforcement, and how the Trump administration’s policies are reshaping U.S. diplomacy.

Participants

Caitlin Dickerson

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Isaac Stanley-Becker

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Franklin Foer

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
1:30 PM

Radio Atlantic: LiveOut and Abouts

Soho
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Sold Out
Summary

Join Hanna Rosin, the host of Radio Atlantic, for a live podcast taping. Hanna will sit down with Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum and the chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative, Garry Kasparov, for an urgent and timely conversation about the state of global democracy.

Participants

Garry Kasparov

World Chess Champion and Chairman, Renew Democracy Initiative

View Speaker Events

Hanna Rosin

Senior Editor, The Atlantic and Host, Radio Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
3:00 PM

The Future of the Arts in a Changing WorldOut and Abouts

Hauser & Wirth - Wooster Street
Learn More +
Duration

60 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Join the showrunner and novelist Noah Hawley, The Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, the Juilliard School President Damian Woetzel, and leading voices from across the arts community to explore the evolving role of the arts in society. Alison Stewart, a contributor to AtlanticLIVE and host at WNYC, will sit down with the panel to examine how artistic expression is expanding into new creative frontiers—while emphasizing the crucial importance of preserving and stewarding the cultural legacies that ground and guide us.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements.

Participants

Kamilah Forbes

Executive Producer, The Apollo

View Speaker Events

Noah Hawley

Showrunner and Novelist

View Speaker Events

Damian Woetzel

President, The Juilliard School

View Speaker Events

Alison Stewart

contributor, AtlanticLIVE

View Speaker Events
4:30 PM

Atlantic Reads: Alison RomanOut and Abouts

McNally Jackson Books - South Street Seaport
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Join us at McNally Jackson as the author and cook Alison Roman discusses the art of food writing and her upcoming cookbook, Something from Nothing, with Atlantic staff writer Caity Weaver. A collection of simple, timeless recipes, Something from Nothing explores the magic of pantry cooking, showing you how to turn flavorful, hardworking ingredients from your well-stocked pantry into a meal worth celebrating.

Participants

Alison Roman

Author and Cook

View Speaker Events

Caity Weaver

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
6:30 PM

Atlantic Reads: The Singing WordOut and Abouts

McNally Jackson Books - South Street Seaport
Learn More +
Duration

45 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

The poetry of The Atlantic has, from the magazine’s first issue in 1857, called attention to the unfinished project of the nation. Join us at McNally Jackson as The Atlantic’s poetry editor, Walt Hunter, and the poets Joshua Bennett and Rita Dove discuss The Singing Word: 168 Years of Atlantic Poetry, a collection of nearly 100 Atlantic poems infused with the language of America’s songs, myths, and history, from the Civil War to the present.

Participants

Walt Hunter

Contributing Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Joshua Bennett

Professor, MIT and Author, The Singing Word

View Speaker Events

Rita Dove

Creative Writing Professor, University of Virginia

View Speaker Events
6:30 PM

Atlantic Watch: Love+WarOut and Abouts

Metrograph
Learn More +
Duration

130 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Sold Out
Summary

Meet us at Metrograph for the New York premiere of National Geographic’s new documentary portrait of the Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Lynsey Addario, Love+War. Following the premiere, enjoy a conversation with Addario and the film’s director, Chai Vasarhelyi, moderated by Atlantic staff Writer Anne Applebaum.

About the film: The Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Lynsey Addario has risked her life to capture the stark realities of war—in places including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. From National Geographic Documentary Films and the Academy Award® winning filmmakers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Love+War reveals Addario’s ascent in the male-dominated world of conflict photography. But her work comes at a steep personal cost—each assignment means stepping into danger and leaving behind her husband and two young sons. Behind the camera, Addario is torn between her unwavering commitment to the essential work of journalism and the powerful, competing demands of motherhood, grappling with what it truly means to follow your passion when it threatens everything you love. The film premieres in select theaters and on National Geographic and Disney+ this fall.

Participants

Lynsey Addario

Photojournalist and Author

View Speaker Events

Chai Vasarhelyi

Director and Producer, Love+War

View Speaker Events

Anne Applebaum

Staff Writer, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events
7:30 PM

Dread Beat an Blood PremiereOut and Abouts

Brooklyn Academy of Music
Learn More +
Duration

70 min

Virtual or In-Person

In-Person

Buy Tickets
Summary

Meet us at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the North American premiere of the restoration of Franco Rosso’s 1979 documentary portrait of Linton Kwesi Johnson, Dread Beat an Blood, with a poetry performance by Johnson at BAM’s Harvey Theater. Following the performance, Vann R. Newkirk II will moderate a conversation with Johnson about the intersection of arts and protest.

About the film: Dread Beat an Blood is a potent portrait of Linton Kwesi Johnson as a young man fighting racism and injustice with his pen and microphone. Shot in 1978, it documents his live poetry and reggae performances; his recording and mixing sessions with producer Dennis Bovell (a reggae legend in his own right); and his activism, including a powerful protest for the unjustly imprisoned Black Briton George Lindo, about whom Johnson wrote the poem “It Dread Inna Inglan.” It is also an atmospheric vignette of a now-vanished Brixton, South London, and its young Black inhabitants. The film gained national press attention in the United Kingdom in 1979, when the Tories successfully delayed its television premiere until after the general election that led Margaret Thatcher to power. It was thought that the film would sway viewers to vote against her. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Johnson’s poem “Dread Beat an’ Blood.”

Participants

Vann R. Newkirk II

Senior Editor, The Atlantic

View Speaker Events

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Poet

View Speaker Events

Live From New York

For three days each fall, The Atlantic’s essential journalism comes to life across New York. Situated in the bustling financial district, the Perelman Performing Arts Center served as festival headquarters for our can’t-miss discussions, festive happy hours, and exclusive networking moments. Our Out and About events also took place at venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn. To learn more about next year's festival, join the festival list here.

Headquartered at: Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) Out and About events located at: Tenement Museum
McNally Jackson Books - South Street Seaport
Hauser & Wirth - Wooster Street
Brooklyn Academy of Music
The Town Hall
Metrograph

For more information about accessibility, or if you require special accommodations, please contact us at [email protected] at least 10 business days in advance of the event.

underwriters

Title
Presenting
Supporting
In Collaboration With

Questions?

Sponsorship

Underwriter Opportunities

[email protected]
Press

Press Requests

[email protected]
Audience

Audience and Engagement

[email protected]
Special thanks to the Downtown Alliance, Tech:NYC, and Big Screen Plaza.
Attendance at our events constitutes acceptance of our Code of Conduct
AtlanticLIVE Copyright © 2025 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All Rights Reserved