Lynne and Richard Pasculano Signature Series

Video

Explore this YouTube playlist featuring insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions with Fareed Zakaria, Tina Brown, David Leonhardt, Mark Bittman, and more.

Past Events

Thomas Friedman

The bestselling author of The World is Flat and New York Times foreign affairs columnist discussed The Big Trends Shaping the World Today: Economics, Technology, and Geopolitics. Friedman is renowned for his direct reporting and accessible analysis of complex issues shaping the world. According to Foreign Policy magazine, “Friedman doesn’t just report on events; he helps shape them.” The winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, he has covered monumental stories from around the globe for The New York Times since 1981.

Amor Towles

Amor Towles, renowned for his critically acclaimed novels Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway, discussed his body of work and the inspirations behind his storytelling. Towles was joined in conversation by Sarah Lyall, writer at large for The New York Times.

Melissa Clark

The best-selling cookbook author and New York Times food columnist was joined in conversation by renowned chef and owner of Aux Délices, Debra Ponzek. The two shared their insights on the impact of home cooking and the evolution of culinary trends. View video here.

Sarah Whiting and Eric Klinenberg

Whiting and Klinenberg presented a fascinating conversation about the role of libraries within the public realm. Klinenberg’s book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life argues that social infrastructure, “the physical places and organizations that shape the way people interact,” are the key to building a democracy that works for everyone. Whiting’s research and writing is broadly interdisciplinary, with the built environment at its core. An expert in architectural theory and urbanism, she has a particular interest in modern and contemporary architecture’s relationship with politics, economics, and society and how the built environment shapes the nature of public life.

Brian Skerry

Award-winning photographer and film producer Brian Skerry specializes in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Skerry weaves together visual stories, resulting in a gripping portrait of the ocean as a place of beauty and mystery, a place in trouble, and ultimately, a place of hope that will rebound with the proper attention and care.

Jon Meacham

Presidential Historian & Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jon Meacham joined us to discuss The Art of Leadership: Lessons From the American Presidency, exploring what 21st-century leaders in different fields of endeavor can learn from the greatest moments of our common past.

David Leonhardt

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Leonhardt discussed his book Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream, which was released that week. Leonhardt will be joined in conversation by Jacob Weisberg, co-founder and CEO of Pushkin Industries, and formerly CEO of the Slate Group, co-founder of Megaphone, and editor-in-chief of Slate Magazine. View video here.

Pete McBride

In a world ever more congested and polluted with toxins and noise, award-winning photographer Pete McBride guides the audience on a pole-to-pole quest for peace and quiet. Drawing from his many adventures and expeditions through the Grand Canyon, to the flanks of Mount Everest, to the African Savannah, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Pete takes stock of wild and rarely touched places on Earth and offers insights from vantages where few (if any) photographers have ever stood, showing how everything is connected and making a compelling argument for the value of protecting our lands and waters for future generations.

Fareed Zakaria

Fareed Zakaria, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN, columnist for The Washington Post, and bestselling author, joined us for a wide-ranging conversation on current geopolitical and international relations issues. Zakaria was joined by Gideon Rose, former editor of Foreign Affairs and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. View video here.

Tina Brown

The legendary Tina Brown has been observing and chronicling the British monarchy for three decades. Her book The Palace Papers is full of powerful revelations, newly reported details, and searing insight gleaned from remarkable access to royal insiders. Brown was joined by author Dr. Amanda Foreman, the royal contributor for CBS News. View video here.

Global Refugee Crisis

Madlin Sadler, Chief Operating Officer of the International Rescue Committee, was joined in conversation by veteran journalist Scott Pelley of CBS News’s 60 Minutes for a wide-ranging conversation on the global refugee crisis in Europe and the US and its impact around the world. View video here.

John Hays

John Hays, Deputy Chairman of Christie’s was joined by art historian and lecturer Page Knox for a discussion about the current state of American Art at Auction. Hays is considered the premier auctioneer of Americana sales. View video here.

Mark Bittman

American food journalist, author, and former columnist for The New York Times Mark Bittman shared an insightful discussion on the present and future of food, focusing on regional solutions. Bittman was joined in conversation with his partner, Kathleen Finlay, a leader in the regenerative agriculture movement. View video here.

Adm. James Stavridis, USN

Retired U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis led an insightful and informative discussion on current events. A highly decorated admiral, Stavridis was joined in conversation by journalist and author Gideon Rose of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi, the trailblazing former CEO of PepsiCo, spoke on her memoir, My Life in Full, the story of an extraordinary leader’s life, a moving tribute to the relationships that created it, and a blueprint for 21st-century prosperity. Nooyi was joined in conversation by journalist and author Joanne Lipman.

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin, world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize-winner, and New York Times bestselling author spoke with Sarah Lyall, noted journalist with The New York Times, around themes in Goodwin’s newly published book, Leadership in Turbulent Times.

The Booksellers Panel

The Booksellers takes viewers inside the small but fascinating world of antiquarian booksellers, populated by an assortment of obsessives, intellects, eccentrics, and dreamers. This panel was moderated by WNPR’s Colin McEnroe, director D.W. Young, producer Dan Wechsler, and rare book dealer Rebecca Romney.

Peterson Concert: Bill Charlap Trio

Bill Charlap is a Grammy Award-winning pianist who has performed with many leading artists of our time. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin.

Greenwich Library’s Signature Series is made possible to all at no charge through the support of the Greenwich Library Board of Trustees and generous donors.