We are pleased to offer the Aspen Community Programs summer lecture series free to the public, with speaker receptions and reserved seating as an exclusive Aspen Society membership benefit (please contact aspensociety@aspeninstitute.org for more information).

To download our summer calendar, click here.

While attendance at these events is free and open to everyone, registration is required, and capacity is established on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 2025 schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 12 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Advancing Women’s Health Series
The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts
Featuring Dr. Mary Claire Haver, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and author of “The New Menopause,” in conversation with Soledad Hurst, philanthropist and former on-air reporter/anchor for Bloomberg TV. This series is generously sponsored by Meredith Loring and Sami Inkinen.
Watch the video of this past event here.

Tuesday, July 8 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speaker | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Breaking News, Breaking Barriers: Connie Chung on Journalism, Truth, and Legacy
Featuring Connie Chung, pioneering journalist, Emmy-winning news anchor, and the first woman to co-anchor the CBS “Evening News.” Chung will share reflections from her remarkable career, as chronicled in her new memoir, “Connie.” From breaking barriers as one of the first female and Asian American network news anchors to navigating the challenges of the newsroom, she offers an intimate look at the triumphs and trials behind the headlines. Chung will also explore the evolving landscape of journalism, the impact of misinformation, and the enduring pursuit of truth in today’s media climate.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Wednesday, July 9 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Hurst Lecture Series
The Escalation of Extreme Weather: How Climate Change is Fueling Superstorms, Deadly Heat, and Unprecedented Disasters
Featuring Porter Fox, climate journalist, Columbia University teacher, and author of “Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans That Feed Them,” and Jeff Goodell, award-winning environmental writer and best-selling author of “The Heat Will Kill You First” in conversation with Carolyne Heldman, producer and host of “Behind the Lens,” a weekly podcast for the non-profit news organization The Lens in New Orleans.  As climate change accelerates, so does the intensity and frequency of extreme weather. Fox, an expert on the role of warming oceans in fueling powerful storms, and Goodell, a leading voice on the deadly consequences of rising global temperatures, will examine the science behind hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires, and record-breaking heat. Together, they will explore what these escalating climate events mean for our planet, our communities, and the urgent need for action.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Friday, July 18 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Homeland Security in a Changing World: Immigration, Threats, and the Future of US Policy
Featuring Jeh Johnson, former US secretary of Homeland Security and general counsel of the Department of Defense, in conversation with Peter Baker, chief white house correspondent for The New York Times and political analyst for MSNBC. Drawing on his tenure leading the Department of Homeland Security and at the Department of Defense under President Obama, Secretary Johnson will examine the intersection of immigration and national security, the challenges of border enforcement, the humanitarian aspects of migration, and broader threats facing the US, including cyberattacks and domestic extremism.
Greenwald Pavilion
Register here.

Monday, July 21 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Hurst Lecture Series
In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work
Featuring Kyla Scanlon, financial educator, creator, and author of “In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work” in conversation with Rachel Wolfe, economics reporter at The Wall Street Journal. The economy isn’t just numbers—it’s a story we tell ourselves. Scanlon breaks down the hidden forces shaping financial markets, challenges outdated economic assumptions, and explores how public perception drives policy and prosperity. From debunking common myths to reimagining systems that foster inclusive growth, Scanlon offers fresh insights into how money and markets really work—and how they could work better for everyone.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Tuesday, July 22 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 3:30-4:15 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Leadership in Action: How Republican Governors Are Shaping Policy and Navigating Emerging Challenges
In this discussion, Republican governors will share their perspectives on economic growth, public safety, education, and infrastructure, as well as how they navigate partisan divides and approach emerging challenges. In addition, they will discuss the decisions shaping their states and the considerations behind key policy choices. Speakers to be announced.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Wednesday, July 23 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Hurst Lecture Series
Navigating Disruption: Technology, Business, and the New Economic Landscape
Featuring Scott Galloway, best-selling author, professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business, and host of “The Prof G Pod” and “Pivot” podcasts. Widely recognized for his sharp insights into technology, business strategy, market dynamics, and consumer trends, Galloway will explore how digital innovation is reshaping industries, economies, and society itself—covering everything from the rise of tech giants and shifts in consumer behavior to the implications of AI-driven disruption. With characteristic candor and clarity, he’ll also delve into how these shifts affect competition, policy, and everyday life, providing insights into how institutions, leaders, and citizens can adapt to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving world.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Saturday, July 26 | 11:00 am – 6:45 pm
The 75th Anniversary of the Aspen Institute, A Community Celebration
A Place Where the Human Spirit Could Flourish
Join us for an inspiring afternoon exploring the transformative power of place, people, and possibility. Highlights include:

11:00 am-4:00 pm | Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies Community Open House – “Sculpting the Environment: The Three-Dimensional Art of Herbert Bayer.”

11:00 am-1:45 pm | Community Panel Discussions and Lunch, details in bullets below.
Register here.

11:00 am-12:00 pm | Panel Discussion – “Place, People, and Possibility: Reflections on Humanism and the Aspen Idea” featuring Todd Breyfogle and Paul Andersen.
12:00-1:00 pm | Community Lunch – Enjoy music by Aspen Music Festival & School students and a picnic lunch in honor of the Institute’s 75th Anniversary.
1:00-1:45 pm | Panel Discussion – “Sculpting the Environment: The Three-Dimensional Art of Herbert Bayer” featuring co-curators Koko Bayer and Adam Thomas.

Tours of the Bayer Center and Aspen Meadows campus will also be offered throughout the afternoon, as well as a flash seminar, “Humanistic Ideals and Human Flourishing.” For more information, please visit the event page here.

5:00-6:45 pm | Keynote Discussion – “Humanism and the Possibilities of Renewal,” featuring David Brooks in conversation with Todd Breyfogle.
Register here.

Tuesday, July 29 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Reagan: His Life, Legacy, and the Shaping of Modern Conservatism
Featuring Max Boot, historian, foreign policy analyst, and best-selling author, in conversation with Elliot Gerson, executive vice president, Policy Programs and International Partners, the Aspen Institute. In his latest book, “Reagan: His Life and Legend,” Boot offers a definitive look at the 40th president of the United States—examining his leadership, policies, and the myths that shaped his legacy. Boot will delve into Reagan’s economic philosophy, the impact of “trickle-down” policies, his role in the Cold War’s conclusion, and the controversies surrounding the Iran-Contra affair. He will also explore how Reagan, a Hollywood actor turned politician, redefined the conservative movement and left an enduring mark on American politics.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Thursday, July 31 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Hurst Lecture Series
The Future of Journalism: Trust, Truth, and Technology in a Changing Media Landscape
In collaboration with Aspen Digital
Featuring Meredith Kopit Levien, president and chief executive officer, The New York Times Company, in conversation with Vivian Schiller, vice president and executive director of Aspen Digital, the Aspen Institute. In an age of AI-generated content, deepfakes, and the rapid spread of misinformation, the role of journalism as a pillar of democracy is being tested like never before. This discussion will explore how news organizations are navigating these challenges, from maintaining trust and credibility to adapting to the digital revolution. What does responsible reporting look like in an era of information warfare? How can news organizations harness new technologies while safeguarding the truth?
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Tuesday, August 5 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Citizenship, Democracy, and America’s Role in the World
Featuring Dr. Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens” in conversation with Wendell L. Willkie II, adjunct professor of law at New York University and adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. In a democracy facing growing polarization and global uncertainty, how should citizens engage to uphold democratic values at home and shape foreign policy abroad? Drawing insights from his latest book, Haass will outline the essential responsibilities and habits citizens must cultivate to strengthen democracy and maintain America’s international leadership. He will explore connections between domestic civic engagement and the effectiveness of foreign policy, touching on themes such as informed participation, civil discourse, civic literacy, and the broader implications of citizenship for global stability and cooperation.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Wednesday, August 6 | 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Hurst Lecture Series
Advancing America’s Prosperity
In collaboration with the Aspen Economic Strategy Group
Join the Aspen Economic Strategy Group for a conversation with economic experts about ongoing developments in US economic policy. Speakers to be announced.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Thursday, August 7 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Murdock Mind, Body, Spirit Series
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
Featuring Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, renowned psychologist, neuroscientist, best-selling author, and University Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, in conversation with Jeff Aronin, Aspen Institute Trustee and founder, chairman, and CEO of Paragon Biosciences. Drawing from her book, “How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain,” Dr. Barrett challenges traditional ideas about emotions — revealing how they are not hardwired but actively constructed by our brains based on culture, experience, and environment. In this conversation, she will explain the science behind emotional regulation, how understanding this process can significantly improve mental and physical health, and practical strategies for cultivating emotional well-being. Dr. Barrett will also explore her innovative research on the brain’s “energy budgeting,” shedding light on why managing our mental and physical resources is essential for reducing fatigue, stress, and burnout. She will offer insights into optimizing vitality through intentional adjustments in nutrition, movement, and mindset, empowering us to take charge of our health and emotional resilience in daily life.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Tuesday, August 12 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
McCloskey Speaker Series
Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America
Featuring Barbara McQuade, former U.S. Attorney, professor from practice at the University of Michigan Law School and best-selling author. Drawing on her experience in law, national security, and public policy, McQuade explores the origins of modern disinformation campaigns, how they’re weaponized, and what we can do to defend against them.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Wednesday, August 13 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers | 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Murdock Mind, Body, Spirit Series
Food, Family, and Tradition: A Conversation with Lidia Bastianich
Featuring Lidia Bastianich, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, best-selling author, and Emmy-winning TV personality, in conversation with Corby Kummer, executive director of the Food & Society Program at the Aspen Institute. Lidia Bastianich is renowned for highlighting the rich connections between food, family, culture, and identity. She will share stories from her culinary journey, from humble beginnings to international acclaim, and discuss how cooking traditions bring generations together, preserve cultural heritage, and foster community. The conversation will also touch on the evolving place of food in society, the importance of sustainable practices, and the ways meals shared at the family table can bridge divides and strengthen bonds.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.

Tuesday, August 19 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Murdock Mind, Body, Spirit Series 
Psychedelics and the Brain: Unlocking New Possibilities for Healing
Presented in collaboration with Aspen Public Radio
Featuring Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor in Neurology, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, in conversation with Jon Hamilton, correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk. A leading researcher on how psychedelics affect the brain and their potential as groundbreaking treatments for mental health disorders, Dr. Carhart-Harris will explore the mechanisms behind psychedelic compounds such as LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT, sharing insights from his brain imaging studies and clinical trials. He will also explore how these substances alter brain function, promote neural plasticity, and may offer new hope for conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction.
Paepcke Auditorium
Register here.