-
A Conversation with Meg Ryan: Revisiting When Harry Met Sally
During a recent event at UC Santa Barbara, actress Meg Ryan sat down with moderator Brad Silberling to discuss her career and the timeless charm of the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. Their conversation provided a unique opportunity to explore the making of the film, its enduring legacy, and the nuances that have […]
-
Empowering Voices: Insights from Women in Leadership 2024
Celebrating and honoring the legacy of Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, Women in Leadership brings together trailblazers who have shattered barriers and paved the way for women worldwide. This year’s panel featured Ina Garten, cookbook author, television host, and former White House budget analyst; Michelle K. Hanabusa, founder and creative […]
-
The Kindness of Strangers: Survival in Linz, London and Shanghai
The story of Greta Taussig and Rudy Gans, as shared by their son Bob Gans, is a poignant tale of survival, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. Presented as part of the UC San Diego Holocaust Living History Workshop, their experiences offer profound insights into the trials of persecution and exile during one of history’s […]
-
Writing that Inspires
What obsessions do you have? What kind of stories do you recount around your dinner table? What books are currently sitting on your bedside table? In this far-reaching and insightful interview with best-selling authors Nick Hornby and Susan Orlean, we hear the stories that inspire these great writers to put pen to paper. “Writing that […]
-
Jake Blount: Exploring the Power of Music, Afrofuturism, and Social Change
In a recent presentation that beautifully blended art, history, and activism, musician and scholar Jake Blount unveiled music’s profound capacity to envision a brighter future. With narrative and insight, Blount shared his creative process, underscoring the interplay between tradition and innovation, the transformative power of Afrofuturism, and the art of reimagining music for contemporary issues. […]
-
Saving the Soul of America from White Christian Nationalism
The social and political divide in America is starkly apparent as we head into another heated presidential race. For theologian and social activist Father Bryan Massingale, his research on race, sexuality, and society could not be timelier as the country grapples with increasing acts of violence against minority groups. Father Massingale, a Black, openly gay […]
-
What Would We Lose in a World Without Books?
The young, independent author and filmmaker Mason Engel is probably best known for his science fiction novel “2084.” But it might be his latest project – the ambitious documentary “Books Across America” – that will surely get him noticed for his love of literature as he travels to all 50 states, reading 50 books and […]
-
Journaling for Wellbeing
In a captivating episode of Creative Conversations, Morgan Appel engages in a profound discussion with Irene Ekdahl diving deep into the transformative world of journaling. Explore the enlightening insights they shared and discover how journaling can be your secret weapon for self-expression, stress management, and unlocking the doors to your creativity. Join us on this […]
-
Dance Music: The Multicultural Story Cumbia
At UC Santa Barbara’s Carsey-Wolf Center, filmmakers Joyce García and Alvaro Parra joined moderator and DJ, Alexandra Lippman, to talk about their two documentaries on cumbia sonidera, or Colombia-inspired dance music, in Mexico City and Los Angeles, “Yo No Soy Guapo” and “Sonidero Metropolis.” García and Parra have explored the world of Sonidero extensively in […]
-
UCLA Historian Shines Light on the Mexican Rebels Who Shaped U.S. History
If you’re like most Americans, you probably haven’t heard of the magonistas and their role in sparking the 1910 Mexican Revolution. But for UCLA history professor Kelly Lytle Hernández, the magonistas changed the course of history and are integral to modern American life. The insurgency, led by Ricardo Flores Magón, was made up of a […]