ROTC

Stephen Ambrose & the Creation of the National WWII Museum: From D-Day to Liberation & Legacy | Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller | Moderated by: Steve Vogel

Nick Mueller joins moderator Steve Vogel to reflect on historian Stephen Ambrose’s pivotal role in creating the National WWII Museum and shaping Americans' understanding of World War II. Drawing on his book Preserving the Legacy: Stephen Ambrose, the National WWII Museum, and the Story of America’s Greatest Generation, Mueller traces the journey from D-Day through liberation, exploring how history is preserved, interpreted, and carried forward as a living legacy for future generations.

Pros & Cons of Substack for Writers | Jami Attenberg + Maurice Carlos Ruffin | Moderated by: Kate Baldwin

Authors Jami Attenberg and Maurice Carlos Ruffin join moderator Kate Baldwin to discuss the opportunities and challenges of publishing on Substack. From building a direct audience and creative independence to navigating financial risks and platform limitations, they explore how writers can leverage, or struggle with, this new model of literary entrepreneurship.

After the Sentence: Justice, Accountability & Second Chances | Sophie Cull, Calvin Duncan + Nick Weldon | Moderated by: Madeleine Landrieu

Sophie Cull, Calvin Duncan, and Nick Weldon examine the American criminal justice system through the lens of accountability, redemption, and reform. In conversation with Madeleine Landrieu, Dean of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, they explore the human consequences of incarceration, the structural forces that shape sentencing and reentry, and the moral questions at the heart of punishment. Drawing on lived experience, legal scholarship, and investigative reporting, their discussion considers what justice demands after the sentence is served and what meaningful second chances require from individuals, institutions, and society.

Miracle Children: Race, Education & a True Story of False Promises | Katie Benner + Erica L. Green | Moderated by: Molly Jong-Fast

Journalists Katie Benner and Erica L. Green explore the untold story of America’s education system, examining how race, inequality, and systemic failures intersect in the lives of children labeled as “miracle” students. Drawing on years of reporting, Benner and Green reveal the promises made to these students, the forces that shaped their experiences, and the broader implications for education and opportunity in the United States. Their conversation illuminates the human stories behind the headlines, offering a powerful look at hope, ambition, and the consequences of broken promises.

From the Beatles to Ozzy to John Prine: Music Legends | Tom Piazza, Stephen Rea + Bruce Spizer | Moderated by: Gayle Wald

Three writers steeped in music history explore the artists who shaped modern sound and culture. Tom Piazza, Stephen Rea, and Bruce Spizer reflect on iconic figures across genres, from the global phenomenon of the Beatles to the raw theatrics of Ozzy Osbourne and the storytelling genius of John Prine. Drawing on criticism, research, and personal experience, they consider how musicians become legends, how their work travels across generations, and why certain songs continue to define who we are and how we remember our lives.

End of Days: Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse & the Unmaking of America | Chris Jennings | Moderated by: Ken Auletta

Diving into one of America’s most infamous standoffs, End of Days: Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the Unmaking of America, Chris Jennings examines how conspiracy theories and fringe ideologies shape our cultural and political landscape. Reexamining themes of government surveillance, isolation, and civil liberties, he traces the lasting impact of fear, ideology, and official response on the American psyche. Moderated by author and media critic Ken Auletta, this session explores how Ruby Ridge was reported, interpreted, and remembered, revealing its enduring resonance in American society.

The State of the Nation Project: In Books | Carol Graham, Douglas Harris + Gary Hoover | Moderated by: President Michael A. Fitts

The State of the Nation Project recently launched the first, and widely publicized, bipartisan progress report for the nation. This panel will describe the main findings and explore the reasons behind our successes and failures, from the perspective of authors who have explored related themes in their books.

Whodunnit: True Crime and Crime Fiction | Danielle Arceneaux, Rich Cohen + Gary Phillips | Moderated by: Ethan Brown

Ethan Brown (Murder in the Bayou) explores the intersecting and divergent complexities of writing true crime and crime fiction in this talk with authors Danielle Arceneaux (Glory Daze), Rich Cohen (Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story), and Gary Phillips (Ash Dark as Night).

Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change | Cady Coleman | Moderated by: Sarah Gelman

Astronaut Cady Coleman shares her extraordinary experiences from space in this captivating conversation with Sarah Gelman, Head of Books Editorial at Amazon. From the wonder of space exploration to the lessons in leadership and teamwork learned while orbiting Earth, this conversation offers insights into how space missions drive innovation and inspire change on a global scale.

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