92NY Talks

In a moment when campus culture wars dominate headlines and government is putting enormous pressure on universities to change, two titans of American academia meet for a rare public conversation at 92NY. Lawrence H. Summers, President Emeritus of Harvard University and former US Treasury Secretary, and Lee C. Bollinger, President Emeritus of Columbia University and one of the nation’s leading First Amendment scholars, take on a question that cuts to the heart of American intellectual life: When the conservative media and federal authorities say that elite universities have been captured by a progressive ideology that is destroying higher education, are they right, or are universities still essential engines of free inquiry and democratic renewal in which a wide-range of perspectives and viewpoints can be expressed, explored and critically examined? The stakes could not be higher: Billions of dollars in federal funding; the future of some of America’s oldest and most important institutions; and the character of our country’s leadership for generations to come. Is American higher education at risk? Summers raises concerns that universities may have become too one-sided in their thinking and are risking public trust, while Bollinger believes such claims have been overstated and that universities continue to reflect a broad range of ideas. Moderated by Robert Costa of CBS News and CBS Sunday Morning, this event launches the new season of 92NY’s Dialogue Project, a series dedicated to modeling civil, incisive public debate at a time when it is urgently needed. Don’t miss this chance to witness two of the sharpest minds in higher education wrestle with a question that will shape the future of intellectual life in this country.

Join the stars and producers of Hulu’s new limited series, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox — Knox herself, who is an executive producer; star Grace Van Patten; creator and executive producer KJ Steinberg; and executive producers Monica Lewinsky and Warren Littlefield — for a special conversation.

Join award-winning actors James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, and Neil Patrick Harris as they dive into the upcoming Broadway revival of Yasmina Reza's Art. They share why returning to the stage is meaningful to them and discuss the play’s timeless exploration of friendship, conflict, and how we perceive art. Listen to their insights on the challenges of live performance and the connection with audiences. This lively conversation offers a sneak peek into what makes Art a must-see for the fall season.

Join New York Times columnist David Brooks with renowned economist Tyler Cowen for a conversation about technology, morality, and finding humility in today’s fractious political culture — in a live taping of Cowen’s hit podcast Conversations with Tyler. David Brooks’ explorations of morality in contemporary politics and culture — the cultivation of spiritual and intellectual rigor through compromise and humility — have made him an uncommonly steady voice in an unsteady time. Critiquing the excesses of the right and the left in his bestselling books and New York Times columns, Brooks examines how class, education, and consumer culture have shaped our identities. He is exactly the kind of thinker who Tyler Cowen loves to talk with on Conversations with Tyler — Cowen’s hit podcast offering wide-ranging examinations of work, the world, and everything in between: a platform for genuine intellectual curiosity. Returning to 92NY’s stage after his sold-out conversation kicking off The Dialogue Project, hear Cowen talk to Brooks about what has shaped their intellectual lives. Take an unscripted tour of Brooks’s early Chicago crime-reporting days, how he would redesign his famed Yale “Humility” syllabus for a TikTok-native generation, the evolution of his religious worldview, his latest ideas on “moral capital,” and much more.

Join John Turturro, the award-winning actor celebrated for his roles in classic films, as he chats with Josh Horowitz about his Emmy-nominated role in the dystopian thriller, Severance. Turturro shares insights into his character Irving Bailiff, revealing the emotional depth of his romance with co-star Christopher Walken. He also reflects on the unique challenges of portraying complex characters, the joy of collaboration in acting, and the profound themes of memory and identity in the show. Expect humor and poignant anecdotes that enrich the conversation!

Megan Stalter, a rising star from HBO Max's Hacks, joins comedian Sarah Sherman for a hilarious chat. They discuss Stalter's transition from internet comedy to leading roles, particularly in Lena Dunham's new series, Too Much. With stories from the set, they humorously dissect the dynamics of acting alongside a co-star and the challenges of filming intimate scenes. The duo also shares whimsical anecdotes, including bizarre offers from Facebook Marketplace, all while reflecting on the ups and downs of their comedic journeys.

Join legendary comedian Marc Maron as he chats with Jim Gaffigan, famed for his relatable humor on fatherhood and food. They delve into the evolution of comedy, discussing how Gaffigan transitioned from anger to a more accepting style. He shares insights on the challenges of making comedy during tough times and reveals the emotional journey behind crafting his HBO special. The conversation also touches on how social media impacts the comedy landscape and even lightens up with a fun discussion about favorite ice cream flavors.

Join Wall Street Journal’s Josh Dawsey, The New York Times’ Tyler Pager and The Washington Post’s Isaac Arnsdorf with Pulitzer Prize winner Maggie Haberman for a conversation about Donald Trump’s stunning political comeback, what it means for America, and Dawsey, Pager, and Arnsdorf’s new account of the election, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America. “The whole world was against me, and I won,” said Donald Trump in an exclusive interview, ten days before his second inauguration. Nearly four years after Trump’s first turbulent presidency concluded in a violent attempt to overturn the election, he made a political comeback on a scale that stunned the nation. In 2024 — drawing on extraordinary access to the Trump, Biden, and Harris teams —Dawsey, Pager, and Arnsdorf bring us the definitive account of how he did it. In a special conversation, hear these award-winning reporters talk to Maggie Haberman about how the 2024 election is influencing Trump’s policy — vindicating and emboldening him — and what it means for US democracy. This talk was recorded on July 17th, 2025, at The 92nd Street Y, New York.

Join acclaimed comedian and New York Times-bestselling author Zarna Garg for a special conversation with Ira Glass (This American Life) about her new Hulu stand-up special, Practical People Win. The conversation was recorded on July 18th, 2025, at The 92nd Street Y, New York.

Ready to optimize your travel? Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy and “The Man Who Turned Credit-Card Points into an Empire” (The New York Times) relates secrets and tips from his bestselling book How to Win at Travel – and all you need to know to help you save money while upgrading your getaways. Recorded July 10, 2025, at The 92nd Street Y, New York.