Aspen Ideas to Go

In the early days of cable television, there wasn’t a single network aimed at Black audiences. Sheila Johnson and her husband at the time saw an opening, and put all their hopes, efforts and money into co-founding Black Entertainment Television. The gamble paid off and the channel grew to become an influential and successful part of culture and television history. But behind the glitter, Johnson’s marriage was difficult and degrading and she lost track of herself and her dreams. In her memoir “Walk Through Fire,” Johnson shares what those tough times were like, and how she found her way back to her power. She emerged to create Salamander Collection, a luxury hotel and resort company, and became the only African American woman to own part of three professional sports teams. And, she found love again. Johnson tells her story on stage at the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival to Kelly Corrigan, host of the podcast “Kelly Corrigan Wonders.” aspenideas.org

Owning a professional sports team is not for the faint of heart. Results are volatile and wins and losses come with the strong emotions of a city’s fan base. But it’s a sound investment for the right type of business leader, and the value of professional teams has been steadily rising over the past several years. Two legendary owners with very different backgrounds meet for this conversation about what it’s like to have a major stake in the game. Alex Rodriguez wrapped up an incredible career in major league baseball in 2016, after playing for 22 years. He’s gone on to found the investment firm A-Rod Corp. and recently bought a stake in the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Lynx. David Rubenstein is a businessman, lawyer and co-founder of The Carlyle Group private equity firm. In 2024, he became the principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, his hometown MLB team. Businessman Gregg Lemkau, co-CEO of the merchant bank BDT and MSD Partners, moderates the conversation. aspenideas.org

Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and bestselling author, joins esteemed writer Pico Iyer, known for his insightful travel narratives. They delve into the paradox of happiness found within suffering. Exploring how loss can lead to growth, they share personal stories that emphasize resilience and meaning. The conversation weaves through themes of connection during the pandemic and the transformative power of collective struggles. Iyer also reflects on his narrow escape from a wildfire, tying it to larger lessons on mindfulness and purpose.

Millions of children across America don’t have art classes in school and don’t grow up going to art museums and galleries. They might be hours away from the closest museum, or their families might not have the means to bring art into their lives. Philanthropist Alice Walton had that kind of childhood, and wants to prevent as many people as possible from repeating it. When she discovered the art world as an adult, she also learned how insular and urban it was, leaving out so many. These experiences led her to found the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, which opened its doors to all in 2011. Admission at Crystal Bridges is free, and Walton has also instituted educational programs that cover the costs of bringing children in from around the region. Anne Kraybill is the CEO of a related program called Art Bridges, which is attempting to spread the philosophy of art for all and help smaller museums around the country increase access to art. In this talk from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival, Ford Foundation president Darren Walker interviews Walton and Kraybill about these initiatives and the motivations that created them. aspenideas.org

Sherri Hobson, a former U.S. attorney with three decades of experience battling drug cartels, teams up with Anabel Hernandez, a fearless journalist who's spent over 22 years investigating cartel operations. They dive into the shocking evolution of the fentanyl crisis, highlighting how cartels exploit the opioid epidemic in the U.S. The duo discusses corruption, the alarming rise of synthetic drugs, and the chilling tactics of Mexican drug lords. Their insights illuminate the grim realities facing both nations, blending harrowing personal stories with hard-hitting analysis.

Join Jay Van Bavel, an NYU psychology professor, and Annie Murphy Paul, a science writer and author, as they explore the fascinating dynamics of human groups. They discuss how collective thinking can tackle societal issues like climate change and polarization. The power of 'groupiness' highlights communication's role in collaboration, and the 'extended mind' concept reveals how our surroundings influence our mental processes. The conversation also touches on inclusivity and the impact of the metaverse on learning, emphasizing the need for meaningful connections.

Sir Ken Robinson believed that as a society, we tragically underestimate and underutilize human ability. We create linear systems for our minds modeled on industry and manufacturing, and we fail to honor the nonlinear imagination and creativity inside all of us. As a speaker and educational advisor, Robinson worked with people all over the world in various sectors and settings on helping them reconnect with their natural inclinations and aptitudes. He advocated for educational reform that treated children as individuals motivated by interests and passions. Robinson unfortunately passed away in 2020, and this episode is from our archives. He gave this timeless talk at the 2010 Aspen Ideas Festival. aspenideas.org

Scholars are still uncovering information about Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and its era of slavery, piecing together how the wealth generated from these atrocities shaped the nation’s history. For some descendants, this means just now learning about their families’ roles in and benefits from these horrors. In Britain, a few horrified heirs and private institutions are stepping forward to make amends, but there are few models for what meaningful reparations or restorative justice could look like. Where do we go from here, and what would truly make a difference? In this conversation from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival, the three panelists bring personal and academic experience to this weighty conversation. Harvard historian Vincent Brown, British TV presenter and historian David Olusoga and former BBC journalist and reparations advocate Laura Trevelyan discuss the meaning and practical application of reparations and restorative justice. New York Times editor Dean Baquet moderates the talk and takes questions from the audience. aspenideas.org

Each year brings more destructive natural disasters and growing evidence of the challenging future we face if we don’t address climate change. But the biggest cause of climate-related deaths is one that’s hard to see and hardly talked about. Extreme heat killed more than 2,000 people in the United States in 2023 and put intense stress on millions as they faced high costs of utilities and numerous life interruptions. Federal, state and local policy hasn’t kept up with rising temperatures and the scale of the heat threat, and cities are scrambling to adapt and prevent more deaths. In this panel from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival, the chief heat officer for Miami-Dade County, Jane Gilbert, joins the chief heat officer for the city of Los Angeles, Marta Segura, to share their learnings and innovations in these brand new positions. Rolling Stone journalist Jeff Goodell, the author of “The Heat Will Kill You First,” brings a wider lens to the issue. NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz moderates the conversation. aspenideas.org

Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General focused on youth mental health, teams up with Kaya Henderson, a leader at the Center for Rising Generations, to tackle the issues plaguing America's young people. They discuss alarming trends in loneliness and anxiety, highlighting the detrimental role of social media. The conversation also emphasizes the need for educational reforms that nurture holistic development and community belonging. Finally, they advocate for empowering youth leadership to redefine success and promote a kinder, more connected environment.