Disinformation has been used throughout history as a tool to intentionally deceive or manipulate the enemy. In our present age of information, where fabricated news stories, photos, or posts of any kind can be spread in an instant, we find ourselves especially vulnerable to the potentially devasting effects of weaponized disinformation. Lee McIntyre is an author and Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. McIntyre has penned multiple publications exploring the science behind strategic deception. In On Disinformation, the author guides readers through a seventy-year history of strategic political denials, dating back to Soviet intelligence operations in the 1920’s. With the added support of interviews from leading experts on information warfare, counterterrorism, and political extremism, McIntyre lays out the path that has led to our current moment of polarization. In response to the crisis McIntyre presents, he outlines steps that political leaders can take to push back against the spread of disinformation. He also makes a case for the power of collective action, encouraging ordinary citizens to place pressure on Congress to regulate social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. Join Lee McIntyre in his return to Town Hall Seattle, where he will speak truth to the crisis of disinformation, and suggest how we can pursue a more hopeful future. Lee McIntyre is a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. He is the author of Dark Ages: The Case for a Science of Human Behavior, Post-Truth, and The Scientific Attitude: Defending Science from Denial, Fraud, and Pseudoscience, all published by the MIT Press.   Buy the Book On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy Queen Anne Book Company

Have you ever made coins float in water? Or created a geode from an egg? If not, Emmy-nominated science TV host Emily Calandrelli can show you how. Calandrelli, MIT-trained engineer turned internet STEAM star, demonstrates science experiments you can do at home with common household products as the host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab and through her popular social media channels. Following the success of her first book, Calandrelli has developed 50 new science experiments for the whole family to do together in Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level. Calandrelli is passionate about exploring science with families. She is open about her own parents’ lack of science background and how that led her to hone her skill of explaining scientific concepts in ways that are understandable and accessible. By offering opportunities to explore STEAM in your everyday life, Calandrelli will invite you to get your hands in some real, fun science. Emily Calandrelli is an MIT engineer turned science TV host. She’s the host of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, the Emmy-nominated host of Xploration Outer Space on FOX, and the author of the Ada Lace Adventures and Reach for the Stars. Emily has worked with Bill Nye, Will Smith, and Cardi B to promote STEAM and has been featured on The Today Show and The Drew Barrymore Show. She enjoys sharing her love of science with her followers at @TheSpaceGal on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and on her YouTube channel. Zeta Strickland has over 20 years experience in formal and informal learning settings. Her teaching experience includes high school science, outreach with PacSci’s Science On Wheels program and as an onboard educator on the Around the Americas expedition sailing from Barrow, Alaska to Charleston, South Carolina. Her learning audiences span grades k-12 and adults, including conducting initial use trainings to teachers using the Astro Adventures instructional materials. She’s also created numerous inquiry-based activities related to geology, astronomy, physics, and engineering, as well as environmental science, climate literacy and ocean health. At Pacific Science Center Zeta has experience in staff management, budgets and grant planning and administration, and collaborations and partnership with area organizations; her current role is Education Director.     Buy the Book Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level Ada’s Technical Books

We all get frustrated with our inability to remember people’s names, find our keys, or recover a lost computer password. Fortunately, these experiences are not reflections of our broken brains, but the fact that the brain didn’t evolve the complex mechanisms of memory so that we could remember that guy we met at that thing. In fact, human memory is so much more than a personal archive or database. It’s a powerful and pervasive force that runs through all human experience and to a shocking degree makes us who we are – not just a record of the past, but as a determinative force in the present. Dr. Charan Ranganath, a leading memory researcher, unveils the surprising aspects of human memory in his new book Why We Remember revealing how memory shapes our lives, impacts our decisions, and holds the key to understanding our past and planning for the future. This science narrative explores the unseen influence of memory on emotions, choices, and well-being, offering valuable insights for a broad audience, including those interested in staying mentally sharp, individuals dealing with trauma, parents, educators, and anyone seeking to make more mindful decisions. Drawing on over two decades of research, Dr. Ranganath’s book challenges common misconceptions about memory, delivering a paradigm-shifting perspective that’s both informative and life-changing. Charan Ranganath is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. For over 25 years, Dr. Ranganath has studied the mechanisms in the brain that allow us to remember past events, using brain imaging techniques, computational modeling, and studies of patients with memory disorders. He has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. Chantel Prat, author of The Neuroscience of You, is a Professor at the University of Washington with appointments in the Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Linguistics, and at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research investigates how variable brain designs combine with our lifetime of experiences to shape the unique way each person understands the world and operates in it.   Buy the Companion Book Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters The Elliott Bay Book Company

Join Judy Kinney, Executive Director of GenPride, and members of the LGBTQ+ community for a lively discussion about how to stay proud and engaged as they age. GenPride advocates for Seattle/King County older LGBTQIA+ adults’ unique needs through programs and services that cultivate well-being and belonging. Judy Kinney (she/they) is an experienced non-profit leader and community builder who has devoted 20 years of her career to protecting, supporting, and advancing the well-being of older adults, including promoting the equality, safety, and health of older LGBTQIA+ people. Judy is deeply committed to centering the intersections of age, race, and LGBTQ+ identities in GenPride’s work. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

Discover the unexpected diversity, beauty, and strangeness of life in ancient lakes — some millions of years old — and the remarkable insights they yield about the causes of biodiversity. Most lakes are less than 10,000 years old and short-lived, but there is a much smaller number of ancient lakes, tectonic in origin and often millions of years old, that are scattered across every continent but Antarctica: Baikal, Tanganyika, Victoria, Titicaca, and Biwa, to name a few. Often these lakes are filled with a diversity of fish, crustaceans, snails, and other creatures found nowhere else in the world. In Our Ancient Lakes, biology professor Jeffrey McKinnon introduces the remarkable living diversity of these aquatic bodies to the general reader and explains the surprising, often controversial, findings that the study of their faunas yield about the formation and persistence of species. Shining a light on a class of biodiversity hot spot equivalent to coral reefs in the ocean or tropical rainforests on land, Our Ancient Lakes chronicles the often singular wonders of these venerable water bodies. Jeffrey McKinnon grew up reading Gerald Durrell and Farley Mowat, absorbing Jacques Cousteau and Marlin Perkins’ teachings from the TV, and watching animals in the ditches, farmyards, forests, and tidepools of Western Canada. He received his BSc from the University of British Columbia and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. A Professor of Biology at East Carolina University, his research has taken him to every continent but Antarctica and has appeared in journals including Nature and the American Naturalist. Our Ancient Lakes: A Natural History Third Place Books

Delve into the urgent and critical issue of cervical cancer prevention with Dr. Linda Eckert.  Cervical cancer claims the lives of almost 350,000 women each year, a staggering toll that is compounded by the fact that the disease is nearly 100% preventable. Dr. Linda Eckert, a leading expert in cervical cancer prevention, brings her wealth of experience to the forefront in her book, Enough. Dr. Eckert intertwines evidence-based information with the poignant narratives of women who have battled cervical cancer, using their experiences to advocate for change. The book provides a compelling exploration of the barriers — cultural, gender-related, and political — that hinder women’s access to healthcare and contribute to the devastating consequences of this preventable cancer. Dr. Eckert addresses the issues with clarity and compassion, making for a talk that’s accessible to everyone from the general public to those passionate about global health, women’s stories, and the pressing need for health equity. Be part of a conversation that goes beyond statistics and aims to break down barriers, address systemic inequities in healthcare, and create meaningful change that could greatly reduce cervical cancer’s unnecessary death toll. Linda O. Eckert is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with an Infectious Disease Fellowship at the University of Washington and an internationally recognized expert in immunizations and cervical cancer prevention. For over thirty years, Dr. Eckert has worked at Seattle’s Harborview Hospital, treating people from all around the world. Frequently in the spotlight for her expertise in HPV vaccinations and cervical cancer screenings, Dr. Eckert is passionate in her drive to eliminate this deadly disease.  Former freelance journalist Diane Mapes writes about public health, scientific research and the cancer experience for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, she went from covering dating, lifestyle and singles issues to science, “cancer whispering” and patient advocacy. A former humor columnist for the Seattle P-I and the author of hundreds of essays and articles for NBC News, CNN, MSN, Seattle Times, etc., she also writes fiction (and music!) and is currently hawking a funny novel about the cancer industrial complex.  Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer Third Place Books

Join Rebecca Crichton in conversation with Andrea Cohen, a long-time facilitator of Compassionate Listening practices. Andrea will share personal stories of how these practices have transformed conflicts – with families, friends, and within challenged communities – into relationships based on greater understanding, caring, and connection. Andrea Cohen, MSW, is a certified Compassionate Listening facilitator. She is the author of Practicing the Art of Compassionate Listening and director of the Compassionate Listening film Children of Abraham. She also co-directed the Compassionate Listening-based Jewish-German Reconciliation Project for several years. Rebecca Crichton started her “Encore Career” as Executive Director of NWCCA in 2012 after 21 years with The Boeing Company. She refashioned her skills and knowledge as a writer, curriculum designer, and leadership development coach to offer Creative Aging programs at many Seattle area venues. An active participant in the local aging community, she writes regularly for 3rd Act Magazine. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

Delve into the insightful world of reproductive health with Dr. Jen Gunter. In her latest book, Blood, Dr. Gunter dispells myths and misinformation about menstruation with a foundation of scientific facts and medical expertise. Known for her evidence-based approach, Dr. Gunter addresses questions you may have never thought to ask about menstrual bleeding and offers a clear and informative guide to reproductive anatomy. Covering topics from the endometrium’s intriguing connection to the immune system, to discussions on period pain, endometriosis, and hormonal contraception, Blood provides a nuanced perspective that fosters understanding without judgment. Join us for an event that encourages open conversations and promotes knowledge about a natural bodily process that has often been shrouded in mystery and societal taboos. Dr. Jen Gunter, internationally bestselling author and expert gynecologist, known as “the world’s most famous gynecologist” (The Guardian), brings over three decades of expertise in vulvar and vaginal diseases. Her bestselling books, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto, translated into 25 languages, have solidified her position as a leading voice in women’s health. With accolades including the 2020 NAMS Media Award and a TED Talk with 2M+ views, Dr. Gunter hosts the CBC/Amazon Prime series Jensplaining and shares insights on her popular podcast, Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter. Based in Northern California, she continues to impact the conversation on women’s health globally at DrJenGunter.com. Amy Bhatt is a writer, museum curator, and former Associate Professor. She has a Ph.D. in Feminist Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, is the author of High-Tech Housewives, and is the co-author of Roots and Reflections: South Asians in the Pacific Northwest. She has written for and appeared in news outlets such as NPR, Ms. Magazine, The Conversation, Indian Express, Quartz, and The Seattle Times. She founded The Brohatt Group in 2020 and consults as a ghostwriter and development editor. Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation University Book Store Seattle T2P2 is our community partner for this event.  Seattle T2P2 (Towers of Tampons & Pyramids of Pads) is a menstrual product donation collective committed to disrupting period poverty throughout Seattle and beyond. They believe that to create a more equitable society, we must make period products accessible to all. Period.   You can help! Town Hall is hosting a period product drive for T2P2 during this event. Bring your donations of packaged or individually wrapped pads, tampons, panty liners, wipes, and hand sanitizer to the event to contribute to Seattle T2P2’s mission. 

Have you ever wondered what your nurses’ lives are like outside of the hospital? In a new memoir, Journal of a Black Queer Nurse, Nurse Britney Daniels divulges the details of her day-to-day life. From braving the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic to giving her own clothes to a patient who was unhoused to transporting bodies to overflowing morgues (and experiencing her own physical ailments as a result), to advocating for patients of color in the face of systemic racism and more, these unseen moments as a marginalized nurse inform her authorship while helping to illuminate just some of what goes on behind the scenes. Nurse Daniels identifies as a Black, masculine-presenting, tattooed lesbian from a working-class background. For the last five years, she has worked as an emergency room nurse. What began as a personal diary also became an instrument of healing from perpetual trauma wrought not only by what she witnessed in her career but stemming from how much she dared to care. The book may make you feel sadness, humor, anger, a sense of injustice, or all of the above in this candid account that exposes some unflattering truths about health care in the United States. Journal of a Black Queer Nurse strives to reveal how true care goes beyond treating the physical body. Daniels asserts that it involves listening to and understanding patients and it demands that nurses — especially nurses of color — also be warriors. Britney Daniels, RN, MSN is a Black queer travel nurse and social advocate who has worked in hospital emergency rooms all over the US. Daniels holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in nursing leadership. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Britney lives in Chicago with her wife, Saria, and their two dogs, Batman and Momo. Journal of a Black Queer Nurse is her first book. Journal of a Black Queer Nurse Third Place Books

Take a moment to appreciate the humble but essential set of muscles we call the pelvic floor.  When the pelvic floor is working well, our bladder, bowels, and sexual functioning are more likely to be trouble-free. If they aren’t working well, people can experience incontinence, constipation, pain, and a host of other troubles. Out of embarrassment or discomfort with the topic, people often turn to unreliable sources for information and help. Dr. Peg Maas, DPT, is a Board Certified Pelvic and Women’s Health Physical Therapist who has worked and taught in the field for over 30 years. She works with people of all genders and ages, bringing useful pelvic health information to those who are ready to learn — no matter their comfort level with the topic. Dr. Maas’s down-to-earth approach and humor will provide attendees with practical health-changing information for people to begin implementing before they even leave the building! Dr. Peg Maas, DPT, works at Swedish Medical Center and is a Clinical Faculty Member at the University of Washington, and a clinical lecturer at University of Puget Sound. In her clinical work, she treats patients of all ages and genders with a broad spectrum of pelvic floor diagnoses. She tries to set everyone she sees at ease so they feel comfortable asking the questions they hope to ask and can learn what they need to learn to reach their goals. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.