Bill Maher with Larry Wilmore (virtual)

Join us for a virtual
Live Talks Los Angeles event:
Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 6pm PT/9pm ET
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Bill Maher
in conversation with Larry Wilmore
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discussing his book,
What This Comedian Said Will Shock You

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This event was taped with an audience on June 4, 2024.

VIRTUAL EVENT ONLY, Tuesday, June 11 (click here)
TICKETS:
$50 Virtual Admission + signed book (includes shipping to US addresses)
*Includes access to watch the event on video-on-demand for five days after it airs
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The host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher has written his funniest and most opinionated book ever—a brilliantly astute and acerbically funny vivisection of American life, politics, and culture.
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Bill Maher has hosted Real Time on HBO for the last twenty-one years. Before that Maher created and hosted Politically Incorrect on ABC. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

“Whether you agree or disagree with him—and I do both—Bill Maher had proven himself to be an illuminating force in a world that values heat over light. His is a vital voice, keeping the left honest and calling the right to account for itself before the bar of reason and of decency. I’d say ‘thank God for Bill,’ but he doesn’t believe in God. So I’ll just say thanks.”—Jon Meacham

In What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, Maher has collected and revised a decade of his direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics and what’s happening in the world. 

Free speech, cops, drugs, race, religion, the generations, cancel culture, the parties, the media, show biz, romance, health—Maher covers it all. The result is a hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture in the tradition of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and H. L. Mencken.
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Larry Wilmore has been a television producer, actor, comedian, and writer for more than 25 years. He can currently be heard as host of Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air on The Ringer Podcast Network. The show features Wilmore’s unique mix of humor and wit as he weighs in on the issues of the week and interviews guests in the worlds of politics, entertainment, culture, sports, and beyond. Filmo and TV credit include: Jerry and Margo Go Large, alongside Bryan Cranston and Annette Benning on Paramount+; Reasonable Doubt for Hulu’s Onyx Collective; Amend: The Fight for America on Netflix;   The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore on Comedy Central; Insecure on HBO;  Black-ish on ABC; The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;  In Living Color, The Office and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also served as creator, writer, and executive producer of The Bernie Mac Show, which earned him a 2002 Emmy Award for “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” and a 2001 Peabody Award.

 

Jeff Bridges with Sam Rubin

Monday, October 1, 2018
8pm Talk
 

Jeff Bridges
in conversation with Sam Rubin

sharing clips from, and discussing his documentary,
Living in the Future’s Past


Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre
New Roads School
Herb Alpert Educational Village
3131 Olympic Blvd.,
Santa Monica, CA 90404

PURCHASE TICKETS 
$25 General Admission Seats

Jeff Bridges’ Award-Winning Documentary ‘Living in the Future’s Past’ Brings a Fresh Perspective on Being Human for our Challenging Times and Asks “What Kind of Future Would You Like to See?”

Jeffrey Leon “Jeff” Bridges is an American actor and musician. His most notable films include The Big Lebowski, King Kong, The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Tron, Starman, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Seabiscuit, K-PAX, The Fisher King, Fearless, The Contender, Iron Man, Tron: Legacy, True Grit and Crazy Heart, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 82nd Academy Awards.

Living In The Future’s Past, a beautifully photographed tour de force produced and presented by Jeff Bridges who explores who we are, where we come from, how we think and why we do the things we do. Bridges shares the screen with profound thinkers, scientists, and a dazzling array of the Earth’s creatures to reveal profound concepts about ourselves and our future in ways that have never been presented quite like this on film before. 

Living in the Future’s Past bypasses ideological traps and looks under the “hood of humanity” incorporating elements of evolution, neuropsychology, emergence, ecology and energy into a paradigm shift in the way we think about environmental challenges.

Bridges joins scientist and astronaut Piers Sellers, Being Ecological author Timothy Morton, physicist and Author, Elastic: Flexible Thinking In a Time of Change, Leonard Mlodinow, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark, and author of Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman among many other experts and profound thinkers.  The music score is by Bridges collaborator Keefus Ciancia (Lady Killers, Thunderbird, Sleeping Tapes) with additional music by composer Bob Holroyd and award-winning sound designer Ken Polk.

Living in the Future’s Past premiered at Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Sam Rubin is the entertainment reporter for the KTLA Morning News.  Rubin hosts the Emmy-nominated “Live from the Academy Awards,” syndicated nationally by Tribune Entertainment, “Sneaks,” a series of movie preview shows produced in conjunction with the Los Angeles Times, as well as a show for the Reelz Channel.  He is a recipient of a Golden Mike Award for Best Entertainment Reporter from the Radio & Television News Association and, as part of the KTLA Morning News team, earned an Associated Press Television-Radio Award for Best News Broadcast.

In addition to his activities at KTLA, he also reports for Tribune’s WGN-TV in Chicago. Nationally, Rubin provides reports for “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” “Show Buzz,” and CNN. On the radio, Rubin reports for Los Angeles’ KNX-AM. Rubin has been previously at Live Talks Los Angeles interviewing Alan Cumming, Garry Marshall, Terry Gilliam, Aasif Mandvi and Daymond John.

 

Daniel Siegel with Elisha Goldstein

Monday, September 24, 2018
8pm (Reception 6:30-7:30pm )
 

Daniel Siegel
in conversation with Elisha Goldstein

discussing his new book,
Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence
The Groundbreaking Meditation Practice

Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre
New Roads School
Herb Alpert Educational Village
3131 Olympic Blvd.,
Santa Monica, CA 90404

PURCHASE TICKETS 
$53 Reserved Section Seat + Book
$43 General Admission Seat + Book
$20 General Admission Section Seat
$30 Reserved Section Seat
$95 Reception (6:30-7:30pm) + Reserved Section seat + Book

This event is Co-Presented by New Roads School.
(learn more about New Roads)

 

We welcome Dan Siegel back to our stage for his new book, Aware, his groundbreaking new book introducing readers to his pioneering, science-based meditation practice. He has appeared at Live Talks Los Angeles four previous times: in conversation with Paul Zak for his book, Mind; and interviewing Gretchen Rubin and Jack Kornfield and also with Diane Ackerman celebrating the work of Jack O’Donahue. (Watch the videos in the links).

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of mindsight, which teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families and communities.

Siegel has published extensively for both the professional and lay audiences. His four New York Times bestsellers are: Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being HumanBrainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, and two books with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D: The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline. His other books include: The Developing Mind, MindsightThe Mindful Brain, The Mindful Therapist and The Yes Brain (also with Tina Payne Bryson, PH.D). He also serves as the Founding Editor for the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology which contains over sixty textbooks.  

“Daniel Siegel counts among the most aware people I know—and now he’s shared with us all a brilliant, practical tool for us all to sharpen our awareness.”
—Daniel Goleman, author of Altered Traits and Emotional Intelligence
 
“Dan Siegel, who gave us a succinct and clear definition of mind, now explores the awareness that knows that mind. Read this book if you want true freedom and spontaneous creativity.”
—Deepak Chopra, MD

Aware provides practical instruction for mastering the Wheel of Awareness, a life-changing tool for cultivating more focus, presence, and peace in one’s day-to-day life.

It is an in-depth look at the science that underlies meditation’s effectiveness, this book teaches readers how to harness the power of the principle “Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows.” Siegel reveals how developing a Wheel of Awareness practice to focus attention, open awareness, and cultivate kind intention can literally help you grow a healthier brain and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in your life. 

Whether you have no experience with a reflective practice or are an experienced practitioner, Aware is a hands-on guide that will enable you to become more focused and present, as well as more energized and emotionally resilient in the face of stress and the everyday challenges life throws your way.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles and creator of the 6-month mentorship program A Course in Mindful Living. He is a psychologist, speaker and author who has published numerous articles, chapters, and blogs, including Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, The Now Effect: How This Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life and co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn and MBSR Every Day. He synthesizes the pearls of traditional psychotherapy with a progressive integration of mindfulness to achieve mental and emotional healing. He has his private practice in West Los Angeles, California.

LA Weekly picks both Norman Lear (March 2) and Kim Gordon (March 5) events as “14 fun things to do in LA this week.”

We are thrilled both our events next week made the LA Weekly “14 fun things to do in L.A. this week.”  Visit our website for tickets and more information on these events.  Here’s what the LA Weekly had to say about both events.

Norman LearMonday  3/2

The lovable bigot, the women’s libber, the blue-collar African-American family — the 1970s belonged to Norman Lear, thanks to All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons and Good Times. In his new book,Even This I Get to Experience, Lear writes about growing up in the Great Depression and fighting in World War II before he became one of the biggest sitcom producers in TV history. He helped create more than 100 shows, nine of which aired simultaneously. As part of Live Talks Los Angeles, Lear discusses his memoir with another comedic heavyweight, Emmy-winning actress Jane Lynch (Glee). (More on Lear’s impact on diversity in Hollywood on page 11.) Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; Mon., March 2, 8 p.m.; $25-$50. livetalksla.org. —Siran Babayan

 

Thursday 3/5Kim Gordon

Singer, artist and designer Kim Gordon talks about her new book, Girl in a Band, which chronicles the history of her band, Sonic Youth, and the evolution of alternative music. Gordon traces her roots back to her childhood in L.A. with a father who taught for UCLA, plus her move to New York, the city’s no-wave scene and stints in early bands. Gordon also opens up about motherhood, ex-husband Thurston Moore and other alt-music royalty, namely — and to no one’s surprise — Courtney Love. Part of Live Talks Los Angeles, the event is moderated by singer Aimee Mann. Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; Thu., March 5, 8 p.m.; $20-$43 (top price includes Gordon’s book). livetalksla.org. —Siran Babayan

 

Ruby Wax in conversation with Carrie Fisher

Tuesday, November 11, 2014
8pm

Ruby Wax in conversation with Carrie Fisher

Sane New World: 
A User’s Guide to the Normal-Crazy Mind

The Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

PURCHASE TICKETS
$20 General Admission seats
$34 Reserved Seats & includes Ruby Wax’ book
* a book signing follows the talk.

“I love this book more than I love Ruby.  And that’s saying quite a bit…in a loud, funny voice.  Yes…I love this book. And I know books. And I know love. And Ruby’s book is both.”— Carrie Fisher

“We know so little about how our minds work,” says Ruby Wax.  “It’s like having a Ferrari on top of your shoulders but no one gave you the keys.”  

Ruby Wax arrived in Great Britain from the U.S. in 1977 and began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. After 25 years writing and performing in her own widely popular television shows on the BBC, and serving as Script Editor for the entire run of the hit series Absolutely Fabulous, Wax is now deploying humor to spread the word about neuroscience, rewiring our thoughts to find calm in a frenetic world, and how to survive the 21st century.

Wax earned a master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford, becoming an advocate and activist—successfully petitioning Parliament and Downing Street to change the laws around discrimination and mental health.

Her book, Sane New World, zoomed to the top of the bestseller list in her adopted homeland of England, and is soon to be published in the US.  Nearly 1.5 million people have seen Ruby’s TED talk.  Visit her website.

Join us as she takes to our stage for a lively conversation with her friend, the actress and writer Carrie Fisher.   

Carrie Fisher, actress, writer and daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher made her film debut in Shampoo and went on to star as the iconic Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy.  She has appeared in the films When Harry Met Sally, Hannah and Her Sisters and The Blues Brothers, to name a few.  Television credits include Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory and 30 Rock, for which she received an Emmy nomination. 

Fisher’s bestselling novel, Postcards from the Edge, netted her the Los Angeles Pen Award for Best First Novel.  Fisher penned the Postcards screenplay for the Oscar-nominated film starring Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep. Three novels and two memoirs have followed: Delusions of Grandma, Surrender the Pink, The Best Awful, Wishful Drinking and Shockaholic.  Fisher performed her one-woman stage version of Wishful Drinking on Broadway, which went on to be filmed for HBO and nominated for an Emmy Award.

Fisher will reprise her role of Princess Leia in the much anticipated Star Wars, Episode VII. Visit her website.

 

 

 

Oliver Sacks in the news…We host him at Live Talks LA on Nov 14 in conversation with David Milch

 We host neurologist Oliver Sacks at Live Talks Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 14th at The Aero Theatre.  He’ll be in conversation with David Milch, Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. Only a few tickets remain. Ticket info here.  The occasion for us hosting Dr. Sacks is the publication of his new book, Hallucinations, which was published today….Here are some stories, interviews, features and reviews on Sacks and his book.

Wall Street Journal, Nov 5: Speakeasy: Oliver Sacks Sees Things Most People Don’t
New York Magazine, Nov 4: A Brain with a Heart
New York Times, Nov 3: Opinion (By Oliver Sacks) – Seeing Things? Hearing Things? Many of Us Do.
NPR Fresh Air, Nov 6: Oliver Sacks, Exploring How Hallucinations Happen
Omnivoracious Blog (Amazon), Nov 6: The Neurological and the Devine: An Interview with Oliver Sacks
— Wall Street Journal, Nov 1, Tripping Makes a Comeback
 Entertainment Weekly, Nov 1, Book Review: Hallucinations, by Oliver Sacks
— Smiley & West Radio Show, Oct 17, Oliver Sacks interview on Hallucinations (audio)
— The Guardian, Oct 30, Oliver Sacks shares his hallucinations
— NPR First Read: Listen to/Read an excerpt from Oliver Sacks’ book, on “Hearing things”
— The New YorkerOut Loud: Drugs and Oliver Sacks
— TED Talk: What hallucination reveals about our mind