Ciis Public Programs & Performances

Author and psychologist Shefali Tsabary is joined in conversation by Dean of Alumni Richard Buggs to explore the ways we unconsciously pass on psychological pain to our children.

In this episode, CIIS faculty Christine Brooks examines how nurturing our social networks increases our health and wellbeing. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Author and physician Gabor Maté is joined in conversation by CIIS Professor Meg Jordan to explore his life and work in trauma and addiction.

Science journalist Amina Khan is joined in conversation by curator Arianne Gelardin to discuss what nature can teach us about sustainable technology and innovation.

Poet and author Tyler Knott Gregson is joined in conversation by CIIS’s Director of the Center for Writing and Scholarship Brynn Saito to discuss poetry and the creative process.

Author and psychologist Harriet Lerner is joined in conversation by CIIS faculty member Barbara Morrill to explore what makes a good apology, and why they're so important.

Baratunde Thurston of The Onion and The Daily Show is joined in conversation by actor and director Rotimi Agbabiaka to discuss comedy, race, technology, politics, and everything in between.

CIIS faculty member and Expressive Arts Therapist Danielle Drake examines how communities who engage in creative processes can inspire social change. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Author and therapist Kate Levinson is joined in conversation with CIIS’s Kelly Kelly to discuss the intersection of money, business, and gender.

In this episode, ICU doctor and palliative care expert Dr. Jessica Zitter is joined in conversation by CIIS Dean of Alumni Richard Buggs to discuss her drive to help patients find a better path to the end of life.

Spiritual teacher and Vedic scholar Acharya Shunya is joined in conversation by CIIS Professor Debashish Banerji to discuss health and consciousness through Ayurveda lifestyle principles.

CIIS’s Natalie Metz explores the potential that psychedelics hold for the future of medicine.

Spiritual teacher and author Adyashanti discusses his belief that there are two spiritual instincts that reside deep within everyone.

CIIS Professor and creativity researcher Alfonso Montuori shares his 25 years of explorations in the field, illustrating the emerging face of the new creativity. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Self compassion researcher Kristin Neff joins CIIS faculty Michael Klein to examine how self compassion can lower anxiety and depression, and support more satisfying relationships.

Co-founders of the performance company Curious, Leslie Hill and Helen Paris, are joined in conversation by CIIS Visiting Faculty Ryan Tacata to talk about their work. This event was part of the Dancing with the So Called Dead Festival, a collaboration with the MFA Program in Theatre-Performance Making and The Arts @ CIIS.

Author and researcher David Levy joins CIIS Professor Sergio Rodriguez-Castillo to explore how we might move between the "fast world" of tech and the "slow world" of contemplation.

Indigenous scholar and activist Melissa Nelson and Zen teacher Wendy Johnson discuss ecological knowledge and how to listen to the land.

Comedian, writer, and actress Zahra Noorbakhsh is joined by CIIS faculty member Zara Zimbardo for a conversation that explores being Muslim in America today, and how to counter discrimination with comedy.

Karla Suomala, a researcher and former Professor of Religion and Mikey Siegel, a robotics engineer turned consciousness hacker, discuss the intersections of technology and spirituality.