Jeff Kosseff, Jacob Mchangama & Nadine Strossen - Is Free Speech in Crisis? Challenges to Democratic Expression

This panel explores the mounting threats to free expression in both democratic and authoritarian contexts, centering on how arguments for restricting speech, political pressures, technological platforms, and AI moderation are reshaping global discourse. Authors Jeff Kosseff & Jacob Mchangama (The Future of Free Speech: Reversing the Global Decline of Democracy's Most Essential Freedom) and Nadine Strossen (The War on Words:  Ten Arguments Against Free Speech—and Why They Fail) will consider historical expansions of free speech, contemporary challenges from both the left and right, and the responsibilities of governments, corporations, and citizens in defending expression. Ultimately, the session offers a vital conversation on safeguarding the right that underpins democracy, human rights, and open dialogue worldwide.

Jacob Mchangama is the founder and executive director of the Future of Free Speech, a research professor at Vanderbilt University, and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He has published in academic and peer-reviewed journals, including Human Rights Quarterly, Policy Review, and Amnesty International’s Strategic Studies. He is the producer and narrator of the podcast “Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech” and is the author of the critically acclaimed book Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022) and co-author with Jeff Kosseff of The Future of Free Speech: Reversing the Global Decline of Democracy’s Most Essential Freedom (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2026). Mr. Mchangama is the recipient of numerous awards for his work on free speech and human rights.

Nadine Strossen, New York Law School professor emerita and senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, was president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008.  An internationally acclaimed free speech scholar and advocate, who regularly addresses diverse audiences and provides media commentary around the world, Prof. Strossen serves on the advisory boards of the ACLU and several academic freedom/free speech organizations.  She is the host and project consultant for Free to Speak, a three-hour documentary film series distributed on public television in 2023.

Moderator: Andre M. Davis is a retired judge. He served for a total of thirty years on Maryland state trial courts (eight years), federal trial court (fourteen years) and finally on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (eight years). Prior to his judicial service, he was a federal prosecutor in the Maryland United States Attorney's Office and an assistant professor at the Francis King Carey University of Maryland School of Law. After his retirement from judicial service in 2017, he served for more than two years as Baltimore city solicitor, where he managed the City Law Department. 

Charles Ferguson - Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David

Join author Charles Ferguson and explore Presidential Seclusion, a rare and revealing history of Camp David, the secluded presidential retreat where private lives and global decisions intersect. Drawing on presidential archives and memoirs, the book uncovers how this hidden mountain enclave has shaped diplomacy, leadership, and moments of crisis over the past eighty years. Written by a former Camp David historian, it offers an insider’s perspective on the traditions, spaces, and experiences that define the retreat. The narrative highlights the profound impact of Camp David on the presidents and First Families who have sought refuge there. Ultimately, it illuminates how a place devoted to privacy has quietly influenced the course of world history.

Charles Ferguson spent three and a half years as the Camp David historian and presidential chaplain. During that time, he coordinated with fourteen presidential libraries to better tell the true story of the president’s exclusive mountaintop retreat, scouring records and memoirs for engaging stories, providing glimpses into the hidden world of Camp David. Conducting hundreds of tours for personal guests of the president, his accessible storytelling draws you into the wonders of Camp David as if you are walking the historical private trails with your own personal tour guide.

Moderator: William Joseph Buckley studies ways agents behave in group settings in and after conflicts. In-situ field-work and cross-disciplinary publications in social sciences and humanities, critically advances projects of his professors Paul Ricœur, philosopher of science Stephen Toulmin, and anthropocentric critic James Gustafson, as “ecobiosocial.” He explores constructions of gendered personal identity, social belonging, geography, climate, natural resources, and culture(s) on positional interests, notably in Northern Ireland, Germany, Kosovo, and Ukraine. Georgetown University awarded him 2022 “Outstanding Faculty of the Year” (School of Continuing Studies – SCS, Bachelor of Liberal Studies – BLS, Tropaia Award). Dr. Buckley earned his PhD from the University of Chicago and is a member of the faculty at Georgetown University.

Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey & Tyler Pager - 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America

2024 offers a gripping, behind-the-scenes account of one of the most volatile presidential elections in modern American history. Join reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf as they discuss the strategy, missteps, and high-stakes decisions that defined the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The book traces Trump’s dramatic political comeback—from legal battles and primary challenges to a fiercely contested general election—while also examining the internal struggles shaping the Democratic campaign. With fly-on-the-wall reporting and sharp political insight, 2024 pulls back the curtain on the personalities, power plays, and pivotal moments that reshaped the American political landscape.

Isaac Arnsdorf covers the White House for the Washington Post. His reporting from the scene of the Trump assassination attempt was central to the Post’s coverage that won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. His first book, Finish What We Started, about the MAGA movement since January 6, was published in 2024. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family. Photo credit - Jenna Brown Photography

Josh Dawsey is an investigative reporter focused on politics at the Wall Street Journal. He most recently worked as a political enterprise and investigations reporter for the Washington Post. He joined the Post in 2017 and covered the White House from 2017 to 2021. He was part of the team of journalists that won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the newspaper’s coverage of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and a team that won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for coverage of the role of the AR-15 in American life. He is also a two-time recipient of the White House Correspondents Association award for news reporting and a lecturer at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Mr. Dawsey is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina and the enthusiastic owner of a rambunctious rescue dog named Pepper. Photo credit - Marvin Joseph (Washington Post)

Tyler Pager is a White House correspondent at the New York Times. He previously covered the White House at the Washington Post, where he won the 2022 Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. He graduated as the valedictorian from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and with distinction from the University of Oxford, where he earned a master’s degree in comparative social policy. He lives in Washington, DC. Photo credit - Dan Viederman

Moderator: Gary Gallant is the founder of the Gallant Government & Law Group, a premier government relations and law firm established in 2018. With more than 30 years of experience in politics, public policy, and legal advocacy, he has worked on congressional and presidential campaigns and served as volunteer counsel to the RNC, NRSC, and NRCC on voter integrity matters. He now advises corporate, nonprofit, and labor clients on lobbying, public policy, and campaign finance strategy, and has been repeatedly recognized by the Hill as one of Washington’s “Top Lobbyists.”

Emily Lieb - Road to Nowhere: How a Highway Map Wrecked Baltimore

In this illuminating discussion, historian Emily Lieb brings to life the rise and unraveling of Rosemont, a once-thriving Black middle-class neighborhood in Baltimore. Through the lens of the proposed East–West Expressway, the author reveals how even unbuilt infrastructure projects can devastate communities—triggering economic decline, displacement, and systemic disinvestment. Lieb unpacks the interconnected forces of redlining, blockbusting, and discriminatory lending that reshaped Rosemont and mirrored patterns across the nation. Road to Nowhere outlines how policies in education, housing, and transportation converged to produce lasting racial inequities, while also highlighting the resilience and resistance of residents determined to preserve their community. Both a deeply local story and a national reckoning, this conversation invites audiences to reconsider how policy decisions continue to shape opportunity, wealth, and place in America today.

Emily Lieb is a writer and historian based in Seattle, where she lives with her husband and dog. She has an A.B. from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and she taught history and urban studies in Seattle for more than ten years before retiring to become a full-time writer. Road to Nowhere is her first book.

Moderator: Donn Worgs is the Martha A. Mitten Professor of the College of Liberal Arts, professor of political science and director of African and African American Studies at Towson University. He is author of several articles and book chapters covering such topics as morality and African American politics, neighborhood politics, community development, and education politics.  Dr. Worgs is also one of the co-authors of Urban Neighborhoods in a New Era: Revitalization Politics in the Postindustrial City.

David Gendell - Battles at Annapolis: Two Remarkable Football Games in the Army-Navy Rivalry

In this engaging panel, author David Gendell revisits two overlooked but consequential Army–Navy Game matchups played decades apart on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Focusing on the 1893 and 1942 games, Gendell explores how these hard-fought contests—despite their modest crowds—left an outsized imprint on the rivalry, the evolution of football, and the identity of the service academies. Each game is situated within its broader historical moment, illuminating the institutional stakes, the culture of competition, and the looming realities of military service. Ultimately, this discussion reframes familiar sports history, revealing how moments on the gridiron can echo far beyond the final whistle.

David Gendell is a native Annapolitan and the author of three non-fiction books including Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Bay Icon and The Last Days of the Schooner America: A Lost Icon at the Annapolis Warship Factory, which won the 2025 Brewington Book prize from the Maryland Center for History and Culture; recognizing it as “The best book on maritime history related to the Chesapeake Bay or the nation published in the previous year.”  Mr. Gendell's latest book is Battles at Annapolis: Two Remarkable Football Games in the Army-Navy Rivalry.

Moderator:  Bill Wagner has been a sports reporter and editor for Capital Gazette newspapers for 36 years. Mr. Wagner currently covers Navy athletics and is a general assignment reporter writing local sports features and reporting on notable local sports news. He is the longtime sailing editor for the Capital. The Baltimore Sun owns the Capital Gazette and has access to all content produced by Mr. Wagner. @BWagner_CapGaz (X)

Ken Belson - Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut

Join veteran reporter Ken Belson as he examines the transformation of the National Football League into a dominant cultural and commercial force. Focusing on the leadership of Commissioner Roger Goodell alongside influential owners Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft, the conversation explores how strategic decisions over the past three decades reshaped the league’s structure, visibility, and global reach. The book delves into the evolution of the Super Bowl into a near-national holiday, the league’s expansion into new markets, and its embrace of media, entertainment, and legalized gambling as growth engines. Drawing on insider reporting, Belson offers a behind-the-scenes look at ownership dynamics, commissioner selection, and the consolidation of influence within the league’s most powerful circles. The discussion also considers how the NFL positioned itself alongside major cultural institutions, redefining what a sports league can be in the modern era.

Ken Belson rejoined the New York Times’s Business section in 2023 to write about the business of sports after spending fourteen years in the Sports department, primarily covering the N.F.L. He reports on the teams and personalities of the N.F.L., including finances, stadiums, medical issues, lawsuits, and more.

Moderator: Traci Otey Blunt is a nationally recognized strategic communications and public affairs executive with more than 25 years of experience leading high-stakes media and reputation campaigns for corporate, political and professional sports organizations. She is the founder of Blunt Group Strategies, a strategic and crisis communications consultancy advising C-suite leaders and organizations, following her tenure at the National Football League, where she served as senior vice president of corporate communications. At the NFL, Ms. Oatey Blunt led enterprise-wide communications spanning rapid response, marquee events, player health and safety, NFL media, social responsibility, and business operations. In 2020, she spearheaded the league’s communications strategy for Inspire Change and NFL Votes, the NFL’s flagship social justice and civic engagement platforms. IG: @tracioteyblunt (Instagram) • LinkedIN •@oteyblunt (X) • Website

Matthew Davis - A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore

A Biography of a Mountain is a sweeping narrative history of Mt. Rushmore published in the context of its 100th anniversary and ongoing political debate. Author Matthew Davis traces the intertwined histories of Indigenous communities, U.S. expansion, and the economic and political motivations behind the monument’s creation. From the sacred origins of the land to the legacy of Wounded Knee, Indian Boarding Schools, and today’s Land Back movement, the book highlights perspectives often left out of traditional narratives while it examines the outsized influence of sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the evolving symbolism of the monument in American culture. This discussion invites participants to reconsider how national memory is constructed—and what it means to tell these stories “the right way.”

Matthew Davis is the author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore and When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter’s Tale. His work has appeared in the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Slate, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among other places. He’s been an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellow at New America, a fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and a Fulbright fellow to Syria and Jordan. He founded the Alan Cheuse International Writers Center at George Mason University in 2016 and was its founding director from 2016-2023.

Moderator: Theodore (Ted) R. Johnson is a senior advisor at New America and a contributing columnist for the Washington Post. Prior to joining New America, Mr. Johnson served as a senior director at the Brennan Center for Justice and is a retired commander in the United States Navy. He is the author of If We Are Brave: Essays from Black Americana and When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America. tedj3rd (Instagram)

Lauren Willig - The Girl from Greenwich Street: A Novel of Hamilton, Burr, and America’s First Murder Trial

The Girl from Greenwich Street, is a riveting historical mystery set against the charged political landscape of 1800 New York. Centered on the real-life murder of Elma Sands, the story follows rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr as they unexpectedly join forces to defend the accused, Levi Weeks. Blending true crime with political intrigue, the narrative reveals how ambition, reputation, and public opinion shaped one of the nation’s earliest sensational trials. As the case unfolds alongside a pivotal election, the uneasy alliance between Burr and Hamilton becomes a high-stakes battle for both justice and power. Find out how this little-known story illuminates the intersections of law, media, and politics at the founding of the American republic.

Lauren Willig is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five works of historical fiction, including Band of Sisters, the RITA Award-winning Pink Carnation series, and five novels co-written with Beatriz Williams and Karen White. Her books have been chosen for Book of the Month Club, Good Morning America and CBS Book Club. An alum of Yale University, Ms. Willig has a graduate degree in history from Harvard and a JD from Harvard Law School. She lives in New York City with her husband, two young children and vast quantities of coffee.

Jennifer Klepper moderates.

Clay Risen - Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America

This panel examines Red Scare, Clay Risen’s vivid and deeply researched account of the anti-Communist hysteria that gripped the United States in the early Cold War years. Drawing on newly declassified sources, Risen reveals the political, cultural, and institutional forces that enabled McCarthyism and the widespread repression it unleashed. The book traces how fear-driven investigations and accusations, led by figures like Joseph McCarthy, upended thousands of lives and reshaped American public life. Moving beyond familiar narratives, it situates the Red Scare within broader postwar tensions and ideological conflicts. Ultimately, the work offers both a historical reckoning and a cautionary lens for understanding patterns of political fear and division today.

Clay Risen, a reporter and editor at the New York Times, is the author of The Crowded Hour, a New York Times Notable Book of 2019 and a finalist for the Gilder-Lehrman Prize in Military History. A member of the Society of American Historians, he is also the author of two other acclaimed books on American history, A Nation on Fire and The Bill of the Century. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and two young children.

Moderator: Geoffrey Young is the head of the Humanities Department at Key School and teaches Comparative Literature to 12th graders and American History and Literature to 11th graders.

Brigid Kemmerer & Nikki Payne - Writing Swoon, Steam, and Happily-Ever-Afters Across Romance Genres

What happens when romance, fantasy, and bold reimaginings of classic stories collide? Join us for a dynamic panel featuring two authors who are reshaping storytelling—blending heart, humor, and imagination to create unforgettable worlds and characters. From the sweeping, emotionally rich fantasy of Kemmerer’s Sparking Fire Out of Fate to the sharp, inventive retelling in Payne’s The Princess and the P.I., this conversation explores what it means to reinvent familiar narratives, challenge expectations, and write stories that resonate with today’s readers. Whether through epic stakes or clever subversion, both authors invite us to see love, power, and identity in new ways—and to rethink the stories we thought we knew.

Brigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of dark and alluring romantic fantasy novels like Warrior Princess Assassin, A Curse So Dark and Lonely and Defy the Night. The author of more than 20 novels, her books have sold over one million copies and been translated into more than two dozen languages, finding readers all over the world. A full time writer, Ms. Kemmerer lives in the Baltimore area with her family. When she’s not busy writing or being a mom, you can usually find her with her hands wrapped around a barbell.

Nikki Payne is a contemporary romance author and cultural anthropologist, known for her modern retellings of classic literature like Jane Austen. Her novels often blend sharp social commentary with “Black girl joy” and are celebrated for their sharp, sexy, and subversive style. By day, she works in the tech industry, and by night, she writes her popular novels, which include Pride and Protest (2022), Sex, Lies and Sensibility (2024), and her most recent book, The Princess and the P.I. (2025).

Moderator: Mimi Montgomery is a journalist at Axios who's also written for the Washington Post, Washingtonian, Garden & Gun, and Outside Magazine, and her reporting has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Inside Edition and CNN, among others. Ms. Montgomery attended the University of Virginia and has a master’s degree from Georgetown University. Her first novel, Murder Bites, will be published August 4 with Penguin Random House. Instagram: @mimi_montgomery, Website: mimimontgomerywriter.com, Substack: mimimontgomery.substack.com

Alyssa Blask Campbell & Sarah Dennehy - From Mindfulness to Meltdowns: Parenting Through Big Feelings

Big feelings don’t end in early childhood; they grow, evolve, and shape how we connect with ourselves and others. Join us for a thoughtful and empowering panel with two authors who are helping families, educators, and caregivers navigate emotional development with clarity, compassion, and practical tools. From the grounding practices in Sarah Dennehy’s Mindful With Me to the research-backed strategies in Alyssa Blask Campbell’s Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, this conversation explores how mindfulness and emotional awareness can transform the way we support children—and ourselves—through life’s challenges.

Alyssa Blask Campbell is the founder and CEO of Seed & Sew and a globally recognized expert in emotional development. She co-created the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method, reshaping how adults understand and support children’s emotions across home and school environments. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and the USA Today bestselling Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, published by HarperCollins in 2025. She hosts the “Voices of Your Village” podcast and oversees a digital platform and app currently used by families, educators and schools to access research-backed tools, coaching and implementation support. She speaks internationally, including for UNESCO, and has been featured in the Washington Post, CNBC, NBC News Daily, and Vermont Public.

​​Sarah Dennehy is a yoga and mindfulness teacher, licensed behavioral specialist and award-winning author. She is the program director for Shanthi Project, a nonprofit that provides trauma-informed mindfulness and yoga to area youth, non-profits and organizations in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. When she’s not program-directing or writing, Ms. Dennehy enjoys hiking, baking and visiting charming coffee shops. She is rarely spotted without a book in her hands. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania with her husband. Photo Credit - Danielle Gardner

Moderator: Mary Ostrowski is an educator, speaker, and owner of Weems Creek Nursery School in Annapolis. She has spent 25 years helping young children build emotional intelligence as the foundation for learning, resilience, and continued growth. She is also the founder of the Drizzle Effect® — a curriculum and consulting practice with one core belief: emotional intelligence isn't a supplement to learning. It's the precondition for it. Ms. Ostrowski advises school leaders on translating that philosophy into practical AI-era frameworks. Her driving conviction? The most powerful thing we can do is help people realize what they already know. maryostrowski.com

Michelle Douglas & Hannah Rosenberg - A Poetry & Journaling Workshop: Find Your Voice on the Page

This workshop invites participants to explore poetry and journaling as powerful tools for self-expression and reflection. Discover how to uncover and develop your authentic voice on the page. No prior writing experience is needed—just a willingness to experiment and share. Leave with fresh inspiration and writing you can continue to grow beyond the session.

Michelle Douglas is the author of Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In: A Field Guide for Your Twenties. She is a former marketer, a journaling enthusiast, and a student of life, sharing her learnings and advice through contributions to many outlets and on Instagram at @fieldguidefortwenties. A native of Florida and transplant from Atlanta, Ms. Douglas currently lives in Annapolis with her husband and daughters. 

​​Hannah Rosenberg is a poet and the author of Same, an instant USA Today Bestseller. She lives in the greater Philadelphia area with her husband and two daughters, who often find themselves as the subjects of her poems. Photo Credit - Maria Silva-Goyo

Neha Ruch - The Power Pause: A Conversation at the Intersection of Motherhood, Ambition, and Career Breaks

What if stepping away from your career wasn’t a setback—but a powerful choice? Join us for a conversation with Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. This thoughtful and empowering book redefines what it means to take time away from work, offering a fresh perspective on ambition, identity, and success. Whether you’re considering a pause, navigating one, or thinking about what comes next, this is a conversation about redefining paths and embracing possibility. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion on work, family, and rewriting the rules of career success.

Neha Ruch​​

Moderator: Bailey Feldman is the founder and CEO of Fount & Flourish, a women's community and coworking space in downtown Annapolis serving over 150 members. As a leadership coach and consultant, she co-facilitates the "Master Your Moxie" program, guiding women through bold career and life transformations, while also offering strategy days and one-on-one leadership support for executives and entrepreneurs navigating growth and change. With a background in international nonprofits and corporate consulting, Ms. Feldman brings her expertise as a community builder and gatherer to create authentic connections and meaningful experiences that bridge generational divides. She balances her entrepreneurial ventures with her role as a mother of three young girls, embodying the intergenerational support and work-life integration at the heart of her mission.

Sara Goodman Confino, Lindsay Hameroff, & Audrey Goldberg Ruoff - Romance and the Joy of Reading Without Apology

Join us for a lively panel featuring three authors who bring humor, heart, and unforgettable characters to the page. From the emotional depth of Sara Goodman Confino’s Good Grief to the swoon-worthy charm of Lindsay Hameroff’s Never Planned on You and the playful, imaginative world of Audrey Goldberg Ruoff’s Hopelessly Teavoted, these novels explore relationships, resilience, and the messy magic of life and love. Whether you’re here for the romance, the humor, or the heartfelt moments in between, this is a conversation that celebrates storytelling at its most joyful and relatable. Don’t miss this fun and heartfelt discussion on love, loss, and the stories that keep us turning pages.

Sara Goodman Confino is the bestselling author of six novels: Don’t Forget to Write, Good Grief, Behind Every Good Man, She’s Up to No Good, For the Love of Friends, and the upcoming Off the Record. After spending more years than she’s willing to publicly admit teaching high school English and journalism, she is currently writing full time and trying to make a living off of the crazy stories in her head. She lives in Montgomery County, Maryland with her husband, two sons and two miniature schnauzers. When she’s not writing or frantically parenting, she can be found on the Peloton, at the beach or at a Bruce Springsteen concert, sometimes even dancing onstage. Author Photo Credit - Tim Coburn Photography

Lindsay Hameroff writes contemporary love stories that will make you laugh and swoon in equal measure. Born in Baltimore, she now lives in Harrisburg, PA, with her husband and two kids. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Weekly Humorist and fan letters to Harry Styles. She is the author of Till There Was You, Never Planned on You, and Rewrite the Stars.

Audrey Goldberg Ruoff writes contemporary and speculative romcoms and fantasy. Her debut novel, Hopelessly Teavoted, came out in September 2025, and its companion novel, Vengefully Matched, is slated to come out fall 2026. She lives in a suburb of Washington, DC, and has been teaching with the enthusiasm of Valerie Frizzle, but for middle and high school English, since 2009. Author Photo Credit - Kate Andreya

Moderator: Lauren Burke Meyer is the children’s book author of Charlie STEPs UP to LACROSSE, and a regular contributor of the Naptown Scoop, Chesapeake Family magazine, and the Severna Park Voice.

Laura Hankin & Kate Myers - Going From Page to Screen: What Happens When Hollywood Comes Calling

Join authors Laura Hankin and Kate Myers as they take on the journey of a written work as it transitions from page to screen. Gain insight into how stories are adapted for film and television, including the creative, legal, and collaborative processes involved. Find out what writers can expect when Hollywood shows interest in their work—and how to navigate the opportunities and challenges that follow. Whether you're a writer or simply curious, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how storytelling evolves on screen.

Laura Hankin is an author and screenwriter. She’s written the upcoming Netflix movie, Don’t Say Good Luck. Her books include One-Star Romance, a Book of the Month pick that the Washington Post calls "real, refreshing and romantic; The Daydreams, one of the "Best Beach Reads of 2023”; Happy & You Know It, a Book of the Month and Library Reads selection; and A Special Place for Women, as seen on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She lives in Washington, DC.

​​Kate Myers is the bestselling author of the novels Excavations and Salty. She studied archaeology at Penn and has written for Self, Elle, BuzzFeed, and CollegeHumor in New York and Los Angeles. Her novel Excavations is now being turned into a TV series on Peacock, coming out in 2026, starring Amy Poehler and produced by Michael Schur. Ms. Myers is also an executive producer on the show. She lives in Annapolis with her husband and two daughters.

Moderator: Beth Kingston has been the on-air craft expert on the Home Shopping Network for 20 years,  generating over $100 million in sales while inspiring viewers with her creativity and practical expertise. Ms. Kingston is also the founder of Kingston Crafts, a paper crafting company featured on HSN in the US and Hobbymaker TV in the UK, and the Kingston Home, a social media platform that pairs accessible DIY projects with social activism. Through her work on-air and online, Ms. Kingston empowers audiences to create and build community with purpose, confidence and heart. @thekingstonhome

Gus Constantellis , Spring Council & Toni Tipton-Martin - Food, Memory, & Meals That Connect Us to Where We Come From

Food is more than what’s on the table—it’s memory, identity, and the stories we carry forward. Join us for a special panel featuring three extraordinary authors whose cookbooks celebrate culture, community, and the power of shared meals. From the humor and heart of Gus Constantellis’s My Greek Mom’s Recipes to the deep historical legacy of Toni Tipton-Martin’s The Taste of Country Cooking, to the enduring traditions of Spring Council’s Southern Roots, this conversation will explore how recipes become storytelling—and how kitchens become places of connection. Together, these authors bring generations of life experience: honoring family, preserving cultural heritage, and reminding us that food is one of the most powerful ways we understand who we are.

Gus Constantellis is a Brooklyn-born Greek American comedian whose impersonations of his mother became a viral sensation. A Comedy Central featured comic and former children’s TV writer (The Lion Guard, Rugrats), Mr. Constantellis brings sharp humor and deep heart to his debut cookbook, My Greek Mom’s Recipes: She Died. I Wrote This Cookbook. Author Photo Credit - Sheneur Menaker

Spring Council is a Chapel Hill native and author of the cookbook, Southern Roots. For 50 years, she worked beside her mother at their family restaurant the legendary Mama Dip’s Kitchen. A third-generation entrepreneur, Ms. Council is a Southern Foodways Alliance Lifetime Achievement recipient and member of the James Beard Foundation. When she isn't writing or collecting vintage treasures, she’s serving her community through the SECU Family House board and the Mama Dip’s Share the Love Fund. Her life’s work is a blend of preserving family recipes and practicing the hospitality that nurtured her.

Toni Tipton-Martin is a three-time James Beard Book Award winner, and recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. She is former editor-in-chief of Cook’s Country magazine by America’s Test Kitchen, and a cast member of its PBS television show. Ms. Tipton-Martin is the founder of a nonprofit organization using cultural heritage and cooking to build community; for this work she received the prestigious Julia Child Award, and the International Association of Culinary Professional’s Trailblazer Award. Her celebrated books are: Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs & Juice: Cocktails From Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks, Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking, and The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks.

Moderator: Hilarey Leonard began her career producing TV shows for Discovery, National Geographic, and HGTV. After meeting her husband, Brian, who worked for a restaurant group in DC, they discovered a shared passion for hospitality. She helped open their first bar, Lost & Found, while working full time, then left her TV career when they launched a second venture, Free State, two years later. In 2023, they opened Leo, a farm-to-table restaurant in Annapolis. Today Ms. Leonard oversees events, marketing, and community outreach, and as a sommelier manages the wine programs across their locations. She’s also a proud mom of a rising first grader at Key. 

Rachel Hartigan & Laurie Gwen Shapiro - Icon and Enigma: Amelia Earhart’s Life, Marriage, and Mysterious Fate

Join the discussion with Rachel Hartigan (Lost) and Laurie Gwen Shapiro (The Aviator and the Showman) as they explore the life, legacy, and enduring mystery of Amelia Earhart. Examine the three leading theories surrounding Earhart’s 1937 disappearance while following modern investigators whose searches span from Kansas to remote Pacific islands and uncover the pivotal partnership between Earhart and publisher George Putnam, whose ambitious promotion helped shape her fame but also pushed her toward increasingly dangerous feats. Together, these works reveal Earhart as a complex figure—both a daring aviator and a woman navigating the pressures of public image, ambition, and societal expectations. Ultimately, it invites queries on why Earhart’s disappearance continues to captivate us and what it reveals about our fascination with unsolved histories.

Rachel Hartigan has written about everything from the genetics of persimmon trees to the long road to women's suffrage for National Geographic, where she worked as a writer, reporter and editor from 2012 to 2024. A former editor of the Washington Post's Book World, she also covered education and culture for U.S. News & World Report. Photo Credit - Doug Sanford

Laurie Gwen Shapiro is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist whose writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the Atlantic, the New York Times, New York, Slate, and other publications. She is the author of The Stowaway (Simon and Schuster), a bestseller and Indie Next selection, and The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon (Viking), named a best book of the year by NPR, Amazon, the New Yorker, Smithsonian Magazine, the New York Post, and HISTORY.com.

Moderator: Dorothy Cochrane 

Peter Ames Carlin - Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run

This discussion explores the creation of Born to Run, the groundbreaking album that cemented Bruce Springsteen as a defining voice in rock and roll. Author Peter Ames Carlin’s richly detailed account examines the ambition, pressure, and creative intensity behind what has been called a “perfect album.” From iconic tracks like “Thunder Road” to “Jungleland,” the book highlights how Springsteen’s vision and determination shaped both the record and his career. Join Peter Ames Carlin to gain a deeper understanding of the artistic process and personal struggles that fueled this landmark work and get an absorbing look at a young artist on the brink of legend.

Peter Ames Carlin is the author of Tonight in Jungleland and The Name of This Band is R.E.M., among other books. Previously he was a television critic at the Oregonian newspaper, a senior writer at People magazine in New York, and a freelance writer in Portland, OR. He lives in Seattle with his wife, the writer Claire Dederer. Photo Credit - Terry Allen

Moderator: Harry Ivrey is an oral historian and interviewer who is working on a series of projects that seek to tell the stories that are rarely heard and ask the questions that are rarely asked. He is intrigued by people’s everyday lives, and the creative process. His passion for music includes R&B, soul music, '60’s and '70’s rock, old country music, alt-country music, '70's and '80's punk and new wave, and most of all, Otis Redding. All of which he blends together in music mixes for friends.

Annabelle Gurwitch - The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker

Author and comedian Annabelle Gurwitch discusses her candid and darkly humorous memoir, a story of confronting mortality with wit, irreverence, and unexpected grace. Rejecting the traditional “cancer warrior” narrative, Gurwitch offers a refreshingly honest perspective on living with chronic illness and uncertainty. Drawing on pop culture, philosophy, and everyday absurdities, her story reveals how resilience can emerge in surprising and deeply human ways. At once hilarious and profound, this conversation invites us to reconsider what it means to endure—and to live fully—amid life’s most daunting challenges.

Annabelle Gurwitch is an actress, activist and New York Times Bestselling author of six books and two-time finalist for the Thurber Prize. Her essays have appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and Hadassah amongst other publications. Ms. Gurwitch co-hosted the fan favorite Dinner & a Movie on TBS, was a regular commentator for NPR, TV appearances include Seinfeld, Dexter and Better Things. She is a Jewish mother, a terrible gardener, an even worse ukulele player, a lung cancer survivor and patient advocate, and an unrepentant cat lady who lives in Los Angeles. Photo Credit - Jeff Vespa

Moderator: Festival favorite Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author, and critic who has interviewed hundreds of her heroes and colleagues in person and print, on audio and video, for outlets including the Washington Post, the LA Times, TIME magazine, NPR Books, and WETA-PBS, as well as for the “Missing Pages” and “The Book Maven Unbound” podcasts. She has served on the boards of the Smith College Libraries, the National Book Critics Circle, and the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. Her memoir Life B is out from Counterpoint Press. Ms. Patrick lives in Delaware with her husband—and far too many books. Connect - @thebookmaven on Blue Sky, @dearbookmaven on Insta, @bethannepatrick on FB

Judith L. Pearson  & Marica Pendjer  - Art, Advocacy, and the Women Who Changed Breast Cancer Awareness

This panel discussion highlights the groundbreaking work of three women—Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauder—who transformed the landscape of breast cancer awareness and advocacy. Judith L. Pearson in Radical Sisters writes of the women facing a medical system marked by silence and misinformation and using their own diagnoses as a catalyst for change by reshaping public discourse, advanced research, and empowering patients to demand better care. The conversation will also incorporate The BRAject Coffee Table Book, edited by Marica Pendjer. This book is a striking collection of 109 artistically reimagined bras paired with personal stories from survivors and loved ones, illustrating the power of creativity in healing and awareness. Together, these narratives underscore the enduring impact of advocacy, art, and community in confronting breast cancer and supporting those affected.

Judith L. Pearson is a best-selling author, an accomplished presenter and a graduate of Michigan State University. But her favorite title is “story teller,” with a little “research junkie” thrown in. Those characteristics have resulted in six biographies, which included a Florida Book Award winner, a Nautilus Book Award winner and a best-seller. Ms. Pearson was named one of Chicago’s Most Inspirational Women, selected as a finalist for the Arizona Healthcare Leadership Awards, and named a Phoenix Healthcare Hero. She and her husband live on Florida’s beautiful gulf coast, where long beach walks ignite her creativity.

Marica Pendjer is an award-winning marketing and communications professional, nonprofit leader and breast health advocate with more than 30 years of experience bridging creative and mission-driven work. Named one of OC Metro Magazine’s “Ten Women Making a Difference” and a recipient of the First Coast News “12 Who Care” Community Service Award, she is widely recognized for her community impact. Ms. Pendjer is the principal of Creative Collaborations, a boutique marketing firm, and a former editor of the monthly newspaper The Standard. She currently serves as president of Pink Ribbon Jax, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to saving lives through early detection of breast cancer.

Moderator: Natasha Restrepo is a contributing BRAject artist. A dedicated wife, mother and breast health advocate who values education, creativity and meaningful connection. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she draws on her personal experience to raise awareness, promote early detection and support others navigating their breast health journeys. Known for her resilience, thoughtfulness and compassionate leadership, Ms. Restrepo balances her pursuits with a deep commitment to family and community. She takes pride in empowering others through advocacy and education, striving to make a positive impact while leading with purpose, integrity and kindness.

Martin Kimel - The Pessimist’s Son: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope

The Pessimist’s Son is a deeply personal and historically rich memoir that traces one family’s journey through the devastation of the Holocaust and the challenges of rebuilding in its aftermath. Centered on Alexander Kimel and his wife Eva, the narrative moves from prewar life in Eastern Europe through Nazi persecution, mass shootings, and eventual liberation. Told as an intergenerational dialogue, the book weaves personal testimony with historical reflection to illuminate the experiences of Jewish survivors who remained in Communist Poland. It also explores the persistence of antisemitism, the struggle to rebuild under repression, and the difficult decision to emigrate. Expansive yet intimate, the memoir offers a powerful portrait of loss, resilience, and enduring family bonds.

Martin Kimel is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Law School. He is a securities lawyer and lives in Maryland. He has written on the Holocaust and other topics, and his work has appeared in Barron’s, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Baltimore Sun, the Wall Street Journal, the Times of Israel, the Forward, the Chicago Tribune, and many other publications. He has been visiting his family in Poland since the Communist period.

Moderator: Gary Reiner is a Holocaust educator and author. He is a member of the Holocaust Commission of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Washington, DC. Mr. Reiner’s latest book, A Family Holocaust Story Told Through Art and Pictures highlights his parents’ escape from Nazi Europe. The story provides profound evidence that a combination of love, perseverance and divine intervention were key to survival during the Holocaust. The narrative is enhanced with original illustrations that inspire introspective thinking about the dangers of anti-Semitism; as well as addresses the family’s contributions to America’s defense.

Rob Henderson - Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

Troubled is a powerful coming-of-age memoir in which Rob Henderson recounts his journey from a childhood marked by instability in foster care to academic success at some of the world’s most elite institutions. Along the way, he confronts the lasting effects of poverty, violence, and fractured family life, while reflecting on the divergent paths of peers who did not escape similar circumstances. Blending personal narrative with social analysis, Henderson introduces the concept of “luxury beliefs” and examines how certain widely held ideas can disadvantage the most vulnerable. His story challenges conventional definitions of success, emphasizing the importance of family stability over status or achievement.

Rob Henderson is the bestselling author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. Once described as “self-made” by the New York Times, he grew up in foster homes in California, served in the US Air Force, and received a BS from Yale and a PhD in psychology from the University of Cambridge, where he studied as a Gates Cambridge scholar. Mr. Henderson’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe, among other outlets. His Substack newsletter is sent each week to more than 75,000 subscribers.

Moderator: Dan Perlin joined RBC Capital Markets in 2009 as a managing director covering the payments, processing and IT services industry. He has more than 20 years of equity research experience and has held senior research positions at Wachovia Securities, Stifel Nicolaus, and Legg Mason. Through his career, he has followed several industries including electronic processing, computer services, financial technology and industrial services. Mr. Perlin has been recognized by Institutional Investor, the Financial Times, and Forbes as a leading analyst in his industry group.

Erica L. Green - Miracle Children: Race, Education, and a True Story of False Promises

Miracle Children is a gripping investigation into the rise and fall of a celebrated Louisiana school that promised extraordinary success for its predominantly Black students. Journalist Erica L. Green and her co-author Katie Benner uncover how falsified records and manufactured narratives masked a system built on pressure, exploitation, and inequality. Through in-depth reporting, the book examines the students’ experiences alongside the broader forces shaping college admissions and opportunity in America. It reveals how systemic inequities and racial expectations can distort pathways to success, raising urgent questions about fairness and access in education. 

Erica L. Green, coauthor with Maryland Governor Wes Moore of Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City, is an award-winning journalist at the New York Times and was named a best education reporter in the country by the Education Writers Association in 2021. She and her team at the Baltimore Sun were 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalists for their coverage of the death of Freddie Gray and the riots that followed. She covers the White House and lives in Maryland. Photo Credit - C. Sa Chun Photography

Moderator: Vanessa Gutierrez

Paula Chase & Akosua Harvey  - Chasing Dreams (YA)

These two compelling novels explore young people navigating identity, ambition, and family in very different high-stakes worlds. Balancing Act follows Chyna and Jamaal as they pursue athletic dreams at an elite school, confronting grief, pressure, and questions of belonging amid intense competition and personal loss. In Why the Birds Fly Back, Marsha’s story unfolds in a more mystical vein, as she grapples with an unexpected move, unsettling dreams, and a hidden family legacy tied to a parallel world. Both narratives center on resilience, as their protagonists face internal and external challenges that test their strength and sense of self. Together, they offer rich, engaging portraits of teens striving to understand where they come from—and where they’re headed.

Paula Chase is the co-founder of award-winning blog, the Brown Bookshelf, and a longtime inclusion advocate for diversifying the type of fiction featuring Black characters highlighted among educators, librarians and parents. The 2021 recipient of the ALAN Konigsberg Award for her advocacy, Ms.Chase’s five Del Rio Bay Clique novels, helped Kensington Books launch its YA imprint in 2007. Her critically acclaimed upper MG and YA books have blazed the trail for books tackling tough topics for young readers.  She holds a B.S. in communication from James Madison University. Together, she and her husband have raised two daughters.

Akosua Harvey is an educator, writer and traditional healer whose work explores the intersections of ancestry, culture, identity, and community. A passionate storyteller, Ms. Harvey channels her experiences as a Black woman and educator to challenge, uplift and inspire. With a background in physics and science literacy, her unique perspective aims to blend intellect and artistry in a way that is accessible to young minds, offering a voice that is both authentic and impactful. Akosua’s works are celebrations of resilience, creativity and the transformative and healing power of words.

Moderator: Jane Zanger has over 35 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools across the Mid-Atlantic and New England. She is currently a Middle School Humanities teacher at Key School, where she loves working with her wonderful students and colleagues. Outside of school, Ms. Zanger enjoys gardening, reading, and engaging with social justice work in Anne Arundel County.

William Lee Mapp III - Seven Brief Lessons on Computing

Have you ever looked down at your phone and wondered, "What's going on in there?" If you've ever wondered how modern computers and digital devices work, William Mapp and Seven Brief Lessons on Computing takes you through an entertaining and educational journey of mankind's desire to count, compare, and compute our world.

William Lee Mapp III is eager to spread knowledge and help people learn. He seeks to inspire with wit, humor and humility, by sharing his experiences running businesses that build advanced technology. He’s a dynamic speaker who has inspired and entertained for SAP Insider, Minority Innovation Weekend, EYECON, the National Retail Federation, RFID Journal, Blerdcon, and non-profits and universities. He’s an award-winning technologist with trademarks, copyrights and patents attributed to him. Over one billion people have used or been impacted by the products he’s created. Over the years he has served as radio host, technology analyst and podcast guest, and has written three books.

Moderator: Kenny Clash is an operations executive and managing director at Intentional Philanthropy, where he leads finance, HR, and technology strategy. He serves on the Maryland State Board of Education, advocating for expanded access to AI and emerging technologies for students and educators. A U.S. Army veteran and former COO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and State Library Resource Center, Mr. Clash brings a practical, systems-driven perspective on applying AI to real-world operations and impact. LinkedIn

Alex Finlay & Gregg Hurwitz - Nail-Biting Thrillers of Vengeance & Innocence Lost

From black ops assassin to serial killers, enjoy a session with these masters of the thriller genre. Gregg Hurwitz’s Antihero (an Orphan X Novel) portrays a former black ops assassin who broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn. Now he must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice with a measure of mercy. In Alex Finlay’s The Anniversary, a killer returns to stalk a quiet Midwestern town—and every year, he vanishes without a trace. As each year passes, buried secrets begin to surface and the truth edges closer. But the killer is still out there, and the clock is ticking toward another deadly return.

Alex Finlay is the bestselling author of several acclaimed novels, including the 2025 instant national bestseller, Parents Weekend. His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into twenty-six languages and sold around the world. Mr. Finlay’s books have been optioned or in development for film and television, including Parents Weekend, which was recently acquired for adaptation to the screen. He is the director of the thriller/mystery section of the Leopardi Writing Conference in Italy, and a board member of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. He lives in Washington, DC. Photo Credit - Kristina Sherk

Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 26 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Mr. Hurwitz currently serves as the co-president of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, poetry, and is an award-winning documentary producer. He has also written comics for AWA, DC and Marvel. Currently, Mr. Hurwitz is working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned dozens of op eds and pieces for the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, the Bulwark, Salon, and others, and pieces of creative content which have won numerous industry awards and achieved several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. Photo Credit - Melissa Hurwitz

Moderator: Doug Norton brings both experience and research to his Code Word thrillers. A warship captain during the Cold War, he stalked Russian subs and held launch codes for nuclear weapons, but he also participated in negotiations with Russian officials to reduce the chance of war. His novels reflect tense encounters at sea and high-stakes international diplomacy and politics in Washington, Geneva, Brussels, and London. Doug and his wife live in Annapolis, where he volunteers in the hospital emergency department. He loves talking with readers and is happy to meet with groups in person or virtually. Website

Tamar Shapiro - Restitution (A Novel)

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, American siblings Kate and Martin travel to East Germany to reclaim their family’s former home, uncovering long-buried secrets about their mother’s past. As they confront the people now living in the house, old wounds resurface, straining their relationship and forcing them to question what it means to reclaim a lost history. Set against German reunification, the novel explores memory, identity, and whether the past can ever truly be restored. Join author Tamar Shapiro who discusses the urgent question that resonates today of what remains when people leave entire lives behind? What happens when personal histories are erased and what—if anything—can heal these wounds?

Tamar Shapiro’s debut novel, Restitution, was published in September 2025 and named one of the 49 Must-Read Books of Fall 2025 by Town and Country Magazine. Her writing has also appeared in Poets and Writers, Electric Literature and Literary Hub, and the Washington Independent Review of Books. A former housing attorney and non-profit leader, Ms. Shapiro grew up in both the U.S. and Germany and now lives in Washington, DC.

Moderator: Gabrielle Bruestle is Key School’s Upper School librarian and Latin teacher. She studied philosophy and French at Pepperdine University and Latin at University College Cork, Ireland. She has worked in education for 15 years. In 2023, she was awarded a National Endowment of the Humanities grant to study the works of Flannery O’Connor at Georgia College. She loves facilitating the Key School faculty book club and fostering a community of readers. As an alumna of St. John’s College Graduate Institute, she values great books and connecting literature to deeper conversations about our shared human experience.

Iris Krasnow - Workshop: So You Want to Write a Book?

Have a book idea but not sure where to begin? Learn from Iris Krasnow, bestselling author and proud Key School mom, as she takes you through the steps of completing a book project, from focusing your topic, organizing chapters, the writing process, and getting published.

Iris Krasnow is a Key School parent of four sons and a bestselling author of seven books. She has appeared on Oprah, TODAY and Good Morning America, and is a professor emerita at American University. Her architect husband, Chuck Anthony, designed many buildings at Key School.

Jack Bartley & Thomas M. Wing - Naval Thrillers: Adventures & Battles on the High Seas

Join us for a fascinating discussion of thrillers at sea. In Jack Bartley’s Smoke on the Water, Jason Conley, a reluctant Navy officer during the Vietnam War, attempts to avoid combat but is ultimately thrust into the conflict, forcing him to confront his beliefs, responsibilities, and survival in a deeply unpopular war. His journey becomes a coming-of-age story shaped by duty, loss, and the pressures of military life. Thomas W. Wing’s In Harm’s Way, is a tale set during the American Revolution. Sea captain Jonas Hawke is driven to defy British authority after his livelihood is seized, transforming into a privateer to protect his family and fight for freedom. As both fictional sailors navigate war at sea in different eras, their stories explore courage, sacrifice, and the personal cost of choosing between obligation and conviction.

Jack Bartley lived on Oahu for almost five years while serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, completing a WestPac/Vietnam tour on a destroyer escort during that time. He returned to the East Coast to earn his Ph.D. in ecology and was an associate professor at the University of Delaware. He is now retired and devotes his time to writing and music. Mr. Bartley volunteers as a teacher for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and is a docent at an ecological preserve near his home in Ocean View, DE, where he lives with his wife and cat. 

Thomas M. Wing is a retired thirty-two-year surface warfare officer, and Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate. A dedicated sailor for over half a century, he also commanded a tall ship. He has two published novels, Against All Enemies and In Harm’s Way, both of which have earned awards. Accurate history and authentic settings are his obsession. His third novel, Perilous Shores, will be released in April 2026.

Moderator: Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong is a naval historian and former navy search and rescue helicopter pilot. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a PhD from King's College London. He is a contributing editor with the national security publication War on the Rocks and is the author or editor of seven books including Small Boats and Daring Men: Maritime Raiding, Irregular Warfare, and the Early American Navy from the University of Oklahoma Press and Developing the Naval Mind from the Naval Institute Press. LinkedIn

Mindy Uhrlaub - Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family

This discussion of Last Nerve by Mindy Uhrlaub follows her as she confronts the devastating reality of carrying the gene for ALS while simultaneously caring for her husband with cancer, supporting her struggling child, and losing her mother to the same disease. Faced with the possibility that she may have passed the gene to her sons, the author turns fear into purpose, pursuing hope for a cure. Blending raw honesty with humor and resilience, the memoir explores the weight of inherited illness and the enduring strength of family.

 

 

Mindy Uhrlaub is a carrier of the fatal C9orf7 genetic mutation. She participates in twenty longitudinal studies of ALS and has testified before the FDA and the NIH about medical rights of genetic carriers. Ms. Uhrlaub was nominated onto a committee at the National Academy of Science to write the 2024 report, “Living with ALS.” Her latest book, Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family, won the 2025 Nonfiction Book Award. For her ALS advocacy, Ms. Uhrlaub also received awards from the Les Turner ALS Foundation, ALS TDI and the ALS Network.

Moderator: Megan Fromm