I’ll be on stage in NYC sharing my reflections of My Joy Is Heavy, a new show that explores how we find joy in difficult times. This special morning gathering is part of New York Theatre Workshop’s “Community Conversations” series designed to bring us closer to art and each other. It’s free and there will be refreshments!
Join me for “Built to Belong: Creating Impact Through Connection & Purpose” where an expert panel will examine how cultivating togetherness can deepen our sense of belonging and expand our capacity to lead. I’ll be in conversation with Aiko Bethea (author, Anchored, Aligned, Accountable), Rha Goddess (founder, Move the Crowd), Genevieve Piturro (founder, Pajama Program), Karen Salmansohn (author, Your To-Die-For Life), and moderator Ann Shoket (CEO, The Li.st).
A one-of-a-kind Grief Camp led by Meghan Riordan Jarvis (therapist and author, Can Anyone Tell Me?), Barri Leiner Grant (founder, The Memory Circle), Charlene Lam (grief coach), and me.
In conversation with Miriam Westheimer (Dr. Ruth’s daughter), Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections), and Annette Insdorf (Professor of Film at Columbia University’s School of the Arts and moderator of 92NY’s Reel Pieces series) with a reception immediately following.
In conversation on social prescribing — social, healthcare, and communal interventions that improve health outcomes for isolated individuals — with Dr. Bogdan Chiva Giurca (Clinical Lead and Global Director, National Academy for Social Prescribing).
Keynote on The Joy of Connections
In conversation with Budd Mishkin (broadcast journalist, news anchor, and podcaster)
In conversation with Josephine Kim (HGSE Senior Lecturer on Education) and Milena Batanova (Director of Research and Evaluation at Making Caring Common).
In conversation with Kasley Killam, MPH (author, The Art and Science of Connection).
In conversation with Mary Calvi (anchor, WCBS-TV New York and host of Mary Calvi Book Club).
Forge meaningful connections with fellow writers at this in-person, weekend writing retreat led by Abigail Santamaria (Cullman Center Fellow and author, Joy), Heather Clark (Pulitzer Prize finalist, literary critic, and novelist), and me.
The first salute to 25 innovators who are changing lives by tackling the loneliness epidemic in 2025. These luminaries will each offer a two-minute presentation, showcasing their remarkable and groundbreaking work. This has never been done before!
Keynote speaker at DOROT’s Annual Benefit.
Keynote speaker, in conversation with Jillian Racoosin Kornmeier, MPH, Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection.
An inspiring writing escape for women writers led by Tembi Locke (author, From Scratch, now a limited series on Netflix), Abigail Santamaria (Cullman Center Fellow and author, Joy), and me
In conversation on bringing people together across generations with Dana Griffin (Co-founder and CEO, Eldera.ai) and Dr. S. Renee Mitchell (Nationally award-winning expert on social-emotional learning and founder, I Am M.O.R.E.)
Join me for the launch of “Connected Lives,” my new conversation series at 92NY. My first guest is Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen and I will be discussing her latest book, Secrets of Adulthood.
In conversation on developing “third places” with Dixon Chibanda, MD (author, The Friendship Bench and professor of psychiatry, University of Zimbabwe) and Orly Israel (TV producer and founder of the Listening Table project)
This special program is part of the “Little Aunt Dora” Public Lecture Series.
East Hampton Library’s Authors Night is one of the most popular and celebrity-studded events of the Hamptons’ summer calendar. Authors Night features 100 authors across all genres.
Join me for “Connected Lives,” my conversation series at 92NY. My guests are Tembi Locke (author, Someday, Now and From Scratch) and Sunny Hostin (author of the super popular Summer trilogy and co-host, “The View”).
A very special evening to celebrate the launch of Dr. Ruth’s final book, The Joy of Connections, with Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections), Dr. Miriam Westheimer and Dr. Joel Westheimer (Dr. Ruth’s children — plus their dearest friends and family), and Bill Ritter (WABC-TV).
A joyful masterclass for connection professionals featuring Steven Michael Crane (Researcher, Stanford University), Sondra Norris (Culture Consultant), Devin Keane (COO, Gratitude Plus App), Hansen Hunt (Community Lead, Covve)
A one-of-a-kind writing escape for women writers led by Tembi Locke (author, From Scratch, now a limited series on Netflix) and Abigail Santamaria (Cullman Center Fellow and author, Joy), and me
In conversation with Shari Foos (founder, The Narrative Method)
Screening of Join or Die documentary followed by a conversation with Rebecca Davis (director) and me immediately after the film ends
In conversation with Lori Gottlieb (author, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone)
A reading party with live music and facilitated discussion centered around social connection. There will be a BIG surprise at this event. You don’t want to miss it. Hope to see you there!
In conversation with Lee Woodruff (author and co-founder, Bob Woodruff Foundation)
In conversation with Mary Calvi (anchor, WCBS-TV New York and host of Mary Calvi Book Club) and Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections)
In conversation on how acts of service can help us feel less lonely with V, formerly Eve Ensler, (playwright & activist), Alysia Reiner (activist & actress, Orange is the New Black), and Rachel Cargle (activist & innovator)
In conversation with with Stefanie Ilgenfritz (Health & Science Coverage Chief, Wall Street Journal) and Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections)
In conversation with Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections)
In conversation on loneliness in the workplace with Eddie Garcia (Founder and Board Chair, the Foundation for Social Connection), Susan McPherson (author, The Lost Art of Connecting), and Ann Shoket (CEO, TheLi.st)
Grieftastic Bookfair + Brunch is a first-of-its-kind event to amplify the importance of grief literacy with over 30 featured authors, including Meghan Riordan Jarvis, Hope Edelman, Claire Bidwell Smith, Rebecca Woolf, and me
In conversation with Pierre Lehu (co-author, The Joy of Connections)
Hear from dozens of authors including Delia Ephron (author, Left on Tenth), Caroline Leavitt (author, Days of Wonder), Zibby Owens (editor, On Being Jewish Now), and me!
Keynote address and panel discussion about recovery and resilience with Gina Moffa, LCSW (author, Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go) and Barri Leiner Grant (founder, The Memory Circle).
In conversation on the challenges and opportunities are we facing in addressing loneliness and social isolation with Julia Hotz (author, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service and Belonging) and Frederick J. Riley (Executive Director, Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project)
In conversation with Connie Schultz (columnist, USA Today), Soraya Chemaly (author, Rage Becomes Her), Dana Rubin (founder, Speaking While Female), Deborah Douglas (co-editor in chief, The Emancipator)
In conversation with former NY1 anchor Sharon Dizenhuz
This event features Julia Scheeres (co-author, Listen, World!) in conversation with Heather Knight (columnist, San Francisco Chronicle)
In conversation with Julia Flynn Siler (author, The White Devil’s Daughters: The Women Who Fought Slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown)
In conversation with Laura Mazer (literary agent, Wendy Sherman Associates)
In conversation with Liam O’Donoghue (host and producer of East Bay Yesterday podcast)
In conversation with my amazing co-author Julia Scheeres!
Panel discussion with author Janice Nimura (NEH Public Scholar and author of The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine)
In conversation with Kate Zernike (Pulitzer Prize-winning national correspondent for the New York Times and author of the forthcoming The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science)
In conversation on grief and remembrance with Sara Seager (astrophysicist and author of The Smallest Lights in the Universe)
Private event
Janet Maslin (New York Times journalist and JBFC board president) leading a discussion with Pamela Paul (New York Times Opinion columnist and author of 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet) and Lisa Belkin (former New York Times columnist and author of the forthcoming Genealogy of A Murder: Four Generations. Three families. One Fateful Night) and with a special screening of the classic movie “His Girl Friday” with Cary Grant
A special evening with Sunny Hostin (co-host of ABC’s The View and author of Summer on the Bluffs)
In conversation on grief and remembrance with Gretchen Rubin (host of the award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin)
In conversation with Liza Donnelly (New Yorker cartoonist and author of Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists)
In conversation with Brooke Kroeger (founding director of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU and author of the forthcoming Undaunted: How Women Changed American Journalism and Julie Golia (associate director of Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books at NYPL and the author of Newspaper Confessions: A History of Advice Columns in a Pre-Internet Age)
In conversation with Christina Baker Kline (author of The Exiles)
In conversation on grief and remembrance with Caroline Leavitt (New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of A Mighty Blaze)
In conversation with Leslie Gray Streeter (Baltimore Banner columnist and author of Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like “Journey” in the Title)
In conversation with Kitty Kelley (celebrity biographer of Oprah: A Biography, The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty, and The Royals)
In conversation on grief and remembrance with Victoria Chang (New York Times poetry editor)
Free Webinar: “Valentine’s Day: Celebrating Our Partners and Keeping Their Memories Alive.”
In conversation on grief and remembrance with Priscilla Gilman (author of The Critic’s Daughter).
In conversation with Megan Twohey (Pulitzer prize-winning reporter with the New York Times) and Emma Hinchliffe (senior writer at Fortune)
An Intimate Conversation: “Lessons Learned: Understanding Our Enduring and Complicated Relationships with Loved Ones,” a revealing discussion with two preeminent women writers, Priscilla Gilman (author of The Critic’s Daughter) and Allison Gilbert (co-author, Listen, World! ).
In conversation with Kate Zernike (national correspondent with the New York Times and author of The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science).
(This is a private event for Hearst Corporation employees-only)
A meaningful discussion on “The Challenges and Rewards of Researching Women for Writing and Family History” with A’Lelia Bundles (author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker, now the Netflix series, Self Made, starring Octavia Spencer) and D. Joshua Taylor (NYG&B President)
In conversation with Betsy Prioleau (author of Diamond and Deadlines: A Tale of Greed, Deceit, and a Female Tycoon in the Gilded Age and Janice Kaplan (author of The Genius of Women From Overlooked to Changing the World).
East Hampton Library’s Authors Night is one of the most popular and celebrity-studded events of the Hamptons’ summer calendar. Authors Night features 100 authors across all genres.
In conversation with Brooke Warner (Co-Host of “Write-minded” podcast and Publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress).
In conversation with Laura Mazer (literary agent, Wendy Sherman Associates) on each step of the publishing process from book idea to published book.
In conversation with Kimberly Voss (author and professor of journalism at the University of Central Florida) on the evolution of the women’s pages in newspapers.
Ask the Author: From Personal Story to Published Book. Join host Allison Gilbert, with special guest Meghan Riordan Jarvis, and ask them anything. Whether you are an aspiring author eager to land an agent, polishing your novel or non-fiction book proposal, or writing your first book, get your questions answered.
In conversation with Judy Lipson (author, Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve), Sundari Malcolm (BIPOC grief educator and care curator, The Dinner Party), and Reid Peterson (creator, Grief Refuge) on navigating anxiety, depression, and guilt after loss.
A two-day, in-person workshop at the NYG&B’s offices to hone your family history and genealogy writing skills and learn how to pitch for publication.
Ask the Agent: Your Book. Here’s How.
Join host Allison Gilbert, with special literary agent Laura Mazer, and ask them anything. Ready to write your book, find your dream agent, and secure a publisher? Literary agent Laura Mazer will answer your questions.
In conversation with Barri Leiner Grant (founder, The Memory Circle) and Jenny Lisk (author, Future Widow) on grief and finding others who “get it.”
A Motherless Daughters Retreat in CT with Hope Edelman (author, Motherless Daughters and The AfterGrief).
Hope Edelman (author, Motherless Daughters and The AfterGrief), Charlene Lam (author, Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies), and Dr. Jason Troyer (author, Counseling Widowers) on grief and remembering loved ones during the holidays.
Ask the Author: Landing Book Deals and Writing Across
Join host Allison Gilbert, with special guest Jacquelyn Mitchard, and ask them anything. Whether you are an aspiring author eager to land an agent, polishing your novel or non-fiction book proposal, or writing your first book, get your questions answered.
A discussion on researching, writing, and selling women’s biographies.
Discussions on resilience after loss, how to get your book published, and more at a beautiful spa in Mexico, not too far from San Diego, California.
A discussion on personal resilience, the ability to recover from illness, depression, and adversity.
In conversation with Lucia Cherciu (author, Immigrant Prodigal Daughter) and Diana Munger Hechler (author, Strolling with Your Elephant: Perfect Moments in Travel)
A special Women’s History Month event discussing moxie, perseverance, knowing your value, and willing your dreams to come true. In conversation with Hillary Knepper (Associate Provost for Student Success)
A Women’s History Month author panel. In conversation with Christopher Gorham (author, The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWll and Shape Modern America) and Linda Kass (author, Bessie: A Novel)
A special Women’s History Month talk on Listen, World!
In conversation on loneliness and strategies to build deeper connections with Dr. Vivek Murthy (U.S. Surgeon General), Dr. Ruth Westheimer (psychosexual therapist, author, and lecturer), and Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad (director of Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University and lead scientific editor of the Surgeon General’s Advisory)
In conversation with Dr. Amy Milligan (Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, Old Dominion University) as part of the Unsung SHEroes of History series, a celebration of American women whose contributions to history have gone unrecognized through the passage of time.
In conversation on loneliness and grief with Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW (psychotherapist and author, The End of the Hour) and Leslie Gray Streeter (author, Black Widow)
In conversation on loneliness and grief with Isaias Hernandez (educator and creative devoted to improving environmental literacy) and Pamela Prickett (author, The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope In The City of Angels)
In conversation on loneliness and grief with Dr. Tasha Golden (a leading health scientist and musician) and Anna Quindlen (bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist)