Events
Cognoscenti’s goal is to foster understanding and connection about the issues and life experiences that matter most. One of the ways we do this is by hosting in-person events. You can watch videos of all of our past events here.
Celebrating 10 Years of Cognoscenti
Since 2012, WBUR’s ideas and opinion page — Cognoscenti — has evolved into a resource that helps readers and listeners make sense of the world by uncovering the emotional truth of a tumultuous and relentless news cycle. Cognoscenti is a place where people find ideas, connection, advice and humanity on local and national issues. It’s sustenance for your heart and mind. Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing emceed this special evening featuring readings, performances and video from Cognoscenti contributors and other guests, which celebrated the last decade of work — and looked to the future.
Redefining motherhood for the 21st century
Cognoscenti presented an evening of readings, performances and conversations about the shifting perception of motherhood, from the invisible costs of caregiving to surviving the world of mommy influencers and more with moderator and Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing. Featured speakers and performers:
- Kate Baer — poet and author, “And Yet,” “I Hope This Finds You Well” and “What Kind of Woman”
- Chelsea Conaboy — author, “Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood”
- Angela Garbes — author, “Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change”
- Sara Petersen — author, “Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture”
- Bethany Van Delft — comedian, storyteller, host
This is what makes Boston home
Loving a place is not so dissimilar from loving a person. When we love somebody, we love the whole of them: with all their little quirks and beauties and annoyances. Cognoscenti presented an evening of readings, performances and conversations with Boston leaders about the concept of home – including what it means to live in Boston and find your place in it. Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing emceed the evening featuring:
- Anita Diamant — Author and journalist
- Catherine Morris — Founder, BAMS Fest and director of arts and culture, The Boston Foundation
- Dr. Jim O'Connell — Founder and president, Boston Health Care for the Homeless
- Ana Sortun — Chef and owner, Oleana, Sarma and Sofra
- Musical performance from Kimaya Diggs, member of WBUR's The Makers
Menopause — A New Approach
Every woman goes through it. Every woman experiences symptoms that can last years: migraines, night sweats, brain fog, weight gain. We’re talking about – you guessed it – menopause. Yet, there has been little research on this transition in women’s lives, consensus on treatment or knowledge among women about what is happening to their bodies and minds. Recently, a growing number of women from celebrities to doctors and activists have been sharing their experiences to encourage more conversation about “the change.”
Cognoscenti presented an evening exploring menopause, its symptoms and treatments, moderated by feminist, mental health advocate and author Morra Aarons-Mele. The evening was introduced by Cognoscenti Senior Editor Cloe Axelson.
Featured speakers
- Dr. Sherri-Ann Burnett–Bowie — associate professor at Harvard Medical School and clinical investigator in the Massachusetts General Hospital endocrine unit
- Shannon Watts — founder of Moms Demand Action and author
- Dr. Pooja Lakshmin — psychiatrist, author and clinical assistant professor at George Washington University School of Medicine
- Lisa Borders — author
Dear Writer: Maggie Smith in conversation with Saeed Jones on advice for a creative life
Poet Maggie Smith is back with her eighth book — this time focused on writers and the act of creativity. Smith, a New York Times bestselling author whose poem “Good Bones” garnered her a sudden and sustained brush with fame in 2016 establishing her as a “celebrity poet,” has penned a guide for creatives based on her 20 years of teaching experience.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Smith was joined by fellow award-winning poet Saeed Jones, who is currently an artist-in-residence in the Media, Health and Medicine program at Harvard Medical School. The pair explored 10 elements that Smith has identified for a creative life: attention, wonder, vision, play, surprise, vulnerability, restlessness, tenacity, connection and hope.
Screaming on the Inside: Jessica Grose on the Unsustainability of American Motherhood
Women have always shouldered most of the parenting duties, from playdates to teacher conferences to family dinners. Jessica Grose, author of the New York Times parenting newsletter, is here to say enough is enough. In her book, “Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood,” she explains how we got to this moment, why the current state of expectations on mothers is wholly unsustainable and how we can move towards something better. At this event, Grose was in conversation with Emily Oster, professor of economics, author and another mother who is an expert on the challenges of parenting.
Phenomenal Women: Newsroom confidential with journalists Margaret Sullivan and Eileen McNamara
Legendary journalists Margaret Sullivan and Eileen McNamara talk about their decades in journalism, where they have battled sexism, broken glass ceilings and witnessed the decline of trust in the news media — and offer their thoughts on how to regain that trust. Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing moderates.
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