Trevor Noah, Malcolm Gladwell and Dr. Sanjay Gupta Share the Distinguished Speaker Series Stage
by: Kathy Winterhalder
Published: July 23, 2024
LONG BEACH...Already well established as a Southern California cultural institution, the Distinguished Speakers Series has again lined up an all-star array of live presenters for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Now in its fourth season in Long Beach, this season’s speakers include Trevor Noah, Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Emily Chang and the National Geographic duo of Pete McBride & Kevin Fedarko. The Series is sold in subscription packages for all six evenings starting at $240. Each presentation begins at 7:30pm at the Terrace Theater.
With its season running from October 2024 to May 2025, on six different evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series will bring friends, neighbors, community and business leaders, and multi-generations of families together for a shared experience. Audiences come together for inspiring stories and presentations from some of the world’s most influential, timely, and captivating speakers.
“Our mission is to offer audiences across Southern California a unique way to enjoy a monthly dose of inspiration and connection. Our events spark engaging conversations, new ways to look at things and thoughtful discussion on the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times. We give neighbors from differing backgrounds and political persuasions the opportunity to come together during a time where it is both rare and necessary,” said co-owner Kathy Winterhalder.
The difference between The Distinguished Speaker Series and other forms of entertainment is the return on investment. "Billionaires and CEOs understand the value of experiencing thought leaders live; they get exclusive invitations and pay tens of thousands of dollars traveling the world to attend events. We present many of the same speakers as these forums. However, the big distinction is - for the price of a good steak dinner - we bring the same experience to our subscribers at the Terrace Theater." said Winterhalder.
The series kicks off on October 14, 2024, with Trevor Noah, the Emmy Award-winning Host of The Daily Show, global comedian & best-selling author. Noah’s accomplishments and influence extend worldwide with two sold-out stand-up comedy tours, a bestselling autobiography about being "born a crime in South Africa," and most recently as Microsoft’s Chief Question Officer. Known globally as one of comedy’s busiest and brightest stars, Noah will join the Series for a rare, intimate evening of conversation that will span his adolescent upbringing in apartheid South Africa, his barrier-breaking career and his new book, Into the Uncut Grass.
Malcolm Gladwell, world-renowned observer and thinker, will take the stage on November 21, 2024. Gladwell has spent his career searching for the counterintuitive in what we all take to be the mundane: cookies, sneakers, and pasta sauce. Thanks to his best-selling books, these ordinary subjects have helped millions of readers grasp complex ideas like behavioral economics and performance prediction. Gladwell will take the stage to discuss his soon to-be-released new book and his findings that topple the popular understanding of bias, crime, food, marketing, race, consumers and intelligence.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the multi–Emmy Award-winning CNN Chief Medical Correspondent and go-to authority for major developments in medicine, personal health, and health care, will join the Series on January 16, 2025. Shaped by his experience as a practicing neurosurgeon and dedicated global journalist, Dr. Gupta will bring a unique perspective on the future of Global Health, including the latest advancements in science, the impact of AI on healthcare, innovation in brain health & aging, and the challenges and critical issues involved in medical breakthroughs.
On February 13, 2025, National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year, photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko, will take audiences on an epic quest, on foot, through the entire length of the Grand Canyon—not “rim to rim” as has been tackled by many—but 750 miles “end to end.”
Their over 14-month hiking expedition will shed light on the health and future of this national treasure and invites us to contemplate the value of wild spaces.
Zanny Minton Beddoes, the first female Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, will offer unmatched and timely insights and global perspective on the new developments that impact business and industry—such as COVID-19 or a consequential Presidential Election— into the broader context of world events from emerging markets and a precarious European Union to corporate America and the latest twists in U.S. politics on April 24, 2025.
The Series will conclude with Emmy Award-winning journalist, Emily Chang, whose reporting on global technology and media companies, startups, and the future of business had Business Insider calling her “the star Bloomberg anchor that everyone in tech needs to know.” When she joins the Series on May 22, 2025, she will deliver an eye-opening talk that explores AI innovation, governance, and the ever-evolving dynamic between tech leaders and world governments.
Audience members have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with each speaker during a moderated question and answer session at the conclusion of all events.
The Distinguished Speaker Series will be held at the Terrace Theater, 300 East Ocean Blvd, in Long Beach. Each program takes place on a weeknight at 7:30pm. The Series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Series tickets range from $240 to premier seating at $660 for all six evenings. Single tickets are not available. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.speakersla.com.
The Distinguished Speaker Series was established in 1995 in response to Southern California’s need for an enlightening entertainment alternative. The Distinguished Speaker Series is currently held at four locations, the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, the historic Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.
“We are so inspired by the world-shapers we’ve brought to Southern California,” added Winterhalder. “It’s gratifying to realize we’ve presented more than 200 luminaries who have transformed our world.” Through the series, Southern Californians have come to know leaders such as President Joe Biden, Liz Cheney, the Dalai Lama, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Tony Blair. They’ve laughed with Steve Martin, Betty White, and Ron Howard. And they’ve been moved by such talents as Vin Scully, Malala Yousafzai, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Redford, and Maya Angelou to name a few.
Subscriptions can be purchased by visiting the Distinguished Speaker Series website www.speakersla.com or calling (310) 546-6222.