Culture in the Round

About Culture in the Round

Like all vital nonprofit organizations, the Forum on Life, Culture & Society (FOLCS) was born out of a need for conversation. The FOLCS podcast, "Culture in the Round," brings FOLCS directly to your ears. Our Conversations and other Event Series are reminiscent of New York culture as it once was: active, alive, participatory, communal, and super smart. And that's why we are able to draw such culturally relevant and distinguished guests to our live and virtual stages. They, too, know that FOLCS provides a unique and enriching experience — one that is symbiotic and captivating. FOLCS goes where the ideas go.

Publisher

Culture in the Round

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Oct 2025

Latest episode

3 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Aug 2026

   Law of the Land 2026: The Supreme Court's Year in Review

   The 2025–2026 Supreme Court term was one of the most consequential terms in recent memory. The Court struck down President Trump's sweeping tariffs in a 6–3 ruling, issued an 8–1 First Amendment decision on conversion therapy, and unanimously ruled that double jeopardy prevents two gun convictions for the same act – among many other hotly debated rulings. FOLCS was joined by Supreme Court Advocate and former Deputy Solicitor General of the United States, Neal Katyal; Constitutional Law Scholar and Touro University Law Professor, Tiffany Graham; CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst, Joan Biskupic; former Solicitor General of the United States, Noel Francisco; and Slate senior writer, Mark Joseph Stern. This program was co-produced with 92NY.

2. 

   20 May 2026

   Inside the U.S.-Iran War: History, Power, and Consequences

   As tensions between the United States and Iran continued to reshape the Middle East and global politics, FOLCS went beyond the headlines with former Senior CIA Official Norman Roule to examine the deeper history behind the conflict, the strategic calculations driving both governments, and the far-reaching consequences for regional stability, global security, and American foreign policy. As a Headlines Series event, this Conversation provided historical context, analysis, and insight missing from the daily news cycle.

3. 

   29 Apr 2026

   Humans and Machines: Navigating the AI Era

   As artificial intelligence transforms industries and human connection, how do we redefine the meaning of creativity and intelligence itself? FOLCS was joined for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the evolving relationship between humans and machines in relationships, the workplace, and beyond. Renowned neuroscientist and prolific author David Eagleman and pioneering computer scientist and AI expert Jaron Lanier discussed how AI is reshaping the nature of human labor, creativity, and identity, from automation and innovation to ethics and empathy. Together, they considered whether and, if so, how technology can enhance, rather than replace, human potential. This event offered a rare opportunity to hear two of today's most original thinkers share insights on how we can thrive in an AI-driven world, balancing technological progress with the unique capabilities that make us human.

4. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Check and Balances

   Donald Trump reclaimed the White House and, on the first day of his second term, took out his Sharpie pen and signed 26 Executive Orders a record, with the total thus far exceeding 200. He's not the first president to exercise this privilege of the presidency with frequency, but he has generated more challenges to the reach of his constitutional authority than any president who preceded him. The military operation that led to the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro is yet another example of what some might call an imperial presidency. The Supreme Court this Term will decide cases dealing with several unilateral actions Trump has undertaken involving a diverse range of governmental decision making: Birthright Citizenship, immigration, tariffs, and the firing of federal agency heads. Has President Trump overreached, or does the presidency receive a bonus when it comes to checks and balances? FOLCS and 92NY were joined by former Deputy Solicitor General of the United States, Neal Katyal; NYU legal scholar, Melissa Murray; and former Attorney General of the United States, Michael Mukasey on President Trump's expansion of executive authority.

5. 

   11 Feb 2026

   A Conversation with The Wiggles

   Educating young children responsibly and inspiring a love of learning in an entertaining way has never been more urgent. For three decades, The Wiggles, the world's most popular producer of entertainment for children, have enriched the lives of generations of fans – children and parents alike. Live shows annually sell out in three continents and their content is broadcast in over 190 countries, generating billions of YouTube views and music streams. But behind their incredible success is an enduring commitment to the mission that started it all in 1991: to inspire and educate children through the power of music and movement. On September 29, FOLCS hosted a virtual Conversation featuring five of The Wiggles: founding member Anthony Field, Simon Pryce, Lachlan Gillespie, Tsehay Hawkins, and Lucia Field. Check out The Wiggles' parenting podcast (https://thewiggles.com/podcast) and 2023 documentary!

6. 

   4 Feb 2026

   Making Sense Of This Moment

   Across the country, streets have became stages for a new wave of dissent and protest against ICE, as demonstrators demanded an end to mass deportations, detention centers, and the very existence of the agency. Newly at the center of this fury were the killings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis. As federal forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests, lawsuits were arguing that these tactics were a direct attack on the First Amendment. ICE maintained that they were enforcing federal immigration laws and protesters are deliberately interfering with their operations. Lee Rowland, Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), joined FOLCS for an urgent Conversation in which they discussed free speech, assembly, and the power of the federal government to punish dissent. The conversation explored how the current moment was reshaping the public square—and what artists, organizers, and advocates can lawfully do to protest these actions. This event was co-produced by the National Coalition Against Censorship.

7. 

   28 Jan 2026

   An Extraordinary Legacy: Honoring Robert Redford and "Ordinary People"

   Released in 1980, the film not only marked a powerful transition in Redford's career but also redefined the American family drama, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford, and Best Supporting Actor for Timothy Hutton (then just 20, and still the youngest recipient of that award). Ordinary People is renowned for its subtle, deeply moving exploration of grief, reconciliation, and healing within a fractured family, brought to life by a remarkable ensemble led by Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film resonated with audiences and critics alike for its authentic portrayal of psychological struggles and its compassionate storytelling. Our program featured special guests Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch, who will reflected on their experiences making the film and discussed its lasting cultural influence alongside Redford's legacy as a director. Through personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and audience Q&A, the evening was a rich tribute to both the artistry of Redford and the transformative power of Ordinary People.

8. 

   23 Dec 2025

   Conversations on Essential Cinema: Casablanca (with Sharon Stone)

   Casablanca (1942) is one of the world's most beloved films, and widely considered the best screenplay ever produced. The film has been immortalized not merely for its 1943 Best Picture Academy Award win, but for the way this World War II love story, improbably with Morocco as its backdrop, showcases so many memorable lines and startling images – blending both romance and suspense in one smokey cafe. Casablanca uses its characters, including the love triangle at the heart of the story, to expose the many complex political dilemmas of the early 1940s, with the Nazis imposing their will on the world. It also has come to define noir cinema with its sinister and menacing sense of impending danger. On August 26, 2020, FOLCS was joined by award-winning actress, Sharon Stone (Casino, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, The Laundromat) for a Conversation. This event was produced in partnership with the New York Film Academy (https://www.nyfa.edu/) (NYFA).

9. 

   11 Dec 2025

   Wanna Bet On It?

   A Supreme Court decision in 2018 forever transformed the landscape of sports fandom. For the first time, fans could gamble on games legally; the outcomes of every detail of every contest across a multitude of sports was available to wager on. Sports betting and its platforms today comprise an industry worth over $100 billion worldwide. While sports betting has increased engagement among fans, it has also raised many questions, such as: How does legalized betting transform the way fans follow their favorite sports and teams? Does having money on the line compromise the enjoyment of the game itself? How does it affect athletes' knowledge that their game-day performance might have a financial impact on millions of people? After the first Monday Night Football game of the 2025-26 NFL season, Jonathan D. Cohen, author of Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling; and gaming analyst, CBS Sports pundit, and co-owner of the "Bet the Board" podcast, Todd Fuhrman joined FOLCS for a conversation.

10. 

    21 Nov 2025

    A Conversation on the Jeffrey Epstein Story

    Today, everyone knows the infamous name, Jeffrey Epstein. But back in 2005, however, when initial police investigations into the frequent presence of young girls at his mansion took place, Epstein was largely anonymous to the general public, although his wealthy celebrity friends seemed to know what was happening behind the gates to his many homes. His victims hired lawyers, who hired private investigators, but the legal system gave Epstein every opportunity to avoid punishment for his crimes. News of this harrowing sex trafficking story garnered mainstream attention after a Miami reporter reopened the case in late 2018, signaling the beginning of the end of Epstein's saga of money, influence, and manipulation. It took significant and remarkable bravery, dedication, and hard work on the part of survivors, attorneys, police officers, investigators, and others to bring the painful details of the case to light, and to express how hard they had to fight to be heard. Many of these individuals went on to provide interviews for Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, the powerful 2020 Netflix docuseries that sets the stage for this luridly continuous sex crime, featuring firsthand narratives from survivors and others who for so long battled for justice and an opportunity to be heard. On July 29, 2020, FOLCS was joined by survivors' attorneys, Sigrid McCawley and Spencer Kuvin; Director and Executive Producer of Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, Lisa Bryant; and Senior Editor at the Washington Post, Marc Fisher for a compelling discussion on the many layers of the Epstein affair.

11. 

    23 Oct 2025

    Law of the Land 2025 - The Supreme Court Year in Review

    It was yet another blockbuster year for the Supreme Court, filled with emergency challenges to many of President Trump's Executive Orders, testing presidential authority in immigration, deportation, and the slashing of the federal budget. The Term featured cases on voting rights, transgender rights, the regulation of "ghost guns," parental rights over school curriculum, age verification for internet access, liquid flavored e-cigarettes, Google and Facebook antitrust actions, Mexico's lawsuit against American gun manufacturers, the storage of nuclear waste, and employment discrimination. FOLCS was joined by Touro constitutional law scholar and professor, Tiffany Graham; Georgetown Law School Dean, William Treanor; Supreme Court advocate and former Deputy Solicitor General of the United States, Neal Katyal, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, and moderated by Touro law professor and legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum. This program was co-produced with 92NY.

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