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Free Webinars

Enjoy free online lectures from the comfort of your home. We've been enlightened and entertained in the past by authors, artists, public officials, historians and more. Even some LLC members with great stories to tell. Admission is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

Our Lecture Organizer and Host Jane Adler is an internationally syndicated columnist and syndicated cartoonist. She has also been featured on local and national television. Speaker suggestions welcome! Email Jane at brownbaglearn@gmail.com.

Jane Adler's LinkedIn | Read Hey Rhody's Storied Career, an article spotlighting Jane's career

"LLC is greatly inexpensive and has a wonderful variety of courses. I enjoy being exposed to and stimulated by subjects about which I previously only had limited knowledge.”

 Susan Van Horne, Swansea, MA

Wednesday, September 30 @ 4 PM

Veronique-Day

Veronique Day, Executive Director of Alliance Francaise of Providence
"Discovering France: Le Périgord"
Click to register for this free Webinar

If you enjoy travel, history, landscapes, and French Culinary tradition, this lecture will be of particular interest. Veronique Day, Executive Director of Alliance Francaise of Providence, will tell us about Le Périgord, an iconic region of France roughly covering the Dordogne department. The Périgord has everything:  breathtaking lush landscapes with sinuous river valleys, medieval castles atop rocky cliffs, and amazing prehistoric sites. It is also the heart of French culinary tradition, as well as the cradle of prehistoric art and studies. With no less than 10 picturesque sites classified as Plus beaux villages de France, 1,000 medieval castles, and many listed "monuments historiques," the Périgord possesses a vast cultural heritage. Whether you’ve been there or have always meant to go, this illustrated talk is a chance to experience the Périgord in an engaging way and perhaps provide a little inspiration for your next trip.

Véronique Day, the Executive Director of Alliance Francaise of Providence, was born in Paris and recently moved to Providence. She relocated here from New Orleans where she lived for 20 years. Véronique has a strong background with non-profits as a director and has been a teacher of French and French literature in various high schools.

Monday, October 19 @ 4 PM

Sylvia Ann Soares

Sylvia Ann Soares, Actress, Educator, and International Performer
"Silvy Tory: A Declaration of Independence"
Click to register for this free Webinar

Live Performance: One Woman Show

Don’t miss this live engaging and thought-provoking presentation, “Silvy Tory: A Declaration of Independence,” performed by accomplished actress, Sylvia Ann Soares. Through her compelling portrayal of Silvy Tory, an elderly woman once enslaved in Rhode Island, history comes alive in a personal and powerful way. Set on July 3, 1837, Silvy reflects on what independence truly meant in her lifetime. Her story weaves together vivid memories of the burning of the Gaspee, the Revolutionary War, the Rhode Island Black Regiment, and the lives of Black communities in early Rhode Island. It’s a meaningful and memorable program.

Sylvia Ann Soares is an accomplished actress and educator with a rich and varied career spanning stage, television, and international performance. A Cape Verdean artist and original member of Trinity Repertory Company in 1962, she has performed overseas, contributed to New York’s 1960s Black Theatre Movement, appeared in regional theater and national tours, and worked in 1970s television. A graduate of CCRI and Brown University, Sylvia is a proud member of AEA and AFTRA-SAG. She is especially passionate about bringing history to life by portraying historical figures of color and sharing their stories with today’s audiences.

Thursday, October 22 @ 4 PM

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Bill Harley, Storyteller and Two-Time Grammy Winner
"A Life in Song and Story"
Click to register for this free Webinar

Recognized by audiences and peers as one of the finest performing storytellers in the country, Bill Harley has made a life telling stories, singing songs, and writing books. In this time together, Bill will share his insights about creating and performing, the nature of story, and the role of art in our splintering culture. Songs, stories and humor all included.

Try not to miss this outstanding performance.

Bill is well-traveled, well-read, well-educated, well-spoken and well-loved. Accompanied by his guitar, his narrative songs and stories, both original and traditional, are a celebration of our common humanity. Best known for his work with children and families, his ability to navigate through a confusing world with humor and wisdom is evident in his masterful storytelling as well as his numerous award-winning recordings and books. A two-time Grammy winner, he is vibrant, outrageous, unpredictable and genuine with songs and stories about growing up, schooling and what it is to be human—our connections with one another and with the planet we share. Recognized by audiences and peers as one of the finest performing storytellers in the country, his work has influenced a generation of children, parents, performing artists and educators. Bill tours internationally as a performing artist, author and keynote speaker from his home in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

Wednesday, October 28 @ 4 PM

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Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator from Rhode Island
Click to register for this free Webinar

Representing the Ocean State since 2007, Senator Whitehouse plays a key role in crafting policies to address climate change, strengthen the justice system, and fight corruption. He is the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and he serves as a senior member on the Judiciary Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Budget Committee.

Thursday, November 5 @ 4 PM

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stewart-book

C. Evan Stewart, Author, Retired Senior Law Partner, Visiting Professor at Cornell University and an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School; Frequently Featured in National Media
"William Henry Seward’s Quest to Save the Nation During the Secession Winter (November 1860-April 1861)"
Click to register for this free Webinar

In the winter of 1860, one man, William Henry Seward, Senator from New York (the presumptive favorite for the 1860 Republican nomination for president, defeated by Abraham Lincoln on the third ballot,) labored mightily to effectuate his plan to save the Union. Because of history’s (and historians’) heavy bias to portray Lincoln as almost saintly, Seward’s prodigious efforts have either been ignored, given short shrift, or looked upon as something less than honorable. Based upon original archival research and a comprehensive review of secondary sources, C. Evan Stewart will tell us the story of Seward’s efforts.

C. Evan Stewart recently retired as a senior partner in an international law firm headquartered in New York City. He is a visiting professor at Cornell University and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School. In addition, he is a contributing columnist for the New York Law Journal, New York Business Law Journal, and the Federal Bar Council Quarterly. He has published approximately 300 articles on a variety of legal subjects, is frequently featured in the national media and regularly speaks across the country on securities, professional responsibility, and complex litigation issues. He is the author of William Henry Seward’s Quest to Save the Nation During the Secession Winter (November 1860-April 1861); Myron Taylor: The Man Nobody Knew; The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!; and Law in American History (and in Mine).

Tuesday, November 10 @ 4 PM

Sheida-Soleimani

Sheida Soleimani, Federally Licensed Migratory Bird Rehabilitator
"The World of Wild Bird Rehabilitation"
Click to register for this free Webinar

Sheida Soleimani is a federally licensed migratory bird rehabilitator and founder of Congress of the Birds, Rhode Island's only avian-specific wildlife rehabilitation center with an onsite release facility. In this presentation, Soleimani offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of wild bird rehabilitation, introducing audiences to the remarkable biology, behavior, and resilience of the birds that arrive for care each day. From emergency rescues and medical treatment to the complex process of preparing birds for release, she will explore what it takes to return wild animals to their natural lives while reflecting on the ethical questions that shape rehabilitation work. Drawing on stories from more than a decade of caring for thousands of patients, Soleimani will also discuss how observation and wildlife rehabilitation can deepen understanding of birds and our relationship to the environments we share.

Sheida Soleimani is an Iranian-American artist, educator, activist, and federally and state-licensed migratory bird rehabilitator. She founded Congress of the Birds in the basement of her home, where it began as a small rehabilitation clinic before growing into Rhode Island's only avian-specific wildlife rehabilitation center with an onsite release facility.

Thank you to our previous speakers:

Tim-Beard
Tim-beard-book

Tim Beard, Former CIA Officer and Security Expert and Author of the Look Twice Trilogy
"Staying Safe: Travel, Safety, Cybersecurity, and Fraud"

Presented September 22, 2026

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annie-guest-book

Annie Guest, Therapist, Attorney, Author, and Interior Designer
"Beyond Décor – Creating Spaces That Feel Right"

Presented May 14, 2026

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atkins book

Dale Atkins, Licensed psychologist, Author and frequent guest on NBC's Today and CNN
"The Importance of Grandchildren Creating Lasting Memories with Grandparents"

Presented May 4, 2026

carol-cohen

Educator and Historian Carol Cohen as Eleanor Roosevelt
"A Walk Through the Garden with Eleanor Roosevelt"

Presented April 20, 2026

bill&book

William J. Kole, Veteran Journalist, Former Foreign Correspondent, and Author of In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms
"Why Christian Gun Culture Makes Us All Less Safe"

Presented April 15, 2026

gayle-hanrahan

Gayle Hanrahan Performs Original Monologues: The Miller Family and THIS Girl
Actress, Playwright, and Theater Collaborator

Presented March 30, 2026

Missaghi
freedom

Dr. Nizam Missaghi, Physician and Author of Passport to Freedom: From Tehran to Triumph
"Life Under the Islamic Republic"

Get his book here

Presented March 25, 2026

tim-reuben
tequilabook

Tim Reuben: Lawyer and Author of Tequila
"Human Complexity"

Presented March 16, 2026

Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz

Genealogist Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz
"Discovering Ancestral Journeys to Rhode Island"
A talk co-sponsored by the Lippitt House Museum with an Introduction by Museum Director Cathy Saunders

Presented February 26, 2026

Tarro

John M. Tarro, MD, ENT surgeon
A World Away…Africa

To Donate

Presented February 3, 2026

Guyer-Dana

Dana Guyer, Palliative Care Physician
Associate Professor of Medicine at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Facing Serious Illness with Resilience, Grace, and Preparedness

Presented January 26, 2026

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Otho Eskin, Former Officer of U.S. Foreign Service, Attorney and Author
Witness to History – Former Officer of U.S. Foreign Service Talks About His Long, Illustrious Career and How It Influenced Future Novels

Presented January 15, 2026

Burriesci


Matt Burriesci, Executive Director of the Providence Athenaeum and Author of Dead White Guys: A Father, His Daughter, and the Great Books of the Western World

Presented November 3, 2025

levinson

Sanford Levinson, Professor of Law and Government, University of Texas Law School and Visiting Professor of Law at the Harvard Law School, and Author of several books on the US Constitution
Reforming the United States Constitution

Presented October 30, 2025

Tamara-Lanier

Tamara Lanier, Author, From These Roots: My Fight with Harvard to Reclaim My Legacy

Presented October 15, 2025

Dr.-David-S.-Weed

Dr. David Weed, Historian
King Philip's War

Presented October 8, 2025

Bette-Smith

A live performance of John Gardner's one-woman play, Days of Vengeance, performed by talented Actress Bette Smith

Presented September 29, 2025

Runge

Dr. Marschall Runge, Author and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Michigan and CEO of Michigan Medicine
Great Healthcare Disruption: Big Tech, Bold Policy, and the Future of American Medicine

Presented September 11, 2025

JackReedSenator

U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island
A View from Washington

Presented September 8, 2025

Wendy-Nils

Wendy Nilsson, M.Ed, CPSI, Superintendent of the Providence Parks Department
Roger Williams Park: History and Renewal

Presented Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Kole

William J. Kole, Award-winning Journalist and Author
Living to 100 Whether You Want To Or Not

Presented April 28, 2025

Dr-I

Ed Iannuccilli, MD, Author
The First Italians to Come to Rhode Island

Presented April 22, 2025

Whitehouse_official_photo

Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator from Rhode Island

Presented April 2, 2025

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A live dramatic reading of Menopause Mama written, acted, and sung by the incredible Rose Weaver, Television, film, music, and solo performer and writer

Presented March 31, 2025

mosier

Elizabeth Mosier, Volunteer Technician at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park Archaeology Laboratory, Author, Creative Writing Teacher
Using Everyday Objects, Ephemera, and Heirlooms to Tell a Family Story

Presented March 19, 2025 

mary-flynn

Mary M. Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN
The Truth About Diets: Finding Long-Term Weight Management

Presented February 10, 2025

jessi-rowe

Jessi Rowe, LCSW-C
Sex After Sixty: Older and Wiser

Presented January 21, 2025

Resources on Aging, Sexuality, and Intimacy | Safe Sex for Older Adults

linda-kushner

Linda Kushner, Author
The Fight That Saved the Libraries: A True Rhode Island Story

Presented October 28, 2024

Secretary Amore Headshot

Secretary of State Gregg Amore
Election Integrity for 2024

Presented October 23, 2024

linda-charlie-bloom

Linda Bloom, LCSW and Charlie Bloom, MSW, Relationship Counselors/Authors
Secrets to the Best Relationships

Presented September 24, 2024

JK Profile Tip Sheet

John Kostrzewa, Writer of the Walking Rhode Island column for The Providence Journal
Fall Hikes - Walking Rhode Island

Presented September 16, 2024

bnacar_head

Ben Nacar, Pianist and Composer
The Evolution of the Cadenza: Lecture and Live Piano Recital

Presented September 12, 2024

kaplans

Stephen Kaplan and Marilyn Kaplan
Experiencing Israel at War: A Recent Visit to Israel

Presented May 20, 2024

joe-petteruti

Joe Petteruti
Author, A Night She’d Remember: My Grandmother's Experience on the Titanic

Presented May 9, 2024

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Steve Kidd
Director and Resident Actor, Gamm Theatre
Theatre Arts Teacher, Moses Brown School
Sigh/Omelas: A live one man show

Presented April 29, 2024

StarcevicAndrew_ProvidenceRI_Headshot_2020

Andrew Starcevic
Peace Corps Regional Recruiter – RI, MA, CT
Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection Serving in Namibia

Presented April 17, 2024

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Charles Clarkson, PhD
Director of Avian Research, Audubon Society of Rhode Island
What Audubon is Doing to Protect Birds

Presented April 4, 2024

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David N. Cicilline
President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation
Former Rhode Island Congressman

Presented March 27, 2024

hollman

Marjorie Turner Hollman
Author, Do You Want to Take an Easy Walk?

Presented March 20, 2024

Dr.-David-S.-Weed

Dr. David Weed
Coordinator, Sowams Heritage Area Project
Creating a New National Heritage Area in East Bay, RI and nearby Massachusetts

Presented February 21, 2024

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Oleksandr (Alexander) Kreshchuk
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Music Department, Artist in Residence
Ukraine: Known and Unknown

Presented February 6, 2024

Beyer

Rick Beyer
Co-Author, The Ghost Army of World War II (a NYT Bestseller)
Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker

Presented January 24, 2024