Trailblazing Talks 2027
This 5-show speaker series connects Kansas Citians to a deep roster of talented speakers, including a wildlife filmmaker, nuclear engineer, nature and science photographers and and others who transport audiences into the depths of their careers. All events start at 7:30 p.m. in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Tickets are currently available as a part of the 5-show Trailblazing Talks Season Ticket Package. Subscribe to secure the same seats for all five presentations and save up to 30% off regular single ticket prices!
Renewals for existing subscription are available by logging into our ticketing website below.
Jan. 26, 2027
Indigenous Wisdom for a Modern World
Kiliii Yüyan, Photographer & Filmmaker
Coral reefs, rainforests, Arctic tundra — these ecosystems have endured for generations because Indigenous peoples have cared for them. National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan has faced polar bears with Iñupiat hunters, dived into mangrove shark nurseries, and learned from elders whose knowledge spans hundreds of generations. Drawing from his book Guardians of Life, Kiliii shows that Indigenous ecological wisdom isn’t just heritage — it’s a blueprint for the planet’s future.
Feb. 23, 2027
The Color of Everything
Cory Richards, Photographer
Climbing legend, mental health advocate, and global raconteur, Cory Richards has photographed for National Geographic in the most remote corners of the globe. This epic tale of risk and adventure is told by a man who lives madly to avoid going mad. In this quest, Cory has climbed Everest, paddled Botswana’s Okavango, and battled Antarctica’s katabatic winds to make the first ascent of its tallest tower. His courage and resilience in the face of pain offer a hopeful reframing of what it means to be human.
March 16, 2027
Saving the World with Nuclear Power
Dr. Leslie Dewan, Nuclear Engineer
As global energy demand rises, scalable clean solutions are critical. Dr. Leslie Dewan reveals how next-generation nuclear reactors — alongside other sustainable sources — can overcome cost, safety and waste challenges — reframing nuclear power as a key driver of a sustainable future. This talk offers a bold, practical vision for powering the world responsibly.
April 27, 2027
Among Wild Predators
Casey Anderson, Wildlife Filmmaker
For more than three decades, wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic explorer Casey Anderson has walked toward what most people run from: grizzlies, mountain lions, tigers and other dangerous predators. In Among Wild Predators, Casey takes us on a powerful visual and emotional journey into the hearts of these animals, and into our own hearts as well. Through breathtaking encounters and deeply personal stories, he dismantles the myths that have fueled humanity’s fear of predators and reveals what they truly are: mirrors of our own courage, empathy and survival.
May 25, 2027
A250 Portrait of a Nation
Deanne Fitzmaurice, Photojournalist
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Deanne Fitzmaurice has spent nearly forty years capturing America’s soul. From Super Bowl triumphs and Steph Curry’s artistry to Route 66’s wild horses, drive-ins and pueblos, her lens reveals unforgettable stories. Her portraits — from modern pastors to carnival performers — chronicle history, marriage equality, pandemics, wildfires and the Pulitzer-winning journey of an Iraqi boy, blending endurance, culture and human spirit in every frame.