In The News

LinkedIn has published its 5th annual “Top Voices” list, highlighting standout professionals from diverse industries who are breaking boundaries, building communities and starting conversations. APB’s Justin J. Shaifer, the founder and executive director of Fascinate, Inc., is featured on the prestigious Top 10 list for Technology, making 2019 a banner year for the young, science-loving firebrand.

Already a Top 10 New York Times best-selling book, Range, by APB speaker David Epstein has been named to multiple “Best of 2019” lists. These include Amazon’s Best Business and Leadership Books of 2019, Apple’s Best Audiobooks of 2019, Inc.’s Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs in 2019, Bookpal’s Outstanding Works of Literature 2019 Longlist and Porchlight’s Business Book Awards Longlist. 

TEDMED, the annual health conference put on by TEDTalks, is taking place in the Seaport in Boston, focused around the theme of “making way for wonder.” The conference, famous for big ideas and fresh perspectives on how to foster a healthy society, has just announced its much-anticipated speaker roster, including APB speaker Ralph Nader. A former presidential candidate, consumer advocate, best-selling author, citizen activist and public interest lawyer, Nader has been deservedly honored as “One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century” by Time.

President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media and sought-after speaker Pat Mitchell launched the TEDWomen conference in 2010. Today, the conference is a blockbuster annual event recognizing the incredible work championed by women and girls in all fields. This year, not only will Mitchell be giving a keynote during the December 6th "Wayfinders" session, but fellow APB speaker and first female President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will be addressing the audience during the December 4th "Truth Tellers" session. 

Entrepreneur, investor and APB speaker Soraya Darabi is taking over the second season of Business Schooled, the hit podcast by Synchrony, as the new host and resident business expert. The eight-episode season features probing conversations with an up-and-coming generation of entrepreneurs from across the country. Darabi’s mission with this season of Business Schooled is to unpack why today’s generation of entrepreneurs are more successful across the board than in the prior three decades. She talks to business owners and founders that run the gamut of modern business, from the world of 3D printing in the heart of New York City to a backyard grilling guru in Louisville, Kentucky. This consistently top-ranked business podcast explores what it really takes to start and grow a business, from the financial to the personal.

The 42nd annual Kennedy Center Honors are set to take place at the Kennedy Center Opera House on December 8th. This year’s showcase marks the first time a television program will receive an award, with Sesame Street being honored as the iconic cultural institution that it is. APB’s Sonia Manzano, known for her longtime role as “Maria” on Sesame Street, is set to introduce the co-founders of the program who will be accepting the award. Manzano, who won many Emmy Awards as part of the Sesame Street writing team, is a core part of the show’s legacy. 

Long known as “America’s Historian” for his beloved History Channel shows, and as the best-selling author of over 10 thrillers, APB’s Brad Meltzer put his literary and historical expertise to use to create the popular series of children’s books, Ordinary People Change the World, based around inspirational historical figures. Now, the series has been turned into a new show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, airing at 9am EST weekdays on PBS Kids.

Forget your worries about the rise of AI, robotics, blockchains, IoT and other technologies “botsourcing” our jobs. Instead, get ready for a golden age when humans are empowered to flourish, emotional connections are paramount, and authenticity is essential. According to Dr. Nada Sanders, futurist, AI expert, keynote speaker and distinguished professor at Northeastern’s D’Amore McKim School of Business, we are at the dawn of the Human Era. In the Human Era, machines are just tools doing automated, repetitive, and standardized tasks. Our uniquely human qualities will reign supreme, advancing our enterprises, society and economy.

APB speaker Vaclav Smil, a renowned scientist, professor and thought leader has released his much-anticipated new book Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities via the MIT Press. Smil’s expertise in the realms of climate, energy and consumption have made him a larger-than-life figure in the scientific discussions around our society’s response to climate change, especially the potential of energy transitions.

A political analyst for NBC and MSNBC, APB speaker Karine Jean-Pierre released her new book Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Chronicling her path from New York's Haitian community to working in the Obama White House, Moving Forward "gives us an astute and insightful look at both a remarkable political journey and an inspiring life," said Edwidge Danticat, author of Brother, I’m Dying.