APB exclusive speaker Chris Colfer’s beloved The Land of Stories series is heading to Hollywood. Warner Bros. has officially acquired film rights to the multi-million–copy, #1 New York Times bestselling book series, with Academy Award–nominated writer-director Phil Johnston attached to adapt and direct the live-action feature. As the original author, and as a producer and screenwriter, Chris is deeply involved in the project, ensuring that the cinematic version honors the magic, heart, and imaginative scope that has captivated readers worldwide.

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A fearless voice in a divided world, acclaimed cultural critic Thomas Chatterton Williams is about to release his highly anticipated new book, Summer of Our Discontent. With clarity, nuance, and unflinching honesty, Williams confronts today’s most urgent debates—from race and nationalism to cancel culture and personal identity. This bold new book is essential reading for anyone grappling with what it means to belong in an increasingly fractured society.

This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Malcolm X. Hear from his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, who carries his voice forward.

We are excited to share that two of our most popular speakers, investigative journalist Dan Slepian and criminal justice reform advocate Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, have been honored with the 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Best Documentary for their groundbreaking series, The Sing Sing Chronicles. This four-part documentary, directed by Dawn Porter and produced by MSNBC Films, chronicles Slepian's 22-year investigation into wrongful convictions at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, including Velazquez's own case.

Juneteenth (short for June 19th) marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans throughout Texas learned that they were free—news that took approximately two months after the Confederate surrender of the Civil War and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation to reach them. As our nation recognizes the legacy of Juneteenth during a time of heightened consciousness over pervasive racism and persecution in our nation, we urge everyone to continue to do their part in igniting change.

We are excited to share that Molly Jong-Fast's recently released memoir, How to Lose Your Mother, has landed on The New York Times Bestseller List! With rave reviews continuing to pour in, People magazine said: "This raw, intimate memoir is a stunning portrait of difficult relationships and how we survive them.”

On June 1, 2025, CBS Sunday Morning aired a compelling interview between correspondent David Pogue and Elon Musk, delving into topics ranging from space exploration to government policies. Pogue, known for his incisive journalism and engaging storytelling, was the only non-space journalist invited to interview Musk ahead of SpaceX's ninth test flight of the Super Heavy-Starship rocket.

APB exclusive speaker Dr. Jeanette Epps recently retired from NASA, concluding a remarkable 16-year career that broke barriers and inspired countless individuals. From her roots in Syracuse, New York, to her groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station, Dr. Epps’s incredible journey reflects an unwavering commitment to perseverance and excellence.

Popular keynote speaker Lt. Colonel Olga Custodio, USAF (Retired), is a history-making aviator and an unrelenting advocate for opportunity and inspiration. Now, with the release of her powerful new memoir, Flightpath of Fortitude: Breaking Barriers, Building Horizons, Olga is inviting readers—and audiences—to join her on a journey through the clouds and beyond. Flightpath of Fortitude is a deeply personal reflection from the first Latina to become a military pilot in the U.S. Air Force—and the first Latina commercial airline captain for American Airlines.

Molly Jong-Fast is the only child of a famous woman, writer Erica Jong, whose sensational book Fear of Flying launched her into second-wave feminist stardom. She grew up yearning for a connection with her dreamy, glamorous, just out of reach mother, who always seemed to be heading somewhere that wasn’t with Molly. When, in 2023, Molly's mother was diagnosed with dementia just as Molly’s husband discovered he had a rare cancer, Jong-Fast was catapulted into a transformative year.