Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

Town Hall Seattle
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  • Books
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The Arts & Culture series enriches our community with imagination and creativity. Whether reinventing the classics for a new audience or presenting an innovative new art form, these events are aimed at expanding horizons. From poetry to music to storytelling, this series leaves our audiences inspired, encouraged, and seeing the world with new eyes.

  1. 3d ago

    361. Priya Parker with Aaron Hurst: The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict

    Across our modern landscapes, more and more people are voicing a want for community. Dynamic friend groups. High-performing colleagues and workplaces. Successful teams. And success means we connect meaningfully, reach our goals, and don't fight…right? Conflict facilitator and advisor Priya Parker thinks there's more to it than that. In her newest book, The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, Parker argues that many of us don't understand the crucial element we need to forge long-lasting communities — healthy conflict. She rejects the idea that conflict is abnormal or that good groups don't fight. All groups change and evolve, and hard conversations and disagreement are part of that growth. In The Art of Fighting, Parker draws from her years as a facilitator moderating group dialogue and navigating race relations, as well as studying public policy, business, and organizational design. Her combination of detailed research and real-world examples aim to help people identify disputes, determine how to address them, and what to do if they are insurmountable. Online or in person, from the boardroom to the locker room to the dinner table, The Art of Fighting urges that conflict is a normal part of life and we can choose how we tackle it. As our lives seem to get more and more complicated, building healthy skills around conflict can be a powerful resource. Whether readers approach this book as conflict-avoidant, conflict-prone, or conflict-curious, Parker strives to show that we can't form and grow effective relationships without a fight. Priya Parker is a facilitator, strategic advisor, and acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. Her new book, The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, is a New York Times bestseller and is out now. Trained in the field of conflict resolution, she is sought after by Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, universities, civic organizations, and various groups around the world to resolve issues and come together more intentionally. She studied organizational design at MIT, public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, and political and social thought at the University of Virginia. She is the host of the popular Substack GROUP LIFE where she teaches regularly. Aaron Hurst is the founder of the US Chamber of Connection and a social entrepreneur focused on building the infrastructure for social connection. He previously founded Taproot Foundation, pioneering the field of pro bono service, and was in the first cohort funded by Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. He later founded Imperative, a venture-backed company focused on purpose at work, and is the author of The Purpose Economy. His work has been featured in major outlets including The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. Buy the Book The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict (Hardcover) Elliott Bay Book Company

  2. 6d ago

    360. Charles Johnson and David Horsey: Cartoons, Novels, and the Boundless World of Creative Minds

    You put effort into crafting a skill set, you're recognized for your talents, maybe you even become well-known for those skills and achievements- who wouldn't love that? But is that where we should stay – in the lanes we're expected to fall into? Join award-winning literary and creative figures Charles Johnson and David Horsey for an evening discussing their storied careers and the lessons they've learned along the way about challenging expectations and reaching for more. Charles Johnson is best known as a prolific author; David Horsey as a political cartoonist. However, the two have more in common than extensive bibliographies and a mutual admiration of each other's work. Horsey just published his debut novel, Beach of Stars, and Johnson has recently released a collection of his own early cartoons about the Black Power movement titled All Your Racial Problems Will Soon End. Both creators have years of experience in pushing industry boundaries and showing the importance of continually giving creative minds room to grow. Between the two, they display that yes, writers can be cartoonists and cartoonists can be writers – as well as essayists, columnists, philosophers, musicians, and more. Follow Johnson and Horsey on a tour through their wide-ranging careers, with abundant on-screen examples, and a conversation highlighting their shared belief that creative minds should never be confined to narrow definitions of what they're expected to do. Charles Johnson is an acclaimed scholar, essayist, educator, and author of numerous books spanning fiction, short stories, and non-fiction. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, NEA and Guggenheim Fellowships, and the National Book Award for his novel Middle Passage. He previously acted as fiction reviewer for the Seattle Review for twenty years and as Pollock Endowed Professor of English at the University of Washington. David Horsey is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist. He acted as editorial cartoonist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for thirty years, as a political commentator for the Los Angeles Times, and his work has appeared in newspapers nationwide, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and The Chicago Tribune. Buy Book All Your Racial Problems Will Soon End: The Cartoons of Charles Johnson Elliott Bay Book Company

  3. Oct 12

    359. Sona Movsesian with Sara K. Runnels: The World's Worst Mom

    Author and podcaster Sona Movsesian never meant to become the World's Worst Assistant. But with Conan O'Brien as a boss, what else did we expect? Sona Movsesian never thought she'd be the World's Worst Mom, either. But when her twin sons, Charlie and Mikey, arrived, she realized she had been totally naive to all the ways even loving and devoted parents can feel like they fall short at raising kids these days. Life as the carefree, worry-free, stress-free person she was ended, and her reign as The World's Worst Mom had begun. In this new book, Sona regales her fans with stories from the trenches, with hilarious how-tos (like how to escape from a WebMD vortex of symptom searching), comics and illustrations throughout (like one where Sona time travels to show off her minivan to her younger self), and behind-the-scenes stories with comedy legend Conan O'Brien (and how being the world's worst assistant prepared for her being the world's worst mom). Ever feared you're the worst parent in the world? Do you feel like the parent you are and the parent you thought you would be are two completely different people? Take comfort in these stories that prove absolutely no one has this figured out, and if you don't find a way to laugh through the chaos, well, you may be missing the point entirely. Sona Movsesian is the New York Times bestselling author of The World's Worst Assistant. After over fifteen years of working with Conan O'Brien, Sona has become a regular feature of all things Conan and a fan favorite. Now, she cohosts Conan's podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. Sona lives in LA with her husband and twin sons. Sara K. Runnels is a humorist and writer living in Seattle, WA. Her best work can be found in The New Yorker, McSweeney's, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, intermittent Substacks and exclusive group chats. She's earned a substantial following for her viral witticisms and sharp social commentary under the handle @omgskr. Sara's humorous & heartfelt memoir about dating, desire, and doing what feels good instead of what's expected, The Last One at the Party, will be published by St. Martin's Press in spring 2028. Buy the Book The World's Worst Mom (Hardcover) Elliott Bay Book Company

  4. Sep 26

    358. Wanda Herndon with Angela Poe Russell: Working Class to Breaking Glass

    In her inspirational new memoir, Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman's Fight to Belong and to Lead, Wanda J. Herndon chronicles her journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership and influence at Starbucks. Throughout her memoir, Herndon interweaves personal storytelling with reflections on identity, mentorship, resilience, and purpose. She explores how systemic barriers shape opportunity and how determination, preparation, and community support can positively change lives. Whether she's navigating corporate culture or confronting moments of personal loss and reinvention, her story demonstrates that leadership is not a destination but an evolving journey. Herndon's story begins in Flint, Michigan. Her father, who dropped out of school in the eighth grade to help financially support his family in the Jim Crow South, took a life-changing bus ride North in search of freedom and a living wage. He found both at General Motors, but his dream for Herndon was different: "You should get an office job," he insisted. Herndon took that directive to avoid the assembly line and became one of the first in her family to graduate from college. Navigating racial barriers, economic limitations, and self-doubt, she confronted the realities faced by many Black students in America during the 1960s and 1970s. At Michigan State University, Herndon pursued journalism and entered the workforce in the mid-1970s. With each new opportunity, she refined her leadership voice and reinforced her commitment to inclusion. A turning point came when she joined Starbucks during a period of rapid transformation and expansion. At the company's Seattle headquarters, Herndon rose through the ranks, earning a seat at decision-making tables where demographic representation had historically been absent. Her leadership extended beyond business operations-she became a cultural advocate and bridge-builder, committed to increasing opportunities for all people. In sharing her journey, Herndon honors the sacrifices of her ancestors and parents while encouraging future generations to claim their own place at the table. Wanda J. Herndon, president and CEO of W Communications, LLC, is an award-winning corporate communications trailblazer, author, speaker, mentor, entrepreneur, Broadway producer, and the first senior vice president of global communications for Starbucks Coffee Company, from 1995 to 2006. Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder and CEO, asked her to return to the role in 2008 for a one-year engagement to help execute the company's turnaround strategy. Raised in Flint, Michigan in a working-class family shaped by the Great Migration, she became one of the first in her family to attend college, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism as well as an honorary doctor of Humanities degree from Michigan State University. She built a groundbreaking career at Dow Chemical, DuPont, and Starbucks. Her memoir, Working Class to Breaking Glass, chronicles her journey  from Flint to corporate leadership, exploring race, gender, class, family legacy, belonging, and the courage to lead without compromising one's true self while opening doors for others. Angela Poe Russell is a veteran journalist and storyteller whose work has earned her a Gracie Award and a Northwest Emmy Award. During her 25-year career, she has taken her craft across multiple platforms including television, radio, and film – covering news in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Seattle; writing for Lifetime Movie Network; and interviewing figures ranging from President Barack Obama to cultural icons like Halle Berry and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Most recently, Angela brought her storytelling instincts to the theatrical stage with the sold-out debut of the musical Aviatrix at Seattle Public Theater, which added extra performances to meet demand during its four-week run. As the book writer and co-lyricist, Angela shined a light on the story of Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman to earn an international pilot's license. Angela is a contributor on KIRO Newsradio and is grateful to be sharing life with her husband Victor and their blended family of two sons and two daughters. Buy the Book Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman's Fight to Belong and to Lead W Communications

  5. Aug 4

    357. Isaac Fitzgerald with Jon Mooallem: American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed

    "It's a difficult thing, to separate legend from story from memory from fact." Folklore and legend are critical components to any culture, passing tidbits of local history and lessons learned through generations. The idea of the folk hero in particular plays an important role in creating this legacy, rooted in the idea of benevolence and a direct connection to the people themselves. As a child, author Isaac Fitzgerald was always captivated by the tales of Johnny Appleseed, drawn in by family ties to the legend. Spurred on by his father's larger-than-life stories and a shared restlessness to leave home and discover what lies beyond, Fitzgerald found himself compelled to go on a new adventure. In American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed, Fitzgerald sets out on a particularly ambitious hike: walk from Massachusetts to Indiana, following Appleseed's path and turning a childhood fascination into a year-long personal journey. American Rambler recounts both the tangible and emotional trails Fitzgerald uncovered along the way, littered with explorations of loss and grief, ritual and faith. Fitzgerald invites readers to meander beside him–  stopping everywhere from grimy gas-station bathrooms to scenic apple picking destinations– with reflection, humor, and humility. Blending memoir, history, and travelogue through the American heartland, American Rambler presents a welcome step away from the breakneck pace of modern life and a return to the roots of connection. Isaac Fitzgerald is the New York Times bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts. He is also the author of the bestselling children's book How to Be a Pirate as well as the co-author of Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (winner of an IACP Award). He appears frequently on The Today Show, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, GQ, The Guardian, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, and numerous other publications. He lives with his wife on the North Fork of Long Island. Jon Mooallem is the author of three books, Wild Ones, This is Chance! and the essay collection Serious Face. He lives on Bainbridge Island. Buy the Book American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed Elliott Bay Book Company

  6. Jul 28

    356. Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen with Jon Mooallem: The Art of the Picture Book

    Renowned picture book creators, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, want people of all ages to understand and appreciate children's stories and how this art form enriches our individual lives and our culture. Speaking on the process of creating their latest collaboration, a board book series called Now I See, Barnett and Klassen have insights into what makes a great children's book using elements you can find both on and off the page. This multi-award winning, New York Times bestselling duo operates differently than a lot of children's book creators. Typically, an author and illustrator don't directly collaborate, and yet these two find success in close conversations with each other. Using their unique perspectives, Barnett and Klassen also write a newsletter for adults, Looking at Picture Books, which examines the picture book as a respected art form. Their Now I See board book collection applies that lens by celebrating the spare beauty and wonder of the changing seasons from the point of view of a child. A tree that has full green leaves in Now I See Summer sheds them in Now I See Fall. The snowy sky of Now I See Winter gives way to the rainy sky in Now I See Spring. And of course, the perfect hat changes with each season, too. Barnett and Klassen want to uplift the picture book as an art form, showing everyone of every age what goes into the making of great children's literature. They'll discuss the importance and value of picture books — and how they work. Kids are, of course, welcome, but the primary audience for these events is adults keen to learn more about picture books. Mac Barnett, the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Some of his books include The First Cat in Space graphic novel series, illustrated by Shawn Harris, Twenty Questions, illustrated by Christian Robinson, and Santa's First Christmas, illustrated by Sydney Smith. Jon Klassen is the New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of numerous books, who was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018 for his contributions to children's literature. His recent books include the Your Places board book series and The Skull, a #1 New York Times bestseller that earned six starred reviews and a piece in the New York Times Book Review in which Ransom Riggs refers to Jon as both "the dean of deadpan" and a "national treasure." Jon Mooallem is the author of three books, Wild Ones, This is Chance! and the essay collection Serious Face. He lives on Bainbridge Island. Buy the Book Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children (Hardcover) Elliott Bay Book Company

  7. Jul 23

    355. Melissa Auf der Maur with Gillian Gaar: Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir

    Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir presents an intimate look behind the scenes of an iconic era through the ever-reflective lens of musician Melissa Auf der Maur. In this debut memoir, Auf der Maur chronicles her journey through alternative music — from staffing ticket windows at local venues to navigating era-defining triumphs and turmoil under global spotlights. A bohemian upbringing in Montreal and an early connection to music led her to put down roots in the local scene, working as a cassette DJ and showing up for bands like Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, Pavement, and Sonic Youth. A serendipitous sequence sets the stage for the next big step — a thrown beer bottle at a show, a long-shot fan letter to a PO Box, and before you know it Auf der Maur's band Tinker is opening for The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan is passing along a personal recommendation to Courtney Love. In a whirlwind of life-changing moments, Auf der Maur joins Hole for their 1994 Live Through This world tour just after the deaths of Kurt Cobain and Hole's previous bassist Kristen Pfaff. Auf der Maur is swiftly flung into the eye of a hurricane, becoming part of a band plowing through grief by way of art on a brutally global stage. Auf der Maur offers a backstage view to the raw reality of this tour, her relationship with Courtney Love in the wake of tragedy, and what kept Hole from spinning out of control. And the show goes on from there – messy and unwieldy, but bringing compassionate nuance to the nostalgia of the '90s alternative era and Auf der Maur's personal journey to the other side of it. Part rock memoir, part travel diary, part psychedelic scrapbook – Even the Good Girls Will Cry stacks rockstar stories of the last analog decade alongside the intensely intimate musings of an artist who lived through the chaos. Melissa Auf der Maur is an artist, producer, and musician known for her time as the bassist of the bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. She is the co-founder and director of Basilica Hudson, a nonprofit multidisciplinary art center known for music festivals, film screenings, artist-in-residence programs, and community involvement. Her other projects include the solo albums Auf der Maur and Out of Our Minds, as well as photography collections shown by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and featured in publications including Spin, Elle, and Nylon. Gillian G. Gaar is an award-winning journalist and author of over 20 books. She was a senior editor at the legendary Northwest music publication The Rocket for fourteen years. She served as project consultant on Nirvana's 4 box set With the Lights Out and as editorial assistant on Krist Novoselic's memoir Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy! Her books include She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll, Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana, Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback, and World Domination: The Sub Pop Records Story.  Buy the Book Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir Third Place Books

  8. Jul 20

    354. Lori Matsukawa with Mimi Gan: Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist

    News anchor Lori Matsukawa is an award-winning journalist, author, and speaker who spent nearly 40 years at KING TV in Seattle. A trusted voice in Northwest media, she reveals how her childhood in multi-racial Hawai'i and traveling the world as Miss Teenage America led to a career she couldn't imagine. Despite discrimination and disappointment along the way, Matsukawa became the role model she wished she'd had. She helped change what viewers saw on the newscasts that entered their homes. Matsukawa pursued her career at a time when society expected little from a person like her: a female of color from a working-class family who attended Hawai'i public schools. Yet, an astonishing series of events — highlighted by a year representing her country as Miss Teenage America during her senior year in high school — propelled her to keep breaking down stereotypes. Today, she continues to promote civic engagement and share stories to inspire the next generation of journalists. Lori Matsukawa is an award-winning broadcast journalist with more than 40 years in the industry. She retired after 36 years as an anchor and reporter at KING TV in Seattle. Matsukawa received two Northwest Regional Emmy Awards, one in 2017 for her series "Prisoners in Their Own Land" and another in 2018 for "Shane Sato: Portraits of Courage."  She is a co-founder of the Seattle Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington. Matsukawa is also the author of Brave Mrs. Sato (2023), a contributor to Intersections: A Journalistic History of Asian Pacific America (2025), and Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist, published in April 2026. Mimi Gan is a multiple Emmy Award–winning former KING 5 colleague of Lori's and a longtime reporter and host. She is now the founder of Mi2 Media, where she produces short‑form social‑impact documentaries. Mimi was recently recognized as one of Seattle Magazine's Most Influential People: Equity, received the Stanford University Asian American Alumni Award, and currently serves as a trustee for the Wing Luke Museum and Seattle Children's Theatre. Buy the Book Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist Elliott Bay Book Company

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About

The Arts & Culture series enriches our community with imagination and creativity. Whether reinventing the classics for a new audience or presenting an innovative new art form, these events are aimed at expanding horizons. From poetry to music to storytelling, this series leaves our audiences inspired, encouraged, and seeing the world with new eyes.

Information

  • Creator
    Town Hall Seattle
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017 Town Hall Association. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

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