On August 19, 2026, classmate Jorge Dominguez updated us on what’s happening in Cuba today, and how the Cuban people are faring. Please enjoy this insightful talk!
Love Among the Ruins: Inside Cuba Today
On July 23, 2026 we were joined by Dr. Becca Levy and Dr. Peter Whitehouse, who discussed current findings about living longer and better. Moderated by classmate Rick Moody, our discussion focused on many fascinating and actionable details that can assist us as we all aim to age well and with good health. Please enjoy this important talk!
Living Longer and Better
Extra Takeaways:
- Becca Levy, Ph.D., Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live
- Peter J. Whitehouse, M.D., Ph.D., with Daniel George, M.Sc., The Myth of Alzheimer’s. What You Aren’t Being Told About Today’s Most Dreaded Diagnosis
- Intergenerational Schools
- NIC (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care) Study comparing outcomes: people living in retirement communities vs. those aging in place at home: Senior Housing Residents Live Longer Than Counterparts Living In The Community
On June 25, 2026, classmate Jack Finnell told us about his life at Yale, in the Navy, and in the business world. These were some of the places where he learned — and fruitfully employed — principles of success in life. Please enjoy this great talk!
How to Succeed in Business
Extra Takeaway:
- Jack Finnell, Do You Want To Be A Leader Or A Manager?
- Jack’s slides
On May 14, 2026, classmates Fred Hashimoto and Marty Snapp, joined by Joanne Sakai, daughter of American WWII hero Lawson Sakai, provided personal insight into one of our saddest events of American history: the internment of Japanese-American citizens during WWII. Please enjoy this important session.
Heroes and Detainees
Takeaways:
There are many books and movies concerning this time in American history. Here’s a list of some of the titles mentioned during the talk.
- The Heart Mountain Story: Photographs by Hansel Mieth and Otto Hagel of the WWII Internment of Japanese Americans (book)
- Lost Battalions by Franz Steidl (book)
- Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown (book)
- Bridge to the Sun by Bruce Henderson (book)
- Bad Day at Black Rock (film)
- Farewell to Manzanar (book)
- Beyond Words: Images of American Concentration Camps(book)
- The Golden Gate by Amy Chua (book)
Plus: Link to Armed Forces Day Memorial 2026, Honoring Nisei* Veterans
(*Nisei refers to “second generation” ethnically Japanese children of initial immigrants who were born and educated in a new country, such as the U.S.)
On April 23, 2026, Dr. Mary Tinetti provided us with an excellent talk about maintaining mobility as we age well and in a healthy, active fashion. Please enjoy this terrific, highly useful talk.
Mobility and a ‘Good Old Age’
Extra Takeaway:
On March 26, 2026, classmate Charlie Carter described his life’s work in extending the world’s understanding of how life began on our beautiful planet. Please enjoy this enlightening session, presented by a brilliant scientist in our midst.
How Life Began on Earth
Extra Takeaway:
On February 19, 2026, classmates Norm Hile and Mike Kail discussed the details of the multiple murder case against Kevin Cooper, who has been on Death Row in California since 1985. Norm, through his law firm, has worked pro bono on Kevin’s case for the past 23 years. As more details and facts come to light, it’s clear that justice may well not have been done. Please view this important session, which includes a phone call from Kevin himself, from his prison cell.
Death Row Case
Extras:
- Some of Kevin’s articles, podcasts, video, art and more: linktr.ee/freekevincooper
- Link to clemency petition for the State of California: ClemencyCa.org
On January 20, 2026, Yale University Library Senior Director, Development and External Affairs Basie Gitlin ’10 led us through a fascinating discussion of the crucial role libraries play in the life of the university. Our moderator for this session was classmate Dave Richards. Please enjoy this illuminating session.
Yale University Libraries
Extra Takeaway:
On December 18, 2025, classmate Doug McClelland described for us, in words and many images, some of the joys of fly fishing in the American West and in South America. Doug’s moderator for the session was longtime friend, fellow classmate and fly fisherman Mike Leahy. Please enjoy this friendly, informative talk.
Fly Fishing in Montana, Chile & Argentina
Extra Takeaway:
On November 18, 2025, we were joined by classmates and lifelong journalists Randy Alfred and Tom Goldstein, who led us in a frank and friendly discussion about the current state of journalism in the U.S. Please enjoy this intriguing talk.
Don’t Kill the Messenger: Journalism in Crisis
On October 23, 2025, fellow Yale College graduate Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. ’56 (M.D. Western Reserve University) spoke with us about the profound difference a plant-based diet can have on an individual’s cardiac health and longevity. Please enjoy this highly illuminating talk.
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease
Extra Takeaways:
- Dr. Esselstyn’s slides, used in the presentation
- Actuaries for Sustainable Healthcare newsletter, featuring Dr. Esselstyn’s Case Studies
On September 18, 2025, Yale Athletic Director Vicky Chun provided us with an up-close look at the all of the many parts and pieces that keep the Yale Athletics engine running smoothly. Please enjoy this excellent, uplifting session.
Vicky Chun on Yale Athletics
On August 21, 2025, Karl Marlantes ’67 spoke with us about how he landed at Yale and his time there, his time in the UK as a Rhodes Scholar, then going to Vietnam and finally, his experience as a successful author. Please enjoy this far-ranging, absorbing talk.
Writing Literary Fiction… and Related Topics
On July 24, 2025, Peter Scardino ’67, ably joined by Drs. Befar Ehdaie and Michael Morris, spoke with us about the world of prostate cancer treatment. Please enjoy this important talk.
Prostate Cancer and Its Treatment
Extra Takeaways:
- Dr. Befar Ehdaie’s slides, used in the presentation
- Dr. Michael Murray’s slides, used in the presentation
On June 26, 2025, Maury Yeston ’67 gave us a delightful sneak peek into the making of some of his most famous musicals, and told us about his fascinating upcoming projects. His moderator for this terrific talk was his longtime close friend and roommate at Yale, Dick Pechter ’67. Enjoy this spellbinding hour.
Maury: Creating Broadway Musicals
On May 15, 2025, scientists Julie Zimmerman and Sara Smiley Smith from Yale Planetary Solutions let us know about the wide variety of initiatives Yale is undertaking to help to sustain the future of our planet Earth. Please enjoy this informative, important talk.
Yale Planetary Solutions
Extra Takeaways:
Useful links from the session’s chat, added by Dr. Smiley Smith:
- Climate Haven
- Tony Leiserowitz – Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
- Yale Planetary Solutions Steering Committee Report
- News story on the Impact! Awards
- Planetary Solutions Prize article
- Connecticut Coastal Management Program
- Natural Carbon Capture at Yale
- Yale-driven Mati Carbon
- New Haven’s plans regarding carbon capture
- Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale
- Yale Ventures
- AirCompany.com
- Yale Clean Energy Collaborative
- Sci x Sci-Fi event this spring – short article
- YPCCC Climate Connections radio
- Yale’s Fossil Fuel Investment Principles
- Yale Divinity’s Living Village
- Yale’s Tobin Climate Initiative
On April 24, 2025, Dr. James Charney described the creation of his highly popular “Madness at The Movies” class which he taught at Yale for many years (and now teaches again through Yale Alumni College). He also explains how he came to write a book about the content of the course, and gives us a taste of what his course is like. Please enjoy this fun recording!
Movie Madness