On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft with Brad Taylor

Tuesday, April 14th 2026 at 5:00 PM

Join us in conversation with acclaimed author Brad Taylor on his latest work, Shadow Strike, book 20 (yes, you read that right!) of the bestselling Pike Logan series. 

After its proxies are devastated and its offensive capability pummeled in the latest war in the middle east, a rogue group of Iranian regime officials create a brazen plot to strike back at their hated enemies once and for all. They envision a series of operational dominos culminating in a devastating attack, and the first step is the assassination of the Israeli prime minister.  And there’s only one assassin with the skills to pull it off: Abdul Rahman, known in the shadows as the Ghost. 

When a routine prison transfer is ambushed, the Ghost escapes and is given the assignment. The only Operator who can hunt him down is the man who stopped him before: Pike Logan.

In The Explorer’s Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map, Alex Hutchinson dives headfirst into a fascinating and provocative new field of research, examining how exploration is a fundamental part of what makes us human.

Off the beaten path, on unmarked trails, we are wired to explore. More than just a need to get outside, the search for the unknown is a specific, primal urge that has shaped the history of our species and continues to mold our behavior in ways we are just beginning to understand. In fact, the latest neuroscience suggests that exploration is an essential ingredient of human life. Exploration, it turns out, isn’t merely a hobby—it’s our story.

Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran. 

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Register now to hear directly from the author about the crafting of her tender, yet immensely powerful work. 

Join us in conversation with Ruchika Sikri and Dr. Patrick Porter as we chat about their book, Brain Fitness Blueprint, in which they present a 30-day action plan to supercharge your brain and achieve peak performance.

Your brain wasn’t built for the world we live in. Poor sleep, excessive screen time, and modern stressors have disrupted brain function, leading to mental fatigue, decreased focus, and emotional imbalance. So how are we going to thrive?

Dr. Patrick Porter, founder of BrainTap, and Ruchika Sikri, founding partner of Wisdom Ventures and former Head of Well-being Learning at Google, will help you restore your cognitive clarity, find emotional balance, and achieve lasting vitality with an integrative framework that harnesses the tools of holistic spiritual practices alongside the insights of cutting-edge research.

Their groundbreaking blueprint will reveal:

• Why modern life is hijacking your brain—and how to reclaim control
• How meditation, breathwork, and nature-based rituals reset your nervous system
• How emerging technologies can enhance focus, sleep, and emotional regulation
• Daily habits to support mental sharpness, resilience, and purpose
• A 30-day action plan to rewire your brain for energy, clarity, and joy

What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief. 

Most of your limits aren’t physical. They’re psychological. In Beyond Belief, Nir Eyal reveals how the hidden assumptions you carry shape what you see, how you feel, and what you do—and how to replace them with beliefs that unlock your true potential.

Grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and unforgettable case studies, Eyal introduces the Three Powers of Belief: Attention, Anticipation, and Agency. Mastering these powers transforms how you see challenges, feel about the future, and act when it matters most.

You’ll learn how to:

• Spot hidden opportunities and solutions others overlook.

• Reclaim your mood, energy, and confidence by reshaping your beliefs.

• Stay calm, decisive, and in control when life feels uncertain.

• Break free from beliefs that sabotage your health, relationships, and career.

• Push further, last longer, and achieve beyond your limits.

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more!

A Dolly Parton crop art portrait. Size-96 cowboy boots. A button quilt. State Fairs: Growing American Craft features more than 100 photos of extraordinary and unconventional crafts from state and tribal fairs, including needlework, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, crop art, butter sculpture, and saddles. The catalog highlights personal stories and regional and cultural traditions, creating a vibrant portrait of American life. Come one, come all! State Fairs has a little something for everyone.

Register now to hear about the fascinating (and often surprising) world of American state fair crafts!