About us
https://youtu.be/tw_YkT0CD6I
http://bit.ly/Conversation_Day_Pictures
https://vimeo.com/342325098
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DxPyujK96qFauebW2
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors
and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City.
Our Mission:
1. Encourage and support interesting and important conversations among New Yorkers at the grass-roots level,
2. Establish simple, affordable, and sustainable infrastructure to foster such conversations throughout the city year-round.
3. Add to the worldwide image of New York as a metropolis where culture and intellect thrive among the people.
4. Organize the plethora of conversations happening in the city and have them listed in one central and easily-accessible spot.
5. Maintain conversations with a human face by discussing topics in-person, while also allowing for further discussion online.
Note: For access to all CNY-sponsored events, go to http://www.conversationsnewyork.com and subscribe to our blog,
and "Like" on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/conversationsnewyor....
and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/conversationsnewyork
Featured event
13th Annual Conversation Day in Bryant Park—Hosts: Margarita, Vin, Mike, ¥
Join the conversation:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYLvoMCCQiK/ (6 min.)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DxPyujK96qFauebW2
https://www.instagram.com/conversationsnewyork/
Conversations New York
Presents
"Conversation Day"
Conversation Day in Bryant Park is hailed as “one of the most enjoyable events in the City” by the dean of American travel writers, Arthur Frommer, and featured on major metropolitan radio and TV.
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City."
Conversations New York
Presents
"Conversation Day"
Conversation Day in Bryant Park is hailed as “one of the most enjoyable events in the City” by the dean of American travel writers, Arthur Frommer, and featured on major metropolitan radio and TV.
Join us on:
Saturday, June 13th, from 3-5 pm
Bryant Park Fountain Terrace https://youtu.be/g4CmWNxgsic
Note: After 12:00 PM on July 13th, please check the event status at ConversationsNewYork.com for any updates, including possible rain cancellation.
RSVP to attend:
- Enter from 6th Avenue and West 41st Street
- Check-in at the yellow Welcome Table by the Fountain for your name badge
- If you need assistance, call Event# 646-727-0911 (please call, do not leave a voicemail or text)
RSVP now to be a part of this annual event!
Host: Jeff, “The Future of Leadership”, Conversations New York
Host: Laurence, "Is America Losing its Edge?" Center for Inquiry NYC
Host: Max, The Lyceum
Host: Margarita, Michael, "Introduction to MBTI" MBTI NYC
Host: Li, "What did your parents never teach you that you had to figure out on your own?" MBTI NYC
Host: Bill, What happened to the political center?, Climate Science Dinner
Host: Cole, Ren, Jawaun, Elle, Edith, David, NY Philosophy, NY Philosophy Club
Host: Mike, "What are the possible & preferred outcomes of Artificial Superintelligence?" Conversations New York
Host: Yen, Manhattan Lectures & Conversations
***
Conversation Day is celebrated worldwide annually on the second Saturday in June by social/cultural activists in over 20 cities including London, Paris, Lagos, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, and Riyadh.
Conversations New York (CNY), the foremost program of free public conversations. www.ConversationsNewYork.com
Ronald Gross, Founder and Director of Conversations New York, grossassoc@AOL.com
Discuss one of the exciting topics with other lively-minded New Yorkers, sharing your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Conversations will start each hour on the hour.
Topics will include:
● Happiness, Peace, Friendship, Love,
● Truth, Wisdom, Language
● Overcoming Our Political Divides,
● Coping and Thriving in NYC,
● What’s Really Funny?
● How does Technology Impact us
● What has the left done wrong when trying to solve climate change?
● AI generated philosophical questions and many others!
Share your photos on our Facebook page and Instagram
#ConversationDay #ConversationsNewYork
NYC OUTDOOR EVENT 3 PM - 5 PM followed by the after-party at 5:30 PM at the Vanderbilt Market Eateries hosted by Margarita and Michael.
Upcoming events
5
FTI: Happiness, Habits, and Science: What Positive Psychology Gets Right
·OnlineOnlinePositive psychology is often associated with ideas like happiness, gratitude, and “living your best life.” But what does the actual research say—and how useful is it in real life?
In this event, we’ll explore the field of positive psychology from a grounded, practical perspective:
- What is positive psychology, and how is it different from traditional psychology?
- What does the research say about happiness, meaning, and well-being?
- Which practices (if any) actually improve people’s lives?
- Where does the field fall short or get oversimplified?
This is not about feel-good slogans. It’s about understanding what holds up under scrutiny—and what we can realistically apply.
Expect a thoughtful, open discussion focused on evidence, lived experience, and honest reflection.
A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.Format:
Lecture and discussionNote:
Social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zg
After registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice:
For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.1 attendee
FTI: Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The Hidden Driver of Success and Impact
·OnlineOnlineIQ can open doors—but EQ determines what happens once you walk through them.
In this session, we break down what emotional intelligence really is, why it plays a critical role in leadership, relationships, and decision-making, and how improving it can dramatically increase both personal success and collective outcomes.
We’ll cover:
- The core components of EQ (self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skill, motivation)
- Why high EQ individuals consistently outperform in leadership, negotiation, and team environments
- How EQ influences trust, influence, and long-term relationship building
- Practical ways to measure and improve your EQ in real-world situations
- How stronger EQ at scale leads to better organizations, communities, and outcomes
This isn’t just about being “nice”—it’s about building the awareness and control needed to navigate complexity, align incentives, and create win-win outcomes in every area of life.
A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.Format:
Lecture and discussionNote:
Social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zg
After registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice:
For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.2 attendees
FTI: What Makes America Great? A Cross-Perspective Dialogue
·OnlineOnlineAmerica means different things to different people—and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.
This Free Thinker Institute event brings together individuals with diverse political perspectives to explore a simple but powerful question: What truly makes America great—and where are we falling short?
We’ll examine:
- Core strengths: opportunity, innovation, freedom, community, resilience
- Real challenges: inequality, polarization, trust in institutions, global role
- How different groups define “greatness”—and where those views overlap
- What we should preserve, improve, or rethink moving forward
- Practical ideas to bridge divides while strengthening the country
The goal isn’t to debate winners and losers—it’s to understand, challenge assumptions, and find common ground where progress is possible.
Expect a respectful, candid discussion focused on learning, not labeling—and on building a clearer, shared vision for America’s future.
A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.Format:
Lecture and discussionNote:
Social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zg
After registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice:
For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.1 attendee
FTI: Listening to understand Trump Supporters
·OnlineOnlineToo often, conversations about politics turn into debates instead of understanding. This session flips that dynamic.
In this Free Thinker Institute event, we focus on listening first—creating space to understand the perspectives, values, and experiences that shape support for Donald Trump.
We’ll explore:
- What motivates support beyond headlines and stereotypes
- How economic, cultural, and institutional factors influence viewpoints
- Where misconceptions exist on both sides
- What concerns and priorities are most often overlooked
- How better understanding can lead to more productive conversations and solutions
This is not about agreement or persuasion—it’s about gaining clarity, reducing polarization, and building the ability to engage across differences in a way that leads to better outcomes for everyone.
A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.Format:
Lecture and discussionNote:
Social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zg
After registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice:
For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.1 attendee
Past events
2186
Group links
Members
2,336
