Philosophy

🌿 Deutsch unten -- We now offer the following activities, all on Thursday Evenings from 19:00–21:00 🌿 🖌 1st Thursday of the month – Meditation & Drawing Chanting & meditation, followed by creative drawing exercises to expand perception and soften habitual patterns. 🧘 2nd Thursdays of the month – Meditation & Yoga Chanting & meditation, followed by Pranayama, gentle Hatha/Ashtanga-inspired movements to cultivate balance, clarity, and presence. 🕊 3rd Thursday of the month – Meditation in Movement Chanting & meditation, followed by Qigong moving exercises led by Manuel to apply non-dualism while in slow movement. 😇 4th Thursday of the month – Guided Meditation Chanting & meditation, followed by an investigation into our true nature. We will take a Zen koan from the Gateless Gate as a point of departure. 🤫 In case there is a 5th Thursday – Silent Meditation Chanting & meditation, followed by longer periods of silence. ✨ Details • €12 (€10 reduced), cash at the door • Registration through Meetup appreciated, not required • No prior experience needed • Light snacks and drinks available during the breaks 🔗 [www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/](http://www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/) 🏠 Hütteldorferstraße 128, Top 02, 1140 Wien 📧 [jacques.van.engel@gmail.com](mailto:jacques.van.engel@gmail.com) =============================================== 🌿Wir bieten nun folgende Aktivitäten an, jeweils donnerstags von 19:00 bis 21:00 Uhr 🖌 Erster Donnerstag im Monat – Meditation & Zeichnen Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von kreativen Zeichenübungen, um die Wahrnehmung zu erweitern und gewohnheitsmäßige Muster aufzulockern. 🧘 2. Donnerstag im Monat – Yoga & Meditation Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von Pranayama und sanften, von Hatha/Ashtanga inspirierten Bewegungen zur Förderung von Gleichgewicht, Klarheit und Präsenz. 🕊 3. Donnerstag im Monat – Meditation in Bewegung Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von Qigong-Bewegungsübungen unter der Leitung von Manuel, um Non-Dualismus in langsamen Bewegungen zu erforschen. 😇 4. Donnerstag im Monat – Geführte Meditation Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von einer Erkundung unserer wahren Natur. Jacques wird einen Zen-Koan aus dem „Tor ohne Tor“ als Ausgangspunkt nehmen. 🤫 Falls es einen 5. Donnerstag gibt – Stille Meditation Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von längeren Phasen der Stille. ✨ Details • 12 € (ermäßigt 10 €), Barzahlung an der Tür • Anmeldung über Meetup erwünscht, aber nicht erforderlich • Keine Vorkenntnisse erforderlich • kleine Snacks & Getränke während der Pausen 🔗 [www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/](http://www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/) 🏠 Hütteldorferstraße 128, Top 02, 1140 Wien 📧 jacques.van.engel@gmail.com

Hallo, hast du dich schon einmal gefragt, was *weight friends* eigentlich ist? Jetzt hast du die Möglichkeit, es ganz unverbindlich kennenzulernen! Komm zu unserem **kostenlosen Schnupper-Workshop** und erfahre, wie unser Programm funktioniert, was wir anbieten und wie wir dich auf deinem Weg unterstützen. Unser Fokus liegt auf einem gesunden Lebensstil durch: * ausgewogene Ernährung * Bewegung und Fitness * mentale und soziale Stärke – mit dem Ziel einer nachhaltigen Gewichtsabnahme. Triff Gleichgesinnte, die die Herausforderungen und Erfolge einer Lebensstilveränderung kennen. Tausche dich aus, teile Erfahrungen und fühle dich in einer offenen und freundlichen Atmosphäre willkommen. Du erfährst: * wie unser Programm aufgebaut ist * wie du motiviert bleibst * wie du mit Höhen und Tiefen umgehst * wie aus kleinen Schritten dauerhafte Veränderungen werden Komm vorbei, schnuppere kostenlos rein und finde heraus, ob *weight friends* zu dir passt –**ganz ohne Verpflichtung.** [weight friends](https://www.weightfriends.at/)

This meditations take place in the beautiful space of the Vienna Atelier of Traditional Art 🌿 Inspired by practices of eastern spiritual traditions (e.g. Qigong and TaiJi) we explore and connect during this evening several facets of our human experience: • Effortless movement and sensing deep into the inner field of the body ♒︎ Breathing consciously and chanting mantras or medicine songs ॐ Guiding attention to release and rest in the open space of awareness _ The fee for the event is €12 (€10 reduced) No prior experience needed Light snacks and drinks are available during the breaks

Hallo, hast du dich schon einmal gefragt, was *weight friends* eigentlich ist? Jetzt hast du die Möglichkeit, es ganz unverbindlich kennenzulernen! Komm zu unserem **kostenlosen Schnupper-Workshop** und erfahre, wie unser Programm funktioniert, was wir anbieten und wie wir dich auf deinem Weg unterstützen. Unser Fokus liegt auf einem gesunden Lebensstil durch: * ausgewogene Ernährung * Bewegung und Fitness * mentale und soziale Stärke – mit dem Ziel einer nachhaltigen Gewichtsabnahme. Triff Gleichgesinnte, die die Herausforderungen und Erfolge einer Lebensstilveränderung kennen. Tausche dich aus, teile Erfahrungen und fühle dich in einer offenen und freundlichen Atmosphäre willkommen. Du erfährst: * wie unser Programm aufgebaut ist * wie du motiviert bleibst * wie du mit Höhen und Tiefen umgehst * wie aus kleinen Schritten dauerhafte Veränderungen werden Komm vorbei, schnuppere kostenlos rein und finde heraus, ob *weight friends* zu dir passt –**ganz ohne Verpflichtung.** [weight friends](https://www.weightfriends.at/)

🌿 Deutsch unten -- We now offer the following activities, all on Thursday Evenings from 19:00–21:00 🌿 🖌 1st Thursday of the month – Meditation & Drawing Chanting & meditation, followed by creative drawing exercises to expand perception and soften habitual patterns. 🧘 2nd Thursdays of the month – Meditation & Yoga Chanting & meditation, followed by Pranayama, gentle Hatha/Ashtanga-inspired movements to cultivate balance, clarity, and presence. 🕊 3rd Thursday of the month – Meditation in Movement Chanting & meditation, followed by Qigong moving exercises led by Manuel to apply non-dualism while in slow movement. 😇 4th Thursday of the month – Guided Meditation Chanting & meditation, followed by an investigation into our true nature. We will take a Zen koan from the Gateless Gate as a point of departure. 🤫 In case there is a 5th Thursday – Silent Meditation Chanting & meditation, followed by longer periods of silence. ✨ Details • €12 (€10 reduced), cash at the door • Registration through Meetup appreciated, not required • No prior experience needed • Light snacks and drinks available during the breaks 🔗 [www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/](https://www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/) 🏠 Hütteldorferstraße 128, Top 02, 1140 Wien 📧 [[jacques.van.engel@gmail.com](mailto:jacques.van.engel@gmail.com)]([mailto:jacques.van.engel@gmail.com](http://mailto:jacques.van.engel@gmail.com/)) =============================================== 🌿 Wir bieten nun folgende Aktivitäten an, jeweils donnerstags von 19:00 bis 21:00 Uhr 🌿 🖌 Erster Donnerstag im Monat – Meditation & Zeichnen Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von kreativen Zeichenübungen, um die Wahrnehmung zu erweitern und gewohnheitsmäßige Muster aufzulockern. 🧘 2. Donnerstag im Monat – Meditation & Yoga Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von Pranayama und sanften, von Hatha/Ashtanga inspirierten Bewegungen zur Förderung von Gleichgewicht, Klarheit und Präsenz. 🕊 3. Donnerstag im Monat – Meditation in Bewegung Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von Qigong-Bewegungsübungen unter der Leitung von Manuel, um Non-Dualismus in langsamen Bewegungen zu erforschen. 😇 4. Donnerstag im Monat – Geführte Meditation Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von einer Erkundung unserer wahren Natur. Jacques wird einen Zen-Koan aus dem „Tor ohne Tor“ als Ausgangspunkt nehmen. 🤫 Falls es einen 5. Donnerstag gibt – Stille Meditation Chanten & Meditation, gefolgt von längeren Phasen der Stille. ✨ Details • 12 € (ermäßigt 10 €), Barzahlung an der Tür • Anmeldung über Meetup erwünscht, aber nicht erforderlich • Keine Vorkenntnisse erforderlich • kleine Snacks & Getränke während der Pausen 🔗 [www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/](https://www.meetup.com/der-stille-punkt-wien/) 🏠 Hütteldorferstraße 128, Top 02, 1140 Wien 📧 [jacques.van.engel@gmail.com](mailto:jacques.van.engel@gmail.com) image: Odilon Redon, The Buddha

Hey Community, **Important:** Please register via the external link (not only on Meetup), as seats are limited due to room capacity. ⇒ **[Link to register for the meetup](https://techtalk.at/answering-questions-with-stories-with-alistair-cockburn/)**[!](https://techtalk.at/answering-questions-with-stories-with-alistair-cockburn/) What happens when one of the co-authors of the Agile Manifesto doesn’t give a talk — but answers your questions with stories? Join us for an interactive, Q&A-driven evening with **[Alistair Cockburn](https://training.techtalk.at/trainer-in/dr-alistair-cockburn/)**. Instead of slides or prepared lectures, Alistair responds to your questions with real stories from decades of working in complex environments — often detailed, sometimes unexpected, occasionally humorous — but always insightful. Stories convey more than opinions. They reveal context, trade-offs, and real decisions. So bring your questions: * About agile beyond frameworks * About architecture and incremental development * About leadership and collaboration * About AI and modern delivery * Or anything else you’ve always wanted to ask In this session, Alistair’s only rule is simple: He answers with a story — not a theory. **Agenda** 🕡 **18:00** – Doors open at TechTalk 🕕 **18:15** – Intro & "*Answering Questions with Stories"* 🕗 **19:30** – 🍕Food & 🍻Drinks sponsored by [TechTalk](https://techtalk.at/) 🎉 If you’re curious, reflective, or just enjoy thoughtful discussions — this evening is for you. Cheers, Milena ***

Tickets: [https://www.iicv.at/improvshow](https://www.iicv.at/improvshow) Price: Online: 8EUR ​​​ Onsite: 10EUR Both tickets (online only): 12EUR **Do we shape our fate—or does it shape us?** An unscripted story, brought to life moment by moment. Characters navigate life’s twists and turns—while you decide what happens when it matters most. From pivotal choices to unexpected turning points, the audience shapes the journey, steering the story into the unknown.​ ​ When the showcase ends, the stage opens up for an Improv Jam, where everyone is invited to play, experiment, and connect. Cast: Adeline, Alex, Azra, Florian, Ivan, Juan, Sara

We will meet in a calm and friendly place ( Parc, Café, Restaurant) to explore together some of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s key questions about awareness, relationship, and freedom. There will be no teaching, no authority — only open dialogue and attentive listening. Everyone is welcome, whether you are familiar with Jiddu Krishnamurti or simply curious about life and self-understanding. We’ll start with an open conversation around a theme such as “Listening without judgment” or “Can thought bring clarity?” Please bring openness, curiosity, and a readiness to listen — no books or notes needed. The spirit is not to discuss “what should be,” but to observe together “what is.”

## Editorial Boudoir Lighting Session **Limited to 3 Photographers** An intimate, structured boudoir session focused on controlled lighting, refined posing, and intentional composition. This is not an open group shoot. The atmosphere will be calm, directed, and professional. We will work with: • 1 professional model • 2 curated lighting setups • Guided posing and direction • Structured shooting rotations • Time for questions and breakdowns The focus is on building strong portfolio material while understanding how to shape light and mood in an editorial boudoir environment. Spots are strictly limited to three participants to ensure quality, space, and creative control. Investment: €225 Duration: approx. 2–2.5 hours If you value structure over chaos and intention over randomness, this session is for you.

A Branch of the **Social Book Club** focusing on International Cinema. I find films based on the taste profile of the cinephiles that regularly attend. We the Lovely Folks of the **Social Film Club, are back for the 30th Edition** this Saturday! 🎬🌿🕊️ ☀️ We start at **18:30** hrs. Films chosen for this week are: 🎥 **Either one of these two** 🎥**slow, dreamlike masterpieces** — we'll decide together: **1\. The Spirit of the Beehive \(1973\)** A haunting Spanish film seen through the eyes of a young girl after the Civil War. Childhood, silence, and imagination — sparked by a screening of Frankenstein. Mysterious and quietly devastating. IMDb: 7.8/10 – Runtime: 1h 39m. OR **2\. Mirror \(1975\)** Tarkovsky's personal collage of memory, dreams, and Russian history. Childhood, war, and time — drifting between past and present. Non-linear and visually overwhelming. IMDb: 8.0/10 – Runtime: 1h 47m. 🍽️ Post Meetup Food at **China Zentrum Stiegengasse!** 😁😁 If you just joined, please fill up this survey so we can better tailor the films we show. [https://forms.gle/juPwhehSV2NosLee9](https://forms.gle/juPwhehSV2NosLee9) **PS -** I can guarantee comfortable seating for 10 people. People in the waitlist can show up as well, because a lot of people sign up but don't show up. The event takes place at the Social Welfare organization called **MUT**. It is an organisation that works on social issues such as Emergency & Homeless Assistance, Food Rescue and Environment Protection. MUT is a non profit organization that provides us with the space to host the event. A small donation towards their cause helps them a lot.

**Learn Your Camera Workshop** Next Friday, **22/05/2026**, we’re hosting a beginner-friendly 1-hour workshop at **WienMitte Photography Studio**. You’ll learn how to understand your camera settings, take control of manual mode, and start creating better photos with more confidence. **Duration:** 1 hour **Cost:** 15€ **Location:** WienMitte Photography Studio Spaces are limited — DM to reserve your spot.

## The Portrait League – Paid Studio Sessions for Serious Hobby Photographers This is a structured portrait community — not a casual meetup. The Portrait League is a recurring studio (location) gathering for photographers who want to improve their portrait and headshot work in a focused, constructive environment. Each session will focus on a specific studio concept: – Classic 1-light headshots – Dramatic low-key portraits – High-key commercial looks – Editorial portrait setups – Creative color lighting Model included. We don’t rush for quantity. We work for quality. The goal is simple: Refine technique. Improve consistency. Develop a recognizable portrait style. This is for photographers who: • Want structured growth • Value critique over ego • Take their craft seriously • Prefer collaboration over chaos Spots are limited to maintain quality and productive energy. Investment Today: €15 Duration: approx. 2–3 hours If you want random shooting, this isn’t it. If you want to level up your portrait game, join the league. ***

Weekly screenings from a large archive of many of the most significant, yet seldom seen and rarely accessible cinematic masterpieces in the history of film - from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Screenings are in original language, if English, or original language with English subtitles. Films are selected democratically on the inspiration of a brief pre-screening discussion. The selected title is typically a "neglected gem" that most of us discover together for the first time. Individual taste is not a criterion and all participants are expected to put the interests of the group as a whole above personal preference or prejudice. In this sense, the emphasis is on openness, exploration, and surprise. Each screening is followed by an in-depth group discussion, led and moderated by the curator. WARNNG: FilmStory is not just about watching movies! Rather, it's a socially responsible, intellectual engagement, involving an organic approach to group study of film language, philosophy, art, history, politics, and technology. In this sense, the film is always merely the current highlight in an explorative, ongoing group discussion. **FilmStory** is a members-only series that involves a closely knit community of cinephiles. Events take place every Sunday in a comfortable, private setting with limited capacity. Participation is reserved primarily for regular members, but we're always ready to make new friends! Non-regular members may request to meet the community and, upon acceptance as a "new joiner," are welcome to participate in one event, according to space availability. New joiners are asked to make a €6 member dues contribution in advance of the requested date. New members receive a message of confirmation and the address of the Living Room in 1080 Vienna upon receipt of their dues contribution. **FilmStory** is presented and hosted by **[KulturSalon Wien](https://www.meetup.com/kultursalon-wien/)**.

Donauinsel Improv Training mit Picknick Lerne spielerisch Improtheater-Techniken und unterschiedliche Formate kennen! Dabei trainierst du deine Kreativität und Spontaneität und arbeitest an deinem Selbstbewusstsein. You will need B1-level German skills to participate. English translation below. Man benötigt Deutschkenntnisse auf B1-Niveau, um teilzunehmen. Hier findest du uns: https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.2233687,16.4163003 Koordinaten vom Treffpunkt --> Ihr könnt gerne Essen und Snacks für das Picknick mitbringen. Am besten etwas was man gut mit der Gruppe teilen kann. **Was dich erwartet** • Lustige Gruppenspiele • Kreative Theater-Übungen • Kurze Improv Szenen, nur 5 bis 8 Minuten • Gemeinsam Geschichten erfinden • Viel Lachen, Sonne und Spaß **Impro: Was bringt’s dir persönlich?** • Spontanität • Selbstvertrauen • Kreativität • Fehler annehmen lernen • Schauspiel trainieren • Teamwork **Safe Space** Ein sicherer Raum ohne Leistungsdruck, in dem gegenseitige Wertschätzung an erster Stelle steht. Ihr seid zu keiner Zeit verpflichtet mitzumachen und könnt jederzeit aus Szenen aussteigen oder auch für einzelne Übungen aussetzen. **Leitung** Ich leite seit drei Jahren Impro-Trainings, organisiere Wettbewerbe und Shows und gehe auch selbst regelmäßig zu Fortbildungen. Ich habe über 80 Trainings geleitet. **Beitrag** Es gibt zur Zeit keinen fixen Trainingsbeitrag, aber wir freuen uns immer über freiwillige Spenden für die Leitung und die Organisation. **Achtung:** Das Event ist nur für Teilnehmer\*innen ab 16 Jahre, da wir nicht immer für absolut jugendfreie Geschichten oder Szenen garantieren können. **WA-Gruppe:** https://chat.whatsapp.com/KjK8PzmA8ZGF2gujtOH9D2 Wir empfehlen den Beitritt zur WA-Gruppe da wir nicht immer auf der selben Wiese sind. Hier wird der genaue Live-Standort geteilt. Bitte beachtet aus Datenschutzgründen, dass beim Beitritt der WA-Gruppe alle Mitglieder eure Telefonnummer sehen können. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Donau Insel Improv Training & Picnic** Learn improv theater techniques and different formats in a playful way! You will train your creativity and spontaneity while working on your self-confidence. **Find us here:** [https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.2233687,16.4163003](https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.2233687,16.4163003) (Meeting point coordinates) **--> Please bring your own food and snacks for the picnic! We can then share and eat together.** **What to expect:** * Funny group games * Creative theater exercises * Short improv scenes (only 5 to 8 minutes) * Creating stories together * Lots of laughter, sun, and fun **Improv: What’s in it for you?** * Spontaneity * Self-confidence * Creativity * Learning to embrace mistakes * Acting practice * Teamwork * **Safe Space** A secure environment without pressure to perform, where mutual appreciation is the top priority. You are never under any obligation to participate and can step out of scenes or skip individual exercises at any time. **Instructor** I have been leading improv training for three years, organizing competitions and shows, and regularly attend further training workshops myself. I have led over 80 training sessions. **Contribution** There is currently no fixed fee for the training, but we always appreciate voluntary donations for the instruction and organization. **Please note:** This event is for participants aged 16 and over, as we cannot always guarantee that stories or scenes will be entirely "family-friendly." **WhatsApp Group:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KjK8PzmA8ZGF2gujtOH9D2](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KjK8PzmA8ZGF2gujtOH9D2) We recommend joining the WhatsApp group since we are not always on the same meadow. The exact live location will be shared there. *Please note for privacy reasons that by joining the WhatsApp group, all members will be able to see your phone number.*

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

**NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series: Right and Wrong** To restart NoVES' Philosophy Discussion Series we thought we would choose a topic that is fundamental to philosophy, determining right from wrong. This discussion will look at the thinking that determines right and wrong actions and the values and assumptions underlying these decisions.

Come join us for in-depth discussions on topics relating to moral and political philosophy. This is a group for members who are comfortable discussing topics that are often anxiety producing and controversial. *"Aristotle was a realist who believed that reality and knowledge are found in the physical world, accessible through sensory experience and logic. This led to contrasting views on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality itself. Plato emphasized abstract, ideal concepts, while Aristotle prioritized empirical observation and the study of the natural world."* \- Google Gemini Following Aristotle's lead, this group will lean heavily on empirical data to make arguments. The Socratic method is still the preferred way to engage in conversation, and Platonic Idealism is still relevant to the conversation as points of reference.

**Studio 151 Learning Lab: Photography Foundations Series — Lighting Basics** Photography starts with light—but understanding how to actually *use* it is where most people get stuck. This session is designed to simplify lighting in a way that makes sense for real-world shooting. Instead of a traditional lecture, we’ll learn through curated video content, pausing to break things down, ask questions, and connect it to real studio work. You’ll see how lighting works, talk through it as a group, and then have the chance to explore it hands-on. *** **What We’ll Cover** * Natural light vs. studio light (and when to use each) * Simple one-light setups that work * How light direction shapes your image * Creating clean, consistent results *** **What to Expect** * Guided video learning (watch + pause + discuss) * Real-time breakdown of concepts in plain language * Hands-on opportunities to experiment * Open networking with other photographers * Snacks will be available, bring a bagged lunch if you like! *** **You’ll Leave With** * A clearer understanding of how light works * Simple setups you can try immediately * More confidence in any shooting environment *** Free to attend (limited spots)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Popes and Politics,”** on the history of clashes between pontiffs and world leaders, with Vanessa Corcoran, medieval historian at Georgetown University and scholar of the history of the Roman Catholic church. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-popes-politics](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-popes-politics) .] President Trump recently shocked many by unleashing personal attacks on Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, in a post on the Truth Social platform. Trump has been widely criticized by religious leaders for these remarks, made in response to the pontiff’s advocacy of peace with the U.S and Israel at war with Iran, and for his separate posts of AI-generated images depicting himself as a pope and as Jesus. For his part, Pope Leo has told journalists, “I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” and has found himself at the center of a heated debate over the proper role of any pope when it comes to commenting on global politics. As unsettling as such developments might be to Roman Catholics, they’re hardly unprecedented. Disagreements between popes and world leaders go back to the Middle Ages, and have played a significant role in shaping the Church and its role in the world. Explore the long history of popes’ conflicts with politicians with Vanessa Corcoran, a historian of the Roman Catholic Church who previously has given excellent talks on papal conclaves and the evolution of nativity scenes. She’ll discuss fascinating developments such as the fourteenth century Avignon Papacy, when Philip IV of France got the upper hand in a feud with the Church by pressuring a papal conclave to select a French pope and then getting the church’s leadership relocated from Rome to Avignon for nearly 70 years. In drawing parallels between recent events and medieval attacks on the Church’s authority she’ll describe how today’s anti-Church memes echo the anti-pope and anti-Catholic images that Martin Luther disseminated in large numbers with the help of woodcut printing. We’ll look at tensions between past presidents and past popes over not just wars, but issues such as abortion, stem-cell research, and abortion access. The talk will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the inherent tensions between politics and matters of faith. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From an 1866 Nicolò Barabino painting of the death of Pope Boniface VIII after he was kidnapped and held captive for three days at the behest of King Philip IV of France (Usher Gallery / Wikimedia Commons).

🎤 Call for Speakers: NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2026 (#NYCPPRC2026) This event isn't a typical event, you cannot attend, no one will be hosting, it is instead a placeholder as a reminder of the deadline for submissions to apply to present at this year's conference. 📅 Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026 📍 Conference Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026 📍 Location: Pier 57, NYC (Community Classrooms) [Link to conference event](https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/314020228/). \-\-\- 📣 Call for Speakers We are now accepting speaker submissions for the NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2026. If you have been reading, thinking, and developing ideas you would like to share, this is your opportunity to present to a community of engaged and thoughtful peers. \-\-\- 🧠 About the Conference The NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference brings together readers of philosophy and psychology for a multi-speaker event centered around ideas, discussion, and intellectual exchange. Following our first conference in 2025, we are expanding the event in 2026 with additional speakers, sessions, and opportunities to engage. \-\-\- 🎤 What We Are Looking For We are inviting talks that are: • Thoughtful and well-developed • Grounded in philosophy, psychology, or related disciplines • Accessible to an engaged general audience, not overly technical • Rooted in texts, ideas, or original analysis You might present on: • A philosophical text or thinker • A psychological theory or framework • Connections between philosophy and modern life • An original argument or interpretation • A synthesis of ideas from multiple sources \-\-\- ⏱️ Talk Format • Approximately 20 to 40 minutes per talk • Followed by brief Q&A or discussion \-\-\- 📅 Important Dates • Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026 • Speaker Confirmations: By late June 2026 • Conference Date: September 19, 2026 \-\-\- 📝 How to Apply To be considered, please submit: • Your name • Proposed talk title • A short description (3 to 5 sentences) • Any relevant background (optional) Submission link: [https://forms.gle/PQR4ze6MvdyM31SB6](https://forms.gle/PQR4ze6MvdyM31SB6) \-\-\- 💡 Notes • You do not need to be a professional academic to apply • Clear thinking and strong engagement with ideas matter most • Space is limited, we encourage thoughtful submissions \-\-\- 🤝 Questions If you have any questions about presenting or the event, feel free to reach out to the organizers. \-\-\- We are excited to hear your ideas and build another meaningful conference together.

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