Distinguished Speakers Series Names Headliners for 2024-25
Jul 23, 2024 12:12AM ● By Mb News Staff
Editor's note: At press time, the Distinguished Speaker Series has already sold out. To join the waitlist for the future seasons, or to purchase subscriptions for the Long Beach, Pasadena, or Thousand Oaks locations, visit www.speakersla.com.
Now entering its 26th year in Redondo Beach, the Distinguished Speaker Series has announced its upcoming list of headliners for its 2024-25 season. Speakers include Trevor Noah, Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Emily Chang and the National Geographic duo of Pete McBride & Kevin Fedarko.
The series is sold in subscription packages for all six evenings with each presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m., just over the border from Manhattan Beach at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.
Between October 2024 and May 2025, on six different evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series brings inspiring stories and presentations from influential, timely, and captivating speakers.
monthly dose of inspiration and connection," said co-owner Kathy Winterhalder. "Our events spark engaging conversations, new ways to look at things and thoughtful discussion on the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times. We give neighbors from differing backgrounds and political persuasions the opportunity to come together during a time where it is both rare and necessary.”
The series kicks off on October 17, 2024, with Trevor Noah, the Emmy Award-winning host of The Daily Show, global comedian, and best-selling author. Noah’s accomplishments and
influence extend worldwide with two sold-out stand-up comedy tours, a bestsellingautobiography about being "Born a Crime" in South Africa, and most recently as Microsoft’s
Chief Question Officer. Known globally as one of comedy’s busiest and brightest stars, Noah will join the series for a rare, intimate evening of conversation that will span his adolescent upbringing in apartheid South Africa, his barrier-breaking career and his new book, Into the Uncut Grass.
Sanjay Gupta, the multi–Emmy Award-winning CNN Chief Medical Correspondent and go-to authority for major developments in medicine, personal health, and health care, will join the series on January 13, 2025. Shaped by his experience as a practicing neurosurgeon and dedicated global journalist, Dr. Gupta will bring a unique perspective on the future of Global Health, including the latest advancements in science, the impact of AI on healthcare, innovation in brain health & aging, and the challenges and critical issues involved in medical breakthroughs.
On April 23, 2025, Zanny Minton Beddoes, the first female editor-in-chief of The Economist, will offer unmatched and timely insights and global perspective on the new developments that impact business and industry—such as COVID-19 or a consequential presidential election— into the broader context of world events from emerging markets and a precarious European Union to corporate America and the latest twists in U.S. politics.
The series will conclude with Emmy Award-winning journalist Emily Chang, whose reporting on global technology and media companies, startups, and the future of business had Business Insider calling her “the star Bloomberg anchor that everyone in tech needs to know.” When she joins the series on May 5, 2025, she will discuss AI innovation, governance, and the ever-evolving dynamic between tech leaders and world governments.
Audience members have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with each speaker during a moderated question and answer session at the conclusion of all events.
The Distinguished Speaker Series is held at the Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., in Redondo Beach. The series is open to the public in subscription packages only and single tickets are not officially available. (Editor's note: Often you will see people selling tickets to individual performances in the days leading up to the event.)
The Distinguished Speaker Series was established in 1995 in response to Southern California’s need for an enlightening entertainment alternative. The series is currently held at four locations, the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, and the historic Civic Auditorium in Pasadena.
“We are so inspired by the world-shapers we’ve brought to Southern California,” said Winterhalder. “It’s gratifying to realize we’ve presented more than 200 luminaries who have transformed our world.” Through the series, Southern Californians have come to know leaders such as President Joe Biden, Liz Cheney, Margaret Thatcher, the Dalai Lama, George Bush, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. They’ve laughed with Steve Martin, Betty White, and Ron Howard. And they’ve been moved by such talents as Vin Scully, Malala Yousafzai, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Redford, and Maya Angelou to name a few.
Future subscriptions can be purchased at www.speakersla.com or by calling (310) 546-6222.