These last few years have been characterized by prolonged uncertainty when it comes to our health, politics, economy, and beyond. Can you blame us for falling deeper into the siren song of our increasingly predictive technologies? Endless suggestions of what to buy, who to date, what to write, where to turn, and what to listen to next flow right into our palms—fooling us into thinking we have control over this unknowable, messy world. The deluge of perfectly curated feeds doesn't help. Renowned psychotherapist, podcast host, and author Esther Perel wants to know: what is this doing to our relationships? How are our expectations of one another changing? It is possible that “knowing” everything is making us less prepared for the uncertainties and imperfections intrinsic to life and love. Chasing certainty has left us inflexible and socially atrophied. How is this impacting our partnerships, friendships, and communities? Much as we try, we can’t optimize intimacy—or can we?

Our country continues to take steps backward when it comes to civil liberties and voting rights when we should be expanding those rights and making it easier for everyone to participate in the democratic process. In this panel, leaders in the fight for civil rights and voting access will be sharing their insight into how we can expand access to voting for marginalized groups.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), released its first full-color images and spectroscopic data on July 12, 2022. As the largest and most complex observatory ever launched into space, Webb went through a six-month period of preparation before it began science operations with 50 major deployments, careful alignment of the mirrors, and calibrating the instruments. These experts will talk about Webb’s latest scientific discoveries, and how this observatory will continue to explore the uncharted territories of our cosmos, and share a never before seen image from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Moderated by self-proclaimed Dateline fan and Grace & Frankie star June Diane Raphael, join Dateline correspondents Josh Mankiewicz & Keith Morrison and Executive Producers David Corvo & Liz Cole for a conversation about how NBC’s longest running primetime program evolved into a true crime powerhouse with a mega podcast hub. With numerous #1 podcasts, including The Thing About Pam, Motive for Murder, Dateline: Missing in America & Mommy Doomsday, along with a Dateline 24/7 streaming channel on Peacock, the team will discuss how the true crime juggernaut is reaching a new generation of fans with its signature storytelling.

2022 saw a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country, and we’ve already seen one Texas lawmaker announce that he will introduce a bill to ban youth from attending drag shows next year. The heated political discourse has led to threats against Pride celebrations and drag shows around the world.   We know these debates are negatively impacting LGBTQ youth — and that access to affirming spaces and representation is crucial to mental health. Amid these relentless attacks on the LGBTQ community, top drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race will join The Trevor Project to discuss drag’s historical roots and cultural significance today, why promoting self-expression is so important, and how we can all help create a more accepting world.

The ‘me too.’ Movement is one of the best examples of the power of a platform to drive equity and disruptive change. For innovators, creators, and business leaders alike, there are powerful learnings in why #MeToo went viral, how the me too. Movement has defined modern culture, and how brands can more deeply connect with communities through personal storytelling. Brands & companies, leaders, and influencers today all are expected to stand for and demonstrate intentional effort in leading change. This is easier said than done amid discomfort and even fear of moving forward imperfectly, making mistakes, and publicly being called to task. This discussion will inspire business leaders, storytellers and change makers to overcome “perfection paralysis” and move forward courageously in the direction of disruptive change for good.

Join Mike Jackson, Emmy® and Tony Award-winning producer and co-founder and managing partner of Get Lifted Film Co. for his ongoing conversation series Why Not Me? hosted at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas. The series explores diversity in the media industry. Why Not Me? creates a platform for people of color and underrepresented communities across film, TV, theatre, books, and sports to share stories of breaking into the industry and making a lasting impact for generations to follow. Jackson grants opportunity to diverse filmmakers and casts through his acclaimed productions and has developed projects with major networks and studios featuring people of color in front of and behind the camera amid fascinating storylines, bringing elevated multicultural content to global audiences alongside Ty Stiklorius and EGOT-winner John Legend. Additional talent to be confirmed.

William Shatner has cultivated a career spanning over 60 years as an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer, recording artist, and horseman. He is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures and a major philanthropist. He has won Emmys and also won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer “Denny Crane” on both The Practice and Boston Legal. He has received four additional Emmy nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.   Mr. Shatner currently is the host and executive producer of The UnXplained on The History Channel. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, the one-hour, non-fiction series explores the world’s most fascinating, strange and inexplicable mysteries. Shatner continues to act, write, produce and direct while still making time to work with charities and further his passion in equestrian sports. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Sexual pleasure has been lurking in the shadows, hidden discretely in store aisles, lit up in neon on the side of highways, in glimpses on late-night TV, or relegated to the dark and dirty corners of the internet. The sex industry deserves innovation. Global sextech leader Bryony Cole set up Sextech School to do exactly that - bring founders, entrepreneurs, investors, job seekers and learners together in a six week online school to share the best new sextech ideas to transform them into viable businesses and create a vibrant, collaborative and sex positive community that is growing the sextech industry together.  

With music consumption at an all-time high, a new songwriter economy has emerged, where music creators of all levels thrive and local repertoire reaches new fans across borders and genres. It's not just about writing hits but tapping into global opportunities that span various regions, art forms, and entertainment mediums, from TV/film, gaming, and Web3 to theater and production music. Music publishers will need to adapt their way of working to remain relevant, taking advantage of these new opportunities for their entire roster vs. focusing only on megastars and market share. Join Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot along with Grammy Award-winning songwriting/production duo Nova Wav, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and artist Murda Beatz, and Billboard Editorial Director Hannah Karp for a lively discussion about the future of music publishing and the new songwriter economy.