Each year, The Richmond Forum presents five programs of engaging, influential, entertaining and educational speakers to its members. The Richmond Forum is a sought-after subscription series with sold-out crowds, so VPM is proud to make these programs available free of charge to the public this summer for a limited time.
Check out the line-up and schedule below and be sure to catch these on television and livestreaming on the PBS App this summer!
Martha Stewart with Soledad O’Brien: The Life Behind Living (Held April 26, 2025)
Premieres Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday, June 8 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, June 10 at 9 p.m.
Lifestyle legend, influencer and entrepreneur Martha Stewart speaks candidly about her early ambitions, triumphs over adversity and zest for life with award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien.
Dr. Cornel West and Thomas Chatterton Williams: The Absolute Condemnation of No One (Held April 29, 2023)
*Note: This program is from the 2022-2023 season
Premieres Thursday, June 12 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday, June 15 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, August 12 at 9 p.m.
What work could be done to help America transcend polarization? Dr. Cornel West and Thomas Chatterton Williams explore alternate approaches to cultivating a redemptive society, seeking a post-racial future and condemning no one.
Dr. Amber Straughn: NASA’s Search for Cosmic History (Held on January 11, 2025)
Premieres Thursday, June 19 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. and then Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
Experience the cosmos with NASA’s Dr. Amber Straughn. Look through billions of light years with images from the James Webb Space Telescope. See how curiosity, failure, perseverance, science and engineering result in daring exploration and discovery.
Coach K: Playing to Win (Held on February 15, 2025)
Premieres Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday, Jun 29 at 2 p.m. and then Tuesday, July 1 at 9 p.m.
Experience a crash leadership course from Coach K – Duke University’s legendary former head basketball coach. Mike Krzyzewski shares anecdotes, advice and tips for developing teams, creating winning attitudes, preparing for - and delivering - wins.
Richard Reeves: Are Boys Falling Behind? (Held on March 22, 2025)
Premieres Thursday, July 3 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday, July 6 at 2 p.m. and then Tuesday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
Is the gender imbalance shifting to make life more difficult for males in modern society? Some data show males are falling behind at school, home and work. So-called redshirting (delaying school enrollment) might help change that. Research and fatherhood experiences inform author Richard Reeves’ take on masculinity in our modern society.
Baratunde Thurston: Artificial Intelligence: What Is Real? (Held on November 23, 2024)
Premieres Thursday July 10 at 8 p.m., re-airing Sunday July 13 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, July 15 at 8 p.m.
Are core characteristics of human nature impacted by our obsession with AI? Is a future balanced between commercial needs and humanitarian interests within grasp? Baratunde Thurston explores the use of AI and its implications for impacting our humanity.
For media inquiries, contact Danny Nokes ([email protected]).