Past Events
New Bedford Science Café Talk
The Importance of Not Knowing in An Age of Flux
March 5th, 2024
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Last Round Bar and Grille
New Bedford, MA
A grassroots global phenomena, Science Cafés around the world offer the chance for scientific experts to engage with the public in an informal setting. Maggie will join the New Bedford Science Café to talk about why psychological uncertainty is a kind of good stress that prepares the brain to learn and how contemporary pressures to be quick and sure may perilously narrow our thinking, deepen our anxieties, and exacerbate our divisions. Grab a beer and a bite and learn why being unsure is critical for human flourishing in a time of rising unknowns.
Event is free. Books and food/drinks will be available for purchase. Learn more here.
The Wisdom of Not-Knowing: Finding Wonder and Curiosity in an Age of Fear
Febuary 18th, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Dedee Shattuck Gallery
1 Partner’s Lane
Westport, MA 02790
How does a restful pause seed deep insight? Why do scientists call forgetting a friend to learning? How does unsureness help us stand up for what's right while at the same time begin healing the divisions of our day? Join Maggie Jackson at the beautiful DeDee Shattuck Gallery for an interactive discussion of her acclaimed new book Uncertain. Maggie will be in conversation with Mindy Todd, host of WCAI's award-winning public affairs program The Point.
In an age of rising unknowns, it's all too easy to retreat into the comfort of our certainty. But only by being skillfully unsure can we gain the agility and discernment needed to thrive in an era of flux. And uncertainty as a strength of mind comes in myriad modes from the suspense of pausing to the "unassumingness" needed to see the humanity in our enemies. There is no better time to be unsure.
Reception and book signing to follow. Learn more here.
The Wisdom of Uncertainty: Facing 2024 with Wonder and Curiosity, Not Fear Maggie Jackson with A.J. Jacobs
January 30th, 2024
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Church of the Heavenly Rest
1085 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10128
In an age of rising unknowns, it’s all too easy to retreat into the comfort of our certainty. But only by being skillfully unsure can we gain the agility and discernment needed in a volatile era. Join renowned author Maggie Jackson for a fascinating dive into her new book Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, nominated for a National Book Award and named to three “Best Books of 2023” lists.
Uncertain highlights the new scientific discoveries that reveal this mindset as a key path to human flourishing and an antidote to the narrow-mindedness of our time. Far from miring us in inertia, uncertainty is a gadfly of the mind, jolting us from complacency into cognitive spaces for exploring unseen meaning. A scientific adventure tale set in AI labs, operating rooms, c-suites, and artist studios from Paris to LA, Uncertain has been lauded as "remarkable and persuasive" (Library Journal) and "incisive and timely" (Dan Pink). Maggie will be joined by A.J. Jacobs, a podcaster and the bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically, Thanks A Thousand, and most recently The Puzzler, which the New York Times called a "romp, both fun and funny."
Reserve a spot here.
Boston College Center for Work & Family Distinguished Speaker Series
December 7th, 2023
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Virtual
Why is the uncertainty that marks work and family life very often a form of unrecognized "good stress" and a spur to adaptability in times of rapid change? How are smartphones likely making adults and kids alike more fearful of the unknown? As part of this series of talks featuring leading scholars discussing their cutting-edge research, Maggie Jackson will share findings from her new book Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, released Nov. 7. An Amazon Top New Release and a National Book Award nominee, Uncertain reveals the critical role that uncertainty plays in fostering adaptability, curiosity, resilience, and creativity - the very skills we need in an age of angst and flux.
Register here.
Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women presents: Exploring the Unknown with Creativity and Curiosity: Tools for Recovery and Renewal
December 6th, 2023
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Harvard Graduate School of Education - Larsen Hall, Room 214
4 Appian Way,
Cambridge, MA 02138
In this event, Maggie will discuss uncertainty's crucial role in fostering creativity, curiosity, and resilience, the very skills we need in a time of flux and angst. She will share cutting-edge science and practical solutions from Uncertain and collaborate with creativity consultant Midori Evans to explore not-knowing as an unsung path to human flourishing.
All are welcome! Give yourself the best of holiday gifts: renewal! $30 for workshop and dinner. Books will be for sale at the event.
Register here.
A Walking Book Tour featuring Uncertain sponsored by the South Coast Almanac
December 2nd, 2023
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Meet at Brownell Library
44 Commons Street
Little Compton, RI
Stretch your legs and learn about the wisdom and wonder of uncertainty! A popular British innovation, a "walking book tour" makes a book literally leap off the page for both readers and authors. At this event, the beautiful village of Little Compton is the backdrop for a deep-dive into the stories and findings behind Maggie Jackson's popular new book, Uncertain. We will hear why uncertainty fuels the success of great thinkers, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Charles Darwin. We will learn why treating knowledge as mutable and evolving, rather than 'set-in-stone,' helps us grow and learn.
Please note: The author-led 1.5 hour tour will take place largely outdoors, involve about a half-mile of easy walking, and conclude with a book signing. Please wear appropriate gear. Parking is plentiful around the village. A snack will be provided and Uncertain will be available for sale.
Register for the talk here.
Talk at the NY Society Library on Uncertainty’s Timely and Surprising Gifts
November 30th, 2023
6:00 pm
New York Society Library Member’s Room
53 East 79th Street
New York, NY
Maggie returns to the venerable New York Society Library to discuss Uncertain, her revolutionary guide to flourishing in times of flux and angst by harnessing the overlooked power of our uncertainty. Why is uncertainty so unsettling, and how does the unease of this mindset paradoxically inspire agility and better-decision making in volatile times? How are our devices feeding an unhealthy yearning for certainty? How can we build resilience and lower anxiety by simply learning how to lean into not-knowing in our lives? Join Maggie for an eye-opening discussion of the role that not-knowing can play in fostering the cognitive skills we need most today.
Open to the public. Register here for the livestream or here for the in-person talk.
The Most Essential Unsung Mindset of Our Time: Uncertainty
November 18th, 2023
3:00 pm
Barrington Books, in partnership with the Barrington Public Library
281 Country Road
Barrington, RI
Why should we seek uncertainty in an age of flux and angst? In a nutshell, this discomfiting mindset is essential to fostering curiosity, creativity, adaptability, and resilience, the cognitive skills we need most in volatile times. Join Maggie and a special surprise conversation partner for an eye-opening, scientific look at how not-knowing turns out to be a radical new path to human flourishing.
Register here.
Conversation Around Uncertain at the Strand Books
November 16th, 2023
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Strand Books
828 Broadway at 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
At the renowned Strand bookstore in Manhattan, Maggie will lead a conversation centered around her latest book: Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure.
In this scientific adventure tale set on the front lines of a volatile era, award-winning author Maggie Jackson shows us how to skillfully confront the unexpected and the unknown, and how to harness not-knowing in the service of wisdom, invention, mutual understanding, and even resilience.
After the event, Maggie will be available for book-signings.
Advanced tickets strongly recommended! Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Author Reading at Longfellow Books
November 9th, 2023
6:00 pm
Longfellow Books
1 Monument St. Path
Portland, ME
Continuing her launch-tour, Maggie will lead a talk and reading from Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure at Longfellow Books in Portland Maine.
After her presentation, Maggie will be available for conversation and book-signings.
This event is free and open to the public!
Learn more here.
Reading from Uncertain at Curiosity Co.
November 8th, 2023
6:00 pm
Curiosity & Co.
14 Narragansett Ave
Jamestown, RI 02835
Come by Curiosity & Co. Store, a book-shop, wine bar, and art gallery, on Wednesday Nov. 8th to hear Maggie present Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure.
At this intimate event, Maggie will read excerpts from Uncertain and be available for conversation and book-signings.
Tickets are $10 including a glass of wine.
Learn more here.
Author Reading to Celebrate Release of Uncertain
November 7th, 2023
6:00 - 7:30 pm
The Corner Bookstore
1313 Madison Ave. at 92rd Street
New York, New York
Maggie will celebrate the launch of Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure with a reading at neighborhood staple The Corner Bookstore.
Already lauded as "urgently needed", "powerful", and "incisive" in early reviews, Uncertain explores the surprising upsides of being unsure in an age of flux and angst.
Free and Open to All! Please come early - the event is first-come, first-serve, with a maximum audience of 50.
Learn more here.
A Talk on Uncertainty’s Timely and Surprising Gifts
November 4th, 2023
1:00 pm
Brownell Library
44 Commons Street
Little Compton, RI
Kick off the launch of Uncertain with an interactive community discussion with pioneering author Maggie Jackson. Why do humans innately fear uncertainty and how can this trait lead to close-mindedness and anxiety in a digital age? How are our smartphones likely feeding an unhealthy yearning for certainty? How does being unsure build resilience, curiosity, and adaptability, and what are the simple, proven steps we can take to cultivate a healthy skill in not-knowing?