The 2026 Lind Initiative Series, America First, America Alone? Global Politics in an Age of Uncertainty, brought together a range of journalists, artists, and public intellectuals to interrogate the consequences of American disengagement from the global order. This year’s series sparked vital discussions around the future of democratic norms, the realignment of global power, and what a post-American world might look like.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for these compelling talks. Recordings from this year’s series are now available to watch below.
Thomas L. Friedman
Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and author, Thomas L. Friedman has spent over four decades translating the complexities of global politics, technology, and the environmental crisis into sharp, accessible insight. Moderated by Peter Klein.
Charity Weeden
A seasoned veteran of civil, commercial, and military space policy, Charity Weeden is a former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy and 23-year Royal Canadian Air Force veteran. She joins the Lind Initiative to discuss how modern space activities are being shaped by geopolitics here on Earth. Moderated by Michael Byers.
Hasan Piker
Wielding sharp political insight and a characteristically irreverent sense of humour, Hasan Piker is redefining what political commentary looks like in the digital age. A journalist and wildly-popular content creator on the streaming platform Twitch, Piker has become an authoritative voice for millennials and Gen Z. Moderated by Nojang Khatami.
Dread Scott
Interdisciplinary artist and activist Dread Scott has spent his career using art to disrupt norms, question corrupt systems of power, and ignite necessary political conversations. His work, he writes, “looks towards an era without exploitation or oppression,” challenging the notion that current political and economic structures of America as inevitable. Moderated by Elliott Ramsey.
Rachel Maddow
Emmy-award winner Rachel Maddow has long been one of America’s most rigorous and trusted journalists. As host of MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show, now in its 17th year, Maddow has become an indispensable figure for those seeking reliable, historically informed political analysis. Moderated by Heidi Tworek.
Carlos Lozada
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Carlos Lozada brings a singular blend of curiosity, empathy, and precision to his analysis of political nonfiction writing in America. He is an opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of The Washington Book: How to Read Politics and Politicians. Moderated by Max Cameron.
The 2026 Lind Initiative was presented by UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in partnership with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, The Polygon Gallery, and the Outer Space Institute.
