A new season of big ideas, thoughtful conversation, and compelling voices is coming to the Cape. The 2026 Cape Cod Speaker Series brings together leaders, innovators, and storytellers for evenings that inform, inspire, and connect our community.
For the first time, we’re offering a Season Series Ticket – a simple way to experience the full series while supporting the future of CCSS. Supporter tickets help sustain the series and expand what’s possible in the seasons ahead.
CCSS Supporter Series Subscription ($270) includes:
General Admission Series Subscription ($125) includes:
Tilden Center for the Arts at Cape Cod Community College, 7 PM
Harvard professor, democracy advocate, and one of the country’s leading voices on civic life, Danielle Allen brings history into sharp focus for today’s moment. Drawing from her newest book, The Radical Duke, she explores how the American Revolution reshaped ideas of power, equality, and democracy—and what that legacy means now.
Program partner:
2026 David R. Gergen Address
Tilden Center for the Arts at Cape Cod Community College, 7 PM
Co-founder of The Carlyle Group and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, David Rubenstein is widely known for his work at the intersection of leadership, philanthropy, and history. In this special inaugural program honoring David Gergen’s legacy, Rubenstein reflects on America’s founding principles and the enduring call to lead with purpose and service, as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Introducing the David R. Gergen Address
This year, we are honored to launch a new annual tradition inspired by David Gergen, whose vision helped bring the Cape Cod Speaker Series to life. Each year, this address is delivered by an individual whose actions and deeds reflect the values, integrity, and commitment to service for which David was known.
Emmy Award–winning producer, entrepreneur, and global telecom leader, David McCourt, brings a wide-ranging perspective on innovation, media, and economic opportunity. His latest PBS series, Amerigo: The Search for the American Dream, explores how the promise of opportunity has evolved—and whether it remains within reach for working Americans today. In this conversation, he shares insights from his travels across the country, challenging assumptions about division and offering a more grounded view of how Americans actually experience their communities.
Program partner:
President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, former Head Coach of the Celtics, and legendary head coach at Butler University, where he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA Championship games. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear directly from the architect of one of the NBA's most storied franchises as he shares insights on leadership, team building, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Heyward is the former President of CBS News and a nationally recognized expert on the changing media landscape. He took the stage to discuss the political, economic, and cultural threats facing trustworthy journalism and what we can do to ensure that it not only survives, but thrives.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Midnight in Moscow, John Sullivan's career spans four decades in public service in prominent diplomatic and legal positions under five US presidents. In June, he spoke candidly about 'the real' Vladimir Putin, the war in Ukraine, and why it should matter deeply to Americans,
These longtime Washington journalists (The New York Times, The New Yorker) have written about the intersection of government, politics, and the world for decades. They are most recently authors of The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 and The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III, both New York Times bestsellers.
Author of The Great Displacement, Jake joined us for a hopeful conversation on how climate change is reshaping communities, including our own. He is a staff writer for the climate news site The Grist, whose reporting also has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and other national publications. He was joined by Dan Wolf, Paul Niedzwiecki and Kristy Senatori who discussed local solutions, resilience, and the actions we can take now to protect our coast and our communities.
Jonathan Zittrain, an internationally renowned internet expert and a professor of law, computer science, and public policy at Harvard University, tackled the complex and challenging world of Artificial Intelligence.. Zittrain was the inaugural speaker of our series.
Just weeks before the 2024 presidential election, Steven Levitsky, the Harvard University professor who is a leading expert on democracy and authoritarianism and a New York Times best-selling author, spoke about the threats to democracy around the globe and here at home.
August Program Feature Top Political and Climate Voices
Ambassador John Sullivan on June 25
Johnathan Zittrain on August 13
The Point: Political journalists chronicle Trump's presidency
Former CBS News Chief to host Journalism Talk
The Point: The Changing Media Landscape
Spring Speaker Series brings former CBS President to 4Cs
Best Bet: Figuring out what fuels threats to democracy with expert speaker Steven Levitsky
The Point: A Call to reform antiquated U.S. political institutions
Troy's Take: Focusing on Intellectual Energy on Our Peninsula
New Cape Cod Speaker Series' Launching in August
Lawrence Brown: Celebrating a New Initiative to Bring National Speakers to Cape Cod
August Program Feature Top Political and Climate Voices
Ambassador John Sullivan on June 25
Jonathan Zittrain on August 13
After an introduction from the series moderator, there will be a 45 minute speaker presentation followed by a Q&A session with audience submitted questions.
No. The events are only available to in-person attendees.
Yes, questions may be written on the note cards during the presentation. The note cards will be picked up by ushers and passed to the moderator. Although time may be limited, many questions from the audience will be covered during the Q&A period.
Yes, all attendees who’ve submitted an email address will receive an end of the season survey.
No. Speaker contracts allow for dissemination of presentation for limited educational purposes only.
The Cape Cod Speaker Series, Inc. (CCSS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by local residents dedicated to bringing diverse voices, cultural opportunities and educational support to Cape Cod.
The CCSS hosts nationally recognized experts, inspiring thought leaders and prominent personalities to address challenging issues, share entertaining topics and stimulate conversation. Speakers offer their perspectives on a range of subjects from global affairs to the media, the environment, politics, history, science, the arts and culture. Through these programs we strive to build understanding and respect for differing points of view and experiences in our community.
After setting aside funds for future operations, any surplus generated by CCSS will go to providing financial aid to Cape Cod Community College students.
Please contact us with any queries you have regarding speakers, volunteer opportunities, sponsorships or other ways to partner with CCSS.
