Sunday Jan. 4. at 10:00 at One Roof’s Central Hillside Community Center at 12 East 4th Street in Duluth (coffee / chat at 9:30).
Whether you’re an atheist, a skeptic, or simply someone who values reasoned dialogue, LSF’s January speaker will equip you with tools to create more meaningful, respectful, and successful exchanges.
Have you ever stepped out of a conversation about religion or world-views feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or simply exhausted? Many of us have wondered why some discussions seem to go in circles, and why connecting across deep disagreements can feel so difficult. This presentation explores how the newest research in the science of influence, persuasion, and argumentation can be used effectively to transform those moments. We’ll cover practical techniques for having thoughtful, productive conversations with people whose beliefs differ dramatically from your own, so you can walk away feeling informed, confident, and even inspired rather than drained.
DR. RAJIV VAIDYANATHAN is a professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota Duluth and an expert in the psychology of influence and decision making. He has won awards for his teaching, research, and service at the University. In addition to his academic work, Rajiv is a sought-after speaker on the psychology underlying leadership, sales, and executive decision making. He has worked with several large Fortune 50 companies as well as local and regional businesses. He teaches consumer behavior and marketing research and is actively engaged in applying behavioral science to organizational challenges.
Join us Sunday December 7th at 9:30am at the Hillside Community Center, 12 East 4th Street (at the side door), in person and via Zoom for an LSF Party and LSF review.
WE’RE HAVING A PARTY! BE SURE TO ARRIVE BY 9:30 AM AND COME HUNGRY!
Additional food and beverages
Drawings for prizes
Music!
Feel free to bring a dish or treats to share
We will review the results of our recent member survey
Bring your ideas & suggestions for future LSF activities & topics
Plus a look back at LSF’s 2025 events You will not want to miss this special Freethinkers year end event!
November 2nd’s First Sunday meeting brings Dr. Joel Sipress from UWS to LSF.
Join us Sunday November 2nd at 10am at the Hillside Community Center, 12 East 4th Street (at the side door), in person and via Zoom for a presentation by Joel Sipress
THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED STATES Doors open for coffee and chat at 9:30 am Americans often think of the United States as the first modern democracy. In many ways, though, democracy in the United States has been hampered by antiquated political institutions that were designed for a very different historical era. This talk will place the current crisis in American democracy in historical context by examining the strengths and weaknesses of this country’s democratic institutions over time.
JOEL SIPRESS has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Superior since 1994, with a focus on U.S. and Latin American History. He is a passionate believer in the transformative power of learning and encourages his students to think in deep and meaningful ways about the big questions in the field of History. His ultimate goal is for students to become empowered to make their own sense of the complex and oftentimes troubling world that we live in. He received his Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied the relationship between race and class in the construction of the modern political system of the American South.
Joel is a guitarist whose proudest moments include the live outdoor performance of the Who’s Tommy LP that he participated in on the UW-Superior campus. He previously served on the Duluth, Minnesota City Council.
Joel Sipress – Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Americans often think of the United States as the first modern democracy. In many ways, though, democracy in the United States has been hampered by antiquated political institutions that were designed for a very different historical era. This talk will place the current crisis in American democracy in historical context by examining the strengths and weaknesses of this country’s democratic institutions over time. More about Joel.
October 5th’s First Sunday meeting will feature two Duluth City Council Candidates
Diane Desotelle: Duluth City Council Candidate for District 2, https://www.dianeforduluth.com/ Diane Desotelle and her husband raised two children in Duluth who are proud graduates of Duluth Public Schools. One way they live their values is owning one car and biking or walking to work/play as often as possible. Diane volunteers for climate action, environmental, local food and housing groups. For fun and recreation, she enjoys hiking or skiing, playing guitar, gardening, and writing stories. By trade, Diane is a civil engineer and land use planner who knows what it takes to build and maintain clean water, sewer, and road systems. She’s owned a small business and taught math to middle and high schoolers, water resources and environmental education at the college level, in our federal prison and to decision makers. She has worked to preserve and restore public green spaces and volunteered as an advocate for shelters to save lives and housing to end homelessness. Diane knows what it takes to fund and support the work needed for projects that serve us all. In her years of work with the city and the state, she has built the understanding and knowledge needed to work with a diversity of partners to not only help the environment but sustain our economy and social fabric. Diane is focused on encouraging local investment and attracting new markets for a more sustainable local economy, stewardship of our parks, trails and natural systems, tackling Duluth’s housing and homelessness issues, unleashing the power of volunteers in our community, and educating our citizens about planning for climate change.
Jordon Johnson: Duluth City Council Candidate At Large, http://www.jordonforduluth.com/ Jordon Johnson, PhD, was born and raised in Duluth where he graduated from Marshall School in 1990. After completing his doctorate at the University of New Mexico, he returned back to Minnesota to be close to his mom and extended family. Jordon is an only child and raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs throughout his childhood. His dad, who passed away in 2022, grew up in Duluth and graduated from Central High School. Upon moving back home, Jordon has brought a wealth of knowledge, initiatives, and effective actions to lift up individuals and families in the area especially our young people.
Jordon has spent 20 plus years working alongside community members as an educator, in executive leadership, and an engaged volunteer in different capacities. He believes in the power of the people to create positive and sustainable change that benefits us all. He has taught in higher education, worked in nonprofit organizations, and is a public health champion. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Center of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
Jordon brings a wealth of lived experience and knowledge related to advocating to lift up community health and wellbeing. He is a first-generation college student, living a recovery path, and embracing who he is as a transman. He enjoys running, training and spending time in the outdoors with his dog all year around. He has run Grandma’s marathon multiple times, did a New York Half Ironman last year, and training for his first full Ironman in Wisconsin this September.
Lake Superior Freethinkers 