Lectures
Osher at Dartmouth frequently offers special lectures; these are single-session presentations on a variety of topics, delivered by guest lecturers.
The Persian Puzzle: Power, Politics, Paranoia, Pain, Paradox
Empire to Democracy to Theocracy
A 4-part lecture series
Saturdays, October 3 - 24, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speaker: David Bisno
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Auditorium E
Cost:
Osher Members: $95.00
Non-Members: $105.00
Register
With carefully crafted, colorful slides, David will help us appreciate why Iranians
today hate Americans even more than they hate the English. What was the path by which
American hubris, ineptitude, delusions, and catastrophic miscalculations led to the
present situation? What parts did oil, communists, Israelis, shahs, and an Islamic
God play in the story? Join us for a spirited discussion as we weave together Persian-Iranian
history with Hamlet, King Lear, and Richard III to unveil not a single error but a
pattern of English greed and American inattentiveness, bureaucratic infighting, and
a string of strategic blunders that allowed unnecessary crises to become a historic
rupture with worldwide repercussions.
David Bisno, a retired ophthalmologist with degrees from Harvard, Dartmouth, and the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis), has, for the past 33 years, developed and presented courses on a myriad of subjects for ILEAD/Osher and for other institutes for lifelong learning across this country and overseas. He is known for clear, fair, nuanced presentations of provocative, complicated topics, engaging his students with energy and enthusiasm. He looks forward to lively discussion.
End-of-Life Options in the Live Free or Die State
Thursday, October 22, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Speakers: Rebecca Brown and Dr. Erik Pollak
Zoom
Cost:
Osher Members: $10.00
Non-Members: $15
Register for Zoom
Many people have an advance directive, but few understand how decisions are actually carried out in a medical setting. This class examines end-of-life planning in New Hampshire, including the role of advance directives and the critical importance of medical orders such as POLST and DNR. We will cover end-of-life options available in NH now, including voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED). We will also cover Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), a legal option available to roughly one-third of Americans, but not yet here in NH. We'll discuss what MAiD is, what it is not, where things stand in NH, and how individuals are working to bring this option to NH. The emphasis is on practical understanding, clear communication, and preparing for real-world decisions. This event is free and open to the public.
Rebecca Brown is founder and director of the New Hampshire Alliance for End-of-Life Options (www.nhendoflifeoptions.org). The Alliance is a grassroots effort dedicated to better end-of-life experiences for all people and advocating for allowing medical aid in dying in New Hampshire. Rebecca is a journalist and author, founded and directed the North Country's lands conservancy, and is a professional fly-fishing guide. Her commitment to improving end-of-life experiences for all grew from her husband’s death while she was serving in the NH Legislature. She focuses on the policy and personal realities of serious illness, death, and dying.
Dr. Eric Pollak is a family physician and hospice medical director with over 30 years of experience accompanying patients through the challenges of serious illness. He focuses on shared decision-making, blending clinical evidence and judgment with a deep respect for individual values and goals. His work reflects a sustained commitment to making care at the end of life more humane, thoughtful, and aligned with what matters most to patients and families.
A Conversation with Mohsen Mahdawi
Saturday, October 31, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Speakers: David Bisno and Mohsen Mahdawi
Auditorium E, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Cost:
Osher Members: $10
Osher Non-Members: $15
Register
We are fortunate, indeed, to be able to once again listen to, question, and learn from Mohsen Mahdawi.
Born in a Palestinian refugee camp 36 years ago, traumatized there as a youngster, escaping to the United States 12 years ago, and now a Green Card-holding, lawful, permanent resident of the U.S., he is grateful to be able to call the Upper Valley his home. Mohsen is well on his way to earning a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs at Columbia University, as he legally fights the current U.S. government’s efforts to remove him from our country.
Emotional Intelligence
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Thomas Lacroix
1 Court St., Lebanon, NH
Cost:
Osher Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
Register
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and influence emotions in yourself and others. It is a skill that can be measured and improved over time. People with high emotional intelligence are more influential and attractive, generally happier and more successful. Emotionally intelligent people understand why they are experiencing emotions and have the ability to change how they and others feel.
In this two-hour session, we will ask and try to resolve these questions: What are emotions? What causes emotions? Why do we have them? When are emotions healthy and when are they not? How can we influence how we feel, particularly when it comes to worry and stress?
Tom Lacroix is a dynamic leader with over 35 years of leadership, coaching, and training experience. During his career, he has led sales and customer care teams for large organizations. As a paid consultant, executive coach, and public speaker, Tom brings practical and applicable skills development to groups interested in improving leadership skills, sales, conversational skills, and emotional intelligence.
Botanic Garden, the Musical: An Immersive Listening Experience
Monday, November 23, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Speaker: Lindsay Jones
Zoom
Cost:
Osher Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
Register
It’s Kate’s first date as a widow, and she’s desperate to get out of it. There’s only one person who can help—Jake, her dead husband.
Botanic Garden, the Musical: A Listening Event invites you to experience the complete musical in a uniquely intimate theatrical format.
With the lights lowered, the story unfolds through the exclusive audio recording designed for the listening experience, accompanied by captions and an accompanying visual environment. Your attention turns entirely to the voices, music, and story, leaving space for your own imagination to bring Kate and Jake’s world to life.
Lindsay Jones is a Tony-nominated composer and sound designer with over 800 shows on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in theatres around the world. He has composed music for over 40 films, including the Oscar-winning A Note of Triumph for HBO Films. He has received a Webby Award, an Ambie Award, and three Signal Awards for his work in podcasts. He is the co-chair of Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA) and teaches at UNCSA.
Emotional Intelligence
Monday, January 11, 2027
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speaker: Thomas Lacroix
1 Court St., Lebanon, NH
Cost:
Osher Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
Register
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and influence emotions in yourself and others. It is a skill that can be measured and improved over time. People with high emotional intelligence are more influential and attractive, generally happier and more successful. Emotionally intelligent people understand why they are experiencing emotions and have the ability to change how they and others feel.
In this two-hour session, we will ask and try to resolve these questions: What are emotions? What causes emotions? Why do we have them? When are emotions healthy and when are they not? How can we influence how we feel, particularly when it comes to worry and stress?
Tom Lacroix is a dynamic leader with over 35 years of leadership, coaching, and training experience. During his career, he has led sales and customer care teams for large organizations. As a paid consultant, executive coach, and public speaker, Tom brings practical and applicable skills development to groups interested in improving leadership skills, sales, conversational skills, and emotional intelligence.