Staying Human

April 25, 2026

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Join us for the 3rd Annual Hudson Valley Ideas Festival, where a diverse community of entrepreneurs, artists, thought leaders, and writers converge to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time. This year's lineup features notable voices including American linguist, professor, and New York Times columnist John McWhorter, comedian Alexis Gay, creative agency founder John Limotte, and assistant professor of human-computer interaction Steven Rathje. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in meaningful conversations that will shape the way we face the challenges in our society today.

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2026 Speakers

John McWhorter is professor of linguistics at Columbia University, where he also teaches American studies and music history. He has authored a number of books on race relations and African-American culture his writing often appears in the New York Times.
Alexis Gay is a standup and sketch comedian whose videos have garnered over 15 million views online. She has entertained an audience of 130k+ with her witty and relatable content.
John Limotte is the founder of Mijo, a creative agency behind some of today's most compelling brand content, including work for Netflix. He previously founded and sold the acclaimed agency Mustache after years of creative leadership.
Steven Rathje is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (starting Fall 2026). His research examines how digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and social media shape psychological outcomes including polarization, intergroup conflict, mental health, and well-being.