In The News

Audiobooks are having a moment. APB speaker and bestselling author Brad Meltzer along with APB speaker and CBS News contributor David Pogue say it’s the acting and tone of a good narrator that draws listener to the audiobook.  

From grassroots activism to presidential campaigns to working in the White House, speaker Karine Jean-Pierre is now Joe Biden’s 2020 senior advisor. Jean-Pierre had previously served in the Obama White House as regional political director before working as deputy battleground states director on his 2012 re-election.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and a member of The Elders, addressed a high-level open videoconference (VTC) on the United Nations Secretary-General’s annual report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Invited because of her experiences leading Liberia through both the Ebola Crisis and its recovery from a decades-long civil war, President Sirleaf provided insights on how to manage the impact of COVID-19 on civilian populations in conflict and post-conflict situations. She urged the council to “act with boldness” to protect those trapped in conflict and “end the cycle of immeasurable loss and human tragedy.”

Called "America’s Historian" and recognized as one of "Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors," Brad Meltzer recently gave his son a graduation like no other—a personalized one from the comfort of their own living room. In his speech, he said: “This cap is from my high school graduation. When I wore it, I was 18 and I thought I was invincible. When I wore it, I was dating the most beautiful girl in school, my high school sweetheart, now she’s your mom.” Watch the full speech here.

Although traveling and attending social events or group classes are mostly cancelled this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, virtual versions might be possible. APB speaker David Pogue investigated this concept by spending the weekend bingeing Airbnb’s newest virtual experiences.  

American astronauts on American rockets launching from American soil for the first time since 2011. This is Launch America. APB Speaker and Former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino is excited to be a part of Discovery Channel’s live broadcast of Space Launch Live: America Returns to Space, which is in partnership with The Washington Post. The live broadcast will be on May 27th at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT and will go until the launch ends.

2020 marks 100 years of women getting the right to vote! On August 18th, 1920, the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution finally gave women their full voting rights. APB continues to represent several speakers on women's issues, from award-winning actresses and activists to journalists, best-selling authors, entrepreneurs and innovative global leaders. Below, we have highlighted some of our most talked-about and requested female voices. Responsible for inspiring millions, these women continue to empower audiences worldwide.

As CEO of Robin Hood, one of the largest anti-poverty forces in the nation, APB speaker Wes Moore is passionate about helping people in need. CBS News reported that Tina Fey hosted a one-hour virtual telethon called “Rise Up New York,” put on by the Robin Hood Foundation, accompanied by other big-name A-Listers, and helped raise $115 million for New Yorkers during this coronavirus pandemic.  

With Americans believing COVID-19 might end by the summer, APB speaker, COVID-19 expert and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, Dr. Michael Osterholm, says that this pandemic can last up to 18 months, or more. Dr. Osterholm told CNN, "This thing's not going to stop until it infects 60 to 70 percent of people (…) the idea that this is going to be done soon defies microbiology.” He believes that government officials should not be telling citizens that COVID-19 will be ending soon, but instead, they should tell them to prepare for the long haul. Out of the three different scenarios experts laid out for CNN, they all agreed on the common theme of constant “waves” for this pandemic in the coming years.

Michelle Obama’s Chief Speechwriter and APB speaker Sara Hurwitz recently received rave "tweetamonials" from the Obamas about her book, Here All Along. Hurwitz decided to use her lifelong passion of writing and turn it into a book about connecting to religion, specifically Judaism. On April 17, 2020, Former United States President Barack Obama praised her book and recent Washington Post article on showing “lovingkindness” during a time of social distancing.