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OLLI Talks

OLLI Talks are one-time presentations, lecturers, or workshops held usually around the lunch hour, but can be offered at other times. Like our courses, OLLI Talks cover a wide-range of topics and areas. Additional OLLI Talks will be added as dates and times are confirmed.

In-Person Viewing of Zoom OLLI Talks. When possible, online OLLI Talks can be watched at the UMass Boston campus and/or Thayer Public Library in Braintree. In the descriptions that follow, it will be noted if a specific Zoom OLLI Talk will be available to watch in-person. No registration is necessary for these in-person viewing of online OLLI Talks.

OLLI Talk presentations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Listing and Descriptions of Fall 2026 OLLI Talks (pdf file)

You must have a current membership and be signed in to request OLLI Talks. If the “Add to Cart" button is not displayed for a specific Talk, either you are not logged in and/or your membership has expired. Check your account for your membership's expiration date.

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The OLLI Talks listed below are in chronological order by presentation date.

Is This a Stroke!? Learn to BE FAST.
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 9/22/2026 - 9/22/2026

Location: Thayer Public Library, Braintree
Room: Logan Auditorium
Facilitator: Marguerite Magri
Schedule Notes:
Strokes are a leading cause of disability and death in the United States and affect people of all ages. This talk will explore the definition and presentation of strokes, a brief overview of the brain, risk factors for having a stroke and learning the actions to take if you or someone you know are showing symptoms of a stroke.

The Beautiful Brain: The Nervous System Under the Microscope
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 9/24/2026 - 9/24/2026

Location: UMass Boston Campus - McCormack Hall
Room: 612, 3rd Floor
Facilitator: Tim Wheelock
Schedule Notes:
Looking at brain tissue through a microscope can be as fascinating as swimming in a coral reef. Using silver, chemical, fluorescent, and antibody stains brings out the incredible beauty of the nerve cells that populate our nervous system. In this presentation, we will look at a wide variety of neurons: their shapes, sizes, how they communicate with each other, and the function of the structures within which they reside. We will explore the cerebral cortex, the memory-producing hippocampus, the habit-producing striatum, the coordination-producing cerebellum, and the cells that synthesize the chemical transmitters that allow our minds to function.

Building Fort Monroe
Day: Monday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 9/28/2026 - 9/28/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator:
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to this presentation.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers, led by Simon Bernard, designed the largest masonry fort in the United States after the War of 1812. The actual labor source of predominately enslaved individuals used to build the fort had been largely left out the narrative when looking at this national monument. In this program, OLLI students will be presented with primary and secondary sources in order to understand and interpret historical context and narrative. Participants will also gain an understanding of engineering design from the 19th century by discovering the architectural features that help the fort remain standing after 200 years.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston. Signs will be posted to indicate where to watch in McCormack Hall.

The Six Pillars of Brain Health
Day: Wednesday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 9/30/2026 - 9/30/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Jeff Zornitsky
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to this presentation.
Maintaining and improving brain health is important because it affects our cognitive health, motor and sensory skills, and emotional well being. A lifestyle that supports brain health can make a difference to your well-being throughout your life. This session provides an informative overview of the six major pillars of brain health, including actionable steps you can take along with resources to learn more.

Plastic, Climate Change, and Human Health: What we need to know and what we can do about it
Day: Monday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/5/2026 - 10/5/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Bridget Lee
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
This talk will look at what our over production and consumption of plastic is doing to our health and the health of our planet. It will cover the overlap of plastic and climate change, the increasing scientific knowledge about the toxicity of plastic, why plastic is an environmental justice issue at all stages of its life, and what can we do as a community to address it this growing crisis.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston. Signs will be posted to indicate where to watch in McCormack Hall.

Anatomy of a Smishing Attack: Real World Examples and Takeaways
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/8/2026 - 10/8/2026

Location: UMass Boston Campus - McCormack Hall
Room: 612, 3rd Floor
Facilitator: Alison Murray
Schedule Notes:
Attackers are always trying to stay one step ahead so they can continue to get their hands on your information and/or money. Text/SMS-based attacks, aka Smishing attacks, are on the rise, especially as people use more protections on their accounts and computers while phone text messages are often overlooked. We will walk through real-life examples of Smishing attacks, from first contact to siphoning off your retirement savings, and talk about all the ways to intervene before the damage is done.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch online via Zoom as well as in Braintree. The speaker will be in-person at UMass Boston. Please register for this event in order to get the Zoom link.

Japan's Incredibly Rapid Modernization: The Story of Meiji Restoration
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/15/2026 - 10/15/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Nik Dholakia
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
For 250 years, the Tokugawa shogunate sealed off Japan from the outside world, except for a tiny Dutch trading outpost at the Dejima island. The shoguns did not want Christianity and other contaminating cultural influences entering Japan, and they wanted to ward off the aggressive European imperialist moves. When the U.S. became a rising industrial and naval power, it launched two naval missions (from Newport, RI), in 1853 and 1854, led by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, to force Japan to open up. As Perry's ships entered the waters near Tokyo (then called Edo), the formidable steamships equipped with fearsome cannons caused consternation in the populace. This led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the installation of Emperor Meiji to the throne in what is now called Tokyo. This Meiji Restoration period led to an incredibly fast industrialization and modernization of Japan. In a little over 30 years, Japan transformed from a feudal society into a modern industrial and military power.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston and Braintree.

The Secret Life of Jokes
Day: Wednesday
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/21/2026 - 10/21/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: David Misch
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to this presentation.
From Henny Youngman’s silly one-liners to the epically filthy “The Aristocrats,” every joke ever told shows how comedy works. For jokes, the big difference is they’re small, so it’s easier to see what makes them tick and how they make us laugh. Topics covered in this multimedia presentation include: the Rule of 3 (Why are things funnier in threes? Really, why? I mean, why?); is humor inherently hostile?; how jokes are related to Japanese haiku poetry; why jokes make you smarter; dirty jokes that aren’t dirty; and the Official Funniest Joke In The World. (Caution: Contains some mature content.)

Scary Art
Day: Friday
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/23/2026 - 10/23/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Arielle Levine
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
The Cleveland Museum of Art has created a special program featuring goblins, witches and dastardly doings! Explore otherwordly paintings and prints by Francisco Goya, Salvator Rosa and Albert Pinkham Ryder for an art journey to the other side.

Poe's Life, Literature, and Legacy
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/27/2026 - 10/27/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator:
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
Meet the "Master of the Macabre" Edgar Allan Poe! This presentation will explore the vast collection of Poe primary sources through an engaging tour of the Poe Museum. Participants will leave with an understanding of Edgar Allan Poe's life, literary works, and legacy.

At-Home Habits for Your Best Health
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 10/29/2026 - 10/29/2026

Location: Thayer Public Library, Braintree
Room: Logan Auditorium
Facilitator: Patricia DelVal
Schedule Notes:
Dr. DelVal’s journey to her best health started at age 50 and continues today as she is 80 years old. The presentation will include at least 50 at-home specific habits which have contributed to her progress and that can apply to anyone in any age range. The goal of the session is for each participant to discover a few habits or ideas that can be steps forward to “best health”.

The Long Painful Journey: The U.S. Army and the Trail of Tears
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/5/2026 - 11/5/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator:
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
In May 1838, the U.S. Army deployed to enforce the Treaty of New Echota. General Winfield Scott, along with fellow U.S. Army Soldiers, were dispatched to Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Their mission was to relocate the Cherokee to embarkation centers and oversee the journey to Oklahoma. The forced removal of the Cherokee was one of many conducted by the U.S. Army and was a consequence of the Indian Removal Act. This presentation will look at how the soldiers fulfilled their obligation to carry out the terms of the Treaty of New Echota; how the implementation of the Indian Removal Act impacted both soldiers and Native tribes; and better understand how the effects of this policy can still be felt today.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston and Braintree.

Posture & Healthy Aging: Standing Tall for Better Health
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/10/2026 - 11/10/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: UMass Boston Nursing Students
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to this presentation.
Good posture is about more than looking straight or sitting up tall. The way we sit, stand, walk, and move can affect balance, muscle strength, joint health, breathing, comfort, and confidence. Understanding healthy body alignment and movement can help older adults maintain mobility and independence. The goal of this program is to help older adults understand how posture and body alignment affect mobility, comfort, balance, and independence, while providing simple strategies they can incorporate into everyday activities to move more safely and confidently.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston. Signs will be posted to indicate where to watch in McCormack Hall.

Mental Health in Older Adults: Mind & Body Connection
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/12/2026 - 11/12/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: UMass Boston Nursing Students
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
Mental health remains an important part of healthy aging. Depression, anxiety, loneliness, grief, sleep problems, and other mental health concerns can affect physical health, mobility, memory, and quality of life. Recognizing these concerns early can help older adults receive appropriate support. The goals of this program are to promote mental health awareness, help older adults recognize when they or someone they love may need support, and demonstrate how caring for emotional health can improve physical health and quality of life.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston and Braintree.

The Orkney Islands: The People and Culture of Scotland’s North
Day: Friday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/13/2026 - 11/13/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Barry Pell
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
The Orkney Islands are a spectacular combination of dramatic rocky landscapes, human settlements dating back five thousand years, an array of bird and animal life, and a Scottish population with a distinctive dialect and way of life. Barry Pell traveled to a dozen of the twenty inhabited islands (some with a population of less than seventy inhabitants), hiking to remote lighthouses and bird reserves, and speaking with local people in villages and towns. In this program, accompanied by his photography, he shares with you the history, culture and his impressions of this remote and timeless land.

Menopause & Hormone Replacement Therapy
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/17/2026 - 11/17/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: UMass Boston Nursing Students
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
Menopause is a natural stage of aging that can affect many aspects of a woman’s physical and emotional health. Understanding common symptoms, available treatments, and the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help women make informed decisions with their healthcare providers. The goals of this program are to increase understanding of menopause and its impact on overall health, reduce misinformation and stigma, and empower women to have informed conversations with healthcare providers about treatment options.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston. Signs will be posted to indicate where to watch in McCormack Hall.

Brain Health & Wellness: Understanding Dementia
Day: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/19/2026 - 11/19/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: UMass Boston Nursing Students
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
Brain health is an important part of healthy aging. While some changes in memory are common with aging, dementia is not a normal part of getting older. Understanding the difference between normal aging and concerning changes can help individuals seek evaluation and support earlier. The goals of the program are to ncrease understanding of brain health and dementia, reduce fear and misinformation, encourage early evaluation of concerning changes, and provide practical strategies for maintaining cognitive wellness.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston and Braintree.

NOAA Ocean Exploration
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 11/24/2026 - 11/24/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Stephen Devaney
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
This presentation will showcase recent findings by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) via their Ocean Exploration program. This is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deepest depths of Earth’s oceans not yet visited, unlocking its potential through scientific discovery, technological advancements, partnerships, data delivery, and education.

The Ancient Silk Road: Journey Across Central Asia
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 12/1/2026 - 12/1/2026

Location: Thayer Public Library, Braintree
Room: Logan Auditorium
Facilitator: Barry Pell
Schedule Notes:
In this talk, we explore the historic cities of the Silk Road - including Samarqand, Bukhara and Kashgar - places that flourished for over 1,000 years along the trading routes that connected across 5,000 miles between central China and Istanbul at the doorstep of Europe. The presentation will focus on the legacies of the Silk Road trade on these places, including architecture, religion, language, ceremonies and food. Photography will highlight the travels of the lecturer as he followed the caravan routes of the Silk Road traders threaded over high passes through rugged, snowy mountain ranges and across large and forbidding deserts.

The Flying Santa of the Lighthouses, 1929-2025
Day: Monday
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Number of Sessions: 1
Dates: 12/7/2026 - 12/7/2026

Location: ONLINE
Room: Zoom
Facilitator: Jeremy D'Entremont
Schedule Notes: Zoom details will be sent out the day prior to the presentation.
The aerial visits of the Flying Santa to lighthouses and lifesaving stations have been a New England tradition since 1929. The program was inaugurated by Bill Wincapaw, a pioneering Maine pilot. Edward Rowe Snow, the popular New England historian and storyteller, became involved in the 1930s and kept the flights going through 1980. Today, the nonprofit organization Friends of Flying Santa works to continue the flights via helicopter from Maine to New York as a gesture of gratitude to the men, women, and families of the Coast Guard.
Note: This presentation is also available to watch at UMass Boston. Signs will be posted to indicate where to watch in McCormack Hall.

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