Latest Unspeakeasy News
Next year's retreats, this year's changes, and photos from NYC
Hi everyone,
I’m still smiling from of our Unspeakeasy Small Gathering for Big Ideas coed weekend in New York City last month.
Since it was off the record, I can’t go into specifics. But suffice it to say that the attendees, who came from all over the country, were wonderful. The speakers were spectacular, the food divine, and the conversations extremely nuanced.
Ben Appel, Andrew Hartz, and Rob Henderson considered the question, “does masculinity matter?” Carole Hooven talked about academic censorship in the sciences and elsewhere. Lisa Selin Davis talked about the future of the gender debate (and the many sides of that debate). Peter Moskos and Mike Pesca discussed policing, crime, and big-city quality of life. Alana Newhouse talked about why everything feels so broken and John McWhorter talked about, well . . . everything. (Or at last many things.)
We never share photos without permission. Everyone pictured gave us the okay.
Several exciting retreats and offerings are planned for 2026—including an overnight coed Big Ideas retreat—which I’ll say more about in a moment.
But first …
A few updates from The Unspeakeasy
First off, as you’ve probably noticed, The Unspeakable Podcast has officially been renamed The Unspeakeasy.
As we move out of the era of “unspeakability,” I think many of us are speaking a little easier (though in some corners, perhaps too easily), and the name change reflects that. More importantly, I want the podcast to capture the community spirit of the larger Unspeakeasy project.
The flagship show will remain free-ranging, long-form interviews. Nothing is changing there. But I plan to experiment with livestreams on YouTube as well as here on Substack, and I hope you will be part of them.
The online forum is closing
After three fantastic and sometimes fiery years, the Unspeakeasy women’s online forum will close permanently at midnight on December 31.
It’s been a deeply rewarding project, with so many friendships, local meetups, and conversations I’ll never forget. But the time feels right to focus on in-person experiences and real-life dialogue.
That said, a few virtual opportunities are coming up:
💬 Founding Member Hangout
Sunday, Nov 9 at 8 p.m. ET
Our next Zoom hangout for Founding Members. Starting in January, we’ll aim for one each month (schedule TBD).
Not recorded, so plan to join live.
👉 If you’re not a Founding Member, upgrade here to join in.
🗣 Conversation with Amanda Fortini about Jan Kerouac
Wednesday, Nov 12 at 5 p.m. ET
I’ll be talking with writer Amanda Fortini about the reissue of Baby Driver, an overlooked memoir by Jan Kerouac, the equally overlooked daughter of Jack. Amanda wrote the foreword, recently featured in The Paris Review.
Free event — registration info is here.
This is not an Unspeakeasy event, just something you might enjoy.
✍️ Writing Workshop on Zoom
Personal Essay & Memoir Workshop
I’m teaching an 8-week workshop. Jan 6 – Feb 24, 3–5 p.m. ET (Eight consecutive Tuesdays)
Application deadline: Dec 5
More info here.
2026 Retreats
We’re planning four Unspeakeasy retreats for 2026.
Only the Los Angeles retreat in April is open for application and registration now.
The rest will open around March, so save the dates:
Apr 11–12 – Los Angeles: Women’s weekend retreat 👉 Apply here
Sept 28–Oct 1 – Catskill Mountains, NY: Women’s writing retreat
Oct 10–11 – Saratoga Springs, NY: Women’s community retreat (former forum members get priority)
Oct 19–21 – Hudson Valley, NY: Two-night coed retreat
The first three are capped at about 16 attendees; the coed retreat will host around 30.
Guest speakers TBA.
That’s all for now.
If you have questions, drop them in the comments—and I hope to see you, online or in person, very soon.
Jan Kerouac!
Yes, please!
Jan's memoir, George Elliot and Jane Austen novels secretly checked out from the library in high school helped me resolve a few of the mysteries about women’s lives and views about life. Looking forward to it.