Connecting people and ideas through conversations that inspire
Our Themes
We organise inspiring conversations with authors and thinkers throughout the year (see Our Next Talks section below). And we also independently handpick events organised by our favourite local bookshops and venues taking place in and around Bristol that fall under one of our below three themes (see All The Talks section).
Nature
Replenishing and reconnecting with the natural world
Nurture
Caring for our community, culture, and society
Nourish
Developing and expanding our minds, bodies, and souls
Our Next Talks
2026
Tuesday 29th September
7.30pm
Clifton Community Bookshop
Sally Weintrobe
Let’s talk about ‘the end of the world’
The phrase is everywhere now, as people realise our life support systems are breaking down. Sally argues this breakdown is the direct result of ‘anti-thinking’.
Tuesday 27th October
7.30pm
Bristol Folk House
Julian Baggini
The Art of Flourishing
Julian will be reflecting on what a lifetime of philosophy can teach us about how to flourish in today’s world.
All The Talks
September
Monday 7th
7pm
The Grain Store
How Religion Evolved – and why it survives
Professor Robin Dunbar
When did humans develop spiritual thought? What is religion’s evolutionary purpose? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured?
Tuesday 8th
7pm
Small City Bookshop
The Modern Man in Fiction
Donal Ryan & Elvin James Mensah
Two titans of modern literature discuss their new books, Where Are The Kings and White Spaces, exploring modern masculinity and relationships.
Friday 11th
7pm
Waterstones
Reds: the Past, Present and Future of Communism
Paul Mason
In conversation with Andrew Kelly about Paul Mason’s new book, which argues that the desire to live without hierarchy and property is an impulse deeply rooted in our human nature.
Saturday 12th
9.30am-5.30pm
Bristol Beacon
Bristol Coffee Festival
A festival that brings people together and showcases the breadth of the specialty coffee industry in the South West.
Saturday 12th
11.30am
Bristol Megascreen
John Boorman and Bristol: Part II
Before he went on to Hollywood fame, film director John Boorman (Deliverance, Excalibur, Point Blank) worked at BBC Bristol where he made many films about the city – this is a very rare chance to see them!
Thursday 17th-Saturday 19th
Holt Farm, Bristol
Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival
Bringing together expert gardeners, budding enthusiasts, and curious novices for three days of all things gardening.
Saturday 19th
7.30pm
St George’s
Anthony Scaramucci
The former White House Communications Director turned outspoken Trump critic and host of The Rest is Politics: U.S. comes to Bristol (among other UK venues) to offer an insider’s account of how America reached this moment and to offer a hopeful message for how it might find a way back.
Monday 28th
7.30pm
St George’s
Naomi Klein
The governing ideology of the far right has become a monstrous, supremacist survivalism. How do we build a movement strong enough to stop them?
Tuesday 29th September
7.30pm
Clifton Community Bookshop
Sally Weintrobe
Let’s talk about ‘the end of the world’
The phrase is everywhere now, as people realise our life support systems are breaking down. Sally argues this breakdown is the direct result of ‘anti-thinking’.
Wednesday 30th
7.30pm
Redgrave Theatre
Banff Mountain Festival World Tour
Featuring a brand-new collection of short films filled with extreme journeys, untamed characters and captivating cinematography.
October
Tuesday 27th
7.30pm
Bristol Folk House
Julian Baggini
The Art of Flourishing
Julian will be reflecting on what a lifetime of philosophy can teach us about how to flourish in today’s world.
Get in touch
If you’d like to organise an inspiring conversation please use the form or email us at: hello@bristoltalks.co.uk
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Bristol Talks was co-founded by Eugene and Megan in 2024