REACH Speakers Bureau

God and Your Brain

Ted Smith

TS-113

God and Your Brain

Is God just in your head? The amazing answer might be ‘yes,’ but not as an ‘imaginary’ belief. Neurological evidence suggests our brains have evolved a neuro-physical ability to perceive beyond our sense of self to a greater Presence. An encounter with God is a “neurologically real” experience. Let’s explore how the brain perceives God and how the mind interprets the encounter.

Health & Wellness

Ted Smith

TS-112

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is routinely offered at the Cleveland Clinic. How or why does it work? What are the philosophical differences in the approach to medicine in Western and Eastern Cultures? Why does TCM factor in a patient’s emotional state in the treatment of disease? We’ll discuss these and many other aspects of what it means to be well at any age.

Health & Wellness

Ted Smith

TS-111

Is Laughter the Best Medicine?

In 1964, Norman Cousins claimed he laughed himself back to physical health after medical doctors told him there was nothing more they could do for his condition. Let’s explore his journey and what that means for us today.

Religion & Philosophy

Ted Smith

TS-110

Near Death Experiences

In the last 80 years, over a million people have ‘momentarily died’ from a heart attack, car accident, or fall, etc. When revived, many claim to have visited heaven, met angels, and reconnected with passed relatives. Some have even encountered God. What message do they bring back for us about the meaning of life, how we treat one another, and what awaits us on ‘the other side’?

Current Events

Mike Walczak

MW-100

Current Issues in Major League Baseball

Baseball fans are witnessing many changes in today’s game – robotic umpires, larger bases, ghost runners, banning “the shift” and many more. Off the field, labor strife, payroll differences and betting scandals threaten the popularity of the game itself. Join local analyst Mike Walczak as he discusses these and many other crucial facets of the “grand old game” as MLB takes on the 21st century.

Royals & Famous People

Mel Maurer

MM-113

Movie Starts Who Became Icons

Twelve individual presentations on movie stars who became icons. Please choose one: Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Judy Garland, James Stewart, Audry Hepburn.

Ohio & Local History

Doug Imhoff

DI-107

History of the Cleveland Browns

Explore the rich history of the Cleveland Browns from their founding in 1946 to today. This presentation highlights legendary figures like Paul Brown, Otto Graham, Jim Brown, Art Modell, and Bernie Kosar, along with memorable championships, key moments, and record-setting achievements that shaped this iconic franchise.

Music, Film & Popular Culture

Don Auble

DA-103

Behind the Scenes of Some Favorite Filsm

Do you ever finish a movie and immediately look up how it was made? Maybe you dive into bonus features, watch behind-the scenes clips, or just find yourself wondering how it all came together. In this class, we’ll pull back the curtain on some beloved films. Along the way, we’ll explore the craft, creativity, and surprises behind the moviemaking process. And yes – this is going to be fun.

Music, Film & Popular Culture

Bill Brauning

BB-111

Reel Rock - A History of Rock in the Cinema

Rock was first seen in the cinema in the 1950’s. We will explore those films highlighting those artists with film clips.

Music, Film & Popular Culture

Bill Brauning

BB-110

The Unsung Heroes of Rock

Before there was Elvis and Bill Haley and the Comets, there were pioneering musicians who were discovering a new sound and style of music. This music was a precursor to what would become Rock and Roll.

Music, Film & Popular Culture

Bill Brauning

BB-109

Cinemagic - The Art of FILM Music

This presentation covers many film composers and the wonderful soundtracks they wrote

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-105

Hurricanes

Thunderstorms are common events that can turn deadly. This program looks to answer these questions: How do thunderstorms get started? What turns some of them into supercells? And how do a few of those supercells spawn tornadoes?

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-103

Trees in Literature, Art and Spiritual Traditions

Throughout recorded history, trees have held an important place in our lives. This program looks at some of the ways humans represent trees and how we use them as symbols of important ideas and feelings.

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-104

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-102

Leaf Color

Yes, leaves change color in the fall, but some of those colors are in the leaf all season, while others depend on the conditions of the summer and fall. We’ll look at what causes leaf colors, and how they change.

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-100

Amazing Trees of the World

The biggest, smallest, the most unusual; the driest wettest, coldest conditions: A survey of amazing trees around the world.

Nature & Gardening

Mare Matthews

MA-100

Trees of Ohio

This program looks at the history of trees in Ohio, from the retreat of the glaciers though indigenous peoples, to the European settlers who changed the face of the state. We’ll also identify Ohio’s many and varied trees.

Science & Technology

Ann Over

AO-100

Story of Aerospace Failures: Human Factors Have Lost Missions

Engineers are smart, but also human, and can make mistakes, some that cost missions. Case studies and lessons will be shared for a rocket hit by lightning, a large satellite factory accident, and a new commercial rocket test flight gone wrong.

Science & Technology

Ann Over

AO-101

Story of Aerospace Failures: Why are the Moon and Mars So Hard?

There is a renewed focus around the world, both government and commercial, to explore the Moon and beyond. Case studies and lessons will be shared for a lunar lander that ran out of fuel, a Mars lander that plunged, and another Mars mission that missed the planet.

Science & Technology

Ann Over

AO-102

Story of Aerospace Failures: Near Misses, Airplanes and Space

Many spectacular aerospace failures become near misses because engineers, pilots, and operators find a way to save the mission. Case studies and lessons will be shared for an airplane that lost a panel, but still landed, another airplane that landed without engines, and an astronaut who almost drowned on a spacewalk.