Course & Discourse Newsletter #2
Welcome to the second edition of the Course & Discourse Newsletter. At Course & Discourse we believe the best conversations happen over a shared meal in a comfortable space. Each event pairs a thoughtfully prepared meal with curated discussion, drawing from current events, big ideas, lived experiences, and beyond.
3/9/2026
Love Potions: Facts & Fictions of Aphrodisiacs
Our second Course & Discourse dinner of the year explored a topic that sits at the intersection of history, culture, medicine, and myth.
People have long searched for ingredients believed to spark attraction, increase fertility, and heighten vitality. For this month’s dinner we used aphrodisiacs as a starting point for a broader discussion about alternative medicine and the enduring appeal of remedies that exist outside mainstream scientific research. While dining on oysters, dark chocolate, strawberries and other foods traditionally associated with romance we questioned why natural remedies feel more compelling when they’re rare or exotic; what influences our own decisions to try unusual recommendations; and what it is about phrases like “scientists don’t want you to know…” that grips people hopeful for a quick fix? The conversation expanded into the blurry line between traditional knowledge, hopeful experimentation, and outright snake oil and concluded with a broader discussion about knowledge and authority in modern healthcare, distrust of institutions, individual versus public advice, and personal preference.
As always, what made the evening memorable wasn’t consensus, but curiosity. Guests brought different perspectives and experiences, and the conversation reflected just how complicated our relationship with medicine, belief, and evidence can be.
Next on the Menu
Future Course & Discourse dinners are already on the calendar, each with its own topic and menu. These gatherings are intentionally intimate, and guest lists are intentionally diverse, so space is limited.
A reminder to express your interest in upcoming dinners here. Invitations typically go out about three weeks in advance. Also keep an eye out for emails from hello@courseanddiscourse.com — some invitations have been landing in spam folders.
Upcoming dinners:
Black, and White, and Grey All Over: Nuance in a Polarized World (invites are out)
March 21st, 7:00 PM
Church and State: Organized Religion in the United States Today
April 11th, 7:00 PM
The Missus: Beyond the Roles, Norms, and Stereotypes
May 2nd, 7:00 PM
More Than the Game: Sports Diplomacy
June 13th, 7:00 PM
Newly added!
Fear in the Age of Uncertainty
July 11th, 7:00 PM
From political volatility to climate anxiety, technological disruption to rapid change, many of today’s defining issues share a common undercurrent: uncertainty. Join us for a discussion about the role fear plays in shaping our decisions, our institutions, and our sense of the future. Together, we’ll explore when fear is useful, when it misleads us, and how societies navigate moments of profound change. If this theme speaks to you, I’d love to have you at the table.
Whether you’ve joined us already, plan to in the future, or are simply following along as Course & Discourse continues to grow, thank you for being part of this community.
More soon,
India
