Afternoon Speaker Series w/ Cory Richards, National Geographic Photographer

Spring Speaker Series, with Cory Richards, National Geographic Photographer, Adventurer, Author and Mental Health Advocate

See details below:

This registration is for IN-PERSON attendance only.

This is for the AFTERNOON SESSION 2:00 TO 3:15 P.M. This session is open to the general public, Peckham staff and team members.

If you prefer to attend this event online, please visit this link: Spring Speaker Series, Cory Richards - afternoon session | Microsoft Teams Online registration

About the Session:

Step beyond the keynote and into a more intimate, fireside-style conversation with Cory Richards — a space to explore the deeper questions behind a life lived at the edge of both the world and the human experience. Once a high school dropout, Cory speaks with unflinching honesty about navigating bipolar disorder, addiction, and some of the planet’s most extreme landscapes — turning both trauma and triumph into catalysts for insight, resilience, and transformation.

A former professional athlete, National Geographic photographer, climber, explorer, and author, Cory has spent much of his life searching — across remote mountains, within the creative process, and inside the complexities of the human mind.

In this candid conversation, he reflects on the forces that shape identity, meaning, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward. From growing up in a home marked by violence and instability, to seeking purpose in the farthest reaches of the world, to confronting the realities of trauma, bipolar disorder, and addiction even amid global success, Cory invites us to consider what it truly means to live honestly and fully.

Drawing from the themes of his books, The Color of Everything: A Journey to Quiet the Chaos Within and Bi-Polar: Photographs from an Unquiet Mind, Cory explores the paradoxes that define the human experience — awe and fear, pride and shame, love and loss — and how we learn to hold them all.

Through story, reflection, and open conversation, this session offers a rare opportunity to engage with the deeper philosophy behind Cory’s work and life. It’s an invitation to reflect on our own inner landscapes, find meaning within disruption, and rediscover the courage to keep climbing.

More About Cory:

Cory Richards is a world-renowned National Geographic photographer, former professional athlete, bestselling author of The Color Of Everything and BIPOLAR, and mental health advocate who has spent his life pushing the boundaries of human potential—both in the extreme landscapes of our planet and in the deeply personal journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Cory’s career has taken him to the most remote corners of the Earth, from summiting Everest without supplemental oxygen and being the only American to climb one of the world's highest peaks in winter to documenting the complexities of human conflict and culture. His work has earned him global recognition, including being named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

However, beyond his achievements, Cory’s most profound journey has been navigating the depths of his own struggles with mental health, including PTSD, addiction, and bipolar.

Having survived a near-fatal avalanche and the ongoing battles of inner turmoil, Cory has transformed his personal experiences into a guiding philosophy of adaptation by reframing resilience not as an act of holding on but letting go.

His raw and authentic storytelling—through photography, writing, and speaking—has inspired thousands to redefine their limits, embrace discomfort, and unlock impossible. By blending neuroscience, psychology, and hard-earned wisdom, he inspires and empowers others to turn adversity into opportunity, harness their potential, reframe mental health hurdles as a gift, and achieve lasting success in their personal and professional lives.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

3510 Capital City Blvd, 3510 Capital City Boulevard, Lansing, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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