TLL Spring 2025
April 17- May 15
A Fond Farewell to Thornhill Lifelong Learning:
Celebrating the Journey, Embracing the Future
When Thornhill Lifelong Learning (TLL) began almost a decade ago, we hoped for 120 subscriptions—just enough to break even. But thanks to remarkable speakers and your unwavering support, we exceeded our wildest dreams. Together, we’ve grown, adapted and connected in ways we never imagined.
Now, as we prepare to close this incredible chapter, we’re thrilled to invite you to our grand finale: The Farewell Series. This celebration features some of our most beloved speakers and a sweet ending you won’t want to miss.
Join us for a special lecture series filled with wisdom, insights and a taste of nostalgia.
$20 for 4 lectures PLUS a Bonus Session
All lectures take place via Zoom Webinar on Thursdays from 2:00-3:30 PM
Click HERE to Register
Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Dr. Olivier Courteaux
(Our first Zoom presenter, Spring 2020)
Iran: Shaping Power and Influence in the Middle East
On January 16, 1979, Iran’s last Shah fled the country, followed two weeks later by Ayatollah Khomeini’s return from Paris. The old regime collapsed, and many hoped for a smooth, democratic transition. However, the “liberal” hopes quickly faded, and within months, the Mullahs solidified power.
How did this revolution succeed, and why has their rule endured despite growing opposition?
What is Iran’s influence in the Middle East today, especially after the escalating conflict with Israel and the fall of Assad in Syria?
Olivier Courteaux is a familiar face to many at TLL and is one of our most popular lecturers. He is an historian, researcher and avid traveller who also organizes historical enrichment tour groups. He sees history as a great tool, not to forecast the future, but to help us understand where we are at today.
Our speaker holds a B.A. in History, a M.A. in war and conflict studies and a Ph.D. in contemporary international relations, all from the University of Paris-Sorbonne. He has lectured extensively at Canadian universities, including Glendon College, Metropolitan Toronto University and the Royal Military College of Canada.
Dr. Courteaux is the author of several books, including The War on Terror: The Canadian Dilemma, and Canada between Vichy and free France, 1940-1945. He is currently working on Suez 1869: the Empress Eugenie’s Last Triumph.
Thursday, April 24, 2025 – Raheel Raza
Islamism, Extremism and Antisemitism: Connecting the Dots
The question always arises about whether antisemitism is embedded in Islam.
This lecture explains the difference between Islam as a spiritual path and Islamism as a political ideology which is what Hamas, ISIS, The Taliban and other violent groups follow. There is a connection between political Islam and extremism which then leads to antisemitism.
Raheel Raza is a fearless activist for human rights, a prolific author, courageous supporter of women’s issues, international public speaker, and bridge builder between communities. She believes in the values of free speech, democracy, gender equality and pluralism.
Our speaker was born in Pakistan and immigrated to Canada in 1988. Her journey has led to publications in major newspapers in Canada and appearances on international media outlets and programs including CNN, Fox News, CBC, Real Time with Bill Maher and BBC Hardtalk. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally including by the Senate of Canada and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Our speaker is the author of two books ABCs of Islamism 2020 and Their Jihad – Not My Jihad.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Dan Dunsky
(Speaker from our 2nd series, Fall 2017)
How Do You Stay Informed Without Driving Yourself Crazy?
“I’ve given up following the news. It just puts me in a bad mood.”
“It’s all just the same garbage, day after day.”
“What’s the point? They just feed us what they believe.”
These views, from three different people, may well summarize the sentiments of millions.
Whether it’s TV news, radio programs, public affairs podcasts, magazines or newspapers, many of us are tuning out the sources of information we have used to stay informed.
Despite an explosion of sources (or maybe because of it) good, credible information – so valuable in helping us make wise individual and collective choices – is harder to find.
Using a range of examples and based on nearly three decades of experience, journalist Dan Dunsky seeks to explain why this is happening and, crucially, offers some ideas for staying informed without driving yourself crazy in the process.
Dan Dunsky is a veteran journalist with 30 years experience in broadcast, print and digital media. He created and was Executive Producer of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, Canada’s premier prime-time broadcast of long-form analysis and insight journalism. Prior to that, he produced the international affairs program Diplomatic Immunity and worked at CBC’s The National.
From 2016 to 2019, he was Vice President at Public Inc., where he helped businesses and not-for-profits integrate social impact strategies into their organizations’ operations. He is the founder of Dunsky Insight, a strategy and strategic communications consultancy.
As an analyst, Dan has appeared on CNN, CTV and NewsTalk1010 and has written for numerous Canadian and American publications, including The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and The National Interest, and is a regular contributor to The Literary Review of Canada.
He is a member of the Canadian Drug Expert Committee, and his volunteer activities include work with the Toronto Western Hospital.
Thursday, May 8, 2025 – David Cravit
(Our very first speaker, Spring 2017)
SuperAging – Getting Older Without Getting Old
We all grew up with the same model of aging — we call it Default Aging. It says that at age 65, (a) you retire and (b) you don’t have that many years left. You’re playing defence. The best you can hope for is 10 years or so that will hopefully be pain free. There’s certainly not enough time left to accomplish anything new.
But now a new model is emerging – SuperAging. If you’re 65, you may have 20 or 30 years left, or even more. (In percentage terms, centenarians are the fastest-growing age group!) There’s plenty of time to learn, explore and achieve. You can, in other words, “get older without getting old”.
Of course, you need to do certain things in order to actively pursue this. We call them the 7As of SuperAging and this talk will outline what they are and how and why they work. Our speaker will also discuss some of the wider implications of the SuperAging phenomenon.
David Cravit has an established profile and track record in writing on aging and related issues. He is the author of two previous books — The New Old, showing how the Baby Boomers “reinvented” aging, and Beyond Age Rage, examining the so-called war of the generations.
He has appeared frequently on radio and TV, and in print as a respected commentator on the new trends and developments driving the SuperAging phenomenon.
Thursday, May 15, 2025 – BONUS SESSION – LIVE FROM ITALY
Pasta Pietro Presents: A Sweet Ending with Tiramisu
(A beloved speaker and chef from our Italy Series, Winter 2021)
Look for Pasta Pietro’s recipe in the email reminder from TLL a week before the lecture.
Join us for a truly indulgent finale to our Fond Farewell Series! Back by popular demand, the beloved Pasta Pietro returns to guide us to create Italy’s most iconic dessert: tiramisu.
More than just a recipe, this demonstration is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re cooking along or simply savoring the artistry, you’ll experience the magic of this decadent treat, perfectly blending the bold notes of coffee, the richness of mascarpone, the velvety allure of chocolate, and a playful touch of liquor.
Tiramisu – meaning “pick me up” – is a celebration of flavour, tradition and joy. What better way to toast nearly a decade of shared memories than with a dessert that lifts your spirits and tantalizes your taste buds?
Don’t miss this luscious, irresistible moment of culinary delight. It’s the perfect way to end our journey together – sweet, memorable, and utterly delicious!
Born and raised in Milan, Pasta Pietro grew up as an only child in a family that welcomed guests for dinner every day. His passion for home cooking stems from both his parents—his love for people comes from his father, while his mother inspired him to dream big.
While studying at university, Pietro spent a semester in England, working part-time as a chef in an Italian restaurant. Returning to Italy, our presenter created training projects for a small company until he decided to spend a full year travelling through Australia, Asia, and Central America where Pietro discovered just how little the world knew about authentic Italian cuisine.
Driven by his passion for tradition, Pietro travelled across Italy, from the peaks of the Alps to the shores of Sicily, from Rome to Florence, and from Verona to Venice. Along the way, he sought out grandmothers and local cooks, learning techniques and recipes passed down through generations.
For Pietro, food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to share stories, preserve traditions, and connect with others. His mission is simple: to pass on these treasured techniques, feelings, and stories to the world.
This series is more than a goodbye- it’s a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared.
Here’s to you. Here’s to us. Here’s to Thornhill Lifelong Learning.