A nationally syndicated PBS public affairs program,
Common Ground with Jane Whitney brings together recognized expert voices and artists in town-hall style conversations about the country’s most critical issues and ideas.
Powered by an animating spirit that parallels America’s founding, Common Ground started a decade ago as a local speakers’ series, a grassroots effort to raise money for charities working with the most vulnerable residents of Connecticut’s pine-crowned Litchfield hills.
Then called Conversations On the Green, the series’ began as an effort to connect its rural community to the larger world. Its multi-pronged educational mission has evolved over the years into giving national voice to the voiceless while rejuvenating the democratic principle that out of many, we are one.
A testament to the power of community activism,
Common Ground is tied to current events but transcends conventional talk show boundaries by featuring long form interviews and cross-pollinating historical, political, social and ethical perspectives. Panelists have included writers, historians, scientists, legislators, politicians, theologians, critics, analysts,
and others.
The series is a production of Conversations on the Green, known as COG to the cognoscenti, which is a federally recognized charity, 501(c)3. Contributions are tax deductible.
Jane Whitney, Our Moderator
During her 25+ year career in television, Jane Whitney was a correspondent for NBC News based in Central America and a reporter for "Entertainment Tonight." Ms. Whitney also anchored topical talk/news broadcasts for PBS, CNN and CNBC and WCAU-TV in her hometown of Philadelphia. Finally, she was dubbed a "recovering talk show host" by New York times columnist Maureen Dowd after she hosted the Warner Bros. nationally syndicated TV program "The Jane Whitney Show.” Her social commentaries and essays have appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine and The New York Observer. Currently, she also helps manage two foundations that support services for domestic violence victims, the homeless and at risk children.