Social and cultural boundaries break down to form new Tribes as everyone contributes to the conversation as equals. Here are just a few of the people – including leaders in business and government, scientists, educators, writers, musicians, designers, entrepreneurs, chefs, bartenders and other passionate knowledge-seekers – who contributed their unique perspectives to past conversations.

BOB BOILEN Composer, musician, and the current host and the creator of NPR’s online music show All Songs Considered. He is also the creator of the Tiny Desk Concert series for NPR Music.

MATT GROSS Took over The New York Times’ Frugal Traveler column in 2004. In addition to contributing to Afar and Saveur, he’s also currently the editor of Bon Appetit Digital and co-runs DadWagon. His travel book, The Turk Who Loved Apples, is due out in May.

THOMAS PATRICK O’BRIEN Foreign service officer with the United States Department of State for over 30 years; oversaw major weapons systems elimination projects, including ballistic missiles and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

RICHARD SERGAY National Emmy award-winning journalist, producer, reporter and writer. He is currently Chief Curator for Discovery Communication’s Curiosity Project.

HASH VYAS Founding member of influential, underground post-punk outfit GoGoGo Airheart, and now tours with Thievery Corporation.

BRIAN FORDE Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer on mobile and data innovation in The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Previously, he founded Llamadas, S.A. to bring low-cost phone service to rural Nicaragua.

MARC O’BRIEN Facilitates Think Wrong workshops around the world. His projects as a design strategist with Future have been featured in the New York Times, GOOD, Print magazine, ID magazine, PSFK, and various other design and culture outlets.

COLLABORATORS DC