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Coming Up in September 2026
American Patriots in Paris
Step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers in Paris. Stroll through their neighborhoods and visit the places they would have frequented. Explore Saint-Germain-de-Prés and the Latin Quarter, stroll the halls of the opulent Palais-Royal, wander through manicured Luxembourg Gardens and delight in a private tour of the Louvre that focuses on the art that Thomas Jefferson, John Jay and others would have admired. Delve into the role that Paris played in the early years of the republic with expert guides and through the presentations of two Indiana University professors.
Welcome to Mind Inclined, a free platform for people who love to learn. Join author, professor, and college president Mark Canada, Ph.D., for podcasts, essays, and live lectures on literature, language, and history.
We invite you to subscribe to our free Mind Travel newsletter, check out our free podcasts, and consider joining us for a live lecture or tour.
Now is the perfect time to start elevating your mind, your life, and your world.
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Participate
Mark speaks to academic and general audiences on a variety of topics in literature, history, and more. Lectures may be virtual or in-person and can be booked by emailing Mark.
Upcoming Lectures & Tours
Benjamin Franklin: Celebrity, Diplomat, and Flirt
May 26th, 2026
6-7:30 p.m.
IU Capital Campus, Washington, DC
If you have questions, contact Mark's team at office@mindinclined.org
Benjamin Franklin was, of course, an American, but he did some of his most important and fascinating work in France, where he sought to secure vital French support for the American Revolution. He achieved that goal in spectacular fashion, pulling off what has been called “the greatest diplomatic triumph in American history.” Along the way, he leveraged his celebrity and winning personality, penned some humorous “bagatelles,” weighed in on Mesmerism, witnessed an early balloon flight, and made many French friends and admirers, including a few particularly close ones of the opposite sex. Join Indiana University Kokomo Chancellor Mark Canada, author of Ben Franklin’s Lessons in Life, for this lecture on Franklin’s diplomacy and dalliances in a country he loved—and that loved him back.
Benjamin Franklin and the Road to Revolution
We know him as one of our nation’s founders, but Benjamin Franklin spent most of his life as a devoted British subject, even laboring to protect what he called “that fine and noble china vase, the British Empire.” What put Franklin on the road to Revolution, and what did he contribute to the cause? In this lively lecture, Dr. Mark Canada, a Franklin scholar and chancellor of Indiana University Kokomo, will share fascinating insights into Franklin’s work (including America’s first political cartoon) and personality while illuminating the years leading up to the American Revolution.
The Other Benjamin Franklin: A Revolutionary Before the Revolution
September 10th, 2026
6 p.m.
Kresge Auditorium, IU Kokomo
If you have questions, contact Mark at mark.canada@mindinclined.org
When Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence, he was 70 years old—a Founding Father, yes, but also old enough to be an actual father of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Like all of us, however, Franklin was once young. Unlike most of us, he also pioneered the study of electricity, invented the lightning rod and even a musical instrument, transformed his city with civic innovations, and penned some of the greatest literature of his age. (He also ran away from home, made his share of mistakes—which he called “errata”—and generally lived a fascinating, often humorous life worthy of a book—which he himself wound up writing.) In this lecture, we will trace this life over the decades before the American Revolution, catching a glimpse of the revolutionary personality of our funniest Founding Father.
Listen & Learn
Mark's Greatest Hits
Do you like American history? Philosophy? Literature? Business? An amazing narrator?
I finished these lectures in two days. You won't be disappointed.
Tim
One of the best
Huge Poe fan and you could absolutely tell Mark has a passion for the subject matter. Plus he's a great narrator! Would highly recommend this for anyone interested in learning more about Poe in a short amount of time.
Erin
So good!
Well-written and thoughtful, the essays are scholarly but still accessible.
Anonymous
So good!
Who is Dr. Mark Canada?
Mark Canada, Ph.D.
elevating minds for over 25 years
Mark Canada, Ph.D., has been elevating minds for three decades. An award-winning professor and nationally recognized university leader, he is also a prolific author of articles and books, including the Audible Originals Edgar Allan Poe: Master of Horror and Ben Franklin’s Lessons in Life. His lectures on a variety of subjects —from American authors to the Lewis & Clark expedition to the English language--have made him a favorite among lifelong learners. In 2024, he founded Mind Inclined, a learning enterprise featuring his Mind Travel newsletter, podcasts, virtual tours, and in-person lectures and tours.
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