North American Unitarian Association

 Can Cycles of History Explain our Troubled Times? George Friedman (a geopolitical forecaster, founder of Geopolitical Futures and NYT bestselling author of “The Next 100 Years”) published “The Storm Before the Calm,” predicting in 2020 the reshaping of foreign policy, economics and culture that we are currently experiencing. He explains this upheaval as a unique convergence of two cycles that the U.S. has repeatedly experienced throughout its history – a 50-year socioeconomic and an 80-year institutional cycle. He saw these cycles converging in the mid-2020s with great disruption, but resolving in the 2030s stronger and more stable. An optimistic message for our troubled times. An alternate view argues that, although society’s sentiments swing back and forth in the years after wars or plagues, there’s no steady metronome rhythm to history.

Joyce Francis, Ph.D., taught international relations at George Mason, Tulane, and American Universities. She serves on the NAUA Academy Advisory Board and is a founding member of the 2-year-old Salish Sea Fellowship in Port Hadlock, WA, where she directs its Adult Learning Programs (ALPs).

This is her third Academy presentation; previous topics were “Race Amity” and “Rise of the Nones.”The NAUA Academy takes place on the second Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6:00 PM PT.

• Oct 17, 2026 Service – The Voyage of the Soul
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• Summit 2026 Recordings Now Online
  The video recordings from NAUA Summit2026 as well as the transcript of Helen Pluckrose’s keynote talk are now available from the NAUA website. The slides and transcripts of other sessions… Read more: Summit 2026 Recordings Now Online
• Liberal Religion Without Conformity: Helen Pluckrose on the Future of Liberal Humanism
  Key reflections from Helen Pluckrose’s keynote at the North American Unitarian Association (NAUA) Summit 2026 What holds a community together when its members do not share the same beliefs? Can… Read more: Liberal Religion Without Conformity: Helen Pluckrose on the Future of Liberal Humanism
• September 16, 2026 Board Minutes
• Draft NAUA Principles and Foundations
  Principles and Foundations of the NAUA The Principles and Foundations below are in draft form to be be discussed and voted on at Summit 2026 and if approved to be… Read more: Draft NAUA Principles and Foundations