Whistler, BC

June 14, 2026, 3:00-4:30

Nature-Based Leadership in a Changing World

In this thought-provoking Insight Series talk, Veronica Woodruff—environmental leader, facilitator, and author of Blind Drunk - invites you to explore leadership through the lens of nature. Drawing from a career spanning environmental education, systems thinking, and real-world policy work, Veronica offers a grounded and deeply personal perspective on how we navigate complexity, change, and responsibility.

At the heart of this session is the belief that meaningful leadership begins with connection - both to the natural world and to ourselves. Veronica explores how cultivating intentional, present-moment awareness in nature can shift how we think, make decisions, and show up in our lives and communities. Blending personal storytelling, research, and reflections on societal patterns - including our relationship with substances as a way of shaping experience—this talk offers a refreshing, non-judgmental invitation to reconnect with clarity, presence, and purpose. Expect an honest, insightful, and inspiring conversation about what it means to lead well - starting from within.

The Wallace at the Shipyards, North Vancouver, BC

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Join us at the Vancouver International Publishing Conference — where authors, industry leaders, and publishing professionals come together in one inspiring space.

Panel: Tales from the Trenches

What works and what flops? Learn from the plans, strategies, opportunities, and mistakes that authors have experienced personally.

Squamish Library, BC

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Join Veronica Woodruff for a talk on Mount Meager / Q̓welq̓welústen, a local volcano that has been recently assessed as very high-risk. Come learn about the volcanic status, implications of the landslide, ecosystem restoration opportunities, and ongoing research & monitoring. 

ABOUT VERONICA:

Veronica Woodruff lives on Líl̓wat Nation territory in Pemberton, BC. With a background in environmental science and a master's focused on disaster risk reduction, she explores how culture and systems shape human behaviour. An experienced facilitator and speaker, she is known for making complex ideas accessible. Her recently published book, Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture (2025), examines alcohol’s powerful and often unquestioned role in communities.

Whistler Library, BC

Thursday, November 20, 2025

7:00-8:30

Join Veronica Woodruff and volcanologist Glyn Williams-Jones for a talk on Mount Meager, a local volcano that has been recently assessed as very high-risk. It is also the site of Canada’s largest landslide, which occurred in 2010. Come learn about the volcanic status, implications of the landslide, ecosystem restoration opportunities, and ongoing research & monitoring.

Whistler, BC

Saturday, November 1, 2025

READING EVENT 10: The Real Lowdown: A Conversation with Writers of Non-Fictions

3:00 – 4:15 p.m. | In-person $27 | Fairmont Chateau Whistler

The most powerful non-fiction writers take a fact and wrap it in an emotion. In Ardra Shephard’s memoir Fallosophy: My Trip through Life with MS, she learns she’s been sold a lie about disability—it isn’t a fate worse than death, and she begins to realize a difficult life doesn’t have to be a joyless life. For Veronica Woodruff, author of Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture, she combines research with memoir, charting the evolution of drinking culture in North America, from the morality-based lens that led to Prohibition to the science-based approach that underlies today’s sober curious movement. Join author and moderator Leslie Anthony as he hosts a frank conversation about what it’s like to live with difference in our contemporary world. This year’s event will be joined by the 2025 Winner of the Whistler Independent Book Award for non-fiction.

Whistler, BC

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

7:00 to 9:00 pm

Join us for a conversation with Veronica Woodruff, local author of Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture. Veronica will share readings from her memoir, followed by a candid discussion of drinking culture in our community with the audience.

Copies of Blink Drunk will be available for purchase at the event, or you can pick up a copy ahead of time at Armchair Books Whistler. There is also a copy available to borrow at the library!

Registration is required – email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up.

Oliver, BC

August 16, 2025

2:00 to 4:00pm

Gather Books & Lovely Things in Oliver’s District Wine Village invites you to join author, scientist, and former bartender, Veronica Woodruff, for an exploration of our drinking culture.

Tickets include a glass of low alcohol wine by The Opera Room and a signed copy of Veronica’s book, Blind Drunk.

Port Coquitlam, BC

Thursday, July 10, 2025

7:00 to 9:00pm

Join author, scientist and former bartender VeronicaWoodruff for an exploration of our drinking culture, accompanied by samples of delicious non-alcoholic wines and cocktails.

Prince George

Thursday, June 19, 2025

7:00 to 9:00pm

Join author, scientist and former bartender Veronica Woodruff for an exploration of our drinking culture, accompanied by samples of delicious non-alcoholic wines and cocktails.

Pemberton, BC

Thursday, May 29, 2025

7:00 to 8:00pm

Veronica will be at Whistler’s Raven Room to launch her new book, "Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture," sharing her personal journey alongside her research.

Armchair Books will be there selling books and Glimmer Wine will have samples of their dealcoholized sparkling wine.

Whistler, BC

Sunday, May 25, 2025

3:00 to 6:00pm

Join us at the Pemberton Library for an exciting book launch featuring author Veronica Woodruff. Veronica will present her book, "Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture," sharing her personal journey alongside her research. There will also be the chance to ask questions, chat, and mingle.