About Us
At Premise, we host engaging conversations online and in person that explore life's enduring questions. Our curated essays, literature, and films spark meaningful discussions with just a few hours of preparation. Join us to gain insights, connect with others, and deepen your understanding of yourself and the world.
About Us
At Premise, we host engaging conversations online and in person that explore life's enduring questions. Our curated essays, literature, and films spark meaningful discussions with just a few hours of preparation. Join us to gain insights, connect with others, and deepen your understanding of yourself and the world.
Mary Finn, Premise Founder
Mary founded Premise with the belief that all adults, no matter how busy, should have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations about life’s big questions. She believes grounding each discussion in a piece of art—whether literature, nonfiction, or film—creates a shared foundation for rich dialogue and diverse perspectives. For Mary, real connection doesn’t come through small talk but by exploring thoughtful questions that get to the heart of the human experience. She is passionate about making intellectual exploration accessible, fitting into even the busiest schedules. Through Premise, Mary offers adults the chance to step away from daily routines and engage in deep, structured conversations that prioritize curiosity and joy over competition. Listening and questioning are just as important as sharing ideas, creating a welcoming space for all voices. With two decades of experience leading conversation-style courses with Symposium Great Books Institute, Gather Learning, Portland Literary Arts Foundation, and in high school classrooms, Mary’s work has always centered on the power of conversation. She holds a BA in History from American University, and master’s degrees from Brown University, St. John’s College, and San Jose State University. Mary is also a two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. Her thinking is deeply inspired by philosopher Hannah Arendt, and she has presented at Bard College’s Conference on Arendt. Premise, which began in 2012 as an in-person program in San Francisco, is relaunching in Fall 2024 after a brief hiatus. With hundreds of past participants, Mary is excited to expand Premise nationwide and bring its conversations to more communities. Mary lives in Portland, Oregon.
Our Courses Are
Joyful Purposeful Challenging Unpretentious
Tailored for busy adults with flexible session lengths and under 2 hours of preparation time
Expert facilitators who guide stimulating discussions and keep the group on track
Participants come prepared, listen well, and engage in dialogue not debate
A Modern Take on a Long Tradition
Premise is founded on a long tradition of discussion-based learning, from Socratic seminars to French salons and the Saturday Nighters groups of the Harlem Renaissance. We believe it's possible (and preferable!) to explore philosophy, literature, history and life's enduring questions without pretension or elitism.
What do we do at Premise?
Engage with Thought-Provoking Works
Dive into carefully selected fiction, non-fiction, films, and poetry that span centuries and cultures. These diverse works illuminate our central themes and challenge perspectives.
Connect Through Stimulating Discussions
Our expertly facilitated discussions are where ideas come alive. Share perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and forge kindship with fellow curious minds. It's an intellectual space with an emotional core, where your participation adds to our collective wisdom.
Embrace Life's Enduring Questions
Explore questions like "What does it mean to be free?", "What is justice, and how can we create it?", and "What is the value of friendship?" These questions serve as catalysts for personal reflection and our lens for engaging with short works of literature, essays, or films. Typically, these works take under two hours to read or watch and are the focus of our discussions.
Learn & Explore at Your Own Pace
Participants gain access to a dedicated course page with curated resources related to the session’s question and featured work (literature, film, etc.). These materials are available before and during the conversation and remain accessible afterward for deeper exploration at your own pace. Whether you prefer a quick dive or a more in-depth journey, you can continue engaging with the resources after the course ends.