LevelUp 2026

Craig Biddle

Do you ever doubt your ability to take on new challenges and succeed in them? Do you fear wading into new waters and instead settle for the status quo? If so, you are not alone. Nor are you stuck there. You can do much more than you know. You can achieve great success in life. And you can see that you can—but, to do so, you have to know where and how to look.

In this talk, Craig Biddle will show you a method for overcoming doubt and fear and seeing your actual potential so you can soar and thrive.

By Maddox Locher

Talk description coming soon…

Kiyah Willis

Who’s on the political left? Who’s on the right? What do these terms actually mean? And what happens when almost no one can define them, yet almost everyone takes a side? In this talk, Kiyah Willis will explore why we need a political spectrum, clarify the objective meaning of its key terms, and show how vague language blurs crucial distinctions—making the extremes sound the same. You’ll leave better equipped to defend liberty.

Angel Werth

Jane Austen doesn’t lecture us about human nature—she dramatizes it. Through characters who learn (or refuse to learn) from experience, her novels illuminate how ideas shape choices, how self-deception derails judgment, and what moral growth looks like in real life. In this talk, Angel Werth will explore key characters from Austen’s novels to show how great fiction can sharpen our ability to read people accurately—and use that clarity to navigate and improve our relationships.

Arthur Zey

Many thoughtful people accept mind-body integration in theory but fall short on the body part in practice. In this talk, Arthur Zey will make the case for treating exercise and nutrition as vital elements of a flourishing life—and share practical, sustainable approaches to training and eating healthfully. You’ll leave with a clear framework and concrete next steps for integrating mind-body integration into your life.

By Luc Travers

Talk description coming soon…

Timothy Sandefur

This year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. In this presentation, Timothy Sandefur will discuss his new book, Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence, discussing the philosophical and legal grounds of the Declaration and the lessons it holds for our day.

Craig Biddle

Are objective standards possible in morality? in beauty? in art? in love? They are. And knowing how to identify and apply them can improve your life profoundly.

In this talk, Craig Biddle will show you (a) the method by which you can identify and verify objective standards yourself, and (b) how and why using this method can help you think more clearly, live more fully, and love more deeply.

LevelUp is for people who want to live free and flourish. The theme of the conference—the thread connecting all of the lectures—is that freedom and flourishing are consequences of certain ideas that were developed over thousands of years and are still being refined today. The conference will help you to better understand and act on these ideas, to thrive in your ventures and relationships, and to support liberty on solid ground. If those are your goals, this conference is for you.

A great way to meet other attendees is to join LevelUp on Facebook and WhatsApp. Simply click “Join,” say hi, and enjoy a warm welcome. You can meet other attendees, find roommates, ask questions, post suggestions, and discover fun things to do in the Chicago area.

Dress comfortably! We recommend business casual attire for the opening banquet and daily lectures, and cocktail attire for the closing banquet and dance.

Tickets for the opening and closing banquets (Wednesday and Saturday nights) can be purchased through LevelUp’s registration page.

Internet access for conference attendees is free throughout the hotel.

We do not plan to livestream the conference.

For international travelers, we recommend using Google Flights to find the most affordable and suitable flights.

The Westin Chicago River North is approximately 18 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). We recommend allowing 45-60 minutes for travel by car or rideshare, especially during peak traffic hours.

You can also get there by taking the CTA Blue Line train from the airport to the Clark/Lake station, which takes approximately 45-50 minutes and is a short walk from the hotel.

Registration will remain open until the conference sells out. We encourage you to register and book your hotel room early, as space is limited.

If you register and, for any reason, are unable to attend the conference, LevelUp will refund your registration fees, including banquet tickets, in full. Simply email [email protected] with the subject line “Cancel LevelUp Registration,” and we will refund your registration fees in full.

For Active-Mind Scholarship recipients, please note that we will NOT reimburse you for unused travel tickets. We recommend that you purchase refundable travel tickets and/or appropriate cancellation insurance.