Tallgrass: Big Ideas Rooted in Iowa Soil

This August, join The Lyceum Movement at The Shop DSM for the second annual Tallgrass, a Des Moines Festival of Ideas taking place Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10. This year’s event will feature speakers reflecting on the theme, Is there Hope for America? as they discuss societal trends and changes in climate, mental health, technology and more.

2024 Tallgrass Speakers

The two-day festival welcomes speakers on a variety of topics. Hear from:

• Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Psychiatrist in Denver, Colo.
  • Topic: Our Worsening Mental Health Crisis And the Way Out
• Sam Pressler, Researcher in Cambridge, Mass.
  • Topic: Groundbreaking New Research by Harvard Human Flourishing Program
• Ian Marcus Corbin, Philosopher in Cambridge, Mass
  • Topic: Why It’s Getting Hard to Make Friends
• Scott Samuelson, Philosophy Professor in Ames, Iowa
  • Topic: Making Commitments vs. Setting Boundaries
• Susan Laehn, Political Science Professor in Ames, Iowa, and Dr. Heidi Giebel, Philosophy Professor in Minneapolis, Minn.
  • Topic: How Aristotle and Confucius Can Help You Live Excellently

There will also be a performance by Billy B.Well Weathers, a rapper, poet and community leader in Des Moines, Iowa who co-founded B.Well Foundation, a Greater Des Moines (DSM) nonprofit lifting children up through education and mentorship through programs that bridge gaps for students through resources, events and connection.

Attend the Event

Start the day Friday, Aug. 9, at 5:30 p.m. when doors open. You’ll hear from Dr. Abraham Nussbaum from 6 – 7 p.m. and take part in meaningful conversations from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Then, enjoy food trucks, beer, live music from Anderson Coates and more from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. From 8:30 -10 p.m., new research from Survey Center on American Life will be announced.

On Day 2, hear from more speakers from 1 – 4:30 p.m., enjoy food trucks, beer and local artists from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., hear a live podcast from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and then B.Well performs from 7 -9 p.m.

Learn more about Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas at lyceummovement.org/tallgrass.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.