Tallgrass Festival of Ideas 2026
Friday, August 7 | Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University | 2507 University Ave.
Saturday, August 8 | The Shop | 901 Cherry St.
Des Moines, IA
A one-of-a-kind festival in the Midwest, putting you face to face with the most interesting thinkers, writers, scholars, and leaders here in Iowa and from across the nation.
The Tallgrass Festival of Ideas is an opportunity to confront the most interesting subjects of our time in a spirit of generosity, openness, and friendship.
Friday, August 7 | Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University | 2507 University Ave.
Saturday, August 8 | The Shop | 901 Cherry St.
Schedule
Friday, August 7
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University | 2507 University Ave.
7:00 PM What Does 'the Pursuit of Happiness’ Mean?
Susan Laehn, Iowa State University
Alex Tuckness, Iowa State University
8:15 PM Beauty is Happiness
Piano performance and talk
________
Saturday, August 8
The Shop | 901 Cherry St.
12:00 "Artificial Intelligence" and Human Happiness
Ali Hasan, University of lowa
1:15 The Ethics of Migration
Krista Kartson, Welcome.US
Nazanin Ash, Welcome.US
Ken Isaacs, Samaritan International
2:30 The Midwest Ideas Contest: What is Happiness
With philosopher Scott Samuelson
4:30 Mental Health and the Tech Giants
With Valerie Pavilonis, editor at The Dispatch, Ashley Lynch, University of
lowa Medical School
5:45 Food and Cockatils
6:45 The Constitution and the Happiness of the Nation
Appeals Court Judge John Sandy
Valerie Pavilonis is Ideas editor of The Dispatch.
John Sandy is a Judge on the Iowa Court of Appeals. He formerly served as 1st Assistant Public Defender for the State of Minnesota
Scott Samuelson is a professor of philosophy at Iowa State University, and the author of several books including Rome as a Guide to the Good Life and Seven Approaches to Pointless Suffering
Brian Billion is a concert pianist and Phd in piano performance
Susan Laehn is a professor and political theorist at Iowa State University
Alison Lynch clinical professor of psychiatry, University of Iowa
Nazanin Ash CEO of Welcome.US
Ken Isaacs, VP Samaritans Purse
Alex Tuckness, Political Theorist at Iowa State University
Ali Hasan, Philosopher at University of Iowa
Special Thanks To
Steve Lacy
Iowa State University’s Cyclone Civics
The Harkin Center at Drake University
Carney Appleby Law
Bob Riley
Attending and participating in the Lyceum’s Festival of Ideas last August was an inspiring and enriching experience. The event featured local artists and businesses, fostered open communication on topics like the Iowa caucus and self-care, and highlighted philosophy’s connection to nature and food, leaving me inspired and eager to get more involved. -Emmeline
