Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas --2025

The Des Moines Lyceum

A weekend celebration of ideas and culture!

The Shop DSM - Event Center

We are thrilled to announce that Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas is back in its third year!he only event of its kind in the entire Midwest, where you can learn from, meet, and mingle with some of the brightest, most interesting minds in Iowa and in the nation.This year's theme: Who Can We Trust?We're living in a time where trust is suffering in all kinds of ways. We don't trust our institutions, our government, our churches, even our neighbors. We'll explore these various facets of trust. Should we trust medical experts? The media? The government? What would it look like to rebuild and be worthy of trust? What happens when trust breaks down? Big ideas and the life of the mind belong to everybody, not just elites in big cities, come lend your voice, and join in a celebration of great conversation, art, food, and more! Tallgrass is presented by The Lyceum Movement, a Des Moines based nonprofit dedicated to building community, bridging divides, and elevating public conversation. FRIDAY6:00-6:45pmInterview: Trust in MediaElaine Godfrey (The Atlantic)Michael Reneau (The Dispatch)Moderator: Nathan Beacom 6:45pm Dinner Catered from Gateway Market7:30pm Lyceum: Trust in GovernmentJudge John SandyState Senator Sarah Trone GarriottModerator: Joe Carroll 8:30 Group Conversation 9:15 Conclude SATURDAY1:00pm Building Trust in a Healthy SocietyRichard Kim (Loyola University Chicago)Scott Samuelson (lowa State University)Moderator: Nathan Beacom 2:00pm Break 2:15pm-4:15pm Midwest Ideas Essay ContestTrust or Suspicion: How Should We Approach LifePresentation From Philosopher and Three FinalistKate Padgett Walsh (lowa Statue University) 4:30pm Panel: Trust in MedicineEvan Beacom (University of Minnesota of M)Michael Lambert (Des Moines University)Moderator: Brandon Qualley 5:45pm Trust in ReligionMichael Wear (Center for Christianity in Public Life)Rob Johnson (lowa State House)Moderator: Nathan Beacom 6:45pm Music, Wine, and Australian Pies from Pie Mates 7:30pm Wisdom of Crowds Podcast: Can We Trust Tech?Santiago Ramos (Aspen Institute)Dan Corrigan (lowa State University)Jacob Solawetz (Arcee Al)August Lamm

<h3>Speakers</h3> Michael Wear, Executive Director of the Center for Christianity and Public life, former director of Faith Relations at the Obama White HouseElaine Godfrey, Staff Writer at the AtlanticJudge John Sandy, Iowa Court of AppealsSanti Ramos, Senior Research Editor, The Aspen InstituteMichael Reneau, Editor at The DispatchRob Johnson, Pastor and State RepDr. Evan Beacom,Assistant Professor and Hospitalist at University of Minnesota HealthDr. Mark Lambert, Des Moines UniversityScott Samuelson, Professor of Philosophy, Iowa StateKate Padgett Walsh, Professor of Philosophy, Iowa StateRichard Kim, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University ChicagoDan Corrigan, Professor of Philosophy, Iowa State UniversityJacob Solawetz, Software Engineer, Arcee AISarah Trone Garriott, Iowa State Senator

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