From Angry Online Discourse to Real Conversation: Nathan Beacom on the Tallgrass Festival of Ideas – 08/05/2026

Nathan Beacom traces the Lyceum Movement back to a desire, born out of pandemic isolation in 2021, to revive an almost 200-year-old American tradition of neighbors gathering to discuss the big questions of life face to face. He explains how the movement takes its name from ancient Athens, where Aristotle taught in the garden known as the Lyceum, and how that same spirit now animates Tallgrass, the Lyceum's flagship annual festival in downtown Des Moines. This year's theme, the pursuit of happiness, ties into the 250th anniversary of America's founding and will be explored from angles ranging from philosophy and mental health to the impact of artificial intelligence. Beacom also shares a reflection from Pope Leo XIV, paraphrasing the pope's teaching that truth is not a territory to be defended, but a good to be shared — a fitting theme for a festival built on generous, truth-seeking dialogue. He closes with the Lyceum's "habits of healthy conversation," including seeking truth over victory and reading others charitably. Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas Friday, August 7 – Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University (2507 University Ave, Des Moines): a panel on the Founding Fathers and the meaning of "the pursuit of happiness," followed by a classical piano performance Saturday, August 8 – The Shop, 901 Cherry St, Des Moines: a full day of conversations and topics, midday through evening Tickets, schedule, and speaker lineup: Tallgrass Festival – Lyceum Movement Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on the Catholic Radio Network, IowaCatholicRadio.com, or the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #CatholicPodcast #TallgrassFestival #LyceumMovement #DesMoines #CivilDiscourse #CatholicRadio #TheCatholicMorningShow #FestivalOfIdeas Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.