Ideas Fest To Bring Big Names, Examine Polarizing Issues To Madison Next Week

Madison Newspaper To Host Annual Event Sunday Through Saturday

The Capital Times newspaper’s Ideas Fest is returning to Madison next week with a mission to provide greater context, robust discussion and high-profile guest speakers to examine contemporary issues.

The annual, multi-day event has been organized by the newspaper since 2017. This year’s installment will feature a series of wide-ranging panel discussions and a stellar collection of attendees, including former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and legendary folk singer Judy Collins, among others.

Running Sunday through Saturday, Ideas Fest will dive into an array of topics and perspectives examining national, regional and statewide politics; immigration; history; health care; economics and business development; the evolving food scene; and arts and culture.

Some of the discussion topics include:

• How artificial intelligence is changing health care 
• What the COVID-19 pandemic changed medical research 
• How theater is changing in a digital era
• Has the craft beer bubble burst?
• The role immigrants play in supporting education and the workforce
• Tips on starting a business from Madison entrepreneurs of color

Each night is capped off with an interview with the guest speakers. Both Pelosi and Cheney’s separate appearances – slated for Monday and Friday nights respectively – are expected to reflect on their unique political careers, the forthcoming election and the state of the country. Famed author and U.S. presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will examine modern American history, including her most recent book dealing with politics and political change during the 1960s. Likewise, Heather Cox Richardson, a Boston College history professor, will put current events into a historic context. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will talk about his recent election while singer Judy Collins will talk about her life and career as a popular figure in folk music.

The event will hold its presentations at various venues around the city, including the Memorial Union Theater on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the Overture Center, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Barrymore Theatre, the Edgewater Hotel and Madison College’s Goodman Campus. 

While weeklong tickets are sold out, some single-night sessions are still available. A livestream of Ideas Fest will be available on Civic Media’s Ideas Fest page or the Cap Times’ official Ideas Fest page. 

Related Links:

• Ideas Fest Roster of Speakers
• Ideas Fest Schedule