Chicago Ideas

In a society that seems to place ever-increasing value on science and technology, what role does poetry serve in our current cultural moment? And how can it influence our view of the world around us? At this one-of-a-kind live virtual event, President of the Poetry Foundation and former Chicago Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Michelle T. Boone sits down with Chicago Ideas founder Brad Keywell to discuss these and other big questions.

Join us at 5:30 p.m. CDT as joins Brad Keywell for this one of a kind livestream discussion on the lack of diversity in the new economy.

Join us on on 12/8 at 5:30 p.m. CDT as Founder and CEO of joins our very own Brad Keywell for a very special Life’s Big Questions: Why is there a lack of diversity in the new economy?

TODAY at 12:30 p.m. CDT join us on Instagram Live Rooms as CEO and founder Chris Herd joins Brad Keywell as they discuss the Darwinian business dynamic caused by the implementation of remote-first models within the work force. You don’t want to miss out on this one!

Can you imagine a day without water? Neither can we. Here are 5 interesting facts about our most precious and valuable resource.

Can you imagine a world without water? What does the future of water look like? Both urban and agricultural communities are grappling with the challenges of climate change, aging infrastructure and the overall scarcity of fresh water. Join us on Friday, 10/22 at 10:00 a.m. for this engaging and informative conversation on the world’s most precious and valuable resource, and what can be done to ensure an equitable and sustainable water future. Joining us for this livestream will be MWRD Commissioner Kimberly Neely du Buclet and U.S. Water Alliance artist-in-residence and activist Benny Starr - this talk will be hosted by Chicago Ideas founder Brad Keywell!

Can you imagine a world without water? What does the future of water look like? Both urban and agricultural communities are grappling with the challenges of climate change, aging infrastructure and the overall scarcity of fresh water. Join us on Friday, 10/22 at 10:00 a.m. for this engaging and informative conversation on the world’s most precious and valuable resource, and what can be done to ensure an equitable and sustainable water future. Joining us for this livestream will be and and will be hosted by Chicago Ideas founder Brad Keywell!

TONIGHT @ 6 PM CT!!

What does the world lose when we allow a language to go extinct? Why do some languages survive while others do not? What can we do to save them? And why should we care? According to UNESCO, two-fifths of the world’s languages are poised to die out and the vast majority of these endangered languages are those spoken by indigenous people. Join us for a very special Chicago Ideas Indigenous Peoples’ Day livestream segment on Monday, October 11th at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Participating in this Instagram Live Rooms segment are Daniel Bogre Urdell, co-founder of Wikitongues and Language Revitalization Leaders, Windy Goodloe who is a member of the Black Seminole community, and Teyanna Pierite-Simon, a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Hosting this segment will be our Associate Producer, Vivian Mikhail who also speaks a highly-endangered language. Don’t miss out!

Tomorrow!!

What does the world lose when we allow a language to go extinct? Why do some languages survive while others do not? What can we do to save them? And why should we care? According to UNESCO, two-fifths of the world’s languages are poised to die out and the vast majority of these endangered languages are those spoken by indigenous people. Join us for a very special Chicago Ideas Indigenous Peoples’ Day livestream segment on Monday, October 11th at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Participating in this Instagram Live Rooms segment are Daniel Bogre Urdell, co-founder of Wikitongues and Language Revitalization Leaders, Windy Goodloe who is a member of the Black Seminole community, and Teyanna Pierite-Simon, a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Hosting this segment will be our Associate Producer, Vivian Mikhail who also speaks a highly-endangered language. Don’t miss out!

“We’re still here”. -

How can we save a language from extinction? Co-founder and Director of Wikitongues , Daniel Bögre Urdell, has been studying the answer for nearly a decade.

Learn more about Urdell's work by joining us on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this Monday, October 11th, at 6:00 p.m. CDT as he sits down with our Associate Producer Vivian Mikhail and Language Revitalization Leaders Windy Goodloe and Teyanna Pierite-Simon to discuss the future of endangered languages.

What does the world lose when we allow a language to go extinct? Why do some languages survive while others do not? What can we do to save them? And why should we care? According to UNESCO, two-fifths of the world’s languages are poised to die out and the vast majority of these endangered languages are those spoken by indigenous people. Join us for a very special Chicago Ideas Indigenous Peoples’ Day livestream segment on Monday, October 11th at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Participating in this Instagram Live Rooms segment are Daniel Bogre Urdell, co-founder of Wikitongues and Language Revitalization Leaders, Windy Goodloe who is a member of the Black Seminole community, and Teyanna Pierite-Simon, a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Hosting this segment will be our Associate Producer, Vivian Mikhail who also speaks a highly-endangered language. Don’t miss out!

In a society that seems to place ever-increasing value on science and technology, what role does poetry serve in our current cultural moment? And how can it influence our view of the world around us? At this one-of-a-kind live virtual event, President of and former Chicago Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Michelle T. Boone sits down with founder Brad Keywell to discuss these and other big questions.

Tune in on Monday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m. CDT on Instagram Live Rooms as we explore the unique and evolving impact of poetry on our modern world.

No registration required. Just follow us on our Chicago Ideas Instagram page to participate!

During our Livestream on September 10th with Khatira Raafiqzada and Dr. Nura A. Sediqe, they spoke about the importance of donations and the importance of staying informed on current topics happening all around the world.
Below are additional resources of other individuals and organizations fighting for the cause, links to donate, and ways to stay informed.
Five Books: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/understanding-the-war-in-afghanistan-andrew-exum/
Shabnam Nasimi
Omar Haidari .haidari
Mean Arts Advocacy
Azita Ghanizada
Haris Hf & The Hope Foundation
Restore Her Voice

During our livestream talk, “What Does the Future Hold for Afghan Women?” with and , Khatira made this compelling statement that resonated with many of us, including our viewers.

Watch the full livestream video on our IG TV to capture more of these moments.

During our livestream talk, “What Does the Future Hold for Afghan Women?” with and , Khatira made this compelling statement that resonated with many of us, including our viewers.

Watch the full livestream video on our IG TV to capture more of these moments.

With the Taliban's recent take-over of , the advancements and progress made by Afghan women over the last 20 years are at risk. But women are not letting up without a fight, as they have taken over the streets of protesting the Taliban. We will talk about the events in Afghanistan from the perspective of Afghan women, the progress Afghan women have made in the last 20 years, and what the West can do to help.

Join us this Friday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m. as and join our Producer, Vivian Mikhail, for a live stream segment on this crucial and timely topic.

With the Taliban's recent take-over of Afghanistan, the advancements and progress made by Afghan women over the last 20 years are at risk. But Afghan women are not letting up without a fight, as they have taken over the streets of Kabul protesting the Taliban. We will talk about the events in Afghanistan from the perspective of Afghan women, the progress Afghan women have made in the last 20 years, and what the West can do to help.

Join us this Friday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m. as Khatira Rafiqzada and Princeton Professor Dr. Nura Sediqe join our Producer, Vivian Mikhail, for a live stream segment on this crucial and timely topic.

We are thrilled to invite Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health for a Life’s Big Questions segment on normalizing therapy and the importance of discussing mental health. Founder Christopher LeMark will sit down with Brad Keywell on Instagram Live Rooms TOMORROW, September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. CST! You don’t want to miss this one!

We are ONE WEEK AWAY from our first livestream segment with Dilla the Urban Historian! From Dilla's rise as Chicago's most influential historian, to whether history can be used as a tool to solve today's complex issues, you don't want to miss this conversation.

We will also take questions from our livestream audience!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at to participate!

Join us on Thursday, August 19th at 1:00 p.m. CDT as Chicago Ideas founder Brad Keywell talks to TikTok Influencer and Urban Historian, Shermann "Dilla" Thomas () on Instagram Live Rooms for a special Life's Big Questions segment. From Dilla's rise as Chicago's most influential historian, to whether history can be used as a tool to solve today's complex issues, you don't want to miss this conversation.

We will also take questions from our livestream audience!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at to participate.

Earth Day is coming up this week, so we are taking a look back at marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s conversation about addressing the gap between policy, science, and at-risk populations to find solutions for ocean conservation. Dr. Johnson talks about the role of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems in aiding the greater battle against climate change. Check out the full interview here:

https://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-focuses-on-finding-soltuions-for-ocean-conservation

How can you turn hope into actionable change? Artist, poet, author, and activist Cleo Wade talked to us about the many routes we can take in expressing activism. Check out the full interview here:

https://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/cleo-wade-on-expressing-activism-your-way

Actor and comedian Pete Holmes takes a humorous approach to understanding the meaning of life through exploring awareness and consciousness. When searching for inner peace, the first step is to surrender to the present moment. Take a look at Pete’s full address here:

https://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/pete-holmes-explores-the-meaning-of-life

VP of Product Design at Facebook Julie Zhuo talks about the importance of being responsibly intentional when building products for others. Being responsibly intentional stems from individual values, reiterating the need for diverse leadership and representative design teams. Check out the full address here:

https://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/how-leadership-can-impact-the-tech-world

As Women’s History Month is winding down, we are taking a look back at Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s conversation with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton about their book, "The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience". Their book celebrates the innovators, creatives, and change-makers that paved the way for a more just future for all people. Check out the full interview here:

https://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/hillary-rodham-clinton-chelsea-clinton-and-mayor-lori-e-lightfoot-talk-about-gutsy-women