Bright Ideas
Fresh thoughts on Big Issues
Stephen Smith and a live studio audience talk with Minnesota luminaries about their passions.
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Archived Events
November 27, 2012
Omar Ansari, the founder of Surly Brewing Co., talked with MPR's Stephen Smith, host of the "Bright Ideas" series, before a live audience in the UBS Forum on November 27, 2012.
Bright Ideas with Omar Ansari
Omar Ansari, the founder of Surly Brewing Co., talked with MPR's Stephen Smith, host of the "Bright Ideas" series, before a live audience in the UBS Forum on November 27, 2012.September 25, 2012
Stephen Smith, host of Bright Ideas, talks with playwright Christopher Hampton. They discuss Hampton's long career and his new work,
"Appomattox."
Bright Ideas with Christopher Hampton
Stephen Smith, host of Bright Ideas, talks with playwright Christopher Hampton. They discuss Hampton's long career and his new work,
"Appomattox."August 24, 2012
Host Stephen Smith and his guest Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota Historical Society discuss the legacy of Charles Lindbergh.
Bright Ideas with Brian Horrigan
Host Stephen Smith and his guest Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota Historical Society discuss the legacy of Charles Lindbergh.June 26, 2012
Our June installment of the Bright Ideas series features Doug Powell, a designer, strategist, entrepreneur and the creative visionary for Schwartz Powell, where he leads successful projects for a wide range of clients and collaborative partners in health and nutrition. Powell is also the national president for AIGA, the professional association for design. Stephen Smith hosts.
Bright Ideas with Doug Powell
Our June installment of the Bright Ideas series features Doug Powell, a designer, strategist, entrepreneur and the creative visionary for Schwartz Powell, where he leads successful projects for a wide range of clients and collaborative partners in health and nutrition. Powell is also the national president for AIGA, the professional association for design. Stephen Smith hosts.May 29, 2012
Our May installment of the Bright Ideas series features Jim McCorkell, CEO and founder of College Possible, where he put into action his life-long passion to make college admission and success possible for low-income students. Stephen Smith hosts.
Bright Ideas with Jim McCorkell
Our May installment of the Bright Ideas series features Jim McCorkell, CEO and founder of College Possible, where he put into action his life-long passion to make college admission and success possible for low-income students. Stephen Smith hosts.April 24, 2012
Our May installment of the Bright Ideas series features Maggie Koerth-Baker, the science editor at Boing Boing. She talks with host Stephen Smith about her vision of America's energy future, including how economic and social incentives lead to our current high fossil fuel consumption and how similar incentives can help us change.
Bright Ideas with Maggie Koerth-Baker
Our May installment of the Bright Ideas series features Maggie Koerth-Baker, the science editor at Boing Boing. She talks with host Stephen Smith about her vision of America's energy future, including how economic and social incentives lead to our current high fossil fuel consumption and how similar incentives can help us change.March 27, 2012
Bright Ideas host Stephen Smith talks Titanosauria with dinosaur expert Kristi Curry Rogers. She's a vertebrate paleontologist who conducts field research in Montana, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe and teaches at Macalester College in St. Paul. They talk about dinosaur bones, why some of sauropods got smaller as they evolved and how she reconstructs the lives of these long extinct creatures.
Bright Ideas with Kristi Curry Rogers
Bright Ideas host Stephen Smith talks Titanosauria with dinosaur expert Kristi Curry Rogers. She's a vertebrate paleontologist who conducts field research in Montana, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe and teaches at Macalester College in St. Paul. They talk about dinosaur bones, why some of sauropods got smaller as they evolved and how she reconstructs the lives of these long extinct creatures.February 27, 2012
Stephen Smith spoke with security expert Bruce Schneier about the importance of security in maintaining a flourishing society.
Bright Ideas with Bruce Schneier
Stephen Smith spoke with security expert Bruce Schneier about the importance of security in maintaining a flourishing society.February 7, 2012
Soprano Dawn Upshaw and composer Donnacha Dennehy join Stephen Smith to discuss their collaboration based on the poetry of Yeats. Upshaw is one of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's artistic partners, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner and a world-renowned singer.
Bright Ideas with Dawn Upshaw and Donnacha Dennehy
Soprano Dawn Upshaw and composer Donnacha Dennehy join Stephen Smith to discuss their collaboration based on the poetry of Yeats. Upshaw is one of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's artistic partners, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner and a world-renowned singer.November 29, 2011
Bright Ideas with John Hinderaker
John Hinderaker, the founder of the popular conservative blog Power Line, speaks with host Stephen Smith about the presidential campaign, the economy and his work as a lawyer.October 25, 2011
Criminologist David Kennedy joins Stephen Smith to discuss how cities can end drug and gun violence. He is best known for developing and implementing Boston's Operation Ceasefire, a program that helped dramatically reduce homicides among young adults.
Bright Ideas with David Kennedy
Criminologist David Kennedy joins Stephen Smith to discuss how cities can end drug and gun violence. He is best known for developing and implementing Boston's Operation Ceasefire, a program that helped dramatically reduce homicides among young adults.September 27, 2011
Host Stephen Smith talks to college admissions expert Carol Stack about how to get a good college education and afford it, too.
Bright Ideas with Carol Stack
Host Stephen Smith talks to college admissions expert Carol Stack about how to get a good college education and afford it, too.June 21, 2011
Stephen Smith welcomes Isaac Becker, co-owner and chef of two popular Minneapolis restaurants -- 112 Eatery and Bar LaGrassa. Becker won this year's James Beard award for best chef in the Midwest.
Bright Ideas: Chef Isaac Becker
Stephen Smith welcomes Isaac Becker, co-owner and chef of two popular Minneapolis restaurants -- 112 Eatery and Bar LaGrassa. Becker won this year's James Beard award for best chef in the Midwest.May 31, 2011
Bright Ideas host Stephen Smith sat down with noted science blogger PZ Myers to discuss evolution and the intersection of science and politics.
Bright Ideas: PZ Myers
Bright Ideas host Stephen Smith sat down with noted science blogger PZ Myers to discuss evolution and the intersection of science and politics.April 26, 2011
MPR News "Bright Ideas" series welcomes Dr. Nicholas LaRusso, Charles H. Weinman Endowed Professor of Medicine, Director of the Center for Innovation at Mayo and Distinguished Investigator of the Mayo Foundation.
Bright Ideas with Dr. Nicholas LaRusso
MPR News "Bright Ideas" series welcomes Dr. Nicholas LaRusso, Charles H. Weinman Endowed Professor of Medicine, Director of the Center for Innovation at Mayo and Distinguished Investigator of the Mayo Foundation.About Bright Ideas

Stephen Smith is the host and executive editor of American RadioWorks, the highly-respected documentary unit of American Public Media. Smith has covered a wide range of international and domestic issues, including human rights, science and health, education, race relations and American history. Smith and ARW have been awarded the duPont-Columbia University Gold and Silver Batons, regarded as the Pulitzer Prize of broadcasting. Smith is the co-editor of two books, Say it Plain, A Century of Great African American Speeches, and Say it Loud, Great Speeches on Civil Rights and African American Identity. Smith is a graduate of Macalester College. He holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago, where he was a William Benton Fellow.
Tickets
Free tickets are available for upcoming Bright Ideas conversations on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must register on our events website to reserve your seat. All events are located in the UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio's downtown St. Paul headquarters.
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