Brazil has had its ups and downs, including dictatorships and hyperinflation. Now, though, it seems to be in a solid upward cycle.

I'm just back from a trip to Brazil, with stops in Sao Paulo and Curitiba, a city that has become a popular case study of urban reinvention (my photos and videos are on Flickr here and here). It was an eye-opening trip.

With Ricardo Doria, co-founder of Aldeia Coworking in Curitiba, let's discuss:

• What did Curitiba do that got so much attention?
• How has Brazil faced change and fostered innovation?
• How are the tech and entrepreneurial communities doing in Brazil?
• Where is Brazil headed, relative to the other BRICS members?