Let’s talk about TEDx

 

For the uninitiated, TEDx is a self-organized, supremely local community program that allows individuals and groups to discuss ideas to, essentially, change the world. Make it a better place. Stimulate dialogue. Speakers are given a set amount to speak (usually around 15 minutes to 20 minutes), and it’s recorded.

TEDx was born from TED, a nonprofit organization dedicated to Ideas Worth Spreading. There are more than 900 TEDTalks available in a variety of languages (although subtitled in English).

My all-time favorite is a talk by Simon Sinek, a guy who reminds me of one of my college professors from Radford University in Virginia.

In his talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, Sinek discusses companies like Apple and leaders including Martin Luther King in a very scientific way, but keeps the content accessible and inspirational. Parts of it just gives you goosebumps.

I practically hung on every word. And then I showed it to my husband.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite TEDx videos. I hope you enjoy them.

  • How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek (TEDxPugetSound).
  • How to Build a School in 3 Hours by Taylor Conroy (TEDxJuanDeFuca). Conroy offers tips on creative fundraising and getting his friends and others involved for charity and building schools.
  • Gay Marriage Rights Inadequacies in America by Nadine Smith (TEDxTampaBay). Smith, who is the executive director of Equality Florida, gives a powerful talk about marriage and the legal jeapardies of gay marriage.
  • The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown (TEDxHouston). Brown, who is a longtime researcher, discusses human connection under excruciating vulnerability.
  • Building a Personal Brand by Jacob Cass (TEDxCMU). Aussie Cass shares a pretty rough story on getting and losing his job in New York and then using his blog and social networking to find a new opportunity.
  • Are We Born to Run? by Christopher McDougall (TEDxPennQuarter). The runner in me finds McDougall’s talk really fascinating.


And a couple of favorite TED videos …
Mike Rowe celebrates dirty jobs.
Eric Whitacre: A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong. (This is incredible: 2,052 voices from 58 countries.)

Christine Cube is a media relations manager for PR Newswire and freelance writer in San Diego, Calif. You can follow her @cpcube.