Theme: EDGE - Explore, Discover, Grow, Engage

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

302 10th Avenue East
Menomonie, Wisconsin, 54751
United States

In Capable Hands/Steve Russel and Kobi Shaw

Steve Russell and Kobi Shaw are a successful comedy/variety duo who have traveled the world doing presentations and performances, and live in a renovated barn where they develop eccentric abilities. Graduates of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College, Steve also taught juggling, unicycling and clowning. Their skills and creativity have landed them on “The Tonight Show”, “Ellen”, at New York City's Lincoln Center, and at “Caroline's (comedy club)". Besides working as a professional actress/singer, Kobi worked for a toy company where she wrote a patent for a rubber chicken, and was featured in the 2014 documentary film "A Different Drummer - Celebrating Eccentrics", by Academy Award winning director, John Zaritsky. Steve is a former ventriloquist, whose career was thwarted by a bad dental bite. He spent many years in tights working the Renaissance Faire circuit. He is a trained hypnotherapist and is currently a postulant in process to be a deacon in the Episcopal Church.

Amy McGovern

Encouraging college student success and learning is her work of Amy McGovern, a housing officer for 20+ years at a college campus who seeks out opportunities and strategies to be challenged and focused on students’ growth. Among her experiences are encouraging job candidates to take power poses prior to interviewing, and learning how to tie shoes in the best way. Amy’s TEDx perspective: “I've found inspiring thoughts. Who wouldn't want to be part of an idea worth sharing?!?” Amy is a TEDxUW-Stout presenter because of her ability to share a very personal life experience. In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Education. As a farm kid from South Dakota, she values hard work. As Amy puts it, “It’s the important portion of life and learning that you can influence.Yet, farm kids also know that some forces like the wind and rain and hail don’t see hard work. And…still the sun shines.”

Dan Zabrowski

As a University of Wisconsin-Stout alumnus (Technology Education with a concentration in Network Communications, and a minor in speech communication with an emphasis in theatre), Dan Zabrowski takes great pride in his education, as well as great interest in the education of others. He also has a keen interest in humanity’s relationship with technology. “This is how I came to be a middle school technology education teacher. I love everything about it. The freedom to explore new areas of study combined with the excitable age of the students makes for a career that allows for the exploration of human, educational and technological futures”. He is currently completing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Viterbo University. Outside of work, Zabrowski enjoys everything from camping and video games to performing on the stage, screen and street. “I’m also an amateur juggler and bullwhip performer, as well as an accomplished fire breather and mead brewer”.

Greta Munns

Greta Munns was placed in foster care at age fifteen. Her “story” is what prompted her exploration of the foster care system. What she discovered has shaped the Fostering Success program at UW-Stout, one of the few Positive Youth Development transitional programs for foster youth in the nation. In her role as Liaison, she engages and empowers youth who are or have been in passive roles as child welfare service recipients”. Greta Munns has been engaged in foster youth empowerment for nearly a decade, using the challenging times in her own life to drive efforts toward empowering one of the most disenfranchised populations in the U.S. Munns has spoken with countless foster youth as a presenter for Foster Club and the National Resource Center for Youth Development. She has also testified before the U.S. Senate Ways and Means Committee. Munns has been on both sides of the public policy table. Her story is meaningful and inspiring.

Nels Paulson

An Associate Professor of sociology at UW-Stout, Nels Paulson loves working with students, especially through research, to help them explore making meaning in their lives. His research focuses on environmental issues and civil society. Paulson has a PhD in sociology from Arizona State University. He has conducted extensive research on the topic of civil society and the environment. He is the Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates, focused on phosphorus pollution from a variety of disciplinary research angles (sociology, anthropology, economics, geology, and biology), titled LAKES (Linking Applied Knowledge in Environmental Sustainability). Paulson has a “seemingly enigmatic embrace of fly-fishing (catch and release). You have to be one with your environment and the fish with whom you struggle (and admire). Fly fishing embodies my passion for understanding society’s ebb and flow”.

Sir Aaron Mason

Sir Aaron Mason is a proud UW-Stout alumnus, currently pursuing a PhD in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Mason is passionately focused on research and on developing systemic conceptualizations of societal issues and discourse related to race, gender, and sexual orientation. We need to develop a different way to engage in difficult conversations that will promote growth and healing, relinquish blame, increase self-acceptance and self-compassion, and being vulnerable with ourselves and others. Sir Aaron has extensive work experience in the area of multiculturalism and has worked with underrepresented populations to help with adjustment to predominantly White institutions of higher education.“The use of self is important when talking about issues related to multiculturalism, along with a willingness to become vulnerable.”

Ursula Murray Husted

Ursula Murray Husted spends her time making comics as a faculty member teaching comics at the University of Wisconsin Stout, and daydreaming about boats. “I’ve been lucky enough to traverse the Arctic Circle by way of Svalbard on a traditionally rigged barquentine tall ship, route the entire length of the Ohio River on a small research vessel, and collaborate with NASA in teaching LEGO Robotics”. Murray Husted is a graphic novelist teaching comics at the university level. She enjoys public speaking and is a researcher on the topic of artic environments. She holds the MFA in comics from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a PhD in the visual ethnography of internet memes from the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about islands with unusual ecosystems, visual semiotics, and roadside attractions.