Theme: Intentional Happiness

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).

Kripalu
57 Interlaken Road
Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 01266
United States

Coby Kozlowski

Coby Kozlowski M.A., is leader in the revolution for inspired living and action. Sought after as an expert in transformative leadership and as a yoga, dance, and meditation educator. Known for her heartfelt humor, illuminating wisdom, and powerful punch to wake up, start living, and skillfully engage with the rhythms of life. She is faculty for Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health where she leads 200hr and 300hr yoga teacher trainings. Coby has been featured on the cover of Yoga Journal Magazine and was named “one of the 7 yoga teachers who have changed the practice [of yoga]”. Also faculty for Esalen Institute, where she leads her month-long program Integral Leadership. Coby is the founder of Karma Yoga Leadership Intensive: A One Degree Revolution, Souluna Life Coach Certification, the evolutionary program Quarter-Life Calling: Creating an Extraordinary Life in Your 20s and is a trainer for the Radiance Sutra Meditation Teacher Training. www.cobyk.com

Daniel Neilson

Daniel H. Neilson is a monetary economist, specializing in the interaction between monetary policy and the financial system. His research has focused on China's financial markets, on the structure of the global monetary system, and on the evolution of the Federal Reserve. Dr. Neilson is the principal of Wallace Hall Company, which provides independent, global, quantitative and qualitative strategic research on central banking, monetary policy, the Chinese economy, and related topics. He is a visiting assistant professor of economics at Bard College at Simon's Rock, where he teaches macroeconomics and finance. Previously, Dr. Neilson was an economist at George Soros's economic think tank, where he created a global research program to promote novel and critical theories for understanding issues of financial stability. Dr. Neilson holds a Ph.D. in economics from

Danielle Valenti

Born and raised in the Berkshires, Danielle studied communications and marketing at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. She is currently vice-president for customer success at Merit, a tech company in Albany, and lives in Troy, NY, with her boyfriend, a crazy puppy and a love for traveling. When she has spare time, Danielle meditates and practices yoga for physical and mental strength.

Dr Jennifer Michaels

Jennifer Michaels is the Medical Director of the Brien Center and an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is a national mentor for the Physician Clinical Support System, an educational program for physicians entering the field of addiction. Dr. Michaels frequently guests on public radio, WAMC. She is a committed community educator on topics related to mental health, mindfulness, and addictions.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a psycho-sexual therapist who pioneered speaking frankly about sexual matters on radio with her program, Sexually Speaking. It began in September of 1980 as a fifteen minute, taped show. One year later it became a live, one-hour prime time show. Dr. Westheimer's shares her expertise and message on television, books, newspapers, games, home video, computer software and her own website, www.drruth.com.

Jen Salinetti

Jennifer Salinetti earned a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Herbal Studies from the University of Massachusetts. She furthered her studies through apprenticeships on organic farms and at education centers before starting her own family business. Jen and her husband own and operate Woven Roots Farm, a vegetable CSA, based in the Berkshires, that focuses on bio-intensive growing using no-till and environmentally sound farming practices. For the past 15 years, Jen has taught classes and has lead garden education programs throughout New England and has been actively involved in the local food movement within the Berkshires. She is currently developing an education center at their homestead in Tyringham, MA.

Margaret Keller

Margaret Keller is Executive Director of Community Access to the Arts (CATA), a nonprofit organization that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of 600 people with disabilities across Berkshire County. After completing her doctoral coursework at the University of Chicago, she was lured away from the ivory tower by the nonprofit world, where she discovered her passion for bringing the arts and humanities to wider audiences. As Associate Director of the Chicago Humanities Festival, Margaret led program development for an annual city-wide celebration of art and ideas, working with major thinkers, artists, and cultural organizations.

Matthew Dicks

Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, Something Missing and Unexpectedly, Milo, and others. He has published work in Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor and DoubleTake Comics. When not hunched over a computer screen, he fills his days as an elementary school teacher, a storyteller, a wedding DJ, a minister, and a Lord of Sealand. He has been teaching for 17 years and is a former West Hartford Teacher of the Year. Matthew is a 19-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 3-time GrandSLAM champion. Matthew teaches storytelling and public speaking throughout the world including at Yale, University of Connecticut Law School, Purdue University, Kripalu, and Graded School in Brazil. Matthew grew up in the small town of Blackstone, MA, where he made a name for himself by dying twice before the age of 18 and becoming the first student in his high school to be suspended for inciting riot upon himself.