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).

The Collider
1 Haywood St
Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
United States

Bloom Post

Shamanic Healer

Bloom Post is a shamanic healer, ceremonialist, teacher and author who walks between worlds to receive insights and guidance in order to empower healing and transformation. Bloom is author of the book Shaman’s Toolbox: Practical Tools for Powerful Transformation. She has studied across the U.S. and India, and some of her teachers have included an Appalachian seer, Native American elders, Peruvian Paqos, Ayahuasceros, Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as Hindu Swamis and Yogis. Bloom, of Black Mountain, NC, regularly shares sacred ceremonies and other offerings, and her latest book, Plant Spirit Totems, will be published in 2017.

David Cohen

Cartoonist

David Cohen of Asheville, NC, has been the editorial cartoonist for the Asheville Citizen-Times for the last 10 years, and has had work distributed around the country and the world. Also a musician (percussionist/drummer), he has worked with Grammy winners and has a long recording history locally as well as regionally. An Asheville resident for the last 45 years, he has seen the town go through many transformations of its own.

Donna Marie Todd

Storyteller

Donna Marie Todd is a professional storyteller, writer, retreat leader and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. She is the editor of Wise Widow magazine and the founder of AWidowsTale.com. Widowed in 2011, Donna Marie harnessed the power of her personal story to find her healing and now, in her performances and retreat work, she inspires others to claim their personal possibility by claiming their story.

Emily Shaules

Entrepreneur

Emily Shaules, of Asheville NC, is the founder of Shift Bars, the world’s first organic energy bar with only 1 gram of sugar, launching in 2017 online and in stores nationwide. She is also actor who has appeared on TV’s “Nashville” and in the upcoming film “Little Sisters.” Her essay “Shift Happens” was chosen from thousands to appear in Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It, the best-selling anthology based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s smash hit.

Gary Jules

American Singer-Songwriter

Gary Jules, is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his cover version of the Tears for Fears song “Mad World”, which he recorded with friend Michael Andrews for the film Donnie Darko. It became the UK Christmas Number One single of 2003. Since then, Jules’ version has been used on many American TV shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Jericho, The O.C., Smallville and House, as well as in a commercial for the video game Gears of War. Other fun successes include “Falling awake” which charted on billboard just from having been played on a popular grey’s anatomy episode. The Obama campaign used “The old days are gone” in 2008. “Something else” was on scrubs, “broke window” in Zach Braff’s film “Wish I was here” in 2014, and on soundtrack with Coldplay, James Taylor, Paul Simon.

J. Eric Mathis

Innovator

Making a name for himself by co-designing what is considered by many one of the most advanced coal transition strategy in the US, J. Eric Mathis has been at the forefront of sustainability initiatives throughout the southeast with a specific focus on regenerative design and innovation. Building what he refers to as a regenerative parallel processor designed to breed innovative transition strategies within both the energy and agriculture sectors, Mr. Mathis is presently co-designing an agriculture/energy nexus strategy for the bio-regions of the southeast beginning in WV (energy) and his home state NC (agriculture).

Tina FireWolf

Speaker

Tina FireWolf has trained middle school science students and two-toed sloths, but says training her mind was the most challenging of them all. As a facilitator of “Remembering,” Tina FireWolf is igniting a reconnection to our Wise Self, to others, and to the world of the Unseen. Tina dedicates herself to the joyful dissemination of her Self-Leadership Tools, Tips & Tales from her contemplative photography book: Beneath the Chatter: The Wise Self Awaits. She believes Enlightenment is for Everyone – in every ordinary moment.

William S. Dissen

Chef

From his upbringings in the hills and mountains of Appalachia, multi-award-winning chef William Dissen always has been in touch with the outdoors and nature. At his restaurant, The Market Place, in Asheville, NC, Chef Dissen works with a network of local farms, artisan producers, and sustainable fishermen to produce flavorful, fresh food for his patrons. When not behind the stoves in his kitchen, you can find him working on food policy issues in his local community, or on Capitol Hill, helping to make change through food.