Theme: (Dis)Connected

Our theme is intentionally dual meaning. Connected / Disconnected

Whether it's a connection to culture and economies driven by technological advancments, or the disconnection from society because of the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) our theme allows us to explore important topics of a modern age.

We've asked our speakers to interpret the theme in any way they like. Join us in discussing these ideas and more on November 11th in the Perkins Student Center at the Penn State Berks.

Penn State Berks - Perkins Center Auditorium
2080 Tulpehocken Road
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19610
United States

Alan Murphy

Wedding Videographer

He is a wedding videographer, lifestyle photographer, and podcast host. He enjoys hearing stories from veterans that nobody gets to hear. Alan's talk will be about sharing a war story and making a connection with the audience.

Budd Royce Lam

Life Hacker

Budd Royce Lam is the founder and managing director of the gaming company Dev Null Studios and a self-described ‘lifehacker’ from Toronto, Canada. His talk will discuss reconnecting offline with the people around you even when you feel you are too busy.

Dr. Annika Sörensen

Medical Doctor

Annika's TEDx talk will be about “How to Unlock Your In-Born Power to Beat Stress

Dr. Ike Shibley

Penn State Biochemistry Professor

Dr. Ike Shibley is a Chemistry Professor at Penn State Berks and is from Pennsylvania. His talk will be about learning how gratitude can increase happiness.

Dr. Kesha Morant Williams

Penn State Communication Arts & Sciences Professor

Dr. Williams is an Associate Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State Berks. Her hometown is Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her talk will be about interpersonal connections, especially through a father-daughter relationship.

Ed Burns

Founder of Melior Marketing, LLC

Ed's TEDx talk will be about the authentic role of social media in our relationships.

Jason Ziemianski

Media Executive

Jason is a Media Executive/Entrepreneur who is from Los Angeles, CA. His talk will be about applying the 50/50 model of being divorced with children to your marriage can change everything.

Jen Ruiz

Travel Writer

Jen is from Rochester, NY, USA and she is a travel Writer and Lawyer. Her talk will be about the power of flying solo.

Martin Castor Peterson

Mentalist

Martin is from Odense, Denmark, USA and also lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He is an Attention Artist, Mentalist, and Hypnosis Master Trainer. His talk will about be about the illusion of reality.

Neil Rawlings

Penn State Student

Neil is a full-time student at Penn State Berks studying Mechanical Engineering. His talk will be about his journey of living with and overcoming ADHD and depression.