Theme: TEDxSpokane

In celebration of ten years of TEDx in Spokane, the 2021 TEDxSpokane event will feature ten speakers for an evening event at the historic Bing Crosby Theater. This diverse set of speakers will deliver their talks and big ideas in ten minute talks. The talks span a variety of topics and will delivered in-person to the live audience.

It is a thrilling time as we prepare the tenth TEDx (X=independently organized TED event) in Spokane. TEDxSpokane has
continued to grow and evolve from the humble beginnings in 2012 as TEDxSaintGeorgesSchool, with an audience limit of 100 attendees, to a regional event with audiences of over 700 attendees. Our vision has always been in support of the TED
mission, to share ideas worth spreading and we have gallantly accomplished this goal over the last decade. This year, we will reach another exciting milestone as we celebrate the 100th TEDxSpokane curated talk. We hope you will go back to visit
some of the amazing talks that have been published since we started on the Saint George’s School campus in North Spokane.
TEDxSpokane would not have been possible without our dedicated community of dreamers. Our committed Speakers, willing to take big risks in sharing their big ideas. Our generous Sponsors, supporting this innovative community event. Our visionary Volunteers, that represent everyone associated with TEDxSpokane that includes: the Founders, Curators, Planning Committee members, and Coaches. It has been a wonderful collaboration that allows one and all to celebrate the shining stars in our community and bring innovative ideas in Technology, Entertainment and Design to the stage in Spokane, Washington. We would also like to thank our Believers, those that attend TEDxSpokane, for you are the ones that spread the big ideas!

The Bing Crosby Theater
901 W Sprague Ave
Spokane, Washington, 99201
United States

Brooke Matson

Board Certified Teacher

Brooke Matson is an award-winning writer, a National Board Certified Teacher, and the founding Executive Director of Spark Central, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that “ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future.” While Brooke was not born in Spokane, she considers it her hometown as she has made a life here since her college years. Brooke’s favorite TED talks are by Sir Ken Robinson as she states, “He always nails it in terms of education policy. His talks are both funny and informative!” What you can look forward to in Brooke’s talk: Revolutionary creatives had ADHD and likely would not have achieved all that they did without having ADHD… There is nothing disordered about a need to explore and innovate… There are many misconceptions about ADHD… Find Brooke on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookeematson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke4matson/

Carter Bastian

Financial Tech CEO

Carter has worked in the tech industry in roles varying from Director of Culture to Director of Engineering, and he’s now Cofounder and CEO of a seed-stage financial tech company. As a Spokane local, Carter Bastian enjoys time spent at local cafes while drinking black coffee. When Carter is not giving a TED talk, he watches his favorite talks by Aubrey De Grey or plays music with friends. Carter’s favorite meal is Japanese Curry, and he would love to explore downtown Tokyo one day. What you can look forward to in Carter’s talk: — What happened to workplaces over the last few years of remote work? — Is remote work effective? —What does the future of work look like?

Erica UzCa

Musician + Teacher

Erica UzCa is the Co-Founders and Artistic Director of Music to Save Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to tangibly transform local and global communities through music. Erica is passionate about health, nutrition, and fitness, and is always searching for ways to thrive in a way that is holistic, both personally and for our planet. Erica is a violinist from Los Angeles, and has served as Associate Concertmaster and Assistant Conductor of the Spokane Symphony.

Erin Jones

Education and Systems Consultant

Erin Jones works as an Education and Systems Consultant. When she is not giving TEDx talks, you can find her walking (at least) 15,000 steps a day, sipping on a white chocolate raspberry mocha, fueling with a delicious Indian dish, or taking a rare vacation with her hubby to a warm place where they can enjoy long walks together. While Erin lived in Spokane as the Washington Milken teacher of the year in 2008, she worked for Gonzaga in 2017, she currently serves as a consultant and has various other consulting contracts in Spokane. What you can look forward to in Erin’s talk: — How we can restore, on large and minor scales, by utilizing gratitude — Acknowledging tools of healing that we already possess — Knowing the life-long benefits of being courageous and not “playing it safe…”

Greg Kettner

Comedian

Greg Kettner has been making others laugh ever since he was a kid. He was born and raised in Hong Kong, has never had a cup of coffee, and has never seen a Star Wars movie. Greg has made thousands of people laugh, sold over $12 million in products and services, and shared the comedy stage with the late Robin Williams. When he is not helping the professional sports team WorkHappy, he enjoys spending time with his wife & daughter, golfing, or cooking a delicious meal. What you can look forward to in Greg’s talk: — Better mental health; how laughter affects our lives — The secret Robin Williams shared with Greg after a show — The big difference between getting laughs vs. giving laughs — How we can change the world

Janet Mann

Humanitarian +Author

Janet Mann is from the beautiful city of Spokane, WA. She is grateful to pursue her Zen practice while retired and is a member at the Zen Center San Diego, where she regularly travels for retreats. While not at a TEDx event, you may find Janet riding her bicycle in search of a bowl of vanilla ice cream! What you can look forward to in Janet’s talk: — How to trust the relationship to inspire change rather than the information — The benefit of investing in the vulnerability of relationships — It must be about the relationship, not merely the strategy When asked about her hope for the audience on October 9th, 2021, Janet states, “my hope is that professionals and agencies that serve children and families in crisis move in the direction of relationship-based interventions, understanding that struggles are rarely an informational issue.”

Jorge Luis Uzcategui

Musician + Teacher

Jorge Luis Uzcátegui is a Co-Founders and Artistic Director of Music to Save Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to tangibly transform local and global communities through music. Jorge is a conductor originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and for the past 6 years, has served as Associate Concertmaster and Assistant Conductor of the Spokane Symphony. Jorge is an avid sports fan with a particular affinity for tennis. He is fascinated by every detail an athlete undertakes in order to hone their craft, and what differentiates the great from the legendary. What you can look forward to in Jorge’s talk: — Music is a powerful and universal tool for transformation — It’s potential to positively impact our world is limitless — By harnessing that power and integrating it into society, by providing everyone access, music has the power to change the world

Leslie Blevins

Licensed Psychologist

Leslie is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in children and the founder of Enilda Clinic in Spokane, WA, a child psychology practice focusing on neurodevelopmental concerns and parent training. A couple of things you may not know about Leslie: She trains her cats to do tricks. She is from Mobile, AL. Her favorite food is blueberries, and she loves a good snuggle session at home with a cup of English breakfast tea and oat milk. What you can look forward to in Leslie’s talk: — How to use praise effectively even when it’s hard to find something to praise — How praise affects children across ages and into adulthood — How praise builds character and intrinsic motivation — And how praise may be the most effective but underutilized method that parents already possess in their toolkit

Mike Beegle

Filmmaker

Mike Beegle is a filmmaker who enjoys time outdoors climbing, gardening, or enjoying the scenery of wherever life may take him for his next film project. When Mike is not giving a TED Talk, you may find him hovering over his newest painting, learning an exotic recipe in his kitchen, or planning his next adventure. On the food front, he is keen on Sashimi, cucumbers, or tomatoes. Mike favors the Glenn Greenwald TED Talk on “Why Privacy Matters” and looks forward to engaging with the audience of his hometown in Spokane, WA, for his first time giving a TEDx Talk. What you can look forward to in Mike’s talk: — Make a documentary! Go big, don’t be afraid, and have faith in your ability to succeed — Investigative documentaries are awesome. Use your unique perspective to share what you find — Digital privacy rights, open-source intelligence, and what that should mean for you

Rick Clark

Founder of Giving Back Packs

Rick Clark is the Founder and Executive Director of Giving Back Packs, an organization to give back to the community of Spokane and beyond. Rick was born and raised in Spokane and is excited to speak in his hometown at the TEDxSpokane event. One thing you may not know about Rick is that he was a high school dropout for about 28 years. When Rick is not giving TEDx talks, you may find him writing or drinking an iced mocha in his free time. You may even see him at any one of his favorite local Mexican restaurants right here in Spokane, WA! What you can look forward to in Rick’s talk: — It is never the wrong time to help others — How helping other people has changed Rick’s life, quite literally — Your identity is not found in your struggles; it can be found in how you use your struggles to engage with others — Seeing the change in Spokane has fueled Rick to continue ahead in various ways

Shawn Horn

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Shawn Horn is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She is from San Diego originally but has called Spokane her home ever since moving in 2002 for her Doctoral Internship. Something you may not know about Shawn is that she is a first-generation college student! After being misdiagnosed as a child, she was placed in special education. She received beneficial education only after starting community college! What you can look forward to in Shawn’s talk: — The misconception that feeling shame is all your fault — How social media and digital communication can trigger shame without us knowing why — That shame is an emotional reflex and often not a cognitive choice — How social media’s asynchronistic design affects our brain — The lack of face-to-face interaction in our world today and how that can neurologically induce a shame response without our awareness