Theme: Silver Linings

Silver Linings
…is the motto of TEDxFreiburg 2022!

In 18 minutes each, our speakers will share their personal silver lining: something positive that can come out of an unpleasant, difficult or negative situation. What could be more relevant in the age of a global pandemic, a post-factual society and the rise of right-wing populism? So let us keep our eyes on the silver lining on the horizon — together, on May 7th, 2022.

Konzerthaus
Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 1
Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, 79098
Germany

Alexander Wollert

Couch surfer

Japan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran or simply Germany — Alexander Wollert has seen quite a lot of the world. However, what sticks in his memory far more than the countries he has traveled to are the people he met along the way. Because Alexander Wollert is not a typical tourist, he is a couch surfer: his accommodations are the living rooms, sofas and sleeping mats of people with whom he has only exchanged a few sentences over the Internet – or whom he has just met! Not only that: he also opens up his own apartment to strangers from all over the world. In his entertaining talk on the TEDxFreiburg stage, he will share with you some of the micro-adventures he has experienced so far, how they have shaped him and why he highly recommends to just get over your fear and share your life with a stranger. In addition to his travels, Alexander works as a Scrum Master and runs the travel blog Dust of the World. You can follow his recent and future activities there — or simply invite him into your home!

Carmen Goglin

potential and humour coach

It is widely known by known that laughter is the best medicine. However, we laugh less and less – especially in the business context. Carmen Goglin wants to change that! She is convinced that especially in times of crisis, we should preserve our laughter to actively control the power (i.e. the endorphines) that laughter gives us. With regard to resiliency and mental health, humour is a fascinating method to retain optimism. In her talk on the TEDxFreiburg 2022 stage, Carmen Goglin will share the story behind her success, how she herself came to laughter yoga and why laughing without a reason is useful – and can be practiced! This she will prove first-hand: with the viewers online same as with the people on-site. So be ready, she isn’t called “The Laughing Lady” for nothing! In her daily business, Carmen Goglin is potential and humour coach from Reutlingen.

El Flecha Negra

Band

South American roots meet Caribbean lightness. Intoxicating Chicha guitars play around crystal clear trumpet riffs. All crowned by the polyphonic chanting of the musicians who shine on stage with their fiery messages and contagious positive charisma. Many different sources merge together to create El Flecha Negra’s rich musical stream which takes you on its journey. Wild, infectious, full of exciting stories, vivid impressions and with one clear goal: sending out happiness! On the TEDxFreiburg stage, the Freiburg-based band will perform songs are about wishes and dreams, about optimistic mood and travel. El Flecha Negra plead for open borders, they celebrate the freedom to be wherever they want — and demand this right for all people. If you listen carefully, you will catch many little stories.

Julia Reichert

Author, Neuroscientist

Did you ever get the feeling that one small mishap could ruin your entire day? You’re not alone – and there is even an underlying psychological mechanism behind it. Some scientists claim this phenomenon called “negative imprinting” or “negative bias” exists to protect us from the (evolutionarily speaking) worst possible outcome: death. In her speech, Julia Reichert will explain why it is totally okay to feel bad sometimes, what her perfect world would look like where it is acceptable to feel bad as well as talk about it, and how we can get there. Julia Reichert is an author with a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Neuroscience of Language. In her most recet book “Hirn to go” (“Brain to go”), she writes about her vision of a future where we will move backwards a little: slow down, do less, enjoy more and take more time for the essential things in life, while at the same time understanding that it is normal and even important to have so called negative feelings in life.

Markus Seppälä

Comedian, Host

Have you ever felt that all eyes are always on you when you do something wrong? Markus Seppälä knows the feeling. As a speaker, event host and stand-up comedian he stands in the spotlight regularly – and not everything always goes as planned. In his talk, Markus Seppälä relies on his professional and on-stage experience to show us that failing doesn’t have to be something bad. 13 years in executive compensation strategy have shown him that the so professional-seeming world of business is oftentimes unintentionally funny. So be prepared for a personal, entertaining talk that will make you laugh as well as think. When he’s not on our TEDxFreiburg stage, Markus Seppälä hosts Comedy Basel, his hometown’s biggest comedy club. He also posts weekly communication and presentation tips on his Youtube channel.

Martina Haas

Networking Expert, Author

For Martina Haas, networking is more than just a tool for business success. Instead it is an essential soft skill and attitude towards attitude. In her TEDx talk, she will convince us that networking competence equals leadership quality, networking is never free and that you can get far with the right strategy, effort and the will to help others. Martina Haas will guide us through her 7 Power Steps and 3 Double Strategies for effective networking – so that we can begin to be more successful right after her talk. Also and especially in this time of a global pandemic and remote meetings, Martina Haas is certain: there is no excuse for not networking. Her book about networking has changed her life – it kickstarted her career as author and speaker. Other than that, Martina Haas loves art, literature (especially biographies), architecture, travel, good food and good people – close friends as well as interesting random encounters!

Phillip Grimm

Green tech innovator & founder

Sewage overflows are by far not the sexiest topic. But you can be sure that Phillip Grimm will make you want to know much more about it! Water systems like sewage and flood prevention have to adapt because of climate change and urbanization. Phillip will offer up solutions: nature-based ones like sponge cities as well as artificial ones like sewer network control with the help of AI. Because he dreams of a modern society that is protected from floods, droughts, water pollution or water conflicts by artificial intelligence and that contributes to the human right to water. In his professional life, Phillip Grimm is a Green Tech innovator and founder of Grimm Water Solutions UG, a Freiburg-based high-tech startup and innovation driver in the field of Smart Water Cities. As the initiator and managing director of the Digital Water Institute e.V., he contributes to the success of the digital transformation in the water industry and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sebastian Müller

City Councilor, Activist

Photovoltaics for private individuals — is that even possible? Yes, and it’s quite simple at that, as Sebastian Müller will convince you. Am I even allowed to do that? How low does it take to pay off financially? How do my devices even know which power they need to use? In his “5 steps in 5 minutes”, Sebastian Müller will guide you through all the answers so that you can get started right away. Go ahead: plug in, save energy, spread the word and actively promote the energy revolution together! Sebastian Müller was born in Freiburg and still has strong ties to the city. After training as a paramedic, he completed a degree in English, politics and economics. He is also a moderator for child and youth participation. As a city councilor in Freiburg, he advocates for youth participation and against climate change.

Till Hasbach

Playful Business Consultant

Till Hasbach has a clear vision of the future. He wishes to see adult playgrounds: Places where people playfully engage with each other without taking themselves too seriously. In his equally playful and serious talk on the TEDxFreiburg stage, he will tell us why playing is relevant when it comes to creating new ideas; why organizations need to learn how to play; why solving problems isn’t always the right approach when it comes to innvoation; and what “serious games” are and how to invent them. Till Hasbach is sure: if we relearn how to play in a meaningful way, we will unlock a superpower to tackle the most daring challenges of the future. Till Hasbach is the developer of Moonshot – The Innovation Game and founder of Playful Business. He accompanies businesses in cultivating a playful innovation culture at the crossroads between game development and consulting. All the while, he likes to combine seemingly paradox things and uses playful methods to create a unique look at the new.

Vivian Loftin

Recycling expert & founder

Paper, plastic, colored plastic, PET, bio-degradable material and the famous “green dot” – the world of recycling is extremely complex and surprisingly unregulated. If you add in the fact that regulations and consumption patterns differ in every country, one thing becomes clear: we need more sensitivity towards the matter – and a few simple guidelines to find our way through this jungle. Thus, we are glad that recycling expert Vivian Loftin will be bringing her three favorite examples for (non-)recyclable packaging to the TEDxFreiburg stage! Her interactive talk will sustainably change your way through the supermarket, in the truest sense of the word. With her recycling competence and together with her colleagues Anna Zießow and Christian Knobloch, Vivian Loftin is a co-founder of recyda. The award-winning start-up from Freiburg advises businesses internationally about how to make their products more recyclable.