Solving for X

This episode features Tuya Bat from TEDxUlaanbaatar in Mongolia and is hosted by Caroline Burke, Director of Community Engagement and Learning for TEDx. In this conversation, the two dive into how TEDxUlaanbaatar adapted to hold a hybrid event for their community. Listen in to hear Tuya share the story of how the team re-envisioned their event and persisted through uncertainty. 

4:47 - How TEDxUlaanbaatar navigated the early days of the pandemic to create a hybrid event that  inspired other local events
6:36 - How to adapt your existing venue for a virtual stream
9:43 - Specific production techniques TEDxUlaanbaatar used to evolve their event experience
16:23 - How TEDxers can find joy and motivation in the organizing journey
21:38 - An optimistic note about the future and how the spirit of the program can persevere with innovation

Find joy in the evolution of your event — Tuya Bat, TEDxUlaanbaatar

In this episode, Jay and Katy Forster, Director of Finance for TEDxSeattle, discuss how creating a reliable budget from scratch is vital to producing a successful TEDx event. Katy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between team members to determine possible revenue streams. She highlights the categories included in a traditional TEDx event budget — and illustrates the importance of including a 10-30% buffer to manage unexpected costs. Listen in as she demonstrates the value in asking the right questions from the outset when building a budget.

Build a trusted budget with your team — Katy Forster, TEDxSeattle

This episode features Masuka Mutenda, organizer of TEDxLusaka, and is hosted by Salome Heusel, Head of TEDx. Masuka discusses how reaching out to other TEDx organizers creates a more enriching organizing experience. Listen in as they explore topics such as: maintaining connections with organizers around the world and making use of the TEDxHub as a main source of interaction.

Craft your event with TEDx wisdom — Masuka Mutenda, TEDxLusaka

In this episode, Iluliia Takhtarova, Program Director and Curator at TEDxKyiv, and Salome Heusel, Head of TEDx, discuss the unique benefits of  involving your local community when curating your TEDx event. The two dive into TEDxKyiv’s braintrust program, which enables the team to bring ideas from their local community to the stage. Tune in to hear more about how to digitally engage your local community to advance your event’s local and global impact.

Collaborate on curation with your community — Iuliia Takhtarova, TEDxKyiv

In this episode, Greg Tehven shares how his team interweaves TEDxFargo speakers’ paths to the stage with local community members, businesses, and culture. Tune in to hear Salome Heusel, Head of TEDx, and Greg discuss how having a localized approach that centers your community can redefine your city.

Redefine your city — Greg Tehven, TEDxFargo

In this episode, Jay and Maryam Pasha, organizer of TEDxLondon, sit down to discuss the importance of giving a platform to people from varying demographics. Listen in as Maryam shares tools that can lead to a more inclusive event.

2:28 - A description of how TEDxLondon strives to reflect the diversity of the local community 
7:04 - The approach TEDxLondon uses to set goals for representation 
9:34 - A deep dive into the magical combination of the idea and lived experience
15:07 - A walkthrough of how to build a compelling speaker program
21:05 - Ideas about how to seek out underrepresented groups
23:02 - Thoughts on how TEDx events can challenge stereotypes 
31:28 - An integral perspective on diversity as truth

Value your diverse community — Maryam Pasha, TEDxLondon

This episode features Ladan Wise, Deputy Director of TED Conferences team. In this conversation, Ladan shares TED’s detailed communication plan - before, during, and after an event. Listen in as the two explore how to foster a long-lasting connection amongst attendees. 

2:36 - A description of the consistent voice that TED uses 
4:53 - A walkthrough of how each event is marketed
7:56 - The strategy behind the timing of each weekly countdown email 
12:12 - How clear communication can make an event more accessible 
14:16 - How to create a seamless arrival experience for attendees
17:19 - A cure for the post-event TED-ache
25:21 - How each attendee can create their own customized experience

Communicate with clarity — Ladan Wise, Deputy Director of Conferences, TED

In this conversation, Jay and David Rae, host of TEDxPortland in Oregon, discuss the essential elements of hosting a TEDx event. Tune in to hear David reveal tips about how to be composed and graceful on stage.

2:30 - The key to being a successful host
5:15 - An approach that can help the audience feel at ease
10:28 - Tips for how to memorize and prepare your hosting script
12:57- The contents of the TEDxPortland host toolkit 
16:02 - How to overcome unexpected challenges during an event 
22:37 - How bonding with the speakers leads to more authentic hosting

Host with passion — David Rae, TEDxPortland

In this episode, Jay and Bruno Giussani, TED's Global Curator, explore how to curate local ideas with global resonance. Tune in to hear Bruno share his perspective on curation — and how TEDx organizers can take a balanced approach when curating challenging topics.

1:25 - A definition of what it means to be a curator
3:26 - A story about an early event curator and his research strategy
7:10 - Timeless strategies for how to dive deep into the search for ideas
11:07 - The steps a curator can take from mapping ideas to bringing them on stage 
14:04 - How to make global topics relevant to audiences around the world
17:30 - Thoughts on how to frame political and religious talks without pushing an agenda
21:08 - How to make sure a controversial topic is presented in a balanced way

Curate local ideas with global resonance — Bruno Giussani, TED Global Curator

In this episode, Jay and Katy Yam, organizer of TEDxMontreal, explore the team’s democratic approach to speaker selection. Tune in as Katy details each step of their curation strategy, which is rooted in humility and trust.

4:13 - How broadening your curation team leads to unearthing diverse ideas
10:02 - Qualities to look for when recruiting new curators and volunteers 
12:15 - A walk through of the speaker selection process 
14:42 - The structure of TEDxMontreal’s selection committee and voting system  
20:51 -  How to maintain a democratic speaker selection process
23:20 - The importance of putting cultural diversity at the center of curation

Consider participatory curation — Katy Yam, TEDxMontreal

This episode features Jay and Nun Tansrisakul— the activation lead at TEDxBangkok. Listen in as they discuss how to embody the vibrant and diverse culture of your local community with activations that extend beyond the stage. 

2:08 - The beautiful range of lifestyles within Bangkok
5:06 - How to unlock the full potential of an event by creating spaces for people to share their knowledge
9:19 - An innovative activation that engages the senses
11:17 - A method to help speakers collaborate on bringing their ideas to life
16:02 - Thoughts on how activations can be environmentally sustainable
25:42 - How the TEDx platform can be used to explore your personal creativity without limits

Enliven your audience experience — Nun Tansrisakul, TEDxBangkok

This episode features Jimmy Tan, organizer of TEDxGuangzhou (TEDxXiguan) in China. Tune in to hear Jay and Jimmy explore how TEDxGuangzhou creates a space where traditional and modern ideas can come together. Jimmy shares his thoughts on what the TEDx community can learn from TEDx events in China, and how the entire TEDx community can benefit from learning from connecting with each other.

2:42 - How TEDxXiguan empowers attendees to gather to talk about topics they are passionate about
7:40 - The significance of curating ideas that are deeply rooted in a community’s specific cultural context
9:09 - A breakdown of social media alternatives and how they are used within the TEDx community in China
14:02 - Tips for conveying the immense value of TEDx to potential partners
15:38 - A perspective about why TEDx events should start small and grow slowly
18:29 - How combining traditional and innovative ideas can lead to powerful discussion

Blend tradition and innovation — Jimmy Tan, TEDxGuangzhou

In this episode, Jay and Andrea Manticò, creative director of TEDxVicenza, discuss how to develop a design identity that creates a sensory experience. Tune in as Andrea provides a detailed walkthrough of TEDxVincenza’s process for building activations that deepen the connection between the attendees and the event.

1:50 - A transformative visual activation that can engage the emotions of your attendees
6:02 - The power of integrating sound as supportive material during TEDx talks 
8:15 -  How to incorporate the theme of an event into every design element 
11:03 -  A creative way to connect TEDx organizers by sharing recipes from around the world
13:17 -  A step by step runthrough of TEDxVicenza’s graphic design process
16:54 -  Solutions for how to create meaningful design elements on a shoestring budget
20:32 -  How taking ownership of TEDxVicenza has been creatively liberating for the team

Design for the senses — Andrea Manticò, TEDxVicenza

This special edition episode of Solving for X celebrates you, the TEDx community. We asked organizers from around the world to share stories about how their TEDx events have impacted their local communities.

As we listened to each voice—from Caracas to Tokyo to Beirut—we were moved by the hard work and dedication each of you puts into this work. 

These stories aren’t only about organizing an event, they are a reflection about why TEDx matters, and why all of you make a profound difference in the world. Thank you to each TEDxer featured for your wisdom and impact:

Florentina Niradewi, TEDxJakarta, Indonesia
Jacqui Chew, TEDxAtlanta, USA
Viiveck Verma, TEDxHyderabad, India
Gillian Cameron, TEDxToronto, Canada
Victor Becerra, TEDxCaracas, Venezuela
Kat Haber, TEDxVail, USA
Yusuke Suzuki, TEDxTokyo, Japan
Elena Crescia, TEDxSãoPaulo, Brazil
Javier Yunes, TEDxRosario, Argentina
Sara Sabai, TEDxHamraSalon, Lebanon
Raji Sarath, TEDxMunnar, India
Mats Lederhausen, TEDxChicago, USA

The power of the TEDx community — TEDx organizers

In this special episode of Solving for X, Chris Anderson, Head of TED, talks through TED’s journey from the initial impact of the global crisis through to today - and beyond, reflecting on how TED is adapting and growing. Listen in for thoughts on how to transform your own TEDx strategy during a time of crisis.

2:28 - The realizations of the challenges the coronavirus pandemic would possibly create 
7:00 - The recognition that TED’s ideology of ideas worth spreading extends beyond gathering in person 
10:01 - A description of TEDConnects and its short-form programing
14:02 - The distinctive voice of TED and the crucial part it can play in creating impact and forward-thinking solutions
21:31 - Tips, suggestions, and ideas for TEDxers around the world to explore community engagement in the midst of the pandemic
29:32 - How to step up in the face of unforeseen circumstances and emerge as a mindful leader

Transform your strategy — Chris Anderson, Head of TED

This episode features Zebunisa Ahmed, the impact lead at TEDxGlasgow in Scotland. Zebunisa focuses on collecting stories and data to assess the impact TEDxGlasgow has on their local community, and on society at large. Tune in for methods that can help your team measure the impact your TEDx events have had already, and will have in the future. 

2:00 - How the role of impact lead was created on the TEDxGlasgow team, and how it evolved
5:25 - A description of the research methods that can be used to capture stories and data 
7:42 - A deep dive into the four areas the team explores when harnessing impact: the idea, society, economic, and the speaker
16:32 - Examples of how ideas from the stage have made a direct impact in the world
22:36 - Reasons why it is important to assess the impact of TEDx events 
24:24 - How capturing and sharing impact can build stronger relationships with partners

Capture and share impact — Zebunisa Ahmed, TEDxGlasgow

In this episode, Jay and Keita Demming, organizer of TEDxPortofSpain in Trinidad and Tobago, talk about curation strategy. Tune in to hear how the team amplifies ideas that challenge the status quo, spark debate, and lead to constructive conversations within the TEDx community and beyond.

2:27 - A description of the TEDxPortofSpain curation team
4:24 -  The importance of speakers and ideas that challenge common perceptions
8:20 - Strategies for curating talks that are about political and taboo topics
12:19 - Tips on how to bring nuance to challenging conversations and focus on productive outcomes 
14:19 - The matrix TEDxPortofSpain uses to prompt positive and forward-thinking conversations
19:02 - Thoughts on how to make your TEDx event welcoming for those who might be apprehensive
21:04 - Examples of talks from TEDxPortofSpain that are controversial yet powerful

Curate with Courage — Keita Demming, TEDxPortofSpain

In this episode, Jay and Kelly Stoetzel, Head of Conferences at TED, talk about how to pivot from an in-person event to a virtual one— and how there are limitless opportunities for experimentation in a virtual landscape. Tune in to hear about the practical framework of TED2020 and how the team brought special moments of interaction to life!

2:09 - A description of the structure and programming of TED2020
4:52 - Methods of fostering virtual interaction
14:23 - How an event host’s role has shifted in the transition to virtual
20:23 - How music and interstitials add value to the attendee experience
25:09 -The challenges of TED2020 and the TED’s plans for the future
30:57 - How virtual events allow the flexibility and freedom to innovate

Transition to virtual — Kelly Stoetzel, Head of Conferences, TED

In this episode, Jay and Banban Cheng, Creative Director of Format Development at TED, have a conversation about creative strategies for producing remote talks. Listen in to hear Banban share tips for how to enrich your talk format by making thoughtful choices in remote production and curation.

1:41 - How TED talks are being redefined off stage to become more dynamic in a virtual setting
8:50 - A strategy to prepare speakers to record talks from home
10:49 - An example of a direct to camera talk from TED2020 and a walkthrough of how the TED2020 talks were produced
20:56 - Suggestions for visual elements that can make a talk more compelling
25:04 - The challenges of creating direct to camera talks and how to overcome them 
28:25 - The future of direct to camera talks and how new formats can enhance the presentation of ideas

Reimagine your talk format — Banban Cheng, Creative Director of Format Development, TED

In this episode, Jay and Guy Winch, psychologist and TED speaker, meditate on how TEDx events can be a beacon of hope for local communities after the current health crisis. Tune in to hear Guy share how TEDx can contribute to the process of healing and recovery.

1:45 - An acknowledgement of the emotional toll people all over the world have experienced during the pandemic
5:25 - The unique opportunity TEDxers have to connect their community members—and instill hope
13:23 - Specific methods that TEDxers can use to nurture their own well-being in order to approach TEDx organizing with a fresh mind  
24:48 - The real-life impact each TEDx event makes on the world, from the perspective of a TEDx speaker

How TEDx events can usher in healing after the pandemic — Guy Winch, Psychologist, TED Speaker

This is Solving for X, our podcast for the TEDx Community! Listen to a new episode every other week, as TEDx organizers and TED staff members share candid stories, wisdom, and tips about everything that goes into producing TEDx events.