TEDxSantaCruz

Celebrating the ideas, creativity, life, and diversity of Santa Cruz County. TEDx programs are licensed through TED.

Join us for Rising Together on April 13, 2024 at Cabrillo's Crocker Theater tedxsantacruz.org About TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created TEDx, a program of local, independently organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our intention is to spark deep discussion and connection, and to create a global platform for great ideas through daylong events and salons featuring digital TEDTalks and live speakers.

07/08/2025

The Secret to an Unstoppable Brain | Groundbreaking science on the “habenula,” a little-known brain area, reveals its negative powers over behavior change, mental health, and motivation. Kyra Bobinet, MD, MPH Bobinet shares her discovery of a novel approach that neutralizes the habenula and unlocks our ability to become unstoppable.

Dr. Bobinet specializes in health behavior change, particularly the know-do gap (knowing, but not doing). She turned to neuroscience after 30 years of testing interventions and discovered the Iterative Mindset Method™. A Harvard Health Innovator awardee, Stanford University educator, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe citizen, Dr. Bobinet pioneers sustained, brain-based behavior change. This talk was given at TEDxSantaCruz 2024 Rising Together.

Groundbreaking science on the “habenula,” a little-known brain area, reveals its negative powers over behavior change, mental health, and motivation. Dr. Kyr...

09/27/2024

Xinistra and Trashy use the art of drag and drag story time to explore how the art form creates and protects safe spaces for the q***r community and supports joy, self-expression, and the power of pride. ✨

Trashy holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work, equipping them for community strengthening. Currently pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Master’s, they aim to support q***r, gender nonconforming, and trans individuals. As a non-binary individual, Trashy fosters safe spaces and community through drag. They are a member of Drag Story Time Santa Cruz

Xinistra holds a UC Santa Cruz modern literature degree. In drag, Xinistra emphasizes self-advocacy, and out of drag, she is working to support adults with developmental disabilities. A Pajaro Valley Pride board member, Xinistra, through drag, advocates for the LGBTQI+ community, empowering others and creating safe spaces for q***r individuals.

This talk was given at TEDxSantaCruz RisingTogether event in April earlier this year.

Xinistra and Trashy use the art of drag and the format of drag story time to explore how the art form creates and protects safe spaces for the q***r communit...

09/19/2024

Next time you want to feel really, really good about something you are wearing, make sure you have asked three brand N.E.W. questions. According to Stephen-Will Weir, the Slow Fashion movement is going to be good for your smile, your pocket, and the planet. Weir, a passionate global sustainability expert, aids in waste reduction and combating deforestation.

Straightforward and determined, he's deeply connected to family, friends, and community. Born in England, he now lives in Santa Cruz and has two grown sons. Stephen enjoys hiking, kite surfing, sailing, and nature. His superpower lies in assisting others toward fun, easy, and rewarding low-impact lifestyles. This talk was given at a TEDsSantaCruz Rising Together in April 2024.

Next time you want to feel really, really good about something you are wearing, make sure you have asked three brand N.E.W. questions. According to Stephen-W...

08/28/2024

Daniel Nemire shares his song "Young Man" on acoustic guitar in this moving and upbeat performance. Through impressive finger-picking techniques and soulful vocals, he illustrates a picture of adversarial love, communication, growth, and the lessons learned along the way. A Santa Cruz native, Daniel has dedicated 20 years to honing his musical craft. As the frontman of hard rock band King Tide and also as a prolific solo acoustic artist, Daniel explores various genres in his guitar and vocals.

Beyond performance, Nemire fosters community through music, seeing it as a force for societal reflection and transformation.

This performance is from our April 2024 Rising Together event. Enjoy!

Daniel Nemire shares his song "Young Man" on acoustic guitar in this moving and upbeat performance. Through impressive finger-picking techniques and soulful ...

08/27/2024

Have you watched Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela's incredible TEDxSantaCruz talk? We couldn’t be more proud! 🎉 This was definitely one of our many favorites from our latest event. It was an honor to see her bring her inspiring ideas to the stage with such passion and authenticity.

If you haven't seen it yet, take some time to be inspired today! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVBDf0rYYbQ

Can your passion help conservation and support local economies in the Global South? The answer could be yes if you like “tororois”! Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela di...

07/24/2024

Esabella Bonner explores the shift from passive values to active engagement in her April 2024 . Inspired by personal experiences, she advocates for turning values into verbs, emphasizing tangible actions. Through stories and initiatives she illustrates the impact of living values daily for systemic change.

In 2020 Esabella orchestrated Santa Cruz County's largest protest drawing 5,000 attendees. This sparked her commitment to movement work, fostering inclusivity for black and brown individuals at paddle outs for Black Lives Matter. Her organization Black Surf Santa Cruz aims to promote physical, spiritual, and communal wellness and healing through surfing, recreation, and education.

Esabella Bonner explores the shift from passive values to active engagement. Inspired by personal experiences, she advocates for turning values into verbs, e...

07/10/2024

Virtual Reality brings to life the immediate threats of climate change, from raging wildfires and scorching heat waves to rising sea levels. Dr. Juliano Calil demonstrates how immersive storytelling can boost awareness, drive engagement, prevent climate denial, and inspire action in a changing climate.

Juliano, Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy and Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, pioneers science communication for climate action. With a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz and a Master's from UC Santa Barbara, he collaborates with communities on innovative solutions for climate challenges like coastal flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves.

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storag...

06/28/2024

Elie Mabanza is a remarkable musician whose soulful sounds are deeply rooted in the rhythms and harmonies of his native Congo Brazzaville.

Through his music, Elie paints vivid pictures of joy and pain, using his hauntingly beautiful voice to tell stories not just from his life in Africa but also conveying universal truths that resonate across all boundaries. Performing in Lari, Lingala, French, and English, his songs are a bridge connecting diverse cultures with the message that “life is life and people are people everywhere.”

Experience the transformative power of Elie Mabanza’s music as he takes us on a journey from the heart of Africa to the soul of the world.

Elie performed at TEDxSantaCruz Rising Together April 2024.

Elie Mabanza laments lost time and the plight of a soul who has lost its way. Employing gentle, soulful vocals and soft strumming on his guitar, Elie takes y...

06/25/2024

How to Follow a HUNCH | Luna HighJohn-Bey

Who writes our history, and through what lens are historical facts framed? Luna HighJohn-Bey, an historian and shrine keeper, urges us to question assumptions and follow our hunches. She teaches us what it means to have a critical eye and how to remain attuned to inconsistencies in historical record. Luna emphasizes that historical accuracy is often achieved when it passes the "FUBU" test -- is this narrative written "for us, by us"? We have a common birthright to dig deeper into the past of our communities and rectify harmful inaccuracies.

Luna, a Santa Cruz resident for over a decade, serves as Historian in Residence at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Originating from Washington, DC, she passionately explores community-based history, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding our shared past. Luna's dedicated work unveils overlooked narratives, recognizing community-led historical research as vital to true liberation.

Who writes our history, and through what lens are historical facts framed? Luna HighJohn-Bey, an historian and shrine keeper, urges us to question assumption...

06/20/2024

The Rise of Tiny News | Kara Meyberg Guzman

As traditional newspapers shrink and disappear, a reinvention of local journalism is underway. Across the U.S., independent entrepreneurs are redefining the mission, scope, and delivery of local news to serve their communities. Kara Meyberg Guzman, CEO and co-founder of Santa Cruz Local, shares why this moment is full of hope.

Kara prioritizes serving marginalized communities through fair, accurate, and accessible news. As board president of the Tiny News Collective, a national nonprofit, she supports early-stage news entrepreneurs aiming to serve their communities, believing in the power of local media to elevate diverse voices for effective local democracy.

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storag...

06/16/2024

Comunidad Al Aire Libre / Community Outdoors | Antonella De La Tore Marcenaro 🌿

Cultural relevance, representation, and more inclusive outdoor experiences are necessary for nurturing connections with land, people, and oneself. In this talk, outdoor programming facilitator Antonella shares how community-led affinity spaces can both help reduce barriers to outdoor recreation and cultivate lasting feelings of belonging and shared joy!

Antonella is a Q***r, able-bodied, neurodivergent, light-skinned Peruvian immigrant with 10+ years of experience in outdoor education. Antonella founded Puentes Nature to facilitate outdoor programs for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color that center joy, community building, personal growth, and outdoor skills development. A Counseling Psychology master’s student, Antonella aims to support the mental health of Latinx individuals and communities.

Cultural relevance, representation, and more inclusive outdoor experiences are necessary for nurturing connections with land, people, and oneself. In this ta...

06/13/2024

From Incarceration to Inspiration: The Transformative Power Of Education | Donnie Veal

Rising above the challenges of an underserved community and the harsh realities of prison life, Donnie Veal turned to education as his beacon of hope. Now, as a program coordinator, he guides others on their journey to break free from recidivism and embrace a new beginning.

Effron "Donnie" Veal, is an education advocate. After 23 years in prison, Donnie emerged as a beacon of resilience, navigating academia and societal reintegration since his release. His journey from confinement to community empowerment exemplifies the transformative power of education and determination. Donnie earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz in 2023.

Rising above the challenges of an underserved community and the harsh realities of prison life, Donnie Veal turned to education as his beacon of hope. Now, a...

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