Solving for X

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

In this episode, Jay and Angela Cheng, Creative Director of Format Development at TED, have a conversation about creative strategies for producing remote talks. Listen in to hear Angela 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode, Jay and Dora Dzvonyar, organizer of TEDxTUM in Munich, Germany, discuss how to empower a TEDx team to problem-solve creatively and independently. Listen in to hear intuitive strategies for how to set expectations and build a team that is eager to experiment. Here Dora shares her story about radical delegation and how TEDx events around the world can benefit from distributing responsibility throughout the team. 5:11 - A breakdown of how to execute a week-by-week curriculum around the TEDx essentials 9:44 - How to set up a team that can creatively approach challenges 11:54 - The importance of having different perspectives when problem-solving 14:37 - How to communicate the value of discipline and clear goals while having fun 18:01 - An approach that long-time organizers can take to manage burnout 22:22 - The power of sharing resources with the TEDx Community

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jay and Dmitri Gunn, organizer of TEDxCambridge in Boston, Massachusetts, walk through a creative model for partnerships that can be modified to suit any TEDx event. 2:13 - Context for the kinds of partnerships that exist at TEDxCambridge 4:44 - 4 steps to establishing a deal with a partner, beginning with prospecting strategies 5:34 - A description of the flat membership partnership model and how it works 9:20 - Tips about how to keep the flat membership model sustainable and democratic 15:47 - A step by step approach to pitching and closing a new partnership 22:18 - Insights on how to maintain partnerships year round 25:04 - The 4 primary ways partners benefit from attending a TEDx event

In this episode, Jay and Remo, organizer of TEDxSydney in Australia, take us through the spectacular journey of building an event from the ground up. Listen in as Remo and Jay detail the pivotal moments that contributed to the growth of TEDxSydney — and how every TEDx event can evolve alongside its local community. 1:37 - Insights on how the local community impacted the culture of the event early on 4:57- A narrative about how the event captured the essence of an evolving community 7:58 - A nontraditional approach to curation 9:37 - The secret to building demand for a TEDx event 11:11 - An in depth story about the transition into a larger venue 16:30 - The beauty of an ever-changing audience 20:20 - A walkthrough of the TEDxSydney attendee experience 23:31 - A radical approach to delegation Music credit: Lean Into All by CΔlyman (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Lemoneight/57674 Ft: Admiral Bob Paint The Sky by Jeris (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/55442 Ft: MissJudged

In this episode, Mina Sabet, Director of Production and Video Operations at TED, provides a detailed walkthrough of the essential elements of audio, video, and lighting production. Listen in as Mina and Jay explore straightforward A/V strategies for events of varying sizes and budgets. Here are some key points of interest: 3:28 - Suggestions about how to achieve simple and beautiful stage design 9:10 - An explanation of camera setup and necessary shots for TED in Vancouver 13:29 - A description of camera setup and shots for smaller TED events 14:48 - Recommendations for number of cameras and type of shots to get when on a budget 17:42 - Tips about how to obtain effective lighting 20:36 - A walkthrough of how to record the best audio possible 25:24 - A strategy for how to prepare speakers to work with the clicker 32:17 - Insights about post-production editing

Jay and Larissa, organizer of TEDxAlmaty, sit down to discuss fundamental elements of curation. Larissa takes us on a journey from the start of TEDxAlmaty, all the way through to where the event stands today - and the values her team has used as a compass since day one. Listen in Larissa and Jay dive into how the team curates, and how each part of the process culminates in a spectacular experience for the audience. Here are some highlights: 1:33 - Background on TEDxAlmaty and the uniqueness of the local community 4:47 - An insight about the impact of audience size on curation 10:37 - The approach TEDx Almaty uses to select speakers 13:55 - A perspective on how to measure integrity 19:44 - A strategy for giving the speaker a sense of ownership over their talk 21:04 - The challenge of reinventing a long-standing event 27:03 - Questions that the curation team asks to prompt speakers to dig deeper into their talk Music credit: commonGround by airtone (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/58703 the Morning by Vidian (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Vidian/58453 Ft: Ciggiburns, Aussens@iter, vo1k1

Jay and Safra, organizer of TEDxColombo in Sri Lanka, explore how she trains, sustains, and energizes her team. Listen in as Safra shares how she builds a team that is self-sufficient and prepared for succession. Here are some key moments: 2:51 - The start of TEDxColombo and how it has expanded 4:36 - A description of Safra’s team structure and how the volunteers are recruited 8:01 - A timeline the steering team uses to plan for TEDxColombo 11:50 - A model for training new volunteers 17:15 - An outlook on preparing the team for succession

In this episode, Cloe Shasha, Speaker Development Director at TED, details the wisdom she’s gained from preparing speakers for the TED stage. Listen in as Cloe and Jay discuss strategies about each step of the speaker development process— from the moment a talk is first read by the curation team to the time the final rehearsal takes place. Here are a few standout moments: 2:25 - The role of the first and second reader of a talk 3:28 - A breakdown of the notes that are sent to speakers after they’re first confirmed 9:07 - A strategy for working with speakers who are reluctant to write their first draft 10:50 - An account of what happens during TED speaker rehearsals 16:16 - One approach to helping a speaker embrace their own natural style 19:02 - An idea about how a locally curated idea can reach a global audience

Feature quality science with David Biello: In this special edition episode of Solving for X, we have a guest host -- our director of Digital Media and Programming for TEDx! In a fascinating interview, TED science curator David Biello talks about curating science talks responsibly. Putting cutting edge science on your stage can be both exhilarating and intimidating -- so listen in as these two staff members share tips and wisdom that can be applied to the TEDx stages across the globe. Here are some highlights: 3:28 - Tips on how to make esoteric science accessible 4:40 - David describes the process of drawing out the scientist’s passion 10:55 - An exploration of the shared social responsibility of curating health-related talks 18:51 - David shares his thoughts on how to utilize language that frames scientific findings with precision 21:08 - Words of encouragement for young curators who coach science experts

Jay and Robert, co-organizer of TEDxDresden, have an in-depth conversation about budgeting and ticketing for a large event. In this episode, Robert shares his experience managing event funds and finding practical budget solutions. Here are some points of interest: 2:53 - Robert talks about how a completely new organizer can begin to think about their expenses 8:15 - A detailed walk through of how ticketing works at TEDxDresden 13:46 - A clever method for building excitement around purchasing tickets 16:44 - Ideas about how a TEDx team can approach sponsors to drive revenue for their event

Jay and Helen, the Head of Curation at TED, have an enlightening conversation about stage programming. In this episode, Helen reveals what element she believes makes TED and TEDx events so memorable. Here are some highlights: 2:44 - The first question Helen thinks about when she begins to plan a conference 7:01 - The benefits of having subject specialists to assist the curation process here at TED 8:57 - Thoughts on how to enhance your audience experience by building a narrative 11:33 - Suggestions on naming sessions to stretch the imagination of attendees 13:05 - Helen talks about her philosophy on speaker selection process

Jay and Kelo discuss the purpose of volunteering. Listen as they share tips on how to maintain a team that is committed and connected to one another. Here are some key points: 1:43 - What it means to Kelo to cultivate a culture of volunteering 6:33 - Ideas on how to build a volunteer base in your community 9:26 - The different sections that make up TEDxJohannesburg 11:33 - Guidance on how to instill trust in your team 15:33 - Advice for long-time organizers on how to keep your event (and yourself!) running for years to come

In our first episode, Chris Anderson, the Head of TED, and Jay Herratti talk about the significance of the curation process and how to focus on ideas that bridge gaps and shift perspectives. Here are just a few of the moments that stuck out to us: 2:03 - Practical ways to excite, inspire, and turn towards the future as a community 5:54 - How Chris recharges and stays motivated every year (and how we can do the same!) 7:35 - Chris reflects on how the TEDx journey has developed over time...

This is Solving for X, our new podcast series! 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. In this trailer, you’ll hear some of our favorite highlights - from curation to AV on a budget; maintaining a team to deciding a theme.