In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Hixson-Lied Auditorium - Creighton University
602 N 20th Street
Harper Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68178
United States

Anthony "Tony" Gould

Anthony J. Gould, also known as Coach T, is a Mentor/Coach , speaker, and author who has made it his life's mission to inspire people to live their best lives. He has coached and mentored some amazing people for over 20 years as well as working with some great organizations in the Omaha area in the areas of leadership training and relationship building. His latest book, "Can I Live Again?", draws on years of experience working with clients to overcome adversity and cultivate resilience. Showing that there is a path through pain, and a roadmap for how to overcome obstacles, find hope in the face of adversity, and live a life of meaning and purpose.

Arthur Fratelli-Silknitter

Arthur Fratelli-Silknitter is a magician, comedian, hypnotist, and business owner who explores Meditation in Motion—a dynamic approach to mindfulness through movement. From BMX biking to yo-yo tricks and balloon art, Arthur reveals how embracing failure unlocks focus, flow state, and fulfillment. Drawing inspiration from The Matrix's iconic "there is no spoon" philosophy, he challenges the idea that mindfulness requires stillness, showing how the mind-body connection and skill mastery reshape our reality. Arthur travels the country inspiring audiences to rethink focus, resilience, and finding fulfillment through practice

Berry Joshua

Joshua Berry is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and CEO of Econic, spending the two decades evolving the what, who, and why of Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups. Along with his team, Joshua has sparked change in organizations like US Bank, John Deere, Procter & Gamble, Ameritas, Omaha Public Power District, Principal, and Microsoft, among others. As a facilitator of change, he focuses on overcoming limiting beliefs, adaptive leadership, and the innovation systems and mindsets that create engines for growth. His book, Dare to Be Naive: How to Find Your True Self in a Noisy World, was published in 2023

Blake Harris

Blake Harris is a skateboarder, entrepreneur and community engagement leader. He is the founder and director of a nonprofit organization that uses skateboarding to build community and drive change. Coming from a challenging background, he takes pride in turning his passions into a vehicle for overcoming adversity, building community and empowering others.

Darci Gamerl

Composer, producer and musician

Darci Gamerl's groundbreaking work in music has taken her around the globe. A composer, producer & musician, Darci founded Bel Canto Duo with cellist, David Downing. The duo works collaboratively, writing impactful, soul-moving music. An activist for positive, impactful change in the classical music world, Darci is a frequent guest speaker & writer.

David Joel Thomas

David Joel Thomas is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of Creative Arts at Bellevue University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from DePaul University. His dual training reflects his commitment to bridging the gap between critical research and creative synthesis. He organizes his multidisciplinary practice around anecdotal ecosystems that underpin indigeneity, transnational migration, and diaspora. Through the lens of his Near Eastern heritage as an Assyrian American and international upbringing in Pakistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan, his work explores that precise moment when it becomes possible to transform chaotic conditions into creative process.

Dr. David Joel Thomas

David Joel Thomas is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of Creative Arts at Bellevue University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from DePaul University. His dual training reflects his commitment to bridging the gap between critical research and creative synthesis. He organizes his multidisciplinary practice around anecdotal ecosystems that underpin indigeneity, transnational migration, and diaspora. Through the lens of his Near Eastern heritage as an Assyrian American and international upbringing in Pakistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan, his work explores that precise moment when it becomes possible to transform chaotic conditions into creative process. Reflecting seemingly divergent pathways are three interrelated, critical-creative projects: The Perfect Hours, a series of short, free-spirited liturgical fictions; Back Wars, an improvisatory design exploration of Ancient Mesopotamian architectural typologies; and Grief-Work, a visual/literary meditation on diasporic storytelling and place-making.

Dr. Roger Firestien

Dr. Firestien is an associate professor and senior faculty member at the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State and President of Innovation Resources, Inc. He is the author of six books, including Leading on the Creative Edge and Why didn’t I think of that? His expert views on creativity have been reported in Fast Company, Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily and The New York Times. When Roger is not traveling, he lives in Buffalo, New York, and regularly works cattle on the SK Hereford Ranch near Medina, New York

Dr. Tyler White

Dr. Tyler R. White is a Professor of Practice and the Faculty Director of the University Honors Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). He also serves as the faculty lead for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (IC CAE) at UNL. His research focuses on national security topics, including intelligence studies, U.S. nuclear policy, U.S. foreign policy, and deterrence, he created the National Security Studies (NSST) minor, along with its core introductory and capstone courses. In addition to his academic work, Dr. White has organized numerous conferences both on and off campus, collaborating closely with external partners in the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. He has received several prestigious teaching awards, including the 2018 International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Instructor of the Year. His scholarly contributions include co-authoring the book *State Responses to Human Security: At Home and Abroad* with Courtney Hillebrecht and Patrice C. McMahon, and publishing articles on educational practices, deterrence, and the environmental impacts of nuclear release.

Janelle Hill

Janelle Hill is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and owner of Refuge Mental Health Services. She serves on the executive board of The Army of Survivors. An organization committed to bringing awareness, accountability, and transparency to sexual violence against athletes at all levels. Janelle is passionate about helping other survivors find their voice and live healthy, meaningful lives. She is committed to increasing awareness regarding the prevalence of sexual abuse and is passionate about shifting the culture of sports to one that is trauma-informed and athlete-centered. Janelle currently serves her local community by providing courses to survivors of sexual abuse and advocating through the form of spoken word poetry. Listeners have described her as an artist that says the words everyone is thinking, but too afraid to speak. Janelle is dedicated to daily inspire, empower, motivate, and lead others along their healing journey through compassion, authenticity, and positivity.

Joe Runge

Joe Runge is a practicing patent lawyer, published scientist, multi-campus professor, and a 20 year veteran of the innovation economy. He is the co-founder of the UNeTech Institute, a shared research institute between the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. There, he leads a team that supports community entrepreneurs launch startup companies that bring university inventions to market. Born and raised in Omaha, Joe is a graduate of Millard South, Creighton University and the University of Iowa. At Iowa, he remains the only student in history to have simultaneously earned his law degree and a master’s degree in biology. After a brief stint in the office of general counsel at Integrated DNA Technologies, Joe returned to Omaha to work for UNMC.

Joshua Berry

Joshua Berry is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and CEO of Econic, spending the two decades evolving the what, who, and why of Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups. Along with his team, Joshua has sparked change in organizations like US Bank, John Deere, Procter & Gamble, Ameritas, Omaha Public Power District, Principal, and Microsoft, among others. As a facilitator of change, he focuses on overcoming limiting beliefs, adaptive leadership, and the innovation systems and mindsets that create engines for growth. His book, Dare to Be Naive: How to Find Your True Self in a Noisy World, was published in 2023

Kelli Thompson

Kelli Thompson is an award-winning executive coach, author and speaker who is on a mission to advance women to the rooms where decisions are made. She has coached and trained thousands of women to trust themselves, lead with more confidence, and create a career they love. She is the founder of the Clarity & Confidence Women's Leadership Program, and a Stevie Award winner for Women in Business—Coach of the Year. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Closing The Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential & Your Paycheck. She holds an MBA, has served as an adjunct management professor, and has more than ten years of senior leadership experience in financial services and technology organizations. Her thought leadership has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, MarketWatch, Quartz @ Work, HuffPost, FastCompany and more

Will Morales

Body Engineer Will Morales is a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) and Physical Therapy Assistant. His infectious enthusiasm spills into other aspects of his life beyond his professional role. An international kettlebell champion, triathlete, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and prostate cancer survivor. Will is a mentor by nature. He compels people to test their own boundaries and to exceed their own expectations of what may be possible. His skills also include Mobility Specialist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Body Tempering Certified Specialist, Kinstretch Certified Instructor, Russian Kettlebell Certified Instructor, Certified Lymphedema Management Specialist, and a Group Training Specialist. His ability, extensive experience, and specialized skillset holistically improve every dimension of life for the individuals he serves each day.