“The most important things I say in my life may well be whispered, “said Carl St. Clair, Musical Director of the Pacific Symphony when he spoke at TEDxOrangeCoast. St. Clair, working with a select group of violinists from the Pacific Symphony, demonstrated how as a conductor, by whispering honest feedback and direction encourages musicians to create exceptional music that mirrors their souls. He demonstrated what he referred to as “outside in conducting” in which he helps musicians journey deep into themselves to find and experience a level of performance that is exceptional and awe-inspiring.  By working in whispers, using quiet communication and exchange, St. Clair inspires great musical innovation that has been acclaimed around the globe. “To the musician, ears are the mirror to the soul.”

Innovation often comes from asking the right questions, according to best-selling author and church leader Rick Warren in his talk at TEDxOrangeCoast. Warren referred to his list of essential questions as the “Eight Nations of Innovation”:

1. Termination- What do I need to stop doing?
2. Collaboration – How do we do it faster, larger, cheaper, or with a team?
3. Combination - What can we mix together to make something new?
4. Elimination - What part could we take out in order to make something similar?
5. Reincarnation – What has died that we can bring back to life in a new format?
6. Rejuvenation - How can we change the purpose for why we are doing it?
7. Illumination – How can we look at it in a new light?
8. Fascination – How can we make it more interesting?

“Never stop learning. Leaders are learners. Always ask the right questions,” Warren told the more than 1,000 attendees at TEDxOrangeCoast on May 19th. Check our Facebook page,  TEDxOrangeCoast, for notification of when video from the talks is available. In the meantime, a little question asking may be in order…

You’ve heard the proverbial light bulb joke… “How many (name your victim) does it take to turn a light bulb?… In the case of TEDxOrangeCoast, we will really never know for sure how many people it took to turn on the light. The TED movement came first. It was created, nurtured and sustained by countless passionate people with wonderfully altruistic ideals. People who understand that making a human connection, and sharing great ideas can enlighten and give birth to change. TED pioneers were followed by equally passionate people who honored the ideals of TED and were entrusted with the concept of TEDx, where the x = independently organized events. Thousands of people have worked tirelessly to bring TEDx to local communities all over our Earth. By respecting the ideals of remaining non-political, without commercial bias or individual gain, these people have grown TEDx to more than the creators of TED could have ever imagined.

TEDxOrangeCoast rests on the shoulders of the thousands of people who have gone before. Amir Banifatemi stepped forward and sought the license for TEDxOrangeCoast. He believed that in less than six months he could bring TEDx to his community, and make a difference by encouraging a discussion about innovation without borders. Following his vision and tireless campaigning, a small group of volunteers have worked along side him doing lots of heavy lifting. An advisory board of influence makers shared their contact lists and evangelized the TEDx ideals. Companies stepped up with financial support to pay for the day. Tomorrow, twenty four speakers, and nearly 1,200 people will pause their busy lives and be present and participate in “ideas worth spreading”. And as they do, the ranks of TED and TEDx devotees will expand even more.

To all those who have gone before us, to those who have worked so tirelessly to arrange the day, to the speakers who have worked hard in preparing, to sponsors, and most importantly to those who will attend. Thank you for believing.

We look forward to seeing what part you play in bringing, sharing and spreading innovative ideas right here in Orange County.

TED curator Chris Anderson explains TEDx. TEDxOrangeCoast brings TEDx to Orange County May 19th. Ticket information at TEDxOrangeCoast.com.

Co-organizing the upcoming TEDxOrangeCoast event on May 19th has led me to believe Orange County needs a kick in the rear to become a little more TED savvy. We TED fans are just about as crazy for TED as Apple fans are for their iPads. If you’re not familiar with TED, spend 16 minutes watching anything on TED.com and you’ll see what I mean. Over 2 million people visit the site every month. TED talks are now being translated into 18 different languages. Oh, and the cost of attending TED’s annual conference in Long Beach? A mere $6,000 (and from 2012 $7,500) for tickets that sell out faster than a Lady Gaga concert. (FYI, TEDxOrangeCoast, thanks to our sponsors, is only $95)

But TED’s curator, Chris Anderson, never meant for TED to become an elitist venue. That’s one of the biggest reasons why he developed TEDx. Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” the TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

But what’s up with Orange County? Most of us think of OC as something a bit more than reality TV, right? Perhaps it is So Cal’s little Silicon Valley? I would bet if you ask the average person in Silicon Valley about TED, they would launch into their favorite TED talk. Yet what I’ve discovered is Orange County is quite different. In fact, I’m down right surprised at TED’s much smaller brand awareness here. My reason for co-organizing TEDxOrangeCoast is to change this.

Orange County is the perfect breeding ground for “ideas worth spreading”. There is so much brilliance and innovation occurring around us every day, but it’s too quiet. We’re a little too laid back. We need a jolt. That’s also the reason for our TEDxOrangeCoast theme, “Innovation Without Borders”. Our local area is bursting at the seams with powerful stories of local people who are not only innovative, but inspirational in the ways they’ve broken through cultural, physical, economical, geographical and political borders to achieve their goals.

Our speaker line-up is off the charts. 24 innovators from all walks of life, some whose names you already know, and some who – once you hear them – you’ll never forget. But the speakers are only part of what TEDx events are about. They participate (pro bono, by the way) to initiate and stimulate conversations within the audience. Most TED and TEDx venue attendees say they learned the most from conversations with fellow attendees during the breaks and afterward. That’s our plan, too.

If you still don’t quite understand what TED is, I encourage you to spend just a few minutes on their site. Look at the topics of the talks, the quality of the speakers and the massive interaction occurring worldwide thanks to this organization. Then look around you. You’ll probably see what I see – a wonderful opportunity for Orange County to embrace TED and share our own ideas worth spreading. I hope you’ll join me.

Ticket information is available at www.TEDxOrangeCoast.com. The ticket price is $95. A limited number of tickets that includes preferred seating in the orchestra section and includes the post event reception at The Center Club with invited speakers are available for $185.

–Cheril Hendry

Other speakers include Daniel Amen (Amen Clinics), Lindsey Duncan (Genesis Today), Joseph Maciariello (The Drucker Institute) , Alice Shin (Kogi BBQ), and Carl St. Clair (Pacific Symphony).

Put a border in front of Shelene Bryan, and she will find a way to skip over it. Visiting impoverished countries has become fashionable as celebrities and public figures scramble to be photographed being associated with good works. But of the growing swells of people who have ventured to see how other parts of the world live, the ranks of those who have actually taken practical action are few. Meet Shelene Bryan. When challenged about the validity of the two children her family sponsored, she boarded a plane to Africa to check it out. The children were for real, and so was the reality of poverty in their lives. Rallying her friends and the resources of a web-based giving system, Shelene makes it easy for everyday people to take small actions that make a large impact in the lives of others.

Shelene Bryan is a featured speaker at TEDxOrangeCoast on May 19th at Segerstrom Concert Hall.

While people have been known to go to great lengths seeking good health, many borders stand in the way. The most common obstacles are lack of education, access to health care, and just plain laziness. Lindsey Duncan passionately believes that breaking down geographical borders and seeking remedies from other parts of the world also plays a big role in healthy living. He is passionate about what he has termed “Rainforest Remedies,” found deep in the Amazon jungle. Lindsey Duncan will appear on the Dr. Oz Show on May 5th to share the benefits of an array of plants and fruits harvested in the rainforest. According to Duncan, in today’s modern world there is no reason why geography and accessibility should be an obstacle to good health.

Lindsey Duncan will be speaking at TEDxOrangeCoast on May 19th, for ticket information visit www.TEDxOrangeCoast.com

Amir Banifatemi, lead organizer for TEDxOrangeCoast has announced the line-up for Innovation Without Borders to be held May 19th at Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Presenters for TEDxOrangeCoast include:

• Daniel Amen – Physician, scientist, teacher, Amen Clinics
• Dondeena Bradley – Global food and nutrition advocate, PepsiCo
• Shelene Bryan – Social action activist, Founder, Skip1.org
• Ann Marie Calhoun – Grammy nominated rock violinist
• Jean DeKervasdoue – Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (CNAM) international health economist
• Lindsey Duncan – Naturopathic doctor, Genesis Today
• Mohammed El-Erian – World finance advisor, PIMCO
• John Jolliffe – Psychologist, sustainability champion, Better U Foundation
• Richard Matthew – Peacemaker, Center for Unconventional Security Affairs
• Joseph Maciariello – Horton Professor of Management, The Drucker Institute
• Donald McKayle – Dancer, Choreographer, UCI Department of Dance
• Sid Mohasseb – Business information strategist, WiseWindow
• Lisa Naugle – Chairman, UCI Department of Dance
• Harmon Parker – Bridge builder, CNN Hero, Bridging the Gap
• Matthew Peterson – Neuroscientist and co-founder MIND Research Institute
• Amy Purdy – Athlete, inspirational speaker, model, Adaptive Action Sports
• Alice Shin – Food innovationist, Kogi BBQ
• Lisa Sparks – Healthcare communications researcher, Chapman University, UCI
• Carl St. Clair – Conductor, Pacific Symphony
• Danny Sullivan – Search engine pioneer, Search Engine Land
• Rick Warren – Global strategist, Saddleback Church
• Harry West – Global brand analyst, Continuum
• Sheron Wray – Performance architect, UCI Department of Dance

Ticket information is available at  TEDxOrangeCoast.