2022

Seeing Our Humanity Through a Photographer's Eye | Robert Sturman

Robert Sturman has a unique perspective. From behind his camera he is witness to the vulnerability, the beauty, and the human elements that connect us all. Take a journey with him, as he shares stories from around the globe and the astounding images he has captured. We are a global community and his camera is the illustrator.

Speak What You Feel: Women and the Power of Voice | Tina Packer

"The world will not make itself right until women speak in full voice and are heard." Tina Packer comes to the TEDx stage with years of experience working with people from around the world, teaching them through theatre, and in particular Shakespeare, how to stand and fully embody their intentions through the voice, body, and words. Her gift today is a call to the women...

From Many, One: Building Strong Communities | Thato Ratsebe

Thato Ratsebe came to Vermont with dreams of tall building and bustling streets, like she saw on tv when living in rural Africa. Her host family was in Shelburne, Vermont and views of America changed, and became her home. Thato now runs an organization that helps immigrants create community and find their way in their new world, adding to the growing fabric of our country. Her stories are profound, funny, heartfelt and inspiring. We are more alike than not, and our hearts can be used as our hands to tie us together.

What Being a White Supremacist Taught Me About Radical Compassion | Tony McAleer

Is there a Cure For Hate? Co-founder of Life After Hate and author Tony McAleer shares his insights into how young people a drawn into extremist groups, how the incredible transformative power of radical compassion can change a heart filled with hate, and how we can inspire the people around us and change the world by living the 3 "C"s - Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion.

Turn On, Plug In, Drop Out: How Social Media Saved the World | Ben Mezrich

Ben Mezrich says he grew up in a mall... and then proceeded to "live in one" at the Prudential Center in Boston as an adult. So what happens when the man who wrote the book on social media (made into the movie "The Social Network") moves his family to Vermont during the pandemic? We call it Growth.

Finding Community in Unexpected Places | Helen Hong

Helen Hong, the Executive Director of COVERS, always felt just on the outside, even within her own family. In her talk, Helen walks us through finding her way to the mountains of Vermont and the power of community, especially at the table. Home can be found in many places and Helen is a master at building community.

From Commune to Community: One Man's Journey | Jeffrey Kahn

Over 50 years ago, Jeffrey Kahn left New Jersey with 30 friends, the Baloney Brothers and Sisters, to participate in a commune they created together named “The Land” on 50 north facing acres in Sharon, Vermont. This is the story of one man's experience as a consummate community member who continued to grow with the times and contribute with joy and purpose... and above all, to "never grow up."

Community, War & Peace | Alpaslan Özerdem

For the inaugural year of TEDxHartlandHill in Woodstock, VT, we compiled an amazing group of speakers to dive into the question, "What is Community?”, as we purpose that “Community is a Verb.” Alpaslan Özerdem, Dean of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, takes the topic and walks us through three poignant moments around the globe; Mostar, Liberia, & New Orleans... each struggling to rebuild, each hoping for a greater Peace.

Farmer as Artist: The Steward of Whitman Brook Apple Orchard | Ben Silberfarb

Filmmaker Ben Silberfarb takes us on a journey of artistry and ecology tied together in this thought provoking story of the ongoing restoration of Whitman Brook's Apple Orchard which has once again become a destination spot in Quechee, Vermont. Silberfarb relays his experience of spending several years watching the craftsmanship and precision of steward Terry Dorman and his crew, as they graft and prune and weather the seasons. It is also a unique look at the role time plays in our life and growth, reflected in nature.

A Journey with Flame | Robert DuGrenier

Robert DuGrenier is a wonderful mix of world-class artist, community architect, and farmer to a historic property. His talk takes us through a journey of creation and recreation from the restoration of no less than the flame on the top of the Statue of Liberty to the community pizza oven at his home in Vermont.

*Please note: Though we enjoyed being open to the public for our first year, Covid was still in our midst and Robert was unable to present live that day.

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Balance, Harmony, & Chaos : It's all About the Basics | Dr. Jennifer Ashby

Our body’s daily, physical energy is one way we gauge the strength of our immune system and our body’s vulnerability to disease, both acute and chronic.

An elephant, a lion, and a chimpanzee were Dr. Jen Ashby’s first teachers regarding health and well-being. When watching an animal care for itself, the focus is predominately on the the basic behaviors.

Dr, Jen Ashby discuss these transferable behaviors as a guide you can follow in your work to replenish daily energy and to avoid disease and disease recurrence, and re-establish homeostasis when possible... it's all about the basics.

The Radical Flower—Outgrowing Our Social Division | Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley

Talking about joy and racial justice at the same time is almost impossible. It’s very hard work but it can be done. Our conversations about race and racism become so volatile because they are not yet as beautiful as they need to be. Our conversations do not yet enable us. Flower gets us closer. Through disciplined, graphic analysis of the of the stories that we hear (and the stories that we tell), Flower helps us to better understand this persistent, American challenge… and helps us to overcome it.

Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley leads us through an exercise towards more compassion using an innovative approach that is a wonder to see.

Recovering From Male Sexual Abuse: One Survivor's Story | Jamie Forbes

It was 2016, after Boston Globe’s Spotlight team published an article about their research into educator abuse in the independent schools around Boston, that Jamie Forbes decided to reveal his own experience to his family and friends in a FB post. The outpour was striking, both the love and support, as well as the degree of shared experience. It was more than healing, it shifted his life and career trajectory. As it would happen, his TEDx talk would take place the week before he would face his abuser in court, 40 years post experience, finally, for sentencing.

In this talk, Jamie takes on the formidable task of speaking the shame that comes with being a victim of this crime coupled with the clarify of how to bring forth personal healing and how to create greater protection within our school systems.