TEDx and Faces of Anchorage

Last year, after I wrote about TEDxAnchorage one of my dearest and oldest friends commented, “When can I get tickets for Gretchen Fauske’s 2015 TedxAnchorage presentation? If you speak… they will come…seriously, do it.”* and I thought “Well, why not apply to speak next year and see what happens?”

Next year is here… and I was selected as a speaker! Cue elation… and a lot of work to do TEDx justice!

If you’re not familiar with TED and TEDx, here’s the concept:

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.

More thoughts on TEDxAnchorage here.

The theme of the conference this year is Energize Alaska: The Power Within. and as part of the application process organizers asked the questions, “What energizes our state, our communities, and ourselves? How can harnessing that energy lead to transformation?” and requested “Stories of how we power up to energize systems, communities and lifestyles – and how those concepts have meaning beyond our singular experiences.”

TEDxAnchorage will be held on March 28th at the Loussac Library Wilda Marston Theater.

Here’s a description of my talk:

Dream it. Do it.

Through a series of interviews with Anchorage achievers – from Olympians and entrepreneurs to musicians and community activists – Gretchen Fauske identifies the commonalities in energy, motivation, and mindset leveraged during the transformation from dreamer to doer. During “Dream it. Do it.” she’ll share recurring themes to help activate your personal power and not just dream, but DO.

Basically, I now have an excuse to talk to all sorts of incredible, accomplished, inspiring, brilliant people and ask them moderately invasive questions about their motivation and dreams and regrets. I love it. And I’m going to share their thoughts with all of you – as well as forming my “research” for the TEDx talk, I’m using the interviews as an opportunity to write a new category of blog post  called “Faces of Anchorage.”

I’m so excited for you to meet the people I’ve talked to. Each one of them brings their own unique energy to Anchorage, and I can’t help but feel the future of our city is blindingly bright with people like them building a life here.

*The caveat to speaking is that said friend (and other friends?!) will fly from Seattle to Anchorage for the talk… which is simultaneously the best thing ever and horrifically terrifying, because I think it’s so much harder to speak in front of people you know and love than it is to speak in front of a room full of strangers. But when it’s over, there will be much celebrating and fun with some of my favorite people in the world. You are all invited, of course.

Author: Gretchen Fauske

I love Anchorage. I love what it is, what it's been, and what I dream it will be. I share my adventures with DJ (my husband), my fabulous family and friends, two frenchies named Grover and Teddy, and now, all of you. If you love Anchorage too, get in touch - guest posts are welcome! View all posts by Gretchen Fauske