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).

Brevard College
Broad Street
Brevard, North Carolina, 28712
United States

Brett Loftis

Child Advocacy

Brett Loftis is a human rights attorney, child advocate and national expert on trauma and resilience. He has more than two decades of leading successful nonprofits, including the largest children’s law office in the southeast. In 2013, Brett is CEO of Crossnore Communities for Children, one of NC’s largest and most innovative child welfare and behavioral health organizations. In 2018, Brett co-founded the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities (CTRC.) Helping children, organizations and communities heal from trauma is Brett’s passion. His background in ministry has driven his particular interest in walking alongside faith communities as they embrace their role in the prevention and healing of individual and collective trauma. Brett received his undergraduate degrees Furman University. His passion for children eventually sent him to Wake Forest University School of Law. Brett is currently completing his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on leadership.

Christy Bauman

Counseling Education, Teaching, Therapy, Writing/Author

Dr. Christy Bauman, MDFT & LMHC (she/her) is committed to helping women come into their true voice. She is an author and psychotherapist who focuses on the female body, sexuality, and theology. Christy’s work can be found at christybauman.com She is the author and producer of her works: Her Rites: Sacred Therapeutic Guides for the Feminine Soul The Sexually Healthy Woman Theology of the Womb Womaneering Perpetual Calendar A Brave Lament, and the award-winning Documentary: A Brave Lament She has a podcast entitled Womaneering and she offers storywork consulting, womaneering weekends, and marriage intensives with her husband Andrew Bauman through their organization, Christian Counseling Center for Sexual Health and Trauma. Drs. Christy and Andrew host Therapy Shorts podcast, a conversation about relationships dynamics.

Cody Siniard

Singer/Songwriter

Cody Hale is a singer/songwriter from Penrose, North Carolina. He began writing music in 2010 after a career ending injury kept him off the basketball court. He currently travels and performs with his wife, Jonlyn Linville, who plays fiddle and sings. The duo has crafted their own sound through years of performing live music.

Ischa Vingle

Biodiversity Educator

Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, Ischa was drawn to the sea. With the love of water and everything in it, she began adventures all over the world. As with all cycles of life, Ischa returned to the mountains and discovered the underwater world of the Appalachian Mountains. She is the founder of Mountains to Sea Scuba Adventures, Nixi Aquatics and is an avid Biodiversity Educator sharing her love of the rivers, oceans and seas with the world.

Jennifer Peyton

Activist, Environmentalist, Finance professional, Philanthropist

Any kind action big or small can have a ripple effect far beyond what we might think. What if we all choose to care for our natural spaces and help people, places and things in need? We can truly help to change the world with a kind, caring and generous mindset.

Michael Collins

Community Organizer

Michael Collins was born in Rosman, North Carolina. Technical Theatre and lighting design became Michael's passion, accumulating 88 productions as a lighting designer and production coordinator. Steven Sondheim's company asked him to take the Pulitzer Prize winning musical "Sunday in the Park with George" on its first National tour, right off Broadway. Upon his return to the Mountains, Michael opened the Essence of Thyme Coffeehouse and Cafe, a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. “Community participation is the way to change the world” is Michael's favorite quote and volunteerism means a lot to him. Michael was a volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic at the Bread of Life facility. Michael is very involved in the local music scene, with two "Jazzlvania" shows on the local White Squirrel radio station, WSQL, the outdoor summer music program called Southern Exposure, and radio show called B – Town, co-hosted with famed drummer Jeff Sipe.

Parker Hays

Doctor, Educator/Teacher

Dr. Parker Hays is a board-certified emergency physician, expert speaker and certified coach. He received his MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. After his residency in Emergency Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, a top national program, he then stayed there, serving in academic leadership roles for 20 years in an urban Level One trauma center. He trained and mentored hundreds of medical residents and taught and lectured around the country and the world. He also served as a Chair and Medical Director on the front lines of community emergency departments, totaling over 30 years in medicine. He is the founder of Lasting Impact Wellness Group and podcast. He fronted a rock band for 19 years, backpacked four continents, and is still being raised by four kids. Dr. Hays has special interest in functional fitness and leadership mentoring, as well as expertise in effective speaking, coaching, and evidence-based aging and longevity medicine.

Rachel Dickson

Change Agent, Connector, Explorer

Rachel has had a love of storytelling and radio dramatization for as long as she can remember. She records voiceovers, poetry recitations, audio blogs, hosted a live-online radio program (blogtalkradio.com) and co-hosted the Conversations at the Council Tree Podcast. Rachel is also an avid outdoor enthusiast and most recently published her outdoor studio YouTube Channel called RDicksonOutdoors. Here you'll find hours of mountain river videos along with dozens and dozens of short videos depicting her admiration for the mountain streams and forest river sounds. Following this passion for the outdoors and capturing its splendor on film, Rachel offers drone videography for hire where she can capture aerial photography and video for your home or business needs. A Veteran, Rachel Dickson served in the US Army from 1993-1999 as a Postal Platoon Leader and she also served in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Sae Mickelson

Health & Life Coach

I am a Life Coach who is a longtime practicing Licensed Acupuncturist and Classic Chinese Herbalist. Being a healer is natural for me because of my innate understanding of physical and emotional suffering. Since a young age, I was managing family illness and looking for ways to heal myself. Over the many years of my work and life I have discovered specialties and techniques as well as new understandings about healing. This all created for me the learning that I feel most alive listening to humans then looking at the individual ways they can care for themselves and the world around them, gently. I have lived a lot of places, from Indiana to Iran, but the fantastic city of Chicago for the longest. Now I am next to a beautiful lake in the mountains of Western North Carolina with my husband, teenaged son and daughter plus our dogs: mutt Olive and chow chow Mortie.

Samantha Coffin

Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur

Samm is the owner of Matcha Nude, a sustainable matcha company dedicated to providing premium-grade organic matcha in eco-friendly packaging. As a health and wellness coach, Samm is passionate about empowering individuals to reclaim their health and vitality, drawing from her own journey of overcoming chronic illnesses, including Lyme Disease, Celiac Disease, and Endometriosis. Driven by a desire to build a life aligned with her values, Samm leverages her experiences as an entrepreneur and advocate for holistic wellness to inspire positive change within her community and beyond. Through her work, she encourages individuals to embrace their vulnerabilities, foster supportive networks, and create lives that prioritize self-care and authenticity. With a commitment to sustainability and community building, Samm strives to make a meaningful impact by promoting wellness, resilience, and connection in all aspects of life.