It’s back: TEDxKC returns to ‘question everything’

Ticket sales for the popular lecture series “TEDxKC” kick off next Tuesday.

With a theme to “question everything,” the eighth-annual TEDxKC will welcome innovators, artists, activists and researchers from around the world to share their big ideas.

TEDxKC is a wildly popular event in Kansas City, garnering sellout crowds not only at its host location, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, but also at watch parties around the city. In 2015, tickets to the live event sold out in 30 minutes, said Mike Lundgren, founder of TEDxKC.

“Kansas City has always been giddy for TED,” said Lundgren, who’s also director of creative at Kansas City-based VML. “In our first year we practically got a standing ovation before our first speaker took the stage.  Now in our eighth year, tickets sell-out in under an hour, there is a global livestream, watch parties all over town and KCPT rebroadcasts the entire event later in the year.”

Organizers say TEDxKC is one of the largest TEDx events — or local versions of the national TED series — in the world. In total, nearly 4,000 people around the Kansas City area viewed the lectures at the Kauffman Center and at watch parties in 2015.

Ticket sales start 10 a.m. Tuesday and will be available at www.TEDxKC.org. The event will be 6 p.m., Aug. 19 at the Kauffman Center.

Here’s a rundown of the speakers, directly from the TEDxKC team:

Rupi Kaur is a celebrated photographer, illustrator, author and spoken word artist. Her latest work, Milk and Honey, is a powerful exploration of femininity, love, loss, trauma and healing.

Mark Shaw is an inventor’s inventor. Mark gave a main-stage TED Talk in 2010 about a nano-technology he invented that revolutionized several industries. Mark’s talk will teach us all how to see the world like an inventor and transform our observations into solutions.

Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado is a Stowers Institute researcher that studies the molecular mechanics of cell and organism regeneration. Alejandro’s research may someday lead to breakthroughs in human health, unlocking the mysteries of tissue self-reassembly that in turn may someday make it possible to replace damaged tissues or even body parts.

Jess Ladd is a TED Fellow and sexual health activist utilizing technology to create an effective deterrent to campus sexual assault. In a world where 99% of rapists get away with it, Jess’s work explores how consent, privacy and prevention intersect on a platform that is making a difference on many campuses.  

Stan Tatkin studies why relationships go wrong. It’s not them, it’s not you, it’s not sex, kids, money or even who picks up the socks – Stan’s talk will look at a far more primitive link from a neuroscience perspective.  

Michael Rea says that even if you can afford all of your medications, you may be surprised to find out that you could be paying as much as 2000 percent more for a prescription than your neighbor.Michael left his job as a pharmacist eight years ago when he realized nearly a third of all prescriptions in the US are never filled because the cost are too high and the system too complex. He has been busy ever since hacking into the healthcare system and shaking it down for more affordable pharmaceuticals.

Harriet Lerner is a clinical psychologist and New York Times Best Selling author that has turned her attention to the subject of apology. Harriet’s work explores why people that have suffered great injustices often never receive the apology they long for and deserve. Harriett will also offer insight on how to ask for an apology of great import and how to make your own healing apology. (Lawrence)

James Hobson is a fan-engineer in the great tradition of fan-fiction. An expert maker and accomplished engineer, James makes real the fictional devices of Captain America, Batman and Ironman.

Bill Callahan is one of this generation’s great singer-songwriters. Formerly of Smog, Bill Callahan has perfected a lo-fi indie rock sound that delights.  From contemplative songs such as Small Plane to the lightly political tunes like America and the beautifully arranged Riding For The Feeling, we think Bill is about to find a new set of fans in Kansas City and beyond.