Conversations with Influencers and Disruptors

Live conversations every other Wednesday at 4 pm Pacific

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Conversations with Influencers
and Disruptors

Live conversations every
Wednesday at 4 pm Pacific

Learn More

This show would not be possible without the support of the Santa Barbara community.
Thank you.

Upcoming Salon Conversations

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Wendy Whitman – Evil Obsessions: Unraveling Our Fascination with Crime

Dec 13, 2023 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
The “true crime” phenomenon has never been more evident. From television series to books to documentaries, there seems to be a never-ending fascination with crime, specifically murder. Serial killers are a constant topic of conversation, whether in the news or in fictional shows and novels. In interview after interview, Wendy Whitman has been asked to explain this obsession.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
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Charles Feinstein – Addressing the Climate Emergency: Economic and Policy Options and Making Polluters Pay

Jan 17, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, with global consequences affecting the natural environment, basic livelihoods, and nearly every sector of human activity. The interview will briefly review the current scientific understandings that define climate change as a critical threat.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
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Petra Beumer – Sweetness of Doing Nothing – Learning from the Italians

Jan 31, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
What does it take to get off the hamster wheel, unplug from external stressors (and the addictive world of social media), and “come home” to oneself? Simply being and living in the moment is a lost art, as is sitting in a circle and telling stories.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
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DannieL Fuchs: Thriving Together: The Revolution of Multi-Generational Living

Feb 28, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
Explore the dynamic world of multi-generational living with Danniel Fuchs, a seasoned executive who transformed into a fervent advocate for shared family homes. Dive into the profound life experiences that shaped his understanding and appreciation for this unique living model.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk

Salons

Regular events for smaller groups to explore single topics of community interest
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Adventures

Regular field trips for smaller groups to explore our community
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Main event

Our Annual All-Day Event with Live Speakers and Performers at The New Vic

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Coming Soon

Be sure you don’t miss these conversations coming later this year.
* indicates new guest added to the show.

Jan Campbell 12/9
Finding a Vaccine for Violence

* OP Almarez 12/16
Cleaning up after COVID

Bittersweet Gratitude
Virtual Concert and Conversations
Jackson Gillies
Kenny Loggins
Hana Loggins
Zach Gil
Glenn Philips
John Irving and the Renaissance Dancers

People Are Talking

“It was an honor to contribute, once again, to the profoundly vital discussions the TEDxSantaBarbara team hosts, initiates and propagates with unparalleled integrity and consistency."
Dr. Harry Grammer, Making Waves speaker
"Really nicely done to be using your platform to spotlight something like this. Very proud of you guys."
Evan Asher, TEDxSantaBarbara performer
“Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your Conversations. Each of these presentations helps to make connections across disciplines, as a result, we’re all inspired to learn more.”
Dr. Yonette Thomas, Making Waves speaker
“This series has been terrific! I have caught a few of them and the conversations have been insightful. Keep up the great work.”
Julie Sorenson, Attendee
“Thanks so much for hosting such an important presentation by Dr. Wizdom Powell.”
Cheri C. Wilson, Education and Training Manager, Johns Hopkins Medicine
This program is one of the best I have ever seen in my life. This was amazing and there are not enough words to say Thank You and your Team."
Attendee, BJ King

What is the TEDx Santa Barbara Salon?

Our TEDx Salon is different than a live, in-person event where speakers give 12-18 minute talks in front of an audience. Instead, our Salon is an online conversation with our host, Mark Sylvester, and our guest, who is an expert in their field and joins us for a short talk, followed by questions from the online audience.

The topics we explore are focused on the Pandemic, Sustainability, Creativity, Technology, and Social Justice. We look at them individually and, at times, see how one has influenced the other. We look through various lenses and hear different voices as we explore these categories. 

We navigate through opinions to help us reflect on our existing attitudes, increase our knowledge, and, when appropriate, take action. The exploration of ideas can provoke and impact our opinions of topics we bring to be discussed. Sometimes we make waves as well.

We want to thank the Community Environmental Council and the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management for their help in curating our Sustainability track.

The Salon series, Making Waves, is hosted by TEDxSantaBarbara's Executive Producer Mark Sylvester and Produced by Tracy Wyle.

SPEAKERS: This is an invitation-only event. Please do not send us unsolicited requests to speak. Thank you.