Ideas will be shared, stories told and inspiration ignited at TEDxBend, planned for Saturday, April 18th. The Source Weekly recently provided a sneak peak by spotlighting two of the announced speakers–Tchicaya Missamou and Nicole LeFavour. The remaining 16 speakers and performers will be announced on the day of the event, giving us all the gift of a shared surprise.

In the spirit of all of the goodness to come, we are sharing a few talks that inspire us with their humor and humanity. Please watch and enjoy.

Want to tap into a superpower that allows you and everyone around you live a longer and happier life? Watch this talk by Ron Gutman and notice what your face starts to do all on its own.

All of us share one common trait, we want to be happy. In this TED talk, David Steindly-Rast explores the connection between happiness and gratefulness.

Brené Brown’s TED talk on the Power of Vulnerability is frequently shared amongst friends. Brown studies human connection–our ability to empathize, belong, love. In her TEDxHouston talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.

In 2014 we were charmed and inspired by Sarah Red-Laird, who transformed a childhood fascination with honeybees into an impassioned career as a research scientist, educator, conservationist and revered beekeeper. Watch her TEDxBend talk here.

Finally, a TEDx talk from Boulder, Colorado from Ash Beckham who encourages everyone to courageously emerge from the universal and yet, personal experience of being in a closet.

Putting an exclamation point on all of the inspiration, the TEDxBend event is immediately followed with the TEDx Bash. This year it will be here in the Old Mill District at the former Orvis building.

We hope to see you there and here!