What can a teacher do when they see a student wasting their potential? The first step is to figure out why they’ve detached. The reason—and solution—is too often ignored in our schools. Nathan Ahlgrim is an educator driven by curiosity. While earning his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Emory University, an Read more…
Have you noticed how divided we are? Grammy award-winning violinist-producer Miri Ben-Ari shows us how harmony works in music and society with a fascinating analogy and live demonstration that features Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” timeless speech. Ben-Ari says “enough for the division,” it’s time to create Read more…
Stress, it’s everywhere we turn. Each day a new headline reveals how to beat, reduce or manage stress, as it if is the enemy to be feared. Stressing about stress has been the problem, yet what if it’s actually THE SOLUTION? Research reveals how our brain and body can work Read more…
The closing piece in this TEDxTalk is about unity in the midst of diversity through the medium of music and the spoken word. After all, without true diversity there is no real unity. Otherwise there’s nothing to be united, right? I wrote this piece out of my own frustration with Read more…
Beginning in March 2018 as a weekly community improv workshop, Morganton Improv transitioned a couple months later into an improv and sketch comedy troupe, performing monthly at local bars. Morganton Improv creates one-of-a-kind performances based on audience suggestions. Some of the cleverest and socially awkwardest folks of Burke, Caldwell and Read more…
Before integration came to Catawba County, folks both black and white came out on Friday nights to witness an example of sports excellence, as well as an exciting ballgame, as a group of young men established a winning streak unparalleled in North Carolina high school football history. Since 1957, the Read more…
The more connected we become the more disconnected we become. People are more lonely, depressed, anxious, nervous than ever before in part due to digital connection. We chase HI-TECH, we’re drowned in HIGH-TASK, but we need HI-TOUCH to live a better life. Using a little known science called axiology since Read more…
As we prepare to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Hickory, North Carolina next year, this talk will reconnect us to both the origins of this city and an uncomfortable past that has been largely forgotten. William Keener is the current president of the Hickory Humanist Alliance and a member of the Read more…
At 17, Joshua Elliott experienced the most vulnerable event of his life, being diagnosed with a brain tumor. In this deeply personal talk, Josh describes what he learned from vulnerability, how it can lead to purpose, and why purpose rooted in dignity is the path to true community. Josh Elliott Read more…
Did you know we all have a personal unicorn? In this creative and powerful talk, discover how to let your unicorn remind you to believe in infinite possibilities and develop the type of meaningful connection that will allow you to live your best life. Therapeutic Riding instructor, Patty Adams, shares Read more…