Theme: That Was Then

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).

The Music Hall
28 Chestnut Street
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801
United States

Angela Hanscom

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity.

Anthony Bounphakhom

Dancer

Bill Kubicek

Nonprofit Founder

Bill Kubicek is the founder of Next Step, a nonprofit organization that provides community and life skills for teens and young adults living with HIV, cancer and rare genetic disorders.

Chuck Ott

Education Leader

Chuck Ott has been a classroom teacher, guidance counselor, school psychologist and superintendent. Through it all, his focus has been on dropout prevention and high school reform.

Craig Welch

Affordable Housing Administrator

Craig W. Welch is the executive director for the Portsmouth Housing Authority, where he oversees 600 affordable housing units.

Cyrus McCandless

Neurobiologist

Cyrus McCandless is a neurobiologist who studies brain activity with a focus on motivation, goal-directed behavior and decision-making.

Ed Goyette

Curiosity Activator

Ed Goyette is the owner of BeanTowne Coffee House and founder of “Yours for the Asking,” a program that put action behind curiosity.

Emily Calhoun

Naturalist & Owl Expert

Emily Calhoun is a naturalist, owl expert and programming instructor with Seacoast Science Center.

Jessica McWade

Leadership Strategy Developer

Jessica C. McWade is the president of McWade Group, specializing in leadership, team and strategy development. She has led major divisions for three Fortune 200 firms, served as a U.S. Navy Commander and president of the World Affairs Council of Boston.

John Gargasz

Entrepreneur

John Gargasz is a serial entrepreneur who consistently asks the question “Why not?” He currently serves as managing director of Nanocomp Technologies Inc., a NH-based advanced materials company.

Jon Giegengack

Entertainment Researcher

Jon Giegengack is founder of Hub Entertainment Research where he works with the likes of Netflix, AMC, AT&T, Hulu, Sony Pictures to understand how our ubiquitous connectivity changes the way we find and consume entertainment.

Kate Doyle

Artist

Kate Doyle is a visual artist whose recent collaboration with NASA brings attention to the devastation of climate change on our planet.

Keith Tharp

Sustainability Advocate

Keith Tharp is co-founder of Sustainable Seacoast, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the Seacoast’s environmental impact by eliminating single-use plastics from the restaurant industry.

Merrill Black

Writer

Merrill Black is a Seacoast writer whose essays have appeared in publications including The New York Times and the local anthology Becoming Portsmouth. She is currently working on a memoir about mental illness.

Sharon Ippolito

Singer

Sharon has been performing for most of her life. She spent three years singing professionally at the famous Brandy’s Piano Bar in New York City, before moving to Portsmouth with her husband and two young sons. When she is not singing or parenting she works as a registered nurse at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.

Sharyn Potter

Sociology Researcher

Sharyn Potter is a professor of sociology at UNH and co-founder and executive director of research at the Prevention Innovations Research Center, which seeks to end sexual and relationship violence and stalking.

Stasia Savasuk

Body Positivity Advocate

Stasia Savasuk is a body-positivity advocate who teaches about Inside-Out Congruency--who we are on the outside can--and should-- reflect who we are on the inside, a concept that has changed the lives of thousands of girls and women.