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).

Sneaky Big
15750 N Northsight Blvd
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260
United States

Briell Decker

Advocate

Briell Decker grew up in a Fundamentalist Mormon sect (FLDS) in a family with 14 children and two mothers. At age 18, she became the 65th wife of the prophet Warren Jeffs. After years of abuse and torment from Jeffs and his followers, Briell escaped by climbing out of a window and running barefoot to safety. Briell was hidden by other FLDS apostates and started her process of recovery. She applied for and was granted Warren Jeffs 28,000 SF home in Colorado City, AZ where she once lived as a wife. Partnering with the Phoenix Dream Center, that home has now been remodeled and restored to serve as a place of hope and refuge for other women and children leaving the FLDS. Briell has dramatically rewritten her script from cult victim to advocate and now a peer counselor at the Short Creek Dream Center.

Cynthia James

Speaker

Cynthia James is a transformational coach, speaker and multiple award-winning author of What Will Set You Free and Revealing Your Extraordinary Essence and I Choose Me: The Art of Being a Phenomenally Successful Woman at Home and at Work. She has facilitated hundreds of workshops internationally and is the creator of several music and meditation CDs. Cynthia guides groups internationally on pilgrimages to sacred sites; trains coaches in her innovative Freedom Techniques and is the co-creator of Women Creating Our Futures, hosting entrepreneurial conferences and online programs.

Dr. Gladys McGarey

Mother of Holistic Medicine

Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey is a medical pioneer and visionary. She was born to medical missionary parents in the jungles of India a century ago, in a place and time that filled her childhood experiences with imagination about what medicine could be. As the only female co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association in 1977, she has become affectionately known around the world as the "Mother of Holistic Medicine." The year 2020 marks her 100th year on planet Earth, as she continues to usher in the next medical paradigm shift, Living Medicine. She is a treasured speaker nationally. She just provided the welcome and opening remarks at the Academy of Integrated Health and Medicine annual conference. She is the author of four books including her seminal book, LIVING MEDICINE, that is being published in November 2020.

Jan Phillips

Author

Jan Phillips is a thought leader who connects the dots between spiritual intelligence, evolutionary creativity and social transformation. She is the author of eleven award-winning books, has taught in over 25 countries and has published work in The New York Times, Ms., Newsday, People, Parade Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, New Age Journal, National Catholic Reporter, Sun Magazine and Utne Reader. She has performed with Pete Seeger, presented with Jane Goodall, sung to Gladys Knight and worked for Mother Teresa. Her books have been endorsed by Bishop John Shelby Spong, Ervin Laszlo, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Richard Rohr, Diarmuid O'Murchu, Gloria Steinem, Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Brian Tracy and Ken Blanchard. Jan teaches throughout the United States and Canada facilitating retreats on evolutionary faith and prophetic action. Her quest has taken her into and out of a religious community, across the country on a one woman peace pilgrimage.

Kristy Bidwill

Author

Kristy Bidwill is a business professional, certified sports life coach, speaker, author and athlete. Growing up in a life filled with competitive sports gave Kristy the discipline and ambition to pursue her dreams. She attributes living a life of intention and purpose to her ongoing love of sports and the knowledge she has gained. Kristy's competitive sports career has covered the gamut. She was a competitive gymnast, a competitive college cheerleader, a first degree black belt and two-time Junior Olympic medal holder in Tae Kwon Do. She has swum Alcatraz, led a blind man to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, completed 10 marathons and is a two-time Ironman

Liliana Soto

Advocacy

Liliana Soto is a recognized, award-winning journalist with an extensive career covering Latino and immigration issues. She is currently an Enterprise/Investigative reporter for ABC 15 Arizona. Liliana was born and raised in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico and graduated from The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Liliana has received multiple multiple accolades for her work thus far, including the National Award by the Online Journalism Awards for excellence and innovation in visual digital storytelling. She has been honored by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as an investigative journalist for exposing a case of abuse of authority and discrimination by officers in the Phoenix police department against a Hispanic woman. Aside from earning nine Emmys, her highest achievement is being a mother to her daughter Andrea. As a young mother, Liliana strives to motivate teen mothers to pursue a higher education.

Sonja Bochart

Biophillia

Sonja Bochart, a design leader in health and wellness for over twenty years, has an extensive background in creating spaces to support human and ecological wellbeing. She works nationally as a designer and biophilia consultant. She is currently researching the the patterns in design that contribute to "spirit of place." Sonja also integrates a regenerative design process that deeply respects people and place supporting greater inclusiveness, equity and diversity. Sonja has consulted for several national design firms and clients and has contributed to such groups as Interior Design's Healthcare and Wellness Council, the advisory council for the International Living Future Institutes Biophilic Design Initiative and currently serves as a board member for Green Plants for Green Buildings.

Valerie Fitzgerald

Author

As a single mom with a successful real estate career, Valerie Fitzgerald ascribes to the belief that you can achieve anything in life that you set your mind to - as long as you believe in your own personal power. Over the last twenty years, Valerie has risen to the top of the real estate world by single-handedly building a multi-million dollar business from the ground up, establishing her own charity foundation and speaking to thousands of people around the country at numerous business conventions. Her talent for the real estate business along with her drive for success have repeatedly out her on Caldwell Banker's Top 10 Agents Nationwide list. Valerie is the President of The Valerie Fitzgerald Group, located in Beverly Hills, and part of the Caldwell Banker family. Valerie's team is consistently the number 1 team in the number 1 Coldwell Banker office in the United States. Valerie is also the published author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Thrive in Real Estate.