Theme: Less Fear, More Joy

Gary Hirsch, artist, illustrator, co-founder of On Your Feet, creator of BotJoy, painter of large murals all around Portland, and former TEDxMtHood speaker, will host this Salon with the theme "Less Fear. More Joy" Here is what he says: "Fear and Joy are prominent emotions that surface in my work, art and life. I am curious how they play out for others. How do people reduce the fear and increase the joy in their lives? Is there joy in the fear? Can you have one without the other? How do they inspire or motivate? I am excited to curate an evening of speakers, film, and conversation that explore these questions and more."

About TEDx Salons:
Salons are small, in-person gatherings hosted 2-3 times per year, centered around local speakers along with two related presentations from the TED.com vault. Salons highlight a locally relevant and engaging topic and facilitate community engagement between regular TEDx events.

Event Details:
This TEDxMtHood Salon will feature live speakers, a video, a discussion, and more. The event schedule is as follows:
6:30 - 7:00pm - Registration and mingling with snacks

7:00 - 9:00pm - TEDxMtHood Salon hosted by Gary Hirsch

9:00-9:30pm - Post-event mingling and networking

Wayfinding Academy
8010 N. Charleston Ave.
Portland, Oregon, 97203
United States

Aden Nepom

Communication and Collaboration Advisor

Aden Nepom is a Senior Facilitator for On Your Feet Improvisation for Business and President of the Art of Change - Skills for Life. She helps people navigate our ever-changing world by coaching skills and exploring habits that develop people into stronger collaborators, better business partners and more influential communicators. She has worked with clients at Dell, Nike, Lockheed Martin, IAAP, the Federal Reserve Bank, Uber and more. Aden is also an internationally touring Improv Theatre performer and teacher! When not working with clients, you might catch her in ridiculously entertaining (sometimes heartfelt, sometimes hilarious... sometimes both!) shows like USS Improvise the Next Generation the Musical, B.A.B.E. Presents "I Love Musicals" a fully improvised 1950's sitcom-musical, or Manacle: Improvised Love Stories - a show in which Aden and real-life husband Eric convert audience stories into improvised One Act plays.

Bella Gazzola

Self-care practitioner

Bella was diagnosed with stage IV bone cancer as a 21-year-old in 2015. The challenge of confronting her mortality in the dawn of adulthood has compelled Bella to orient her life toward facilitating joy within herself and others. She passionately researches and participates in the healing practices of mindfulness, movement and compassionate communication.