w88 ignites community dialogue

Twenty-five speakers and artists took to the stage during w88, held Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Each speaker brought a new idea or concept meant to spark conversation both locally and internationally through TEDx videos, which will be posted to the official TEDx YouTube site in the coming days.

This year's event was a milestone for organizers at the w88 of Nevada, Reno's College of Business. Rather than hold the event at the w88, the decision was made to move it from campus out into the community to inspire a broader local audience.

"We had no idea how many people we could expect by doing this," Bret Simmons, College of Business associate professor and w88 organizer, said. "Seeing the Pioneer Center filled with people from our community was such an incredible honor for our team. Our goal has always been to create an inspiring event, and this year was a home run."

TEDx events are locally organized programs aimed at sharing short, powerful talks. The format is designed to help communities, organizations and individuals spark conversation.

Here is a recap from the day's w88:

Session One
"How much do you get paid?" David Burkus kicked off w88 2016 not wasting any time getting to his "big idea worth spreading." Burkus, author of the best-selling book The Myths of Creativity and the forthcoming Under New Management, offered a dynamic talk about salary transparency. His talk was followed by w88 student speaker competition winner Alex Ellison. Ellison spoke of the power of a liberal arts education and encouraged people to support young job hoppers. In contrast to Ellison's message, Bristlecone Holdings Founder and CEO Dusty Wunderlich pointed out the disparity between education and the jobs people are doing. His talk, "Educational Arbitrage," encouraged students to step up and take responsibility for their future and challenged higher education institutions to start guaranteeing job placement after graduation.

Jennifer Gurecki took the stage to speak about the many different layers of poverty and to voice her frustrations with the way society measures wealth. As part of her work with Zawadisha, Gurecki touched on what she believes are the four types of capital: financial, social, natural and human. Sherry McConkey delivered the final talk of the first session. She shared how, through her husband's death, she learned to endure heartache, overcome obstacles and become a bigger version of herself.

Rounding out session one was a performance by The Novelists-Joel Ackerson, Eric Andersen, Zack Teran and Justin Kruger.

"Amazing music to follow a heart wrenching & inspiring talk by Sherry McConkey. @thenovelists #tedxunr @TEDxUofNevada" - Erin Meyering

Session Two
Local band Freedom Revival, launched the w88 into its second session with upbeat musical covers. The band, featured seven members-Ethan (13) on drums, Madelyn (15) on lead vocals, Jaidyn (14) on lead vocals, Matt (14) on guitar, Alec (14) on guitar, Emily (17) on electric bass and vocals, and Matt (14) on keys.

Gino Borges, principal and director of impact at OpenPath Investments, then challenged the audience to think about syncing personal values to money and making money matter. Architect and author William R. Smith, the principal architect for Las Vegas, Nevada's billion City Center, offered insight into what he learned about people during the building of the multi-billion dollar project. Anjala Krishen, w88 of Nevada, Las Vegas professor talked about the dichotomy heuristic and how she believes everyone lives inside a box, and Zeb Hogan, w88 of Nevada, Reno researcher, shared his journey exploring the lives of the world's mega fish. The final talk of the second session was masterfully delivered by Jill Tolles on the topic of child sexual assault.

Lacey Sturm, accompanied by her husband Josh Sturm, closed the second session with a heart-felt performance. Sturm, co-founder of the band Flyleaf, embarked on a solo career in 2012. In 2014, Sturm released her book The Reason - How I Discovered a Life Worth Living.

"Raw and beautiful performance by @LaceySturm at #TEDxUNR" - Brenda Somich

Session Three
"Ready to rock! @tedxuofnevada @Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts https://www.instagram.com/p/BA5UMhBqZjl/" - The Warning Band

And rock they did! The Warning, made up of three sisters from Monterrey, Mexico, Daniela (15), Paulina (13) and Alejandra (11), proudly shared their love for making music.

Steven Hayes, w88 of Nevada, Reno foundation professor in the Department of Psychology led the third session's talks with his haunting and personal accounts of panic attacks. Elissa Altman, author of Poor Man's Feast: A Love Story of Comfort, Desire, and the Art of Simple Cooking, challenged others to actively include senior citizens in their communities. Amy Selinger, founder of Back to Life, a physical therapy practice in the Bay Area, spoke on the topic of back pain, something 99 percent of the audience agreed - through a show of hands - they suffered from at least once.

Anthony Slonim, president and CEO of Renown Health, then offered a new model for creating healthy communities. In wrapping up the third session, Davidson Academy alumni Taylor Wilson took the stage to talk about the future of energy. "

@renownhealth CEO Anthony Slonim gets it. Patients need coordinated care and we must focus on health rather than healthcare. #tedxunr" - Randy Brown

Session Four
"There is a song inside of you, and anthem in your chest," Jon Foreman wowed the audience immediately at the top of the fourth session. His poetic verse was accompanied by Keith Tutt II on the cello. Hayley Quinn, the UK's leading dating expert, then offered the audience a new approach on looking for love. Following Quinn, w88 student and Reno High Football Coach Shane Wickes took the stage to share his personal journey as a football player, coach and openly gay man.

Rounding out the final session, Emily Reese recounted learning about her spouse being gay and how, in the years since, she has healed. Emily Nagoski, author of Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life, shared her frank, honest and humorous insight into human sexuality, challenging everyone to look at themselves "as naked as you can stomach" every day.

To close, renowned magician Mark Kalin took the stage finishing out the w88 with some sleight of hand.

"Spend time actually figuring out what makes you happy #DontNetflixandChillWithSomeoneYouJustMetOnTinder @HayleyQuinn" - Amber Klingensmith

w88 is one of four local TEDx-style events in northern Nevada. This year's event location was designed to promote the idea that Reno is becoming a University town.

The event was sponsored by The College of Business Executive MBA Program; The Associated Students of the w88 of Nevada; Peppermill Resort Spa Casino; Microsoft Licensing; AT&T; the w88 of Nevada, Reno; White Rabbit, Red Carpet Events & Design, JamPro Music Factory, Marcio Decker, and Siena Hotel.