TEDxOmaha Newsroom

2026 Call for Speaker Applications NOW OPEN!

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:22:09 GMT

2026 Call for Speaker Applications NOW OPEN!

X marks the moment.

In mathematics, X is the unknown.
In a signature, it’s identity.
On a map, it marks discovery.
In a vote, it signals choice.

In 2026, TEDx Omaha invites you to stand at the intersection of curiosity and courage.

Our theme, X , is an invitation to explore what hasn’t been fully understood, to examine what we’ve overlooked, to experiment with bold ideas, to expose hidden truths, to expand what’s possible, and to confront the beautiful complexity of the world around us.

We are seeking speakers who are ready to:

EXplore new frontiers of thought
EXamine deeply held assumptions
EXeriment with bold ideas and fresh perspectives
EXpose truths that need light
EXpand the boundaries of possibility
Navigate Complexity with clarity and courage
Reimagine Exodus — departure, movement, transition, transformation

This is not about perfection.
It’s about perspective.

If you have an idea worth spreading — one that challenges, illuminates, disrupts, or inspires — this is your moment to step into the X.

Because sometimes the most powerful ideas live at the intersection.

X isn’t just spoken. It’s experienced.

TEDx Omaha is more than a stage for speakers.

We are also seeking:

�� Musicians
�� Filmmakers
�� Visual artists
�� Performers
�� Dancers
�� Creative technologists
�� Poets and spoken word artists
�� Multimedia storytellers

If your work explores, examines, experiments, exposes, expands, or embraces complexity — there is space for you in the X.

Some ideas are best delivered in a 8-10 minute talk.

Others are best felt through music.
Seen through film.
Experienced through movement.
Immersed through art.

You do not have to be a traditional speaker to apply.
You simply need an idea or expression worth sharing.

Step into the X.

Apply now to be a TEDx Omaha 2026 speaker.

Applications close Thursday, April 2.

Tickets are now on sale for TEDxOMAHA 2025 - NEXT!

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:02:25 GMT

TEDxOMAHA 2025 - NEXT!

��️ Tickets Now Available: TEDxOmaha 2025 – NEXT

What’s NEXT?
It’s more than a theme—it’s a challenge, an invitation, and a spark for transformation.

On Friday, October 3, 2025 , nine powerful voices will step into the Red Circle to explore what’s next for our communities, our world, and ourselves. From breakthroughs in technology and science to personal stories of growth, reinvention, and resilience, TEDxOmaha 2025 will dive into the bold ideas shaping our future.

NEXT is a word filled with energy. It stands for progress, possibility, and anticipation , but also for the questions we’re still learning how to ask. What’s next for democracy? For justice? For the ways we live, work, create, and connect?

In a time of rapid change, uncertainty, and discovery, TEDxOmaha invites you to pause, reflect, and imagine what’s ahead.

Come be inspired. Be challenged. Be part of what’s NEXT .

Join us on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Nine speakers. One stage. Limitless ideas worth spreading.
Creighton University Heider College of Business
602 N 20th St, Omaha Omaha, NE 68102
Tickets are $65.00

2025 TEDxOMAHA Speaker Reveal

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 02:44:59 GMT

2025 TEDxOMAHA Speaker Reveal

Before the lights, before the spotlight—there was connection.

We recently held our annual Speaker Reveal on Friday, June 27, 2025 at Joslyn Castle & Gardens . This event gives our 2025 TEDx Omaha speakers and their guests a moment to gather, reconnect, and reflect on what comes NEXT.

These pre-event photos capture the energy, warmth, and spark of conversations that will lead to powerful #ideasworthspreading on our stage this October.

A HUGE thanks to Joslyn Castle & Gardens for once again providing the perfect backdrop for the beginning of this year’s speaker journey.

Every journey starts with someone lighting the way—and Friday night, Terry Lee did just that.

As our fabulous stage host, Terry opened the TEDx Omaha 2025 Speaker Reveal by welcoming a panel of previous TEDx Omaha speakers to the stage. Their stories, advice, and Red Circle reflections reminded us of the power of sharing ideas—and helped inspire this year's cohort of speakers as they prepare to step into what’s #Next !

TED Talk vs. Keynote Speech: What’s the Difference?

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:16:25 GMT

TED Talk vs. Keynote Speech: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever attended a conference, watched a speaker on stage, or considered giving a talk yourself, you might have wondered: What’s the difference between a TED Talk and a Keynote Speech? While both formats aim to inspire and educate, they have distinct purposes, structures, and styles.

At TEDxOmaha , we’re looking for speakers with ideas worth spreading—so let’s break down what makes a TED Talk unique compared to a keynote speech.

TED Talk: An Idea Worth Spreading

A TED Talk is a short, impactful speech that focuses on delivering a single, powerful idea in a way that is easy to understand and remember. These talks are typically 12–18 minutes long and designed to inspire curiosity, spark conversation, and challenge perspectives. Here at TEDxOmaha , we encourage our speakers to shoot for 8-10 minutes.

Key Features of a TED Talk:
✅ One big idea – The talk is centered on a single concept, not a broad discussion.
✅ Story-driven – Speakers use personal experiences, research, or compelling narratives.
✅ Minimal slides – Visuals are used sparingly to support the idea, not to lead the presentation.
✅ Memorable takeaway – The goal is to leave the audience with a thought-provoking insight.

TED Talks are not sales pitches, business presentations, or long academic lectures. Instead, they are concise, engaging, and accessible to a wide audience —whether you’re an expert in a field or simply passionate about a topic.

Keynote Speech: Inform, Inspire, and Motivate

A Keynote Speech is a longer, structured presentation often delivered at conferences, corporate events, or industry summits. The purpose is to motivate, educate, or provide strategic insights to a specific audience.

Key Features of a Keynote Speech:
✅ Broader scope – Covers multiple ideas or themes rather than focusing on just one.
✅ Longer format – Typically 30–60 minutes to dive deeper into content.
✅ More slides & visuals – Often includes data, statistics, and examples.
✅ Call to action – Encourages action, whether it's adopting a business strategy or changing behavior.

Keynote speakers are often industry leaders, executives, or professional speakers with expertise in their field . Unlike TED Talks, keynotes can include promotional elements, such as discussing a company, product, or personal achievements.

Which One is Right for You?

If you have an idea worth spreading —one that challenges perspectives, sparks curiosity, and can be shared in a compelling way— a TED Talk might be for you! You don’t need to be a professional speaker; you just need a clear, well-crafted message.

At TEDxOmaha , we are now accepting applications for 2025 speakers ! If you have an idea that could change the way people think, we want to hear from you . We're also looking for musicians, poets, dancers, filmmakers, cartoonists... not just a talk.

Click here to apply now and take the stage to share your idea with the world!

What’s It Like Doing a TEDx Talk?

Tue, 07 May 2024 12:35:19 GMT

Thinking of doing a TEDx talk? Read this first.

Wondering what it’s like doing a TEDx talk? Depending on your talk’s topic, it might prove to be a transformative experience where you feel like you’ve finally released your idea worth spreading into the world, or it may simply feel exhilarating because there’s nothing quite like stepping into the red circle.

“Should I do a TEDx talk?”

What an open question this is! The answer is simple: do you have an idea that you feel will provoke conversation and thought? Are you willing to go through the rigors of applying for and preparing for your talk? If so, you might want to pursue your own TEDx talk.

For most people, it starts with an application process. While it’s true that some people get invited to do TEDx talks, many must go through the application process. I can’t speak for every TEDx, but here in Omaha, the application process consists of a few things:

· Filling out an application , which includes a brief video, during the annual call for speakers (our main page on the website announces when the next call for speakers takes place).

· Participating in an interview – though not everyone is selected for interviews. If you are, get excited because you are one step closer!

· Getting selected and accepting the honor. Being a TEDx speaker is a big time commitment, so people running TEDx Omaha want to make sure you can commit the time necessary,

How do you prepare for a TEDx talk?

Luckily, you don’t have to go through the TEDx talk preparation process all by yourself. You’ll get a speaker coach, with whom you’ll work one-on-one. Their job is to help you hone your talk and to get you ready for the big day of the TEDx event.

You’ll also be a member of the cohort of speakers for your event. You may be surprised at how close you become with the people in this group as you all stumble your way through writing and rewriting your talks and practicing together.

So, what’s it like doing a TEDx talk? It’s a long and rewarding experience. You may find out many months in advance that you’ll be presenting a talk, but that’s a good thing. You need that time to craft your message and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

Because, after all, speakers don’t use teleprompters or notes. You memorize your talk and deliver it from memory. And that’s where all that rehearsal and reputation pays off. It’s part of the reason you must be all in to give a TEDx talk. It’s a long process, but as most people who have delivered TEDx talks would agree, it’s a process that’s worth the effort.

After your talk, you get to see your video on YouTube, as does everyone else. It can take a couple months for your TEDx video to appear on the TEDx Youtube page , but some talks are released by TED or edited into Shorts. Either way, your potential audience can be huge.

Does doing a TEDx talk change your life? That depends. Some TEDx speakers go on to write books or become influencers or wind up with more speaking gigs. But it’s not a golden ticket to fame by any means. It will probably heighten your credibility and, frankly, looks really good on a LinkedIn bio.

Whether or not doing a TEDx talk will change your life shouldn’t be the question. The question should be, “Will my TEDx talk change other people’s lives?”

EDGE 2023: Explore. Discover. Grow. Engage.

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:42:17 GMT

EDGE 2023: Explore. Discover. Grow. Engage.

The EDGE is the furthest point before the unknown. It's uncharted territory. For some it is an exciting place leading to discovery and innovation, for others it can be uncomfortable and disaster-ridden. Emotional, psychological, medical, technological, social, and educational boundaries provide guidelines for many of our behaviors, but they can also work against us as barriers to our growth. How do we push past those boundaries without fear? We may discover new opportunities and possibilities that open up when we move toward the edges of our comfort zones and into the realm of the unknown.

Join us Saturday, November 18 at Creighton University Heider College of Business for our main event as we explore the theme: EDGE: Explore. Discover. Grow. Engage.

digitaljake78@gmail.com (Jacob Buckingham) — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 04:38:50 GMT

2022 TEDxOMAHA MAIN EVENT: Currents & Collisions

TEDxOMAHA speakers are thought-leaders, innovators, artists, change-makers across all domains of human endeavor who want to share their vision and ideas; Our speakers are those who imagine the impossible and have the audacity to challenge status quo. They are story-tellers and presenters who can argue for ideas which can inspire humanity.

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, what happens next? Much like the changing currents of marine ecosystems where water, heat, nutrients and oxygen are redistributed throughout our world's oceans, the changing currents of our own lives can carry us in different directions as well. And the rapid waves that these moments create are where ideas, norms, attitudes, opinions, emotions and belief systems often collide.

This collision can bring about both predictable and unpredictable events that may shape our thoughts, hearts and minds. The sudden impact can lead to new thinking, new ideas, new approaches, new alliances, new friendships and new relationships. How are the currents changing and what are the collisions happening now in science, technology, healthcare, research, medicine, media, music, ecology, economic development or security? How do we survive, thrive and learn from the impacts of those collisions and where do we go from there?

We invite you to join us on Saturday, November 19, 2022 for BIG ideas, human stories, talks that will marvel, teach, provoke action, make one reflect, entertain, cry or bring change & impact in our society.

Get your tickets today!

Life is an Improvisation

digitaljake78@gmail.com (Jacob Buckingham) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 04:57:13 GMT

SALON #2: Life is an Improvisation

TEDxOMAHA Salons returns to KANEKO for a regular Third Monday of the Month Salon, starting at 6:00 PM.

Our next Salon features an educational and interactive experience around the topic of improv comedy. This Salon will be led by Dr. Mike Smith who has been involved with and teaching improv comedy classes at the Backline comedy club for a number of years.

We will be exploring our ability to move beyond our own safety and security, reaching the highest need on Maslow’s pyramid of self-actualization, which involves a person knowing themselves, understanding their full potential, and reaching it.

We'll talk about techniques to reach a state of flow, which is often described as a mental state in which people experience complete immersion and involvement in an activity. Things seem to happen almost effortlessly, and time seems to disappear while in this state. Athletes often refer to this state of mind as being "in the zone."

Join us at KANEKO on Monday, October 17th from 6:00-7:00 PM for conversation and thought-provoking ideas worth spreading on improv comedy.

KANEKO is located at 1111 Jones Street in Downtown Omaha.

Tickets are $9. Click here to register for this Salon.

Making Visible the Invisible: Immigration & Refugees

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:54:29 GMT

Making Visible the Invisible: Immigration & Refugees

TEDxOMAHA Salons returns to KANEKO for a regular Third Monday of the Month Salon , starting at 6:00 PM. Our first Salon is based around the current exhibition Carne Y Arena (Virtually present, Physically Invisible) by renowned film director Alejandro G. Inarritu. This innovative immersive virtual reality experience explores the human condition of immigrants and refugees. U.S. and T.H.E.M. enables us to catch a glimmer of what refugees and immigrants experience.

In her 2018 TEDxOMAHA talk “Meet One: The Power of Welcoming Refugees” Lacey Studnicka talks about the experiences and challenges often faced by refugees. “No one chooses to be a refugee, to leave your home in the middle of the night, with nothing, fearing for your life..” The events throughout the world have shown us this, as people and communities are ripped apart, forced to flee from life as they know it and everything they hold dear.

Join us on Monday, August, 29th from 6:00-7:30 PM for conversation and thought-provoking ideas worth spreading on immigration and refugees. This Salon will be in two parts. The Carne y Arena (Virtually present, Physically Invisible) exhibit at KANEKO which you can visit in the three days prior to the Salon. We will then come together on Monday, August, 29th at KANEKO and TEDx speaker Lacey Studnicka will lead a discussion with a panel of experts from 6:00 to 7:30.

KANEKO has kindly offered 50% discounted tickets to the exhibit. Please visit the exhibition, between Friday, August, 26th and Sunday, August, 28th. Then come prepared to engage in discussion as we continue to explore the human condition of immigration and refugees. Once you have registered for the Salon, we will send you the information for the exhibit.

KANEKO is located at 1111 Jones Street in Downtown Omaha.

Currents & Collisions 2022

tedxomaha (Jacob Buckingham) — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 14:26:46 GMT

Currents & Collisions 2022

2022 Call for Speakers

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 01:39:51 GMT

2022 Call for Speakers

TEDxOMAHA is looking for thought-leaders, innovators, artists, change-makers across all domains of human endeavour who want to share their vision and ideas; Our speakers are those who imagine the impossible and have the audacity to challenge status quo. We seek story-tellers and presenters who can argue for ideas which can inspire humanity.

We look for – BIG ideas, human stories, talks that will marvel, teach, provoke action, make one reflect, entertain, cry or bring change & impact in society! We are seeking diversity of perspective, ideas, approaches, interpretations, and also very importantly: diversity of voices.

We invite you to watch the TED talks on our website to inspire you. Or read the Illustrated Speaker Guide to help you build your talk. ( See the text version here ).

Speaker applications ARE NOW CLOSED for the 2022 season.