Dive into the process of AI visual content creator Mike Waller, better known as JunkBox.ai Content Creator JunkBox.ai uses the power of AI to spread joy and creativity by visualizing individuals in a new way This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. A headlining illusionist, TV personality, and world champion escape artist, Jackson Rayne walks through walls, defies death, and his world-record escapes have been experienced by millions of people in over 20 countries. Jackson’s multiple national television appearances and credits include MTV, TLC, Guinness World Records, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Ron Artis II closed-out Year 13 alongside the Grant High School Royal Blues.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com Ron Artis II is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter celebrated for his soulful and honest musical style. As the eldest of 11 children in a musically gifted family, he began playing piano at age four and guitar at 13. Over the years, Ron has collaborated with notable artists such as Mick Fleetwood, Jack Johnson, and Booker T. Jones. His performances, whether solo or with his band The Truth, are known for their electrifying energy and heartfelt lyrics, leaving audiences feeling loved and inspired. Having first graced the TEDxPortland stage for Bridges in Year 8, Ron will be joined this year by the Grant High School Royal Blues. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. The White Lotus Foundation is a non-profit based in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon. Preserving and showcasing the traditional art forms of dragon and lion dance, their mission is simple yet profound: to support and empower individuals in the AANHPI community. They offer dynamic performances throughout the PNW, gracing events such as Lunar New Year celebrations, weddings, grand openings, and more. Beyond performances, White Lotus is committed to community engagement, offering free lessons to youth and creating an environment where every member can flourish, discover their potential, and feel a sense of belonging. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Can choosing curiosity over judgment make the world a better place? Ariana Vargas shares a personal journey that began with a mission to help their son and led to a vision for a more compassionate world. By embracing kindness, self-acceptance, and curiosity we can crowdsource hope, dismantle stigma, and transform lives.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Ariana Vargas, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, has built her career around brand strategy with a focus on employer branding, corporate philanthropy, and social justice. As the founder and former CEO of STIGMA, a mental health app named Google’s “2022 Best App for Good,” she has been a champion of mental health innovation. Born in Costa Rica to a father with schizophrenia, and as a mother to an autistic son, Ariana shares her journey living with anxiety and panic disorder. She now leads brand strategy at Populous, the global design firm behind iconic sports and live entertainment architecture. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Imagine a radical change in life: moving to a new country, experiencing an accident, embarking on an adventure far from home. Every experience, even the most challenging, has the power to transform life in unexpected ways. Without a traumatic event, one might never truly discover the deep value of life itself. A journey into the unknown could hold the key to answering the most important question: who are you really? And when something precious, like a job, is lost, it might just be the beginning of a dream coming true. What if your biggest fear is actually a hidden opportunity? Clementina Makula is an Italian-French entrepreneur with an international background, having grown up immersed in different cultures and countries. After years of dealing with gut issues related to food intolerances and poor eating habits, she discovered the transformative power of nutrition and holistic wellness during the lockdown. It was during that time—after losing her job—that she decided to turn a crisis into an opportunity. Sensing a gap in the market, she founded Clemi’s Market, a wellness brand born on social media that combines taste, transparency, and functionality. Today, Clemi’s Market has thousands of loyal customers, is available in over 120 retail locations – including Esselunga – and continues to grow with a clear mission: to make wellness accessible, simple, and authentic, starting with what we put on our plates every day. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What does perseverance really look like? For veteran and Paralympian Dennis Connors, it wasn’t just about training harder. It was about embracing vulnerability, leaning on community, and learning to love himself. From the podium in Paris to the powerful message he shares here, this talk is a reminder that true strength comes from the people who lift us up and the courage to let them in.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Dennis Connors is a Paralympic Silver Medalist, Paracycling World Champion, and Paraclimbing National Champion. During Dennis’ 9 years in the Marine Corps, completing 3 deployments to Iraq, he suffered from PTSD, multiple traumatic brain injuries, and in 2020, suffered his second stroke partially paralyzing his left side. Dennis faced setback after setback for years but was able to overcome them by creating a pathway through a new definition of perseverance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How much of our individual greatness is held back by the things that scare us? That’s the question Mike Bennett had to answer for himself when he first picked up a jigsaw and started on a path to create wonder and spark joy through immersive storytelling.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Mike Bennett is an illustrator, immersive space designer, and self-proclaimed public joy creator. A lifelong cartoon enthusiast, Mike creates outdoor art via lawn signs, scavenger hunts, and educational displays like A to Zoo. Mike has built a community of 2 million+ global social media followers as well as immersive experiences like Dinolandia, a prehistoric adventure, and Wonderwood, a fantasy-inspired restaurant and mini-golf course. His latest venture, The Portland Aquarium, is a fully immersive educational walkthrough that takes people on a journey through five colorful biomes, brought to life with over 100 cartoon species created by Mike himself. The vibrant, larger-than-life cartoon illustrations, interactive displays, and playful storytelling spark curiosity and joy for guests of all ages. It’s part art exhibit, part educational adventure. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

As a world-class photographer, Ivan McClellan’s eyes were truly opened when he was first exposed to the world of black cowboys. Instantly knowing he found his people, Ivan began his quest to create a world-class black rodeo that elevates the culture through media and live events encouraging young people to continue the legacy.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Ivan McClellan is a photojournalist and founder/CEO of the Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo. His essays have been featured in ESPN, GQ, Atmos, Elle, W Magazine, and The New York Times. Ivan has led creative projects for Apple, Wrangler, Stetson, Adobe, Tecovas, Instagram, and US Bank. His work has been displayed in museums and galleries across the country including The Eiteljorg, Portland Art Museum, Phoenix Museum of Art, and Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if your child’s strange little drawing of a cow was actually more powerful than you thought?In this insightful and entertaining talk, Tom Curtis, creator of Things I Have Drawn, takes us on a journey from funny Photoshop edits of children’s sketches to a serious call for preserving childhood imagination. With warmth and wit, he questions how schools, social media, and even well meaning "how to draw" videos risk suppressing creativity in favor of mimicry. As AI reshapes our perception of art and originality, Curtis makes a compelling case for encouraging children to draw their way and why that may be one of the most important creative choices we make for our future. Tom Curtis is on a mission to inject joy into the world of social media and beyond. As the 'dad' behind the wildly popular Instagram account @thingsihavedrawn, his lifelike transformations of children's doodles are a celebration of imagination, playfulness, and the power of human creativity.In his TEDxLancasterU talk, "That's Not How You Draw a Cow," Tom delves into how creativity in children is shaped, and what implications this might have on their future and ours. This thought-provoking exploration offers more than insights into kids’ art; it’s a bold call to reimagine how we cultivate creativity in a world that too often sidelines it.Expect a passionate rallying cry for a future where drawing is revered and nurtured — not just for our children, but for everyone. Tom’s talk will leave you questioning what you thought you knew about creativity and why the way forward may not be the one we’ve been taught. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx