Poetry, Diversity and The Camera Lens Conundrum | Luke AG

Poetry, Diversity and The Camera Lens Conundrum | Luke AG

I always dreamed of working behind the scenes. Writing and directing those moments, like those moments you see in those movie scenes. I knew it was an impossible dream, but I couldn't help fantasising. I thought the first step in my journey might be a job in, advertising... This is the story of The Camera Lens Conundrum. Luke AG is a London based poet with a distinctly political and historical message. He uses poetry and rhyme to navigate through a narrative of his own life, and the people around him. Originally from Hastings, his poetry and ideas provide a narrative of his journey from a small town to the big city, with a couple of pit stops along the way.

You can find Luke on Facebook and instagram and on his website.


The Surprising Truth About Desire Everyone Needs to Know | Dr Karen Gurney

The Surprising Truth About Desire Everyone Needs to Know | Dr Karen Gurney

In a culture where monogamy is prized and long term passion is portrayed as the holy grail of relationships, we are surprisingly ill informed about what we should expect from our sexual desire. How does desire play out with the same person over time and why? In this revelatory talk, Clinical Psychologist and Author Dr Karen Gurney explains how we’ve been understanding desire all wrong and how this leads many people to feel their sexual desire is broken. In this informative talk including the latest evidence on sexual desire you will be surprised to hear that understanding how desire actually works leads us to make different choices about our sex lives. Knowing how desire really works puts us in the driving seat of how we want desire to feature in our lives and relationships moving forward. Dr Karen Gurney is a clinical psychologist specialising in the theory and practice of therapy around sexual wellbeing and function. She is currently lead psychosexual therapist for 56 Dean Street (NHS) and director of The Havelock Clinic, an independent sexual problems clinic based in London. She teaches nationally and has written for and been featured in publications such as Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Refinery29. Her first book ‘Mind the Gap: the truth about desire and how to futureproof your sex life’ was published on March 5th 2020 by Headline Home.

You can find Dr Karen Gurney on Twitter and instagram and on her website.


The Power of Drag | Cheddar Gorgeous

The Power of Drag | Cheddar Gorgeous

Rather than playful attempts to escape who we are, Drag and other forms of dressing up are ways of exploring our identities, connecting with others and embodying our stories. Although fun, these moments of play in the spotlight can be powerful tools of personal transformation, community building and political change. Cheddar Gorgeous is a drag artist, academic and unicorn who doesn't live in London. From founding a Manchester club night, to performing in venues ranging from bars to galleries and museums, cheddar believes that life is too short to only be one person. Before making a spectacle of theirself for a living, Cheddar liked to draw and write about other people, in Anthropology.

You can find Cheddar Gorgeous on Twitter and instagram.


Are You Offended Yet? | Archie Maddocks

Are You Offended Yet? | Archie Maddocks

Comedy, as a mechanic, relies on the art of surprise - something must surprise, or sometimes shock, in order to elicit laughter. In fact, it’s similarity to drama, which also relies on surprise to affect an audience, is only separated by tone. So why then do people get offended by jokes - by things that are not real? Or worse, by reality? I want to dissect the idea of comedy and offence and end with the conclusion that offense is actually a good thing, but that jokes shouldn’t be taken more seriously (seen as more offensive) than physical, real bad things. You know like murder, poverty and Katie Hopkins. Let's all just relax a bit and let loose, and laugh. Archie is a stand up comedian and writer. For stand-up comedy, he’s a regular on the domestic and international circuit, gigging everywhere from London, to Dubai, to Cape Town, to Runcorn. He’s also a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where his shows have always garnered 4 and 5 star reviews (there was a 2 once, but he refuses to talk about that). As a writer, he’s currently under commission for projects with CBS, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, BBC and a bunch of others (he might be writing this himself, but he will not arrogantly blow his load in an about you section).

You can find Archie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his website.

The Transformative Power of Shared Experience | Peter Basham

The Transformative Power of Shared Experience | Peter Basham

No matter how much entertainment or information is available online and on demand, there is a great power in coming together to have a shared live experience. Music by Simon Arrowsmith. Peter Basham is an actor/director & producer. He has appeared for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Love's Labour's Lost, Love's Labour's Won and The Christmas Truce. Other notable acting credits include: As You like it (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bristol Old Vic), Yerma (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Burial at Thebes & She Stoops to Conquer (Nottingham Playhouse), A View From the Bridge (Duke of York's, London). Screen highlights include: The Conductor (Shooting Star films), The Promise (Channel 4) Skyfall (EON Pictures), Inception (Warner Bros), Sherlock (BBC) Agatha Raisin (Sky One) Berlin Station (Paramount). More recently, Peter has the recurring role of ‘PC Anthony Rogers’ on Eastenders (BBC). Since 2015 Peter has been an Associate Education Practitioner for the Royal Shakespeare Company, has delivered countless workshops for his education company ‘Access Shakespeare’. In 2019 he founded ‘The Shakespeare Project’ in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

You can find Peter on Twitter and his website.

Why Compassion Matters | Dr Julian Abel

Why Compassion Matters | Dr Julian Abel

Compassion is more than just something that is a nice afterthought. It is measurably transformative in improving our well being and health outcomes. Each of us has an incredible compassionate potential. Dr Julian Abel spent his clinical life as a palliative care specialist doctor. He has developed a special interest in compassionate communities, initially as part of supporting people undergoing experiences of death, dying, loss and care giving. Over the last 4 years he has worked with Frome Medical Practice applying the compassionate community approach to healthcare in general, with some startling results. He is Director of Compassionate Communities UK, a charity which aims to share the lessons learnt in both palliative care and primary care more broadly.

You can find Julian on Twitter and his website.


The Future is Biased | Christina Blacklaws

The Future is Biased | Christina Blacklaws

Our world is designed for men and is, sadly, full of bias. If we're not careful, we could hard wire all the bias that exists into our futures as computers can't be trusted to make unbiased decisions. In this talk, Christina explains why. Christina is passionate about diversity and inclusion, access to justice and technology. She has led her profession as President of the Law Society and holds a number of government positions. Her motivation in life is to make a positive difference in the world. She is married to Graham, has 4 children and one small dog called Frankie.

You can find Christina on Twitter and LinkedIn.


Young People are Screwed. This is What We Need to Do. | Simon Lucey

Young People are Screwed. This is What We Need to Do. | Simon Lucey

The media has told you that young people spend too much money, complain too much and lack resilience. In this data driven talk, Simon Lucey argues that these media narratives have had a more sinister effect than first meets the eye and puts forward a case for a radical transfer of wealth, opportunities and power to young people. Simon is the founder of Hype Collective, an award-winning youth marketing agency that co-creates campaigns with a network of thousands of student and youth groups. Rather than pump money into Facebook and Google each campaign they run funds youth groups to host events or create content on behalf of Hype Collective’s clients. This gives the clients real exposure within targeted communities and these groups much needed funds as well as the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance their career prospects. In the first two years Hype Collective has worked with organisations like Adobe, Co-op and Abercrombie & Fitch. In doing so they’ve contributed funds to over 250 grass roots organisations and employed over 300 students. Prior to launching Hype Collective, Simon co-founded TEDxClapham.

You can find Simon on Twitter, LinkedIn and his website.


Planting the Planet - How Our Gardens Can Rescue Us | Marian Boswall

Planting the Planet - How Our Gardens Can Rescue Us | Marian Boswall

How we treat our gardens is how we treat the earth, and as we are part of the earth's ecosystem, of how we treat ourselves.In this inspiring and hope filled talk Marian describes what our gardens can do for us, and what we can do for them. Whether we are gardeners or not. Marian Boswall is a leading landscape architect known for shaping beautiful historic estates, creative public spaces and thoughtful gardens. Winner of SGD Grand Award and Garden columnist of the year 2019. She lives in Kent.

You can find Marian on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and her website.


How Do You Stop Men Taking Their Own Lives? | Ben Akers

How Do You Stop Men Taking Their Own Lives? | Ben Akers

Ben lost his childhood best friend Steve Yates to suicide. In his talk he describes how he wanted to find some good from something so bad. Creating a film, “Steve”, then taking it to the men who needed it the most and starting a talking movement. And how 6 words can save a life. Ben Akers is a writer, director, problem solver and male mental fitness campaigner. For 20 years he has worked at some of the world’s top advertising agencies both in the UK and Sydney. He then decided to use his evil powers for good, and joined the environmental and sustainable revolution. He now only works on projects that are good for the world. So when his childhood best friend took his own life in 2014, he needed to do something. He created a documentary called “Steve” and from that a male mental fitness movement, Talk Club. Ben lives in Bristol with his wife and 3 children.

Learn more about Ben’s documentary and find him on Cargo Collective , LinkedIn, and his website.


What Becomes of The Broken Hearted: Rejuvenating Hearts | Georgina Ellison

What Becomes of The Broken Hearted: Rejuvenating Hearts | Georgina Ellison

Can the heart regenerate new heart cells? Biomedical Scientist Georgina Ellison-Hughes, says that it can, but its regenerative ability declines with age and disease. She offers a personal touch to her journey of discovering the regenerative potential of the adult heart and describes the use of senolytics to rejuvenate heart repair and regeneration, enabling people to live longer, fuller, healthier lives. Georgina is a world-leading female biomedical scientist from King’s College London. Her career has followed an upward trajectory and she has recently been promoted to Full Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology. She is the youngest Professor in the Faculty.

You can find Georgina on Twitter and more about her here.


How Modern Life is Written All Over Your Face | Vybarr Cregan-Reid

How Modern Life is Written All Over Your Face | Vybarr Cregan-Reid

Modern life, and the habits and behaviours it encourages, is such a powerful force that it is changing us from the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads. In this talk, Vybarr Cregan-Reid - a writer who is fascinated by the modern body - focuses on how it is changing our face, the shape of our skull, as well as our eyesight. The talk aims to raise awareness of how the world we made is remaking us. Vybarr Cregan-Reid is an author, academic and broadcaster who has written widely on the subjects of literature, health, nature and the environment. His most recent book is Primate Change: How the World We Made is Remaking Us. He has also made two series of ‘Changing World, Changing Bodies’ for the BBC World Service which looks at how different parts of the body are changing in different parts of the world. He is Professor of English & Environmental Humanities at the University of Kent.

You can find Vybarr on Twitter and instagram and on his website.


Are You Ready to Break Up With Work? | Samantha Clarke

Are You Ready to Break Up With Work? | Samantha Clarke

What does work mean in your 20s, 40s or 60s? How can we prepare for the moment when work is no longer the be all and end all? Who are we beyond our jobs and titles? In this talk, Happiness Consultant Samantha Clarke reveals why now is the time to find meaning and purpose beyond work as we know it and how to do it. Samantha Clarke is a happiness consultant & changemaker and founder the Love It Leave It movement and author of Love It Leave It - How to be Happy at work. She is on a mission to liberate individuals from work they no longer love to find a path to true work happiness. As a faculty lecturer at The School of Life and The Guardian Masterclasses, she facilitates workshops on career potential, building a portfolio career, managing stress and confidence. Believing that it’s not just a one way street she works directly with company HR, leaders and managers to create initiatives that spurn better conversations around personal career growth and wellbeing at work with their employees. To foster better workplaces that support and nurture employees to thrive. Achieving big results with clientele including NHS, Innocent, Mediacom, Deutsche Mobile, Dishoom, Virgin, Design Hotels and more.

You can find Samantha on Twitter, LinkedIn and instagram as well as on her website.


Turmoil To Peace In 9 Seconds by Sarah-Nada Arfa

Turmoil To Peace In 9 Seconds | Sarah-Nada Arfa

Most of us have heard "take a deep breath” when faced with a challenging situation but, because breathing happens automatically, we rarely give breath the attention it deserves as a tool to calm our minds, heal our bodies and contribute to a more peaceful world. By exploring the power of deep inhalation and exhalation in times of turmoil, we can calm our fight-or-flight reaction and teach our bodies to be more at peace. Sarah-Nada Arfa is a breath coach, yoga teacher, bodyworker and corporate finance lawyer. Her areas of expertise range from the business world to the healing realm. She has 5 degrees (2 undergraduate, 3 postgraduate) and has taught and lectured at a top ranked university (Kings College London).

As a breath therapy coach, Sarah works with clients one on one to teach breath work and inner peace strategies that support their healing. In the past Sarah has suffered a stroke, double pulmonary embolisms and had doctors tell her she had no chance of living a normal life. It was in a hospital bed, numb & confined, that she realised the healing power of her breath.

You can find Sarah on Instagram and LinkedIn.


Why We're Dependent On Plants For Medicine by Sophie Lamb & Naomi Murray

Why We're Dependent On Plants For Medicine | Sophie Lamb & Naomi Murray

From hedgerow to health, Sophie and Naomi’s childhood was punctuated by regular herb picking outings with their father and two other sisters in the Highlands of Scotland where the family lived. Through their talk, they will help us to view the landscape that herbal medicine has to offer in an age of science, the burden of degenerative disease and antibiotic resistance. Medical herbalist Sophie Lamb and her sister Naomi Murray are daughters to Scotland’s longest practicing medical herbalist, Brian Lamb, and come from a long line of doctors dating back nearly 300 years.

You can find Naomi on instagram and her facebook page and follow Sophie on instagram and facebook.


An Idea Is Not Enough by Don Smith

An Idea Is Not Enough | Don Smith

All of us come up with great ideas, but getting that idea off the ground takes a great deal of dedication and hard work. Don began a new career as an Inventor in 2016 after working for twenty-five years as an award winning Creative Director in advertising, marketing and digital design. His first invention, the 1nhaler, is a revolutionary, single dose, respiratory inhaler, designed to help millions of people globally to receive the medication and vaccinations they need, cheaply, conveniently and sustainably. In his talk, he gives an insight into what it takes to push a good idea to real-world greatness.

You can find Don on LinkedIn, Medium, and Twitter. Read his original TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells 2019 Speaker profile here.


Every Child Deserves To Grow by John Mulford

Every Child Deserves To Grow | John Mulford

Due to urbanisation, safety concerns and other factors, today’s children have less contact with nature than any generation before them. This comes with many consequences for both human health and conservation.

Drawing from his experiences of school science, environmental work and gardening, year 11 student John explains why the solution to this problem should start with plants. He believes that plants have the potential to demonstrate our intrinsic link with nature, to support wildlife, to foster a love of science and to unite communities. He believes that every child should have a green space in their school where they can grow fruit, vegetables, trees and other plants while simultaneously learning about nutrition, wildlife and science.

Read John’s original TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells 2019 Speaker profile here.


Why Working Out Isn't Working Out by Darryl Edwards

Why Working Out Isn't Working Out | Darryl Edwards

For all its health benefits if exercise came in pill form, we would only be too eager to take our medicine. But is working-out as medicine too difficult a pill for the majority of us to swallow? By understanding that nature has hard-wired us to hate exercise, but encourages us to love movement, we can examine our attitudes to exercise. If working out isn’t working out, what should we do instead? Play advocate, movement coach and author of the April 2018 best-selling book Animal Moves, Primal Play Method founder Darryl Edwards encourages us to re-examine the way we view exercise and get up and moving.

You can find Darryl on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Read his original TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells 2019 Speaker profile here.


How Grief Can Help Us Win When We Lose by Sophie Sabbage

How Grief Can Help Us Win When We Lose | Sophie Sabbage

Living with ‘terminal’ cancer for over four years has transformed Sophie’s relationship with grief and loss. Her first book, The Cancer Whisperer, has been translated into twelve languages and her second book, Lifeshocks – And how to love them, is a Sunday Times bestseller. Sophie has been teaching people how to flourish in the face of adversity for over twenty years and believes that loss is as inevitable as naked trees in winter. We are designed for it, but not prepared for it. We are taught to acquire and achieve, not to relinquish and let go. But what if we can win when we lose?

Sophie’s talk redefines our relationship with loss. It challenges prevailing definitions of grief and restores sorrow to its rightful purpose in our lives. Her talk illuminates what loss can give us, even as it takes away. 

You can learn more about Sophie on Facebook, Twitter, and her website. Read her original TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells 2019 Speaker profile here.


In Praise Of Everyday Words by Sarah Salway

In Praise Of Everyday Words | Sarah Salway

Forget Sticks and Stones, it’s words that are powerful. As a writer and poet, Sarah’s material is the individual word: what each one tells us about our history, and also what we lose when we let certain ones – conker, holly, turnip – get taken out of our dictionaries. Her TEDx talk is a love letter to words – to their meanings, as well as how they taste in our mouths and sound in our ears.

You can find Sarah on Twitter, facebook, instagram, and her website. Read her original TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells 2019 Speaker profile here.