It all begins with an idea.
Great ideas, work, and stories, delivered memorably, are acts of generosity that can have immense impact on our communities, cities, and the world.
Filter by Tags
- Chicago 40
- Minneapolis 16
- Science 16
- Innovation 15
- Technology 13
- Community 12
- Equality 12
- Health 12
- Life 11
- Relationships 11
- Design 10
- Social Justice 9
- Youth 9
- Climate Change 8
- Mental Health 8
- Community Organizing 7
- Global Issues 7
- Psychology 7
- Sustainability 7
- The Arts 7
- Energy 6
- Personal Growth 6
- Urban Design 6
- Work 6
- Biotech 5
- Healing 5
- Transformation Stories 5
- Women 5
- AI 4
- Architecture 4
- Cities 4
- Communication 4
- Social Impact 4
- Violence Intervention 4
- WTTW 4
- Activism 3
- Brain 3
- Computing 3
- Humor 3
- Nanotechnology 3
- Quantum Physics 3
- Travel 3
- Accessibility 2
- Civic Design 2
- Climate Action 2
- Education 2
- Family 2
- Food 2
- Government 2
- Joy 2
Talk your way into better sex
Most people think great and long lasting relationships are built on chemistry — but the real magic lies in communication. In this talk, Dr. Hareder McDowell explores how the way we defeat our silence, begin to speak, listen, and connect directly, shapes emotional intimacy, trust, and even physical desire. Drawing from research and real-life stories, Dr. Mac reveals how mastering communication doesn’t just improve relationships and sex — it transforms them. Because you have the power to talk you way to better sex.
The Hidden Toll of Peacekeeping
Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra reveals a blind spot in the community violence intervention space – the trauma experienced by peacekeepers themselves. Drawing from 15 years of research and frontline experience, she demonstrates how violence intervention workers carry deep wounds while healing others.
Photography, sisterhood, and play as healing
How do we heal? Through an intimate exploration of trauma and healing, photographer Scheherazade Tillet shares how documenting her sister's recovery from sexual assault transformed both their lives while also inspiring her to work with similarly Black girls and young women. Two decades later, Tillet reveals that she discovered how photography and play can become powerful tools for healing intergenerational trauma.
What I Learned About Life from Death
Jane lost her husband at the age of 47. This experience transformed every aspect of her life. She believes this level of transformation is available to every single person out there. When we don't talk about death and remind ourselves daily, (maybe hourly) that we are going to die, we run the risk of taking this magical gift called life for granted and getting all tangled up in caring about what doesn't matter.
Be better than fine
In 2014 writer, podcast host and non-profit founder, Nora McInerny, miscarried her second baby, lost her Dad to esophageal cancer and her husband to a brain tumor all within 6 hellish weeks. Bringing humor and insight to modern grief, Nora explores the truth behind the question "How are you?" and the answer "fine.”