
TEDx Walden Pond "The Courage to Pay Attention"
October 21, 2026
Lincoln, MA
Applications are now open!
TEDx Walden Pond "The Courage to Pay Attention"
October 21, 2026
Lincoln, MA
Applications are now open!

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October 21, 2026
Lincoln, MA
Applications are now open!
October 21, 2026
Lincoln, MA
Applications are now open!
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"The Courage to Pay Attention"
Our event will take place in Lincoln, Massachusetts on October 21, 2026.
Speaker applications are open through April 22, 2026.

Co-founded by Jessica Cooper and Dr. Nick Morgan, TEDx Walden Pond is supported by distinguished board members, including David Meerman Scott. Meet our board.

Our speakers are hand picked to represent a wide variety of topics and offer thought provoking insights and new ideas. Applications for our October 21 event open on March 9 and close on April 22, 2026. We will notify selected speakers in May.
Curious about what makes a good TED talk? Read our "Is a TED Talk Right For You?" guide, our TEDx Walden Pond Speaker Resources and Three Common TEDx Application Mistakes documents, and view TED’s Secret to Great Public Speaking.
TEDx Walden Pond is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and engaging audiences through the power of ideas that spark meaningful change. Guided by TEDx principles, we create a platform for thought-provoking discussions that connect individuals, communities, and the natural world.
Gearing up for its fourth year, TEDx Walden Pond began with the theme "Ripples of Thought," symbolizing the far-reaching impact of shared ideas. Our second event, "It Takes Two to Tell the Truth: One to Speak and the Other to Listen," drew inspiration from Henry David Thoreau’s reflections at Walden Pond, exploring the essential interplay of communication and understanding.
Our 2025 event, "Connecting Worlds," built on these foundations by inviting exploration of the bridges between human and ecological communities, fostering reciprocity and resilience in the face of modern challenges. In 2026, our theme is "The Courage to Pay Attention." This theme can hold conversations about anything from everyday attention to technology, and the quiet power of noticing what’s right in front of us.
We are thrilled to announce that our theme for TEDx Walden Pond 2026 is "The Courage to Pay Attention."
This theme can hold conversations about anything from everyday attention to technology, and the quiet power of noticing what’s right in front of us. What becomes possible when we pay attention?
Before applying, we want to share a few resources to help you determine if now is the right time to apply to speak at our TEDx event.
We encourage local voices to apply and we will prioritize speakers with roots in our community and region, though superb proposals from outside areas will also be considered. This is an in-person event; speakers traveling from outside Lincoln must plan to arrive at least 24-48 hours in advance and cover their own travel and lodging.
If you or someone you know have an idea worth slowing down for, we’d love to hear it!
Applications close at 11:59 pm EDT on April 22, 2026 and we will announce our speaker decisions to applicants via email in May. Please note that email submissions will not be accepted, you must apply through the google form at the link above for your application to be considered. Due to the expected volume of applicants, incomplete forms with missing information or without a video sample will not be considered.

Alden E. Stoner is CEO of Nature Sacred, a national nonprofit supporting green spaces—called Sacred Places—that offer a temporary place of sanctuary, encourage reflection, provide solace, and engender peace and well-being.

David Muñiz Supple, a New England native and Tufts Architectural graduate (’02), founded New England Design & Construction in 2005 to champion the legacy of the Architect as Master Builder. As an accomplished author, speaker, and humanitarian, David is dedicated to uniting and elevating the professions shaping our built environment worldwide.

Brent J. Freeman is a visionary entrepreneur and creator of The Alchemy of Joy®, a groundbreaking methodology that fuses neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional rewiring to help high-achievers create lives of deep fulfillment.

Kate O'Neill, the 'Tech Humanist' and strategic advisor to global organizations, brings over two decades of expertise helping leaders make human-centered technology decisions that create meaningful experiences and sustainable progress — her framework for aligning technological advancement with human values offers a timely blueprint for our shared digital future.

Karen is a 3x founder, CEO, mom, and grassroots organizer, who’s spent 20+ years driving innovation across healthcare, marketing, media, and tech. Her previous ventures have been recognized among Boston’s “50 on Fire” and featured in Boston Business Journal and AdAge.

Morgan Englund is a former first responder and actor who’s lived with grit, purpose, and a deep respect for truth. Now, as a guide and healer, he helps others reconnect with themselves and move toward real transformation—one honest step at a time.

Bryant McBride is a serial entrepreneur and award-winning filmmaker who speaks widely on leadership, organizational performance, and social justice. He made history as the first Black Class President at West Point and the first Black Vice President at the National Hockey League.

Maretta Morovitz works at the MITRE Corporation, where she leads efforts in cyber denial, deception, and adversary engagement to help cyber defenders protect critical infrastructure and intellectual property. She is also the co-owner of Ignis Arts, a ballroom dance studio she opened in 2024.

Farah Nasser is one of Canada's most recognizable faces in news. As an award winning news anchor and correspondent, Farah has spent 25 years reporting from the frontlines of history, interviewing world leaders and illuminating some of the world's most urgent issues. A master speaker and interviewer, Farah helps companies preserve human connection and trust in the age of AI.

Tim Washer (Emcee) is a comedy writer and event emcee who's worked on Saturday Night Live, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and IBM. His award-winning corporate comedy has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and ADWEEK.






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Applications for our 2026 event are now open through April 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm EDT. Please note that only complete submissions through the google form at the link above will be accepted for consideration.
Curious about what makes a good TED talk? Read our "Is a TED Talk Right For You?" guide, our TEDx Walden Pond Speaker Resources and Three Common TEDx Application Mistakes documents, and view TED’s Secret to Great Public Speaking.
Email: info@tedxwaldenpond.com Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@tedxwaldenpond.com Our Official Page TEDx: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/68195 45 Birchwood Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773
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