Ignite Phoenix

Thank You, Merci, Gracias, Arigato…

Shaina Rozen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:30:40 +0000

With the clock approaching midnight, we bring another Ignite Phoenix to a close. Although it was our 14th (!!) installment of the event, we continue to be impressed and inspired by the fascinating topics shared each time.

Tonight’s lineup included presentations that took us on a roller coaster of emotions, from happy to angry to entertained to motivated and everywhere in between. You may have come to the event waiting in anticipation for one talk you thought would be your favorite, while leaving even more intrigued by a completely different one. That’s the magic of Ignite. We love opening eyes to new topics, connecting people and ideas that may have never crossed paths, and giving our passionate speakers five minutes of fame.

Speaking of our presenters, thank you to the 18 brave people who spent weeks preparing their talks and bared their souls for us on stage. You’ve touched hundreds of people tonight, and we’re appreciative that you chose to share your story and leave your mark on the Ignite community.

Another “muchas gracias” goes out to our sponsors for their contributions, time, and support to make Ignite Phoenix a success: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, bluemedia, Splinter Creative, Brand X T-shirts, Bookman’s, APS, Beauty at Skin Deep, and Academy Mortgage.

Thanks to the food trucks (Luncha Libre, Spice-It-Up, Paletas Betty) and bands that entertained us and filled our bellies with delicious treats.

Finally, thank you to the night-of volunteers and Ignite Phoenix crew for devoting their free time, ideas, and voracious appetite for donuts that fuel the planning process.

As we close this chapter, we encourage you to use the fire you saw in our presenters tonight to find the fire within you. What are you passionate about? What do you geek out about? What makes you talk faster and use your hands when you explain it to others? Submissions are now open for Ignite Phoenix #15, so hop to it and send in your idea.

Until next time, good night, adios, and adieu! See you in October!

Ignite Phoenix #14 Program Pictures

Shaina Rozen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:20 +0000

Special thanks to Splinter Creative for designing our beautiful programs for Ignite Phoenix #14! The program features striking pictures that evoke the passion, risk-taking, and growth found in nature – feelings that people also experience at Ignite.

All images used in the program can be found on Flickr or Shutterstock for your viewing pleasure:

For more information on these programs, get in touch with Stephanie Liebold or Splinter Creative!

Get Your Golden Ticket for Ignite Phoenix #14!

Shaina Rozen — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:27:51 +0000

Your speakers are compiling their presentations, bands are rehearsing, and now, tickets are about to go on sale. Ignite Phoenix #14 is going to be scrumdiddlyumptious! Mark your calendar, set your alarm clock, and leave a post-it on the mirror because these golden tickets go quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get yours!

Tickets go on sale: Saturday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m.
Purchase Online: SCPA Website
Purchase via Phone: 480-499-8587
Cost: $15

If you happen to oversleep or the tickets sell out too fast, keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for opportunities to snag a pair from people who have extras.

Happy ticket buying, and we’ll see you April 26 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts!

Announcing Your Presenters for Ignite Phoenix #14

Shaina Rozen — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:00:39 +0000

After receiving over 100 incredible presentation ideas and spending hours deliberating, we are excited to announce the final lineup for Ignite Phoenix #14 on Friday, April 26th, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts!

Topics range from the arts to economics to racing to the trapeze! Get to know your speakers below, and be sure to congratulate them with a virtual high five on Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere else you run into them.

And mark your calendars for next Saturday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m so you can get tickets to see them present in person.

Your Ignite Phoenix #14 presenters are:

Making the Surreal Happen	John Aho
What’s in your wallet?	Brandon Barba
The Life-Giving Pursuit of Minimalism	Joshua Becker
Parenting A Mentally Ill Child	April Broussard
New Rules for Divorce (Learning to love your ex)	Deb Caron
Birth certificates, bathrooms and umbrellas	Aubrey Crisp
From Stigma Comes Hope	Stephen Gittins
Chicken Personality Disorder	Iain Hamp
Citizen Science Arizona: Asteroid Hunting, Ferret Flashing and BioBlitzes	Eileen Kane
Coffee Is The New Black	Bill Kennedy
Because they don’t really exist	Julia Kolsrud
Bustin’ Makes Me (and You) Feel Good	Jeff Lewis
Just Because I’m Too Old to Join the Circus, Doesn’t Mean I Can’t Pretend	Elizabeth Newlin
NASCAR is An Iceberg	Brian Renner
Why Being Spiritual May Be Better than Being Religious	Rob Rynders
Innovation STEMs from Creativity	Jeremy Scott
Why I Believe In Aliens	Danny Torgersen
OMG! Fighting back against hyperbole	Indiia Wilmott

Thank you again to everyone who submitted a talk idea, and for continuing to support Ignite Phoenix as a way to share passion and creativity across the Valley!

Behind the Scenes of the Ignite Phoenix Judging Process

Shaina Rozen — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:30:18 +0000

Submitting an idea to Ignite Phoenix is an act of courage; exclaiming your passion to the world is not always easy. The Ignite Phoenix Team takes your submissions very seriously, and we know they represent trust and vulnerability that deserve the highest respect. While we would love to put all 80-100 submissions (sometimes more) on the final presenter list, there can only be 18 chosen for each event, and it’s our job to find the right combination of people, topics, attributes, energy, and other variables that create the Ignite Phoenix magic.

If you are thinking about submitting and want to know how the judging process works, this article will help pull back the curtain and show you what goes on behind the scenes. If you have submitted a topic before – thank you. We love that you are passionate about something and want to shout it from the rooftops. If your presentation was not chosen, don’t be discouraged. We hope you continue to share your story with others and consider submitting for future Ignite events, where there will be a new mix of submissions, different judges, and more chances to get your moment in the spotlight.

A Bit of History

The speakers for the first few Ignite Phoenix events were curated through a combination of friendly “arm twisting” and volunteers. As the event rapidly grew, the founders realized the importance of adding more diverse opinions in order to keep things fresh.

Since Ignite Phoenix #4, we have invited past Ignite Phoenix speakers to participate in the selection process since they are familiar with the speaking experience and have insight into what makes a successful presentation. Along the way, we also learned that there may be pressure to “game” the selections, so we put mechanisms and processes into place to shift the focus away from popularity and on to the crucial areas, like passion, topic diversity, and fit.

Years ago, we selected speakers through an online process but found it lacked collaboration and the ability to get to the submitters’ true passions. When it was time to select speakers for Ignite Phoenix #8, we created an interactive and collaborative “workshop” format. This required five to eight past presenters to meet for two hours to go through a series of activities and whittle down the selections to the final list. We have continued to evolve this workshop format, learning each time from the participating judges and our own observations.

The Judging Process

Because we value diversity and new opinions, the Ignite Phoenix Core Team (our main group of volunteers that plan the event) does not participate with the past speaker judges. We happily allow the hard work to fall on their shoulders.

The workshop starts with the judges jointly defining the things they look for in a presentation. Attributes like educational, humorous, emotional, and inspiring often come up, along with others. With all the submissions on a wall in front of them, they go through activities that help them discuss, argue, evaluate, and select the final desired lineup. Each stage trims the submissions as they look for those gems that will “ignite” the audience.

An Ignite Judging Workshop

After two hours, the judges take turns reading each selected submission out loud. We close out each session with final comments and a shared understanding of what they have chosen. The judges leave the Core Team with a list of selected speakers and alternates.

Through the history of these judging workshops, we have seen some interesting results. Our judges usually see at least one of their favorites makes it into the lineup and at least one favorite does not. We also see some topics submitted several times before being selected into a show. Each set of judges does what’s needed to introduce new perspectives and opinions to the event.

Building the Show

After the past speakers finish their presenter selection, the Ignite Phoenix Core Team starts putting the show together. We get participation commitments from the selected speakers, with alternates filling any gaps. From that point on, the schedule of work leading to the event is tight and furious! We provide workshops and mentoring to help the speakers perfect their presentations so that they are the stars of the show. The goal is to make their passion shine and ignite our own.

If you have more general questions on the judging process (not about specific submissions), feel free to get in touch with us anytime!

Ignite Phoenix #14 Submissions Roundup

Shaina Rozen — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:09:38 +0000

After months of recruiting passionate people in the Valley to share their ideas, the clock has struck midnight, and the Ignite fairy godmother has brought all submissions to a close. Will someone you know be making an appearance at the ball? Time to wait and see!

We received over 100 fascinating, inspiring, and downright wacky submissions for Ignite Phoenix #14. Tomorrow, our panel of judges will meet to pore over each one and pick the final list of 18 speakers. The lineup will be announced in a few days, so keep an eye out for the unveiling!

Don’t forget that tickets go on sale next Saturday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m. They typically sell out fast, so be sure to buy yours early so you don’t miss out on. Until then, cross your fingers, grab your good luck charm, and send encouraging wishes to all of the brave people who submitted:

The Ripple Effect
Presenter	Erik Kelly
Biography	I’m passionate about personal growth & awakening potential in others. Through our real estate practice,we take pride in delivering a distinctive level of service through creative, customized solutions & strategies for our clients. My personal aspiration is sharing a positive, provocative influence by contributing to everyone with whom I connect.
Description	Great success stories share the significance of a defining moment or profound contribution from a key influencer, mentor or moment of decision and opportunity. This creates a Ripple Effect in the lives of those involved and , beyond that inspires & equips each of us to perpetuate a Ripple through our own lives & experiences.

Addicted to Fitness
Presenter	Brett Stewart
Biography	Fitness author who has published over 11 book on fitness training for events (triathlons, road races, mud runs), nutrition (The Vegan Athlete, Paleo Fitness, The Athlete’s Cookbook). I am best known worldwide for my “7 Weeks to” series of books: 7 Weeks to 50 Pull-Ups, 7 Weeks to 300 Sit-Ups, 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped, etc.
Description	Phoenicians reside in one of the fittest states, one that is on the bleeding edge of exercise trends. Massive triathlon teams, a huge running community, dozens of top-rated gyms and the rapid proliferation of Crossfit throughout the Valley speak to the desire of our residents to be fitter and healthier. Brett examines this love/hate relationship.

New Rules for Divorce (Learning to love your ex)
Presenter	Deb Caron
Biography	I’m a happily divorced woman on a mission to redefine the relationships we have with our exes. I don’t have anything figured, but maybe by the time my talk rolls around, I will?
Description	“Divorce doesn’t work like that.” It’s a phrase that makes me furious. Let’s get rid of the preconceived notions of what a so-called “broken family” looks like. Sometimes two people don’t do well as a couple, but they can co-parent better apart. Parenthood and marriage/divorce need a new paradigm. Like, now.

Learn to speak Chinese
Presenter	Sergio Cecutta
Biography	38 years young engineer and business man interested in technology, economy, people. Originally from Italy, I have been a phoenician for over 10 years. I have been a corporate America guy and now I am out on my own helping small and medium size companies be the best they can be. Exciting! I love cars and race them: some people are driven, I drive!
Description	Many moons ago China was the most powerful country in the world. Through the ages Europe and then the US rose to prominence. How does the future look like? Are we Americanizing China or is China influencing the US? Is the next cold war the one between US and China?

What is your D.R.E.A.M. LIE-f???
Presenter	Shaun Rico
Biography	My name is Shaun Rico and I LOVE LIFE!!! My platform for the greater good in life is through health & fitness and life coaching! I am here to live my life passionately, with no definitions or restrictions!
Description	If money and time didnt exist… what would you do with your life!?!? I am going to share what happened when the answer to that question came into action!

Curiosity is an act of love
Presenter	Miki DeVivo
Biography	I’m a story weaver and a photographer. I create and tend spaces in which we can be truly seen and deeply loved. I am passionate about collecting and tending stories, capturing moments of everyday tenderness and beauty, and reflecting back to people the very best parts of themselves.
Description	Curiosity is an act of love. We all want to be “better parents” or “better partners.” But what does that really look like? We all want our loved ones to know that we love them unconditionally. But how do we convey that? When we are curious about the people we love, we can come closer to answering these questions in a meaningful and actionable way.

Seeking redemption from the ashes…
Presenter	Donald M Burns
Biography	I’m 45 years old, and I’ve been a paralegal now for over 21 years. I spent four years in prison from 1986 to 1989 for stealing a purse when I was 18 years old. After rebuilding my life, I eventually finished my undergrad degree at ASU in 2004, graduating with honors, and then finished law school in 2009.
Description	No matter what life throws you, roll with it. You only live once. Enjoy life to the fullest. When you hear what I have endured in my life, you will cry with me, then you will celebrate with me. Love has struck me three times in my life and I’m lucky to have that. Keep in mind that no matter how bad you think you have it, many are far worse off

Birth certificates, bathrooms and umbrellas.
Presenter	Aubrey Crisp
Biography	I am a 37 year old Artist, Writer, Activist and Identical twin. After a difficult journey of discovery, leaving my brother and I who are transgender, were left homeless and without family. We left Indiana and settled in Phoenix in 2011. We are activists who believe in building bridges and opening dialogue.
Description	What would happen if you were a citizen of this country judged on your perceived gender? How would you feel when laws are presented that would force you to carry a birth certificate to use a public toilet because you do not fit into a gender binary? What happens when even your own community enforces a dress code on you. Lets talk about what gender.

6 people owning 90% of anything is bad: how media consolidation makes us all dumber
Presenter	Kevin Hengehold
Biography	Kevin is an engineering student at ASU. His passion is social movements. He dove headfirst into Occupy Phoenix in October 2011 and hasn’t come up for air since. Since May of last year, he’s been editing a website that reports on marginalized stories and social movements.
Description	Of course, the media is congealed and consolidated, and yes, the same song is on every channel, and sure, the same story is on every front page, & yes, the White House Soup of the Day is news, but… that doesn’t affect me! I’m a savvy media consumer! Wrong. My talk will show you how media consolidation is everyone’s problem, and how to fight back.

Dispatches from the front lines: my year reporting social movements
Presenter	Kevin M Hengehold
Biography	Kevin is an engineering student at ASU. His passion is social movements. He dove headfirst into Occupy Phoenix in October 2011 and hasn’t come up for air since. Since May of last year, he’s been editing a website that reports on marginalized stories and social movements.
Description	Everyone remembers the iconic images from Birmingham – kids facing down dogs and fire hoses for freedom and equality. How will folks remember today’s struggles for human and civil rights? I’ll take you on a tour of the uprisings today, from an on-the-ground perspective: what happened, how was it reported, and what will we all take away from it?

The Purpose of Life
Presenter	Annie Goldsand
Biography	I am a happy, 28-year-old, family oriented, passionate, Jewish, lesbian in a wheelchair. I am a fighter of equality. I am a loyal and hardworking person who is honored to share what I believe is the choice that can lead us each to ultimate freedom.
Description	Life can be chaotic, but how we choose to live every moment of our lives defines who we are. The decision my parents made to treat me equally even though I was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy continues to pave the way for my life. I want to share my belief that self-love is the most powerful healing tool available to each of us.

The Ego in Altruism
Presenter	Sidnee Peck
Biography	I am an entrepreneur, teacher, and active community member. I typically put the needs of animals before those of humans…they are more kind and more appreciative. I, like you, wish to actually make a difference in the world…still working on it. skpeck.tumblr.com
Description	We love to give, we want to save the world. And unfortunately that’s the problem. Giving time, money, or goods to “someone in need” feels good – and we like to think it creates a positive, sustainable impact. But all too often it does not. We must do it differently.

‘Art is Something a Community does Together’
Presenter	Jay Clayton
Biography	I’m an animator and I love the collaborative aspect of complex art forms where it takes a group of people to produce something. For the past several years I’ve opened my studio as a versatile and collaborative learning space where I teach animation classes and workshops.
Description	Exquisite Corpse is a teaching tool used at my animation parties. Group activity is encouraged by bringing playfulness and humor to the act of creating art. It’s important not to just bring people together to create art but to unite people as a community. There is something special about meeting with friends and doing something creative together.

10 Tips for the Mastery of Teaching, Theater, Making Connections, and Selling Garlic Mashed Potatoes in 5 Minutes or Less
Presenter	Kate Weiss
Biography	If I was as big on the outside as I feel on the inside, I would be 8 feet tall. Unfortunately, God only granted me 4 feet and 11 inches, but my enthusiasm and passion certainly make up for it, and I’m not hindered from doing big things. In a world that has lost some humanity, I take the most joy by making connections with people on a daily basis.
Description	Bartending, theater, and teaching have TEN similarities. As a teacher by day, server by night, and performer, I apply the “7 Step Service” at a table as well as teaching. I utilize theater flair in class–and when selling a customer steaks. In all 3 areas, I’m able to share enthusiasm and passion for life-while meeting people from all walks of life

When DEATH isn’t an option! Overcoming Situations. An Introspective Shared Experience.
Presenter	Reginald McKinley
Biography	Reginald B. McKinley, II. 26 years old.Black/Creole/NativeAmer./Italian. Music/Fashion Enthusiast. Certified Scuba Diver.Art Curator/Collector. 2 Degrees. Fear Factor Winner. BrotherSonUncle. Business Consultant. Designer. Entrepreneur. Operations+Networker Extraordinaire. Introvert. Lover of Love. Taker of Road Less Traveled. Salah.
Description	Death is a daily revelation that society deals with and yet we don’t discuss that the physical being isn’t the greatest part of us we can lose. Internally, we are taught to sacrifice our dreams daily, thus dying a little each second. I have ventured to resurrect myself through revelations, personal truths, and by living my passion.

Co-I-nspired
Presenter	Max Mendoza
Biography	Most recently I have been described as a “Curator of People & Energy.” It feels fitting because I have dedicated most of my life to developing communities & inspiring positive culture! I have been a co-founder & help grown a few non-profits, businesses, & live events; including the ASU Undie Run, Collegetown ASU, Entourage Matekting, & Project U.
Description	My idea is to play with the word “conspired” and relating it to the communities I’ve helped develop. Most of what I’ve been involved in has felt like a jointly created scheme to bring more goodness to the world. This talk will be about the behind the scenes visions, challenges, & results from that process. It will be real while above all fun!!

The Big Lie About PHX (and How to Defeat It)
Presenter	Jose Gonzalez
Biography	I teach & perform at The Torch Theatre in Phoenix, a longform improv theatre I co-founded with awesome people, and have performed at comedy festivals all across North America. I was born & raised in west Phoenix and have worked & played in downtown & central Phoenix since 2001. I
Description	The biggest lie about Phoenix is that there’s no culture here. I’ll explore why this lie exists & how to combat it. If you’re reading this or seeing this in any form at all, chances are I’m preaching to the choir, but my hope is to turn the choir into iron warriors willing to throw hatchets of knowledge at the misinformation around them. Bam!

Skinny doesnt mean Healthy
Presenter	Joey Bellus
Biography	I have been a health and fitness professional here in the valley for going on 10 years the biggest growing problem I face is having young and adult individuals wanting to be “skinny” and look like the images they see on t.v., in magazines and posted all over social media sites. I want to redefine what it means to be healthy.
Description	My PASSION is to redefine what it means to be “Healthy” and help individuals break free from the word “skinny” and the insecurities that come with it. I want to show people what it really means to be “healthy,” physically and mentally.It is not about how you look in comparison, but how you see and relate to yourself as a person, not an image.

Inspiration Through Imagination
Presenter	Ian M Furlong
Biography	I am an artist and overly imaginative. I have difficulty getting a job because I have a hard time relating to people in a job setting. You could say I was a gamer, maybe even a geek. I am 26 years old and currently unemployed. Art can define me and I could get lost in my creations for endless hours, because to me, time is not a familiar concept.
Description	The inspiration of art is all around us. It could be overlooked. Defined by someone’s emotions and redefined by another. Created by feelings. Created by limitless imagination. Some have a name while my art is nameless and open to interpretation.The idea of my art is formed like an infectious disease that I never want to stop spreading.

Deep connections
Presenter	Joe Weeks
Biography	I am a passionately curious student of biology and sociology, and I love discovering and helping others to appreciate the intricacies that surround us. I want to dedicate my life to connecting these natural systems and the human mentality in order to create a more harmonious existence.
Description	I love discovering and helping others to appreciate the patterns and phenomena that are all around us in nature. In order to connections between the natural world, society, and technology. I believe that knowledge of these phenomena, even at the most basic level, can inspire and motivate anyone to live for the wonder of this existence!

Soul Connections – Raising Your Grandchild
Presenter	Wendy Nickerson
Biography	I am a psychologist and life coach who specializes in developing healthy lifestyles, behavioral nutrition, dealing with chronic pain and illness, improving self- image, establishing a life’s purpose, eliminating stress, depression and anxiety, and enhancing spiritual growth and nourishment.
Description	More and more grandparents are raising their grandchildren. In today’s society this can be an arduous responsibility. However, what we often overlook are how soul connections and family legacies are restored throughout this process. Being able to ‘see’ the spiritual purpose for this situation helps to get through the day to day ‘struggles’.

Jump! Take a Leap of Faith
Presenter	Wendy Nickerson
Biography	I am a psychologist and health coach who specializes in developing healthy lifestyles, behavioral nutrition, dealing with chronic pain and illness, improving self- image, establishing a life’s purpose, eliminating stress, depression and anxiety, and enhancing spiritual growth and nourishment.
Description	We have an epidemic of depression and anxiety in our culture. Depression and anxiety are indicators to us that we are not honoring our life’s mission. My topic is compelling because it inspires people to let go of fear and follow their passion. I have found that when we do, depression and anxiety dissipates. Our soul knows.

OMG! Fighting back against hyperbole.
Presenter	Indiia Wilmott
Biography	I am a teacher, actor and singer. I own a t-shirt business that donates a portion of its profits to fund arts-based after school programs. I enjoy singing, eating, laughing, reading, baking and putting a smile on someone else’s face.
Description	With rise in social media and texting, we’ve become addicted to hyperbole. We’re constantly laughing out loud or screeching oh my god at every turn. I mean was it really the best. day. ever? Probably not. These reactions aren’t authentic. And, I believe authenticity is one of the best parts about human interaction.

You are beautiful and your story matters
Presenter	Miki DeVivo
Biography	I’m a story weaver and a photographer. I create and tend spaces in which we can be truly seen and deeply loved. I am passionate about collecting and tending stories, capturing moments of everyday tenderness and beauty, and reflecting back to people the very best parts of themselves.
Description	I believe that to see is to love and to love is to see. Looking closely and listening deeply strengthens the ties that bind us. Deepening our ability to see beauty in our every day lives and strengthening our ability to share and receive true stories of our real experiences, can make the world a better place. Let’s explore this together.

To Hell and back, and back again.
Presenter	Scott Almhjell
Biography	I’m a 42 year old Scottsdale Arizona native. I run my parent’s business, Whitey’s Auto Repair, in Scottsdale. I served in the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout form 1990 to 1992 and was deployed in September 1990 to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and later, Desert Storm. I’ve suffered from various aftereffects of PTSD.
Description	I’ve suffered from symptoms of PTSD from the Gulf War. I had a nervous breakdown over Halloween and spent 3 days downtown at Urgent Psychiatric Care. The experience literally changed my life. I met a Dr. there that correctly diagnosed me and put me on the right medication. It was an experience that I’ll not soon forget.

Citizen Science Arizona: Asteroid Hunting, Ferret Flashing and BioBlitzes
Presenter	Eileen Kane
Biography	I’m a proud plant nerd-Master Gardener and Tree University student. I’m also a Master Watershed Steward, so water geek qualified. As a volunteer coordinator, I train and support science cafe organizers on behalf of the Arizona SciTech Festival to further the cause of adult science literacy.
Description	Scientists can’t do it alone. Citizen scientists, avocational researchers, contribute to field biology, astronomy and many other fields right here in Arizona. I’m giving nerd cred where nerd cred is due.

So, it was good that happened?
Presenter	Jacqueline Freeman
Biography	Stories have long been my refuge. They got me through a difficult childhood, and I taught writing, literature, and women’s studies for 13 years. Now I am a coach, and MBTI and folktales are the Jungian thread that runs through my practice.
Description	One evening, 20 minutes before guests were to take over the house and not still not having packed, my closet collapsed. It was a system that was not designed to bear what it was holding, and it gave it up at the worst possible time. As they do. But it turned out it was really good that happened (there’s a metaphor in here)

The stories we tell ourselves
Presenter	Jacqueline Freeman
Biography	I taught writing, literature and women’s studies for 13 years. I adore stories. Sacred, folktales, life stories. They’ve molded my life, and made me the woman I am. Now I’m a coach. MBTI and folktales are the Jungian thread that runs through my work.
Description	Watching my kitties tear into each other one day, I said to my only child how if they ever get out, they’d be much more prepared for wild life having had each other to keep them sharp. “Well, that’s what fighting with siblings is for, right? To prepare you for life.” How different – how less painful–would life be if I’d had that story??

Nutritionally dense stories
Presenter	Jacqueline Freeman
Biography	I taught writing, literature and women’s studies for 13 years. To say I adore folktales and sacred stories doesn’t quite capture what they mean to me. I am now a coach, and MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and folktales are the Jungian thread that holds my practice together.
Description	We’re wired for stories. They’re how we learn, how we connect. The lens we view ourselves and our world through. We’ll ignore facts if they don’t groove with the story we tell ourselves. Yet we’re consuming junk stories. We don’t think about them. We’ll swallow whatever story comes our way. We need watch our stories like we watch our diet.

Myths About Hypnosis & Influence
Presenter	Luke Brady
Biography	I have been a magician all my life but in the past 4 years I have gravitiated towards Hypnosis and recently was certified in Hypnotherapy. I use hypnosis everyday! I love it, I believe it can help people in ways they can’t imagine!
Description	I believe the public has many labels and myths about hypnosis and influence that are simply not true. I want to break down a few common myths and let everyone know they have been hypnotized before, in fact many times a day!

Ahwatukee Foothills B.C. (Before Civilization)
Presenter	Marty Gibson
Biography	A Long Island native, I’ve been in the Valley for 26 years and I’m still searching for a good bagel, pizza-place and deli that I can sink my teeth into. As a published author, frequent public speaker and all-around chivalrous dude, I draw on a wide-ranging mix of interests, skills and experiences to energize, entertain and inform.
Description	We’re all immigrants. For anyone living on South Mountain’s south side (currently 87,000 Ahwatukee residents) or in the Southeast Valley in general, interest in the first master-planned community –the one that paved the way for all the others that followed– runs high. Here is everything you always wanted to know –if only you knew who to ask.

Stop sharing the inspirational quotes already. It isn’t working!
Presenter	Indiia Wilmott
Biography	I am a native of Virginia and I’ve lived in Arizona for the past 6 years. I love acting, singing, reading, teaching and smiling. I am the co-founder of a t-shirt business that donates 50% of its profits to school arts programs. My goal is put art back into schools and keep it there.
Description	Self-confidence. Where does it come from? How do we get it? If you look at Facebook, Instagram or magazine covers–we clearly have issues. Who’s we? Women. Girls. We’re broken. Addicted to self-improvement and inspirational memes. We read them, share them and put band-aids on our issues. Rinse and repeat. When does it end?

What’s in your wallet?
Presenter	Brandon Barba
Biography	I’m a Computer Systems Engineering major at ASU. I love long walks on the beach, and freshly printed paper. I LOVE COFFEE AND BACON. Coffee is a must twice a day. I’m a huge fan of elegant things, like ties. I also like to film on my spare time.
Description	Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer digital currency that is sweeping the nation (and the world). This cryptocurrency is shaping the currency world by making it universal, secure, and fun to use. Once you know the possibilities of what Bitcoin can do for you, businesses, and your friends and family, you’ll never be the same.

If You Must Take a Pill, Take the Red Pill
Presenter	Shauna Stacy
Biography	I’m a Valley native and proud Geek Girl of the East Valley. I took the “red pill” and faced reality when it came to my health after a well-meaning doctor slapped a pamphlet for a fad diet and Zoloft samples into my hand and told me I was “too young to be sick.” As it turns out, he was wrong.
Description	A few years ago I was fat, tired, infertile and depressed. After spending the last 6 years of my life using the rage one doctor inspired (and a little humor) to sort through The Matrix of modern health, I’ve learned a lot about the importance and difficulties of healing. The most important part? Becoming your own health advocate.

The future of learning and accessing our past
Presenter	Shawn Eckert
Biography	As an entrepreneur, consultant, father and innovator my passion is in the area of learning. I am passionate about helping people do what matters most and as a Phoenix native I hope to influence the direction of out community through giving back, mentoring and teaching others. Busier than most I look forward to creating balance in all I do.
Description	As we embrace technology to facilitate learning it is critical that we continue to leverage and integrate our past. With on-demand courses, easy access to information and blogging experiences online it benefits us all to leverage history by integrating story-telling, experiential reasoning ancestral knowledge in order to develop our knowledge base

Borrowed Belief
Presenter	Carine Werner
Biography	I am a corporate trainer, coach and inspirational speaker and spent a decade changing outcomes for businesses and individuals. Breakthrough coaching is my passion, utilizing Time Line Therapy(r) and NLP tools as conduit for people living their dreams.
Description	So many times people don’t take action on their idea or passion because they don’t believe they can achieve it – sharing my personal experience this and how I rose to success in an industry I did not know anything about borrowing someone elses’ belief in me until I believed in myself. This is a powerful story that has moved and inspires many.

Fighting for our Warriors
Presenter	Linda Hicks
Biography	I am a high school senior, turning 18 on April 2. I play tennis and work in a bagel and coffee shop, but that’s not what I want to be doing. I’m going to college in Missouri to study psychology and after I get my doctorate, I’m going to join the Navy and work as a military psychologist, preferably overseas.
Description	Every day, our soldiers who fought for us are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. Many people still believe this isn’t something to worry about, but they’re dead wrong. Our soldiers who suffered so much in combat are now attempting or contemplating suicide. Awareness for this needs to be raised so our heroes don’t fight this alone.

On the Road With Baseball
Presenter	Kimberly Susini
Biography	My name is Kimm, with two m’s, and I’m a baseball junkie. I am an Operations Assistant for a pharmaceutical company who spends my spare time writing a blog about baseball, going to games and yelling at the TV during games (yes, I’m one of those people).
Description	Each baseball season, I venture out on my own to watch baseball games at different stadiums. My goal is to see a game at all 30 Major League parks before I turn 30- so far I’ve seen 18, with 9 more planned for this season. Most people are shocked to hear that a girl not only likes baseball, but actually goes on the road to see it.

Rebranding Cat Lady: From Crazy to Cool
Presenter	Sara Santiago
Biography	Not many people have “Professional Cat Lady” on their resumes, but somehow I’ve been able to trick people into paying me to hang out with their cats, help get them spayed/neutered, make toys for them, and find them loving homes.
Description	The cliche of the “crazy” cat lady pervades our perception of anyone who shows interest in cats, but their popularity on the web proves that more of us are fans of our furry feline friends than may be willing to admit. From new trends in cat style to exciting work being done in animal welfare, I want to show just how cool it is to openly love cats.

Creating Meaning Through Perceived Tragedy
Presenter	Michael Maske
Biography	Vice President of Sales for TransMotion Medical, and an advocate for Nurses and Patient Safety in Healthcare. Veteran of Iraqi Freedom, and proud father of a 20 month old daughter with Downs Syndrome. Advocate on behalf of children with special needs, supporting parents and the community to raise awareness. Student of personal/professional growt
Description	My daughter was born with Downs Syndrome, and was told by the doctors about her condition, and future heart surgery when she was only 12 hours old. I share the story of how I created meaning and value from this moment forward. Life would not be the same, and with a sense of empowerment, I would begin a new journey to raise awareness about this.

My Chemistry Set
Presenter	Julie Meeker
Biography	Not sure if I should describe myself as a nerd or a geek because I love home brewing and beer in general so much that I immerse myself in everything I can possibly learn about it, as in a geek. On the other hand, home brewing and beer in general, inspires the engineer in me with all the great math and science to play with which makes me a nerd.
Description	Reinheitsgebot. The Bavarian Purity Law ensured that the only ingredients that could be used in the production of beer were water, barley and hops. Makes it sound pretty boring, huh? Well, let me show you how we achieve an infinite number of variations on that theme using just those ingredients and one other known back then as the “Magic”!

Because they don’t really exist
Presenter	Julia Kolsrud
Biography	I am an attorney working in Scottsdale and specialize in Environmental and Natural Resource Law. My Firm represents several Native Tribes and do hundreds of hours of pro-bono work for he Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona. I perform in the Encyclopedia Show and have a National Title in Dramatic Interpretation from the American Forensics Association.
Description	I work at a law firm that represents several Indian Tribes in Arizona. Through my experiences and through the history of the Apache people in particular, my eyes have been opened. The injustices that the Arizona Indians have and are STILL going through are unbelievable and need recognition. People need to hear know.

Drums And Healing
Presenter	ANDREW W ECKER
Biography	I am a community builder and professional drum circle facilitator specializing in an evidence based healing modality called Health Rhythms through my professional work with Health Rhythms I am able to address many social and spiritual issues effecting the groups I serve by doing this I feel I contribute to the overall health of our culture & world.
Description	The sacred space in our culture is elusive and for me the intention of bringing people together to heal through music is a sacred space without judgment and full of love. Where all expressions of the human condition can play in rhythm. In these sacred moments of the beat humanity finds the power of creative unity the catlast for love and healing

The Red Washcloth
Presenter	Yolande Grill
Biography	My name is Yolande Grill (Y) and I am the change I want to see in the world. My roles include: Mother to Manuel (my teacher) and Francisca (my mirror), Wife (to Paul), Healer (to anyone who crosses my path and asks), Writer (Mothers Who Write), Vice President of Business Development (InfoSol Inc.) and soon to be Empty-Nester. My purpose is Peace.
Description	Analogy can bring about transformation and cure in our personal and work lives and who knows, maybe lead to world peace. Bridging the two worlds of Soul and Role – showing up as a healer while employed as an IT professional. Best lessons are learned at Nana’s house not in school. What using a red washcloth to wipe blood can teach about life.

Parenting A Mentally Ill Child
Presenter	April Broussard
Biography	I am a speaker, blogger and mother of three beautiful daughters, two of which have special needs. I love encouraging others to embrace the challenges they face with love and laughter.
Description	Suffering in silence. I’ll never forget the first time I had to admit my daughter to a behavioral health hospital. Watching other families, seeing their pain, hearing their silence. I’m ready to speak up about childhood mental illness. It is time to reject the shame families feel and for our community to look through eyes of compassion.

“How Exactly Does One Become a Butterfly?”
Presenter	Yolande Grill
Biography	My name is Yolande Grill (Y) and I am the change I want to see in the world. My roles include: Mother to Manuel (my teacher) and Francisca (my mirror), Wife (to Paul), Healer (to anyone who crosses my path and asks), Writer (Mothers Who Write), Vice President of Business Development (InfoSol Inc.) and soon to be Empty-Nester. My purpose is Peace.
Description	Hired to bring about growth, I instead focused on transformation. I love questions. In fact, I have taken to using only my first intial (Y) because it reminds me to BE the question and to align my soul with my role. At work, for the past 6 years, I have walked around asking “How Exactly Does One Become a Butterfly?” The answer may surprise you…

You Had Me At Namaste
Presenter	Brady Garrison Jr
Biography	I was five when I first did Yoga. A carpet remnant for a mat, the yoga lady on Public Television my teacher. Grandma by my side. I rediscovered yoga many years later as an adult and was both humbled and challenged by it. But I stuck with it! I have had a dedicated practice the last decade that has resulted in physical and mental transformation.
Description	Yoga means ” to Unite.” The Union of Mind, Body, Spirit. I will deliver a lighthearted, entertaining and informative talk touching on: Yoga history; my experiences; and Yogas many benefits. These benefits will change the way YOU- look, feel, and experience. Yoga connects YOU to the ‘moment’, adding- meaning, richness and depth to YOUR life.

Value of the Nurse – Healthcare
Presenter	Michael Maske
Biography	Vice President for TransMotion Medical, we manufacture a specialized stretcher/chair for hospitals. Our device protects nurses from back injury. I advocate to promote a safer work environment for nurses, and to empower the nurse within healthcare. I have authored numerous papers and an upcoming book on Nurse Empowerment.
Description	Nurses are the only profession that experience stress on all levels (physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual). No other profession experiences stress on such dramatic levels, in every facet of work life. Additionally, Nurses will touch EVERYONE’S life at some point, and this talk empowers nurses to create a better life.

Inspiring Relationships to the Fullest
Presenter	Michelle Shelton
Biography	My name is Michelle Shelton. I am a trusting, lovable, confident woman, playfully accepting my greatness now. I am a wife. I am a mother. I am a grandma. I am real estate agent in Arizona. I write, I throw out ideas and I like to have fun. I am a mom missing her son. My son died on September 1, 2013 and I am getting through it by talking about it.
Description	My 22 year old son, Phillip Shelton, died in a car accident on September 1, 2012. I am open and trusting the process of grief. I have been vulnerable, open and honest and taken risks…this is what is getting me through. This will not define me. I will use this event to inspire others to life life to the fullest and take no relationship for granted

Why Being Spiritual May Be Better than Being Religious
Presenter	Rob Rynders
Biography	I’m a United Methodist pastor, husband, father, writer, speaker and Major League Baseball fan. In my free time I love learning about innovation, economics, science, religion and how those things can make the world a better place.
Description	In July 2012 I was assigned to plant a new church in downtown Phoenix. As I met people I realized that even though many downtown residents are “spiritual but not religious,” their lives and work are often more impactful than many people who belong to a faith community. Their stories have a lot to teach the “religious,” and indeed the entire world.

Bees and Media
Presenter	Alisha M. Forrester Scott
Biography	Arizona native, artist, and social entrepreneur; Founder and Producer of Pollinator Support Movement, and “BeeS Week” at Albuquerque Film & Media Experience (AFME) this June 3-9.
Description	Planet, humans, insects, and animals: The real lives of all inhabitants of the planet are, and will remain affected by the enormous loss of the Earth’s bees populations. Inside this challenge, I would like to present on the importance of positivity, public education, and a community backyard action strategy which launches nationally in June.

Just Because I’m Too Old to Join the Circus, Doesn’t Mean I Can’t Pretend
Presenter	Elizabeth Newlin
Biography	I’m a mom, Realtor, writer, dancer, drinker, busybody, laugher. I like to do stuff.
Description	I always wanted to join the circus. Costumes, performing, traveling, wacky carnie folk? SIGN ME UP. But instead I grew up, had kids and lived a normal life. THEN I saw a Groupon for trapeze lessons and I realized the dream wasn’t dead. Sure that first time I jumped from the platform was terrifying, but it also made me feel like I was born to fly.

How to save a life, and take half damage
Presenter	Eric Steele
Biography	As a middle school instructor I witness firsthand the creation of social stereotypes and how they effect our ability to create relationships. Outside work my interests include writing, hockey and out door activities that require boots.
Description	After being the awkward new guy a dozen times, I took a risk and joined a tabletop role playing group to make friends. The experience, despite humorous unrealistic expectations, changed how I view social groups. By eliminating preconceived notions of role players, I was able to get over stereotypes of other groups and forge lasting relationships.

“Meeting Jessica Cox”
Presenter	Don Ratliff
Biography	I am a 59 year old, life-long Valley resident, business owner, and founder of the “YES I CAN” Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to Empowering Children to Realize Their Inherent and Unlimited Potential.
Description	An inspiring message about disability that contrasts the lives of two individuals: Jessica Cox, a Tucson woman born without arms, who made aviation history by earning a pilot’s license, and an able-bodied man who confronts his life-long belief that he is not capable, and ultimately discovers that fear and limiting beliefs are what truly disable us.

Craps 101 Easy, Fun , maybe profitable
Presenter	MIchael McCarville
Biography	Regular married guy with a 10 year old son. Over the last 25 years i have discovered that Las Vegas Style Craps is so much fun and I am pretty good at explaining it to people.
Description	I’m gonna pretend I’m in Las Vegas wtih some freinds who have never played Craps before and i”m gonna explain just the basics. Baby Steps. The thrill of a hot Craps table is like none other.

Making the Surreal Happen
Presenter	John Aho
Biography	A techie by trade and photographer by avocation, I like to create surreal images in the night.
Description	Painting with light using LED’s and photographing with long exposures is neat but I turn the triptrastic to 11. Using homebrew high power LED light boxes I’m able to run and gun shots at night making it possible to take high intensity crazy pics with a much shorter exposure time and ending up with more fun and a lot more pics.

Saving Young Lives
Presenter	Maria Wojtczak
Biography	I co-own and co-founded DrivingMBA, a driver tutoring company located in Scottsdale and Chandler with my husband, Richard. We created the company in response to the devastating trend of teen deaths and injuries on our roadways. I have extensive background in organizational change and am responsible for the operation and marketing of DrivingMBA.
Description	Car crashes are the #1 killer of teenagers and thousands are injured every year. We have lost more teenagers on our roadways than we have in the war on terror. I believe one of the biggest contributors is our cavalier attitude towards driving. We make choices every day, behind the wheel of a car that endangers our lives and the lives of others.

Art and justice
Presenter	Francisco enuf García
Biography	I am a muralist that Paints messages about social change issues while empowering youth to getting involved in their community. Also work with non-profits, such as the national council of young leaders recommending policies that benefit youth 16-24 that are disconnected from work and education.
Description	I would like to share my story because i believe that it can inspire people. I used to do graffiti And i was kicked out of 4 high schools within my senior year. I was suffering from anxiety attacks and depression and went to jail twice. I was hopeless until one day i accepted god in my heart my life changed. Now i am doing artwork all over the coun

Doors and Stones May Break My Bones, But That’s Not What Really Hurt Me
Presenter	Don Dingee
Biography	My card says Chief Story Officer, because I believe in the power of storytelling – when a person has something to say, somewhere there is one person who needs to hear it. In my world, smarter devices talk and people connect in new ways, and I help brands tell their stories on how that changes everything.
Description	Accidents are never welcome, and bouncing your head off a moving car isn’t something I’d recommend trying. Surviving an encounter with a distracted driver, thanks to a bike helmet, is just the beginning of my story. What happened since my bike ride that day has lessons in healthcare, insurance, healing, understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

you can’t make this s*#@ up. tales from the classroom
Presenter	Sarah Stahlbush
Biography	I am a high school Spanish teacher, native phoenecian, neuroleadership enthusiast and public speaker. I teach in the valley and marvel at adolescent behavior.
Description	The general public has a certain perception of our youth. They are so wrong. As are my stories. Adolescents are as delightful as they are flawed and hilarious. So many tales I will tell to explain their unique neuro-situation and how it manifests itself each day.

Skydiving – A Sport Like No Other
Presenter	Chad M. Reid
Biography	I skydived for the first time after I bought a Groupon on a whim. I only planned to jump once. Although I was terrified, the thrilling allure of the sport kept pulling me back. I’ve now made over sixty skydives and plan to be a lifelong jumper.
Description	Skydiving is a sport like no other. The thrill, adrenaline rush, and intense focus are unlike anything the majority of people have ever experienced. I want to share my passion for the sport by explaining the basics of skydiving and encourage the Ignite audience to try it.

Wake Up to Your Dream
Presenter	Donavon Roberson
Biography	My purpose in life is to help people discover and live from their true authentic self! As Dream Manager for Infusionsoft, I accomplish this by helping employees connect with their hearts desires and passions! We take a holistic approach to employee development by engaging the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of our people.
Description	We all have an desired adventure into which we would love to live. Many of us live in a current state that doesn’t reflect that future and we aren’t even sure how to begin to move into that future. The struggle that many of us have is not in our dream but in our ability to achieve our dream. In fact, many of our dreams aren’t grand enough!

Siblings: Stronger than Cancer
Presenter	Boomer Nichols
Biography	My name is Boomer Nichols. I am a local stand-up comic as well as a business man, father, and husband. I recently completed my annual passion project “Comedians for a Cure” at Stand Up Live in downtown Phoenix. We raised about $40k for Phoenix Children’s Hospital this year.
Description	At one year old, my daughter Baylee was diagnosed with JMML, a rare and hard to treat form of leukemia. She was given a 15% chance of survival. Her brother Brody, 4 years old at the time, donated his bone marrow and saved his sisters life. Baylee is now almost 6 and cancer free, thanks to P.C.H. Their story is one of hope, of faith, & inspiration.

Surf Culture
Presenter	Tommy Pierucki
Biography	I’m a Community Manager at GannettLocal. I am obsessed with using social media for business. My wife and our 4 dogs are moving to Hawaii this year. We’ve been married for 4 years and are still absolutely nuts about each other.
Description	Ever since I had an “aha” moment sitting on a surf board in Hawaii over 10 years ago, I’ve been completely consumed by everything that has to do with surfing. The culture, the science of it, the etiquette, the professional side of it, the breaks around the world and so on. To me, surfing is the one place where I’ve found peace, serenity and beauty.

Everything is an event
Presenter	Shawn Eckert
Biography	First and foremost Shawn is a proud father of a happy, healthy, wonderful daughter. Shawn works as a management consultant with 20 years of experience integrating leadership, accounting, finance, and technology across a variety of industries. As a serial entrepreneur, I loves to create technology to help others focus on what matters most.
Description	Life is busy and by leaning to wear many hats I’m playing in new and different roles every day. As a single dad, business owner, entrepreneur and very busy guy I’ve attempted to leverage technology to keep me on track. I’ve noticed I’m constantly creating events, almost subconsciously, which has developed a passion around leveraging this big data!

Kickstarting Music to Pay Forward
Presenter	Robert Payne
Biography	Robert Payne, the highest funded Kickstarter artist for a music project in Arizona released his new album on Tuesday October, 23rd, 2012, entitled, “Sunlight.”Robert has committed 100% of album sale profits to Northrise University students in Zambia Africa. ir
Description	Using Crowd sourcing to both pay for art projects AND fund charities. A new perspective on how to motivate traditional music and art purchases.

Why I Believe In Aliens
Presenter	Danny Torgersen
Biography	I’m a 24-year-old composer inspired by the subjects of humanity, space, & the future. I’ve arranged for college jazz bands, orchestras, and toured with my own band Captain Squeegee, who eventually performed at the 2011 International UFO Congress. For years now I have dedicated much of my time to these UFO Conferences as an enthusiast & volunteer.
Description	I have seen everyone from astrophysicists to Chilean military generals talk in-depth about the UFO phenomenon & their possible off-world origins. This new perspective on space & humanity is not only compelling, but important to ponder. I will explore the potential impact of extra-terrestrials on society & the reasons the truth may be kept a secret.

Phoenixlandia: How a Bicycle Can Change Your Life and Put More Life Into Phoenix
Presenter	Lisa Parks
Biography	I’m an interior designer by trade and moved to Phoenix 8 years ago after living in the great cities of New York, Boston and San Francisco. After trying to find ways to make Phoenix feel more like these other cities, I found that my life and my view of Phoenix changed a little over a year ago when I bought a bike on Craigslist.
Description	A bicycle helps you to slow down and notice new things along the way. It saves money, builds communities, keeps you healthy, takes up very little space and strangers smile and wave as you ride by. Hop on and let’s make Phoenix the best place to ride a bike!

How to Hire a Private Investigator
Presenter	Adam Kurgan
Biography	My name is Adam Kurgan and I am a retired police officer with 33 years of police experience. After retirement I started my own Private Investigation Agency called PeerStrike Consulting LLC. My company will assist anyone or investigate anything that will help others either find out information or find out the truth. We work closely with attorney’s.
Description	My idea is compelling because most people do not know where to turn if they need to hire a private investigator. I will inform people about the different types of private investigators and how to check the credentials of a private investigator. I will advise people what private investigators can and can not do. Private investigators are not scary.

Three Stakes To Pound Into the Heart of Stage Fright
Presenter	Ashley Naftule
Biography	I’m a playwright, poet and actor. An ensemble member with downtown Phoenix’s Space55 theater, I’ve also worked with and done shows at the Trunk Space, the Firehouse Gallery, the Torch Theatre & Lawn Gnome Publishing. Occasionally I dress up as an evil wizard or a woman and do questionable things in public and call it performance art.
Description	Speaking in public… the thought of it is terrifying to many people. I used to be one of those people. 4 years ago, if you told me I’d be acting in public on a weekly basis, I’d laugh at you (and then shiver at the thought of it). But I’ve learned 3 tricks that shrunk down my stage fright, and I’d like to share them with you all.

Trust Me: I Don’t Know What I’m Doing
Presenter	Ashley Naftule
Biography	I’m a playwright, poet and actor. An ensemble member with downtown Phoenix’s Space55 theater, I’ve also worked with and done shows at the Trunk Space, the Firehouse Gallery, the Torch Theatre & Lawn Gnome Publishing. Occasionally I dress up as an evil wizard or a woman and do questionable things in public and call it performance art.
Description	Feeling stuck creatively? Looking to dust the cobwebs off your imagination? Sometimes the best way to click the Refresh button in your brain is to embrace chaos, chance and randomness. There are many ways to throw away your internal map & get lost in play: I’ll discuss a few of them (including Surrealist games, chance operations, & dice throwing).

Transformation That Anybody Can Do And Everybody Should Experience
Presenter	Michael Decker
Biography	I am 28 years old with some very interesting life experiences–Like losing 250 pounds. My main passion is helping people transform their lives from wherever they are to where they want to be. It’s not so much about focusing on external pleasures but rather achieving internal peace that can–than allow you to experience the pleasures that life offers.
Description	This idea comes from a time in my life where I was 440 pounds and a drug addict and was basically near-death. The lifestyle I was living was not sustainable and circumstances let to a break-down–where I was forced to look myself straight in the mirror and decide whether I wanted to live or die. I chose life and I chose to face all my demons and along the way in order to transform from near-death and miserable to healthier and happier, I, had to search within myself for the answers to why I was escaping life and throwing it all away, what I found out everybody can benefit from.

The Life-Giving Pursuit of Minimalism
Presenter	Joshua Becker
Biography	I encourage others to live intentionally with fewer possessions. And find new life because of it. When minimalism is adopted, people discover more finances, more times, more energy, and more freedom to pursue their greatest passions in life — whatever those unique passions may be.
Description	There is more joy to be found in pursuing fewer possessions than can ever be found in the pursuit of more. Unfortunately, since the moment we were born, we have been told to pursue happiness in material possessions (bigger homes, nicer cars, trendier fashion, etc.), but we all know it’s not true. It is time to begin pursuing fulfillment elsewhere.

Fantasy Illustration – The Art of Scantily Clad Heroes and Horrific Monsters
Presenter	Mark Greenawalt
Biography	By day, Mark Greenawalt is a mild mannered electrical engineer working for a top architectural firm, but after hours he is a wildly creative struggling artist. Growing up on a steady diet of comic books and sci-fi fantasy novels he became interested in honing his drawing and painting skills to create imagery like the book covers that inspired him.
Description	As a kid, I’d buy sci-fi/fantasy novels when the cover showed a sexy warrior woman wielding a sword to fend off an attacking monster. These fantasy illustrations inspired my interest in the genre and in art in general. Now I create my own imagery using photoshop and conventional paints and have completed my first comic book cover for Lady Death.

What Lance Failed to Learn While Cycling
Presenter	Dave Cooke
Biography	I am a dad, an accomplished author, international speaker, and a strategic resource for businesses. I am also an avid cyclist who loves the meditative experiences associated with taking long, quiet, and safe bike rides that clear the head and inspire the mind.
Description	Cycling has completely transformed and improved my life. The lessons and experiences of cycling have moved me through the dark recesses of pain and hopelessness associated with my child’s drug addiction to an inspired, engaged, empowered life. I share the metaphor for my life that drives, inspires and guides me through today’s unique challenges.

Human Exploration of Cislunar Space
Presenter	Sarah Braden
Biography	I am a graduate student studying Planetary Science and Earth’s Moon using data and images from NASA missions. My work is mostly science using remote sensing, but I also write blog posts and do educational outreach. Human exploration of space is my current passion.
Description	Humans need to explore and eventually colonize other planets. I’ll explain why the Moon is a great place to start as well as what cislunar space is and how we will use it in the future. Come learn about what technological steps towards living on the Moon we’ve accomplished and what still needs to be done!

Exposing that little voice behind our decisions
Presenter	Dr. Ronald J Bonnstetter
Biography	Intrigued by neurology and inspired to teach about this emerging frontier, Dr. Bonnstetter, UNL Prof Emeritus, has addressed numerous national and international audiences. His passion to understand is simply contagious. “We now have the ability to explore decision-making in real time. This is not just another tool, but a communication rebirth.”
Description	People may lie, but the brain do not. It is now possible to see what a person likes vs. dislikes using EEG brain asymmetry, thus exposing the subconscious thoughts behind our decisions and visually revealing the causes that drive beliefs and behaviors. We may not even be aware of these hidden mindsets that dictate many of our daily decisions.

When Your Girl Parts Attack
Presenter	Charlene Cunningham
Biography	I am a 40-year old mother of three great kids and one equally terrific step-kid. I am a high school English teacher in Phoenix, and have taught at the same school for 8 years now. I also teach Eng 102 at one of the Maricopa County Comm Colleges. I spend my spare time with my beautiful family, great friends, and play softball on the weekends.
Description	BRCA2 is the breast cancer gene; carriers, like myself, have incredibly high risk of breast and ovarian cancers. I do not have cancer, and to prevent it, I have had a complete hysterectomy and a double mastectomy looms on the horizon in December. Am I still a woman once all my “girl parts” are gone? What makes a woman a woman?

Urban Planning & Entrepreneurship: How the Two World Collide
Presenter	Aaron Kimberlin
Biography	A Valley native and Central Phoenix resident, Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree from ASU in Design and a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois. Kimberlin created the inaugural Phx Urban Design Week that showcased the importance of urban design as an ingredient of economic growth, sustainability, and community empowerment in Phx
Description	Take the downturn in the economy, the political unrest and a stagnant unemployment rate. Now add a city that screams for authenticity, direction & a creative vision. What do you get…The City of Phoenix. My talk will challenge how we as Phoenicians can play our part by building our community, economy and creativity by starting your own business.

Chicken Personality Disorder
Presenter	Iain Hamp
Biography	I support community involvement for a company of approximately 270,000 people worldwide, and am hopelessly in love with my own community here in the Phoenix area. My nights and weekends are spent with my incredible wife and my four girls.And by girls, I mean chickens.
Description	Some people keep pictures of their children in their wallets or phones. I keep pictures of my chickens. I love to share their stories with others, and the stories of all the questions people ask and misconceptions people have about raising hens. They began as pets – and quickly became a lifestyle.

Boxed Wine: Stop Being Such a Snob, It’s Awesome
Presenter	Elizabeth Newlin
Biography	I’m a Realtor, mom and a blogger. I specialize in clients with a sense of humor. I like to do stuff.
Description	I know, you’re thinking of the wall of Franzia you see in the wine aisle at the grocery store. Good boxed wine is about so much more than that. It has actual varietals and vintages. It comes with a spout. Sometimes it’s even in a box shaped like a purse with a strap and everything. If you’re turning up your nose, you’re missing out.

“Hyper Humansim”- Are we too good for our own good?
Presenter	Bryan Kirch
Biography	Successful entrepreneur, product developer, and user experience designer. I have a diverse knowledge of anthropology, human psychology and the latest in evolutionary and biological research. Equally skilled at starting fires with sticks and designing web applications.
Description	Funny, paradigm shifting talk that examines our modern problems through the prism of evolution. I’ll discuss the powerful traits that make us human and the unintended consequences that come from those successful traits. I’ll dissect the role our evolutionary success plays in obesity, mental illness, pollution and other modern problems.

From Stigma Comes Hope
Presenter	Stephen Gittins
Biography	I am 48 and from Wales in the United Kingdom, which is where I completed a degree in Documentary Photography 2003. In 2008 I moved to Arizona with the sole purpose to study a Masters of Fine Arts at ASU. I graduated the Masters in 2011. My photography has evolved around the human spirit and my goal is to capture this essence.
Description	Stigma was my story until hope intervened in 2003. I am now active within the community helping others to rid of stigma, grasp hope and find direction. Having secured a visa I created The C12 Documentary Collective with the intention to capture the experience of the homeless community in Downtown Phoenix and their journey towards hope.

YOLO: The irrational young adult
Presenter	Jamie Alcumbrac
Biography	I am a 2nd year high school science teacher. With a passion for reptiles and the human brain. I deal with teenagers on a daily basis and have come to some striking conclusions and connections about their brain development and how it is similar to a reptile brain.
Description	Teenagers are often pegged as misunderstood and going through “tough changes” and it is often an excuse for their behavior. I want to dispel that myth, and show you the science of what happens to the teenage brain and why young people act the way they do. Its not just a series of irrational choices its BRAIN CHEMISTRY!

Bustin’ Makes Me (and You) Feel Good
Presenter	Jeff Lewis
Biography	I am the head of the Arizona Ghostbusters volunteer fan club. I help organize our involvement in many charity events throughout the valley and also help organize many of the events themselves. We attend charity walks, fundraise, make hospital visits, food drives, toy drives, and many other events in our Ghostbusters costumes alongwith our Ecto-1.
Description	I would like to tell my own story of how I changed from just focusing on myself winning costume contests to devoting much of my time to helping others. I would like to show others that they can use their nerdy passions, whatever they may be, to help others in a variety of ways in our local community and still have fun at the same time.

NASCAR is An Iceberg
Presenter	Brian Renner
Biography	I’m a self employed internet marketer with a passion for NASCAR that caught even me by surprise one year when some extended family brought us all to our first race in Phoenix.
Description	For those who don’t like NASCAR, it’s just cars going in circles. For those who love it, it’s because they realize there’s so much more below the surface. The more you learn about this sport (yes sport), the more you’ll realize how much more is involved than you ever could have imagined.

Innovation STEMs from Creativity
Presenter	Jeremy Scott
Biography	Jeremy Scott is a college drop-out entrepreneur from Chandler, AZ. Though only 27, he and business partner/best friend/brother have been running businesses since they were 15 and 16. Today they run Bonanza Educational, LLC, an enrichment education provider that delivers creativity-based extracurricular education to valley elementary schools.
Description	STEM, an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, describes the pedagogy of the world’s education system. Yet innovation and invention, the true drivers of a successful 21st century economy, needs a workforce of creative people. So why aren’t we developing the creative capacities of our children, in addition to STEM?

Sabakiball
Presenter	Danilo jaramillo
Biography	Started up a north central Phoenix Sabakiball league, the ultimate team sport. My plan is to use this sport to strenthen and condition athletes, and incorporate team work and strategy.
Description	A fun, family oriented sport with no contact, and requires no special equipment for players. If you can catch and run, you can play. The sport was adopted in 30 states and is exploding internationally , the sport founder is from Arizona with 30 years martial arts experience.

Are you part of the problem?
Presenter	Alicia Fremling
Biography	Pet guardian of Java (dog), Penny and Tommy (cats). Long time volunteer at the Arizona and Washington Humane Societies. Acutely aware of the animal shelter overpopulation crisis in Maricopa county (approx. 50,000 animals euthanized annually), but a believer that pet overpopulation is a myth. The root cause of this crisis is a lack of education.
Description	Annually, 23 million pets are acquired. When pet parents expand their family, 70% of them are undecided about where they will acquire these pets. Puppy mills & pet stores are a known irresponsible option, but so is the neighbor with the litter of cute puppies/kittens in their backyard. This is the cause of the overpopulation crisis in pet shelters.

“You did ‘well’ not ‘GOOD’ on your 5 paragraph essay, Johnny.”
Presenter	Kater Weiss
Biography	Originally from Detroit, MI. Avid theater performer for 20 years. I moved to Arizona without knowing a single person, and I had never been to Arizona. So I packed up my Chevy Cobalt, blindly succumbing to the prospect of an epic adventure. Friends describe me in three phrases: weirdly endearing, hopelessly idealistic, and exceptionally intuitive.
Description	I believe in 2 schools of thought: 1)we’re all teachers, and we’re all here to lend enlightenment to each other because in the end, we are all teachers to-and for each other. 2) The only things to regret in life are things in which we did not learn. Teaching is undoubtedly the ultimate experience. Even when you teach ex-convicts, like I do. Sweet.

Big Data and Human Nature
Presenter	Haris Butt
Biography	Analytical science and medical major at ASU. Now a research and content strategist for a digital marketing firm in AZ
Description	How data can be construed into any opinionated position and why it matters in polotics and economics

Phoenix: It’s a Dry Wet
Presenter	Tina K Sleeper
Biography	Tina is big water nerd. She’s THAT neighbor digging holes in the front yard and putting buckets under gutter drains. For a day job, she’s thrilled to be the Water Festival Program Coordinator with the University of Arizona Project WET.
Description	1,469,471. That’s the number of people estimated to live in Phoenix. How is it possible? We live in an arid land, but yet we’ve been able to provide seemingly abundant water to a million plus, just in one city. This is our water story: where we get it from, how it’s carefully delivered to us, and what happens to it after we’re “done” with it.

Mesozoic Holocaust Highways
Presenter	Stephen Mark Alvis
Biography	I’m a retired school teacher. When I was 13, I decided to rewrite the history of the world. My preoccupation is leading volunteer explorers, the Time Travelers, to dinosaur tracksites around the Southwest. As a geomythologist rewriting the whole science of geology, my sole qualifications are curiosity and a disregard for scientific authorities.
Description	My earth-shattering theory proposes the violent births of pagan gods were natural thermonuclear fusion explosions that blasted fragments of crust and mantle into orbit as debris streams of asteroids and meteors. Shock waves beheaded dinosaurs, whose tracksites align in vectors for hundreds of miles beside fissures where heat fused rock into metals.

Postmentis – An Experiment in Brevity and Public Captioning
Presenter	Charles Choueiri
Biography	My name is Charles Choueiri. I am an Emmy-nominated multimedia producer with techie roots and deep philosophical tendencies. I also have an unreasonable addiction to claw machine games, dodgeball, and post-its.
Description	I decided to take on the task of whittling down thought and experience to fit on a post-it note or few. The result was a three-year experiment in brevity that ultimately found its way outside, and became a form of expression through public captioning and art.This is my interpretation of thought documentation and its unforeseen side-effects.

2 Legs Good, 4 Legs Bad: Why Chickens Make Great Pets
Presenter	Kater Cheek
Biography	A native of Tempe, Arizona, Kater had chickens as pets when she was a child, and as an adult has kept chickens for more than ten years. The creator of the webcomic “Coop De Grace,” Kater is also the author of several novels and short stories.
Description	Keeping backyard chickens have become very popular in recent years, but chickens are good for more than just fresh eggs. Yard birds can help with compost, make fertilizer, and help keep down the insect and weed population. As a self-proclaimed “chicken lobbyist” I’ll go over some of the rules and guidelines to keeping chickens as pets.

A Boob’s Guide to the New Tube
Presenter	Stephanie Clerge
Biography	I am an energetic person on a journey of continuous self-improvement. I help others on their personal development journey as well, mostly by helping them identify and maximize their strengths. I am a wife, mother, professional development coach, engineer, manager at Intel, . . . I’m sure there’s more. The bio on my website has the usual stuff.
Description	Despite what your mother told you about watching TV killing brain cells, I will show you way that watching TV can help you save the world! I live my life differently because of a few simple changes in my viewing habits. Now I want to lead the revolution to inspire others to make the world a better place by watching the Boob Tube.

The Piece of Dirt Where Phoenix Began 145 Years Ago
Presenter	Steve Schumacher
Biography	I am a management consultant that specializes in assisting leaders take their organizations through change. I grew up in Phoenix and have a burning passion for the history of the city.
Description	I have located the exact spot where Jack Swilling first turned a shovel to start what became Phoenix in 1867. There was a monument near there until 2004, when a car knocked it over and the City never cared to replace it. I am on a mission to get the City to care and replace that monument to honor the Father of Phoenix.

A Guide to Being Hated
Presenter	Jennifer Mazzocchi
Biography	I am the President & Founder of Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy. We are focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming pit bulls and pit bull mixes in our community.
Description	A presentation exploring how upbringing, media and stereotypes can create hatred of a particular class, breed, etc. This would not be a talk about the rescue but rather about how neglect, cruelty and ignorance impact perceptions. And it will be upbeat. : )

The Face of Teen Addiction
Presenter	Dina Kucera
Biography	I published my first book ‘Everything I Never Wanted To Be’ and will release my second book ‘It Will Rain’ in two months. I have been a standup comic for 20 years.
Description	We are so behind in treatment for adults with substance abuse issues that finding medical treatment for people under 18 is not possible. There is an entire generation of young people that will spend their lives in prison or die. There is no help. They have no where to go. I want people to see the faces of the people we are refusing to help.

The Art of Treasure Hunting
Presenter	Tom Hall
Biography	I am a digital strategist and entrepreneur, founder of Castlepeak Media and soon to be launched FindEnvironmental.com. Formerly I served as Strategy Director at Agency.com and as Principal with the innovation consulting firm, Clareo Partners. I have an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS in geology from USC.
Description	We might not know it, but we are all treasure hunters. Instead of ancient gold, we hunt for love, friendship, happiness, courage, success. I advocate a plan to actively hunt for treasure in daily life. Doing so makes the mundane, exciting; the empty, fulfilling; the ugly, beautiful; the sad, happy. There is treasure all around us. Let’s find it!

Ignite Afterwards
Presenter	Michael Witham
Biography	I like peanut butter milkshakes!And have a general curiosity about just everything.I’m a native Arizonian and a prior presenter at Ignite Phoenix 10. I do a bunch of stuff, but mostly just running around in the same place. Some people say I look like Tom Cruise or Luke Wilson.
Description	So after Ignite 10, the people I met from the event changed my life.In a lot of ways. Economic, social, personal… I had a business that gained lots of support. I got involved in a lot of different communities, and met tons of great people who I’ve developed relationships with… still haven’t gotten laid because of it!

Why Phoenix Struggles With A Cultural Identity
Presenter	Joseph Harrington
Biography	I am a native of Phoenix, AZ and have seen the city grow and mature. I Attended ASU to study Architecture and Urban Planning. I am fortunate to do what I love as a Designer for a Home Remodeling Contractor, Pankow Construction – Located in the great neighborhood of Arcadia in Phoenix, AZ.
Description	Phoenix is one of the largest cities in America but is barely on the radar when it comes to cultural impact. The city attracts great people from other parts of the country who bring along their customs. Since there isn’t a cultural ethos to adopt, there appears to be an observable rift in city planning, the arts and what it means to be a Phoenician

Daddy Read a Book
Presenter	Chris Cottrell
Biography	Chris is a consultant at Yodle, Inc. in Scottsdale. He studied at ASU, has completed a triathlon, and worked at an orphanage in Honduras.
Description	When I was young, my dad was gone and we spent nearly a year apart. Before he left, he filmed himself reading our favorite children’s books out loud. I started a charity to give this to other families. We film dads reading children’s books out loud and give the video to their families. I’ll share my passion for what we do. No pitch, just a story.

Safari Africa
Presenter	Mat Dry
Biography	I am Safari Guide in Africa. I take people on photographic and educational safaris through East and Southern Africa, hoping to instill a wonder and love for Africa and its denizens. By introducing people to Africa’s cultures, peoples, stories, histories, astounding topographies and wildlife, I hope to insure the future of this magnificent continent
Description	Journeying in Sub-Saharan Africa is more than just an incredible sojourn. It is an adventure that changes people for the better. Africa’s future will need people coming to see her, there is no doubt. What is most remarkable, however, is that if we need wonder and beauty in our lives, Africa is there for us.

Why Channeling Your Emotions
Presenter	Matthew Coast
Biography	I am a special operations combat veteran, a community leader, and a speaker on the topics of passion, substance abuse and human potential. I believe that everyone deserves to live a passionate life. I run workshops and programs to help participants take control of their lives by helping them channel their emotions and break through their fears
Description	Social Psychological research is discovering that the emotions you feel will dictate how your life unfolds in front of you. Most people aren’t even aware that you can channel and create the emotional experiences that you want to have. In order to create a better world, we must learn how to create the emotions that we want to experience in our lives

Coffee Is The New Black
Presenter	Bill Kennedy
Biography	Bill Kennedy is an artist, an engineer, and a scientist; or more simply put, Bill is a barista at a specialty coffee shop. He studied theatre at ASU before moving to Portland, Oregon, where he once spent twenty bucks on a cup of coffee and loved it. In 2010, Bill returned to Phoenix to share his new religion: the gospel of java.
Description	Remember a time when all coffee cost 50 cents and tasted like dirt? For the past decade, a coffee renaissance has led to roasteries in every major city, cafes with new brewing methods, and coffee farmers sharing the spotlight. If this all sounds foreign to you, let Barista Bill explain and ensure no one in the audience sleeps well tonight!

Why the Electoral College is still as relevant today as it was over 200 years ago.
Presenter	Dean Ouellette
Biography	Im a former political consultant for over a decade and an early american history major in college. i love the founding fathers and everything this country represents.
Description	Less than 24 hours away from the election as I write this and I am reading people complaining about the electoral college and why we need it in today’s age. I think people forget about why the concept is so important and how it really levels the playing field more so than a popular vote. Public opinion believes in popular vote, i think EC is better

Civilian Peace Service
Presenter	ronaldC
Biography	I used to have a raio show on Peace. Now I have a presentation about a new United Nations Force to help civilians in areas of war,(like Syria, Somalia,Egypt).
Description	Everyday civilians die in conflict. The U.N. is the organization we have to save lives, it’s not doing it’s job. What’s wrong? What can we do? Why is this the answer?

SSL for everyone
Presenter	Guy Ellis
Biography	Guy Ellis is a software engineer, a fiction writer, and a father. He also loves to travel and once took a 20,000 mile road trip over four and a half months from Los Angeles CA to Fairbanks AL to Boston MA to Naples FL to Lubbock TX where his car finally broke down for the last time and rests to this day.
Description	If at the end of Guy’s five minutes you do not know how SSL works and were not thoroughly entertained by the journey that he takes you on then he has failed to do his job. He states that even your grandmother will understand the mechanisms of SSL and be tantalized by the romance and heartbreak the author had to endure to secure his love.

Tune In to These Bands at Ignite Phoenix #14

Shaina Rozen — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:33:48 +0000

Aside from seeing all of our amazing presenters, Ignite Phoenix is also a great place to hear some of your favorite local bands and discover new ones. Here are the artists that will be entertaining you before, during, and after Ignite #14:

Dirty Lingo

www.reverbnation.com/dirtylingo

Sara McAllister

www.facebook.com/SaraMcMusic

SunGhost

www.sunghost.com

Know any local bands you’d love to see at a future event? Leave a comment or get in touch to tell us all about it!

Ignite Phoenix #14: We’re Back! Who Do You Want on Stage?

Shaina Rozen — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:30:59 +0000

First things first – we missed you all! While our short break since the last Ignite Phoenix events was a nice chance to recuperate, it turns out that we were way too excited to stay away long. We’re most passionate about helping Phoenicians share their passions with the community, so it’s time to get at it again!

Ignite Phoenix #14 is on the horizon, so get pumped, mark your calendars, and tell us who YOU want to see on stage. Here’s everything you need to know about submissions, dates, tickets, and more:

Who do you want to see on stage?

Our community is full of passionate and talented people, including some you may know. Have any friends with a unique interest? Met any people lately with a fascinating passion or talent? Or, have you ever encountered a topic that made you think,”I wanna know more about that!”? We want to hear about it!

Instead of asking all of you to lend us your brilliance on stage, we’d like to hear about the people and topics you’d like to see at Ignite. Send those people to ignitephoenix.com/discovered, and we’ll do the rest.

April 26th is right around the corner

Pencil us in for the night of Friday, April 26th because you’ve got a hot date with 852 other Igniters! Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 22, and tickets will go on sale April 6, at 10:00 a.m. They will sell out quickly, so stay tuned for details on how to snag yours before they’re gone.

Keep up to date on all the Ignite awesomeness

Be the first to hear all the juicy details on Ignite Phoenix #14 and chat with other Igniters by finding us online:

Twitter: @ignitephoenix or #IgnitePhx
Facebook page: facebook.com/ignitephoenix
RSVP to our event on Facebook or Yelp.

So what are you waiting for? Hop to it! Send us your ideas for interesting topics and people that we should get in touch with, and get those fingers tapping to mark your calendars. It’s almost showtime!

Something with Noobs

Samantha Leopoldi — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:54:09 +0000

Samantha’s Note: This guest post was written by Amy Donohue, an Ignite Phoenix social media volunteer, and past presenter at both Ignite Phoenix, and its sister event Ignite Phoenix After Hours.

I had the pleasure of interviewing people who were either attending or presenting at Ignite Phoenix for the first time. By the end of the night, I was exhausted with their excitement! I knew in my heart that every one of them would be inspired by all the speakers, as I was a few years ago. While several came up to me before the show, only a few came back after the show for me to get their thoughts and feelings. Here they are:

Grace Marks was a first-time attendee at Ignite Phoenix 13. She was there with her friend, Isadora, who had already been to three past events. After viewing several of the YouTube videos of presentations, she was finally able to attend. What drew her in to coming to see it live? “I admire people who have the courage to speak about their passions!” I didn’t even have to put in that exclamation point. You could hear her enthusiasm and excitement in her voice. Her favorites? “I Chase Storms,” “Double-Fisting For Book Lovers,” and “Ultimate: When A Ball Dreams, It Dreams Of Being A Disc.” It’s the randomness of the subjects that “thoroughly entertained” her. Right on, Grace!

I was a bit puzzled when Abe Camargo (@abe_camargo) tweeted to me earlier in the evening that this would be his first Ignite Phoenix event. I swear, I see him EVERYWHERE! I laughed, though, when he told me he had been to the most recent IPAH, where yours truly presented. He wanted to see The Real Deal, though and finally showed up. Through Twitter, he loved the amount of buzz over Ignite, which he had seen for a couple of years. He even thought he may be inspired to present. After the show, the smile on his face was HUGE (see pic), and he gushed “It was BETTER than what I expected! Everyone is so into that they’re talking about!”

I’m pretty sure Kate Anderson (@Xoticdonkeymeat) skipped over to my table. How did she find Ignite? By searching for TedTalks and stumbling onto it! Other than that, she really didn’t do any research. Kate figured if it was anything like Ted, she’d enjoy it. She also happened to be a +1 for a presenter. I think the cool thing about her excitement was that she didn’t really research Ignite at all! When she came out after the show, and knew more about the presentations and how they move, she was surprised that each person’s five minutes didn’t just zip right past. “I had some pretty high expectations, and they were certainly met!” See you at the next Ignite, Kate! Don’t wrangle OUR unicorns, though.

I also caught up with two noobs to not only their first Ignite to attend, but to also PRESENT! That’s hardcore! They’d both heard all about Ignite, especially because of Twitter and their friends who talked incessantly about it.

I’d known Raoul Encinas (@RaoulEncinas) on Twitter for awhile, though we didn’t engage very often. His presentation was “Fantasy Football Saved My Life.” One of the things he said really got to me “It’s great to know something like this happens in Phoenix!” He wasn’t the first one to say that last Friday night. He’s known a lot of people, especially in the Twitterverse, who had been to several Ignite Phoenix events in the past. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” was what he has asked. I laughed at that, because I remember having the very same thought at my first one. “As good as the videos are, it is NOTHING like being there in person. People HAVE to see it live and get the energy from the room.” We couldn’t agree with you more, Raoul.

Another first time presenter and attendee was Bob Roman (@bobrox). His presentation, “Wanderlust,” was first that evening. Before the show started, he came up to me with the biggest grin on his face! After knowing about Ignite for a couple of years, and knowing several presenters personally, he finally took the time to stick around Phoenix long enough to talk about his gypsy soul. When I talked to him afterwards, he said he’d do it again in a heartbeat. “Ignite is such a cool event! I’d love to see them get it together when I move to Portland.” Let’s hope we can see him help that come to fruition. “Some of the talks had a theme: Life’s too short to worry about the small stuff. Live while you’re alive.” I’m not sure anyone else could have said that better.

I’d like to thank the Academy…

Samantha Leopoldi — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:30:52 +0000

Photo courtsey of sheiladeeisme

Really though. Can you imagine a better way to get winter time in Phoenix started? Ignite Phoenix #13 was just another great example of the community gathering together and sharing in the passion of learning, exploring, and sharing. Even when the lights when out over our Presenter tables at the end of the night you continued to chat; just one more great example of the passion and excitement the Ignite community shares in, and continues to nourish.

So, thank you! For continuing to support that community and our event. You who reach out to people who haven’t attended before, and for the ones that have come back event-after-event. We were excited to see just about half of our attendees this time were brand new! The support from all of you is what keeps Ignite Phoenix energized, and coming back for more.

Once again we’d like to say thank you to everyone involved and show them a little bit of love.

Presenters

Fantasy Football Helped Save My Life (*But I’m Still Going to Die)	Raoul Encinas
How 250 People Run Your City	Kolby Granville
Out of the Box: Art in the Real World	Elizabeth Johnson
To Fight or Not … That is the Question	Senior Master Michelle Landgren Lee
911 What is your emergency? (somebody pass me the chips)	Alicia Magera
Growing Food in Unlikely Places	Dennis McClung
I Chase Storms	Mike Olbinski
Lucid Living	Sean Oliver
Battlefield: Business – The Unspoken Arena Veterans Face at Home	Drew Peneton
Wanderlust	Bob Roman
…even without hair	Melissa S. Rex
Ultimate: When a ball dreams, it dreams of being a disc.	Wayne Roemhildt
Sleep Around Much?	Diane Salisbury
Phoenix is a Gas: history of neon in the Valley	marshall shore
Bugatti Veyron — the Ultimate Machine	Robert Simyar
I have someone else’s heart in me, no really… I do.	Preston Smith
Double-Fisting for Book Lovers	Nikki Steele
From fast food junkie to heart attack survivor	Jay Thompson

Photos and Video!

Did you take photos on Friday? We’re sure you did; we saw them coming through Twitter. Take a moment to put your Ignite Phoenix #13 pictures up on Flickr with the ones our photographers took that evening (you can see all of them at the link). Tag your photos with “ignitephx” and add them to our photo group. Want to share them a little more socially? Post them to our Facebook page, or tag them with #ignitephx on Twitter.

How many of you are as excited as we are that you can re-watch the videos on our YouTube channel? Well, you’re in luck because all of our videos from Ignite Phoenix #13 are up, and ready to share with your friends, family, and social circles.

Special Thanks

Eclipse
For providing the ATMs.

Andrew Ryno
For all of the web development support, code updates and editing that took place in the wee hours of the morning, the middle of the afternoon, late in the evening, and all days of the week!

Photography:
Each event we have a few Ignite Phoenix paparazzi on hand taking photos throughout the event. You’ll have seen them getting some choice shots. Take a few minutes to peruse their photo galleries.

Joe Abbruscato:
Samples of his work can be found at http://flickr.com/mranathema.

Devon Christopher Adams:
His photography is online at flickr.com/nooccar.

Shelia Dee:
You can find her photos online at http://flickr.com/sheila_dee/

Food, Drink, and Music:

To our three food trucks, Paletas Betty, Luncha Libre, and Spice it Up who kept everyone full with great food!

To our three live bands who gave us sweet tunes to rock out to during Ignite Phoenix #13:

Anamieke Quinn
‘Fresh and Folky, Swing and Sultry’ is one way of describing indie folk-rock troubadour Anamieke. ‘Melodic, lyrical, contemplative and comedic’ also help to clarify her collection of quirky artsongs. Bearing an acoustic Martin guitar, you’ll see her in small venues, festivals, streets and subways across the US singing her heart out with finger-picked accents and an occasional whistle break.
Ruca
Known for her unusual vocal timbre, free-spirited Arizona singer songwriter Ruca brings depth, texture and rhythm to the desert folk-scape with tales of woe and wanderlust. Tempered by long shadows of sultry blues, Ruca’s sunshine infused acoustic-driven pop burns with deep reggae and funk grooves.
Doctor Bones
Doctor Bones is a 5-piece avant-pop mixture of new wave and punk, with an ear for dynamic tension, emotional swells, and dance-inducing beats. Featuring dual male-female lead vocals over a powerhouse rhythm section, Doctor Bones is a culmination of the pop lessons learned from The Cars, Talking Heads, Dead Kennedys, Joy Division, and Andy Kaufman.

HUGE thanks to all of our volunteers:

For all their time, advice, assistance, dedication and support. Thank you for the time you’ve given be it in the dead of night, or when the sun begins to rise, and of course all of you that supported on the night of the event. We appreciate your support in helping us put on a fantastic event.

Chris Carson	Kimberly Carson
Noah Trockel	Sean Roe
Nick Bastian	Laura Rogal
Debbie Walker	Amy Donohue
Steve Bell	Ellen Streiff
Gil Shuga	D. Patrick Lewis
Cyndi Dayley	Crystal O’Hara
Ashley Messick	Brittney Smith
Glenn Jimmerson

The Ignite Phoenix Crew:

This is the core team that worked hard for several months to make the whole show come together! Thank you all so much for your time, dedication, and the passion you brought to the event!

Alan Dayley	@alandd
Andy Woodward	@warfin
Bill Risser	@billrisser
Brian Carson	@bpcarson
Dannie Moriarty	@dlmoriarty
Jeff Moriarty	@jmoriarty
Nat Handler	@vendaragroup
Oden Hughes	@coathalia
Ruth Carter	@rbcarter
Sabrina Susini	@_brie_
Samantha Leopoldi	@tambre

Ignite Phoenix #14:

Why yes, you read that right. Ignite Phoenix #14 and it’s coming to you in the Spring. April to be precise, and it’s coming to you: same bat time, same bat channel.

Share with us, and our community, what you’re passionate about! Submissions are open, so get them wheels turnin’, and the ideas flowin’!

See you in 2013!

- The Ignite Phoenix Team.