Lowering defenses to raise security | Ami Carpenter | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
The instinct to raise defenses against “others” in our communities is often how violence begins and then spreads. Practicing practicing non-defensiveness is at the heart of conflict resolution.“I love to sing and play the piano. I am also inspired by witnessing life’s movements transform into harmonic displays. As the middle child of 10 home-schooled siblings, I came to appreciate the value and suffering of living in community and all that it has to offer. With an immense passion for the academia world and being a student of life, I teach and learn the benefits of trusting in the deep resilience of the human individual and community.” I am a professor of conflict resolution and I research and learn about the benefits of trusting in the deep resilience of the human individual and community.
How does the brain reason with reality? | Arthur Toga | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
Arthur describes the human brain, some of its features and remarkable capabilities, and explains how we have come to know these things by mapping this amazing and fascinating hunk of tissue between our ears. “I am profoundly lucky. I have a wonderful wife and three amazing children. I have a career that has been a string of successes and continues to excite me every day. I have the privilege of working to discover what makes us human and interacting with some of the most intelligent and energetic people in the world. And finding ways of sharing this amazing research with others is a huge passion of mine. What fun!” Arthur is the director of the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging and professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He spends his days working to help understand the brain in health and disease.
Bury it | Rheanna Downey | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
This song is about forgiveness, and how the process of forgiveness has looked for me. Forgiving doesn't mean we forget or pretend and drop our boundaries, but means we can release the bitterness and resentment that eats away at us. Releasing those who have hurt us provides us freedom in the end. “I am a mother of two beautiful boys, a wife to my best friend and a musician by passion and trade. I am a deeply introspective human, a dreamer and visionary. I have the privilege of building bridges with my creativity and my heart is to “bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives.” Creating and playing music allows me to share my life and my story with others so we can inspire one another to be greater humans.” Rheanna is a songwriter and recording artist pursuing many creative ways to share her gift.
Heroin: through the eyes of a younger brother | Tommy Sablan | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
Growing up in the 70's and 80's, Tommy was the younger brother of two heroin addicts. Tommy takes you through the different stages of his life as his brothers were going through their addiction. “I am amazed that there's a heroin epidemic that is happening in our schools and community today. I have been given the wisdom to speak to young students and families that are struggling because of the fact I grew up with two brothers that were heroin addicts. I do not preach to not do drugs. People already know that but what I can tell is my family's story and maybe it will help others make better choices in life.” Tommy is a radio and television producer, but most importantly, he is a father of two.
The value of golden memories | Frank Beltran | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
What is the value of a moment? The things we take for granted on a daily basis are the things we desperately search our memories for when they’re gone. When all else is lost, what memories become the most valuable possessions one retains? “Some people view me as a strong extrovert type that they see busy on the prison yard throughout the day. I consider myself just a nerdy introvert who likes philosophy and such. When I am not busy mentoring my self-help groups I attend regularly, I appreciate listening to music to take my mind to places where I can create ideas for drawing. There is currently a backlog of those ideas that just might make my head explode.”
Why not me? | Carie Covel | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
In life, everyone goes through hard times, obstacles and adversity. If we can recognize that our power lies in the response or reaction to that adversity, we can turn bad to good. Carie Covel learned to not wallow in asking why bad things happened to her, but instead to challenge herself to ask “Why not me,” and to focus on how she was going to turn the adversity into opportunity. It is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. "Of all the hats I wear, my mom hat is my favorite. I have come to accept that bad things happen all the time to good people; how we react to them is what can change the world. I believe we all share a common humanity and am committed to doing what it takes to honor that. My personal perspective is we – all of us – build the culture we live in, so let’s make it the culture we want, not the one that 'has always been.'" Carie has also worked long and hard to get to her Associate Warden position with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and takes pride in the fact that she has an opportunity and obligation to help people, do and be better.
Second chance parenting | David Pride | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
How many of you have the book on how to be a good parent? By taking us on a journey from his childhood to adulthood to parenthood from prison, David confronts the importance of parenting based on children’s personal identities and talents. David also addresses how promising children fall into crime and how at-risk children rise above.“Despite my circumstances, I am an extremely positive, happy-go-lucky and a kind-hearted person. An overly-involved father and loving husband, family is always at the center of my life. I’ve often said that prison has actually saved my life and has given me the blessed opportunity to see things with a clear and sober mind. Today, I can finally focus on a new beginning and turn a dark world into a world of light.”
Raise my hands | Rheanna Downey | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
Rheanna wrote this song in a place of surrender, the kind of surrender in which one knows she is accounted for and taken care of, and she finds herself strengthened through it. Sometimes letting go of having to control every aspect of our lives and simply trusting there are greater forces at work can provide open doors and greater perspective. “I am a mother of two beautiful boys, a wife to my best friend and a musician by passion and trade. I am a deeply introspective human, a dreamer and visionary. I have the privilege of building bridges with my creativity and my heart is to “bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives.” Creating and playing music allows me to share my life and my story with others so we can inspire one another to be greater humans.” Rheanna is a songwriter and recording artist pursuing many creative ways to share her gift.
From gangster to grace | Steve Miller | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
Bound by the cold concrete and oppressive steel of prison walls, this human cocoon has produced a transformational process from criminal to Christian, achieving self-acceptance and hope. "I describe myself as different in almost every way. I strive to be a student of life and a Man of God, always learning from the things around me. Seeing the good in others and the happiness inside them inspires me to be good-hearted, and always letting my sense of humor shine through. TEDx is a minister of new ideas for change and that’s exactly where I’m at in my own life today."
Interpreting others’ realities | Jennifer Duffy | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
As a 911 dispatcher, Jen faces the everyday trials and tribulations of the different realities people face in their daily lives, whether it is in crisis or otherwise. While connecting on a human level, her job requires her to interpret others’ realities to make an impact and change lives. "I take great joy in spreading great ideas, but it’s even more rewarding to receive them. Being part of a “first responder” team is the perfect job for me, as I’m really nosy and I like to talk a lot. I like to think I’m pretty open-minded and open-hearted, believing that people are generally good. Sometimes we only see the bad around us, but it’s important to be mindful. Take a moment to see all of the beauty and wonder around you."
Finding the man within | Azeez Momoh | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2018
A vulnerable child, misled by the streets, transforms through self-analysis and reflection, becoming a man redeemed. "I am of the philosophy of love and consideration. I believe that I am seen as rational and fair and my overall aim in this life is to administer compassion to this world abroad by any means necessary. Being on this stage at TEDxDonovanCorrectional is fulfilling a dream of mine to share my personal story with the world with the hope that it reaches someone in a way they have not felt before."
Butterfly | Eric Genuis | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
"Butterfly" is a piece Eric composed for a friend whose only child died in a tragic car accident. He was broken. Eric's desire was to compose music that gave hope in the midst of intense sorrow; that gave comfort to the unconsolable. "The world is a better place when people have hope. Within every person, young or old, rich or poor, is a need for beauty, which makes us human and allows hope to flourish. I create music to touch the heart and soul. I perform my works from concert halls to prisons in order to inspire and awaken hope in everyone."
Here I am | Eric Genuis | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
"Here I Am" is a song of love to Eric's youngest daughter. Anastasia was born with Down's Syndrome and a major defect in her heart. This precious little girl has an unlimited capacity to express affection and give love. This tribute highlights Eric's devotion to this remarkable child."The world is a better place when people have hope. Within every person, young or old, rich or poor, is a need for beauty, which makes us human and allows hope to flourish. I create music to touch the heart and soul. I perform my works from concert halls to prisons in order to inspire and awaken hope in everyone."
Mercy | Eric Genuis | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
While performing concerts in prisons and rehab centers, I have observed that mercy is often a forgotten attribute in our culture. People, particularly the downtrodden, are often marginalized and disregarded. Mercy can be the magnificent spark that ignites the process of restoration and reconciliation. This background informed Eric's composition 'Mercy'. "The world is a better place when people have hope. Within every person, young or old, rich or poor, is a need for beauty, which makes us human and allows hope to flourish. I create music to touch the heart and soul. I perform my works from concert halls to prisons in order to inspire and awaken hope in everyone."
Dancing instead of crashing | Marcia Hale | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
Are there alternatives to crashing into each other through our conflicts? Can we change not only our personal relationships, but our society as a whole by approaching conflict in different ways? Marcia Hale explores these questions as she suggests a way to dance through conflict. "I am an explorer living for moments when my heart opens in new ways – unknown depths most often found with people in conflict, theirs or our own. Harsh edges and razor blades can have a way of pounding or slicing out humanity. I instinctively fear these places, but am intuitively called back to their teaching grounds. My explorer loves new dimensions of understanding, and my soul is enlivened by the authenticity that is revealed."
Art can save your life | Mario Torero | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
As an “artivist,” Mario Torero is most known over the last forty-five years for an extensive body of socially conscious mural work produced in different cities throughout the United States and around the world. In his talk, Mario explores the local history of Chicano Park and the importance of reclaiming personal power through the creative, healing act of story-telling through art. "I call myself an 'artivist,' passionately devoted to bringing color and socially conscious messages to the walls of communities, especially marginalized neighborhoods that are in dire need of self-expression. Through muralism, I see myself in service of the People, striving in bringing unity and healing through color, art and meaning."
Deconstructing the halo effect of racism and stereotypes | John Schimmel | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
The Halo Effect describes the tendency of humans to judge and label others based on preconceived notions and unconscious biases. In this talk, John Schimmel deconstructs the Halo Effect and reveals how we can move beyond the harmful effects to embrace this family we call humanity as one. "Education is my passion. Pursuing my Associate Degree was my way of believing in myself. This gave me something to be proud of for the first time. It feels good to inspire others to do the same, especially for those who feel like there is no hope. I received four Associate Degrees here in prison in 3 ½ years. For the first time ever in my life, I see that I can be someone."
Redefining normal | Beto Vasquez | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
Beto Vasquez is not normal. Or is he? What is normal, anyway? Experiences, culture, social norms, times and places all deeply influence what appears normal. Having run the full gamut of 'normality,' Beto has looked at normal from many angles. Join him as he explores the surprising implications of normality and how to redefine it. "I am currently finalizing my graduate studies at University of California, San Diego in biology. My background in the sciences has made me a champion for diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; while my incarceration and education have caused me to advocate for underserved and currently and formally incarcerated people in an effort to address barriers to success."
The truth will set you free | Scott Sargeant | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
For 18 years, Scott inspired countless people with his story of courage and triumph, and yet lived locked away in an inner prison of his own guilt and shame, hiding a dark secret about how he became paralyzed from the neck down. Discover from Scott’s journey how he found his way out, and how your truth will set you free. "…a lifelong love of athletics, the outdoors and adventure… From the beauty of a sunset over the Pacific to the adrenaline rush of pushing my body beyond limits as an Olympic athlete, to physically recovering from heart-breaking devastation of being quadriplegic and going on to strive for new mountaintops, I’ve ridden big waves of the agony and ecstasy of my human experience."
Rediscovering hope through self-forgiveness | Billy Johnson | TEDxDonovanCorrectional 2017
Even as a high school football star, Billy Johnson fell into a dark tunnel. Within a 9-month period, Billy’s two most important people were killed and he felt responsible for both deaths. He found his light switch after 20 years of incarceration, which led him to rediscover hope through self-forgiveness. "I see myself as caring, earnest, loyal and full of life. I want to bring happiness to a person’s day. If I notice someone isn’t happy or feeling well, I want to make him smile. I find joy and passion in team settings; I love to work with others. What got us where we’re at does not need to define us. I love sports and working out."