TEDxBethesdaPlay

Award-winning talent. Remarkable journeys. Discover where PLAY shows up - and where it leads. SURPRISE YOURSELF. Life gives us plenty to think about. Here's a day to think differently. To imagine. To discover. To network with wise and curious people. 7 talks by award-winning talent. We will also honor The Writers Center (50th anniversary) and The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce (100th anniversary) all in one place! On December 1, treat yourself (and your friends and colleagues) to TEDxBethesdaPlay. Seven remarkable voices. Seven unexpected takes on PLAY. One extraordinary day. Inspired by the world-renowned TED talks, TEDx brings bold ideas and compelling talent to independently organized local events.TEDxBethesdaPlay offers this and more as we greet December with joy and creativity. Here's What Awaits You Seasoned Talent. Award-winning artists, authors and original thinkers who know how to captivate an audience. Fresh Perspectives. Bold ideas that challenge assumptions, spark new questions and open new doors. Delightful Surprises. Moments that make you smile, wonder and see something familiar in a whole new light. Stimulating Company. Curious minds, lively exchanges and connections that inspire you. The Thrill of Being There. Good company, shared discoveries and the pleasure of mixing it up in real time. TEDxBethesdaPlay December 1, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Writers Center | Bethesda, Maryland Tickets: $125 Meet Three of Our Seven Speakers Eric Byrd - Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and composer. Improvisation is his art. Expect a fresh riff on possibility. Sam Horn - Bestselling author and celebrated speaker. A master of making ideas intriguing and curiosity contagious. John Windmueller, PhD. - Conflict resolution expert and mediator who turns improv on its head through teaching and perfoming at Washington Improv Theater. Plus four more amazing voices, including Kelly Donahue, PhD, Chris Combs, Irene Alby and Lysa Ratliff - with fresh takes on PLAY (see bios and links in the SPEAKERS section below). The talks will ripple out on the TEDx YouTube channel in early 2027. But the delights of the day belong to those in the room. BE A SPARK. Suprise yourself. See what happens!