This month, Good News Wants to Know, if you were tasked to give a TED Talk on a random topic about a hobby of yours or an area of interest outside of work that you’ve long desired to delve into, what would it be about?

A random hobby or topic I would want to do a TED Talk on would include understanding and growing orchids in South Florida.  I love seeing them come alive each spring and the amazing colors and variety. 

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, President/CEO, Community Foundation of Broward

I would give a TED Talk on experiencing God’s power through his creation. A natural way to encounter the divine by hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

Andrew Holmes, President, 4KIDS

I would like to travel and delve into Paul’s journeys through Greece and modern day Turkey from Corinth all the way to current day Syria, exploring and documenting the sites and ruins — “walking in Paul’s footsteps” as the Gospel was shared with the gentiles.

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott

I’d spend 18 minutes discussing why War is a card game of skill, not luck.

Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting

If I was asked to do a TED talk, I would talk about the journey that my wife Eileen and I have taken since meeting in 1991. This path has led us to serving our community in public service for me, and the nonprofit world for her, as well as serving on multiple community boards that further the arts, culture and preservation of our natural resources. So many plan their every step, but we have chosen to put faith in God and work hard every day to see where we can make an impact for others. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!

Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100

Since I have had two sons that have played college baseball, I would love to do a talk on college recruiting and the realities of playing college sports. 

Chris Lane, President, First Priority of South Florida

If I were to do a TED Talk about anything, it would be: Kids – rearing them, traveling with them, loving them, preparing them for life and teaching them to know the Lord. Being a parent is an awesome responsibility but also one of the greatest things any person can do. It’s a blast!

H. Collins Forman, P.A.

I’d enjoy researching and preparing for a TED Talk about recent archeological discoveries in Israel that corroborate the Biblical story, including the veracity of the Shroud of Turin.

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

If I were tasked to give a TED Talk on a random topic about a hobby of mine, it would be the societal impact of music. I have a keen interest and fascination with various genres, the mastering of composing and playing instruments, and the universal impact that music has on society and culture.

Dennis DeMarois, Executive Director/CEO, Gathering Palm Beach

I would love to encourage people to practice the art of truly listening to others and have productive discussions about cultural, political or relational issues with those of whom they do not agree. We should approach an issue with our own well-researched set of facts and evidence for our position and be willing to learn from someone else who has their own evidence for believing an opposing view. The goal would not only be to learn to treat opposition with Christ-like respect and love, but also to learn to defend our own position with facts and evidence that has informed our position without simply giving a nod to our fellow lemmings and expect the same from those with whom we disagree, all the while not giving in to rudeness or hostility.

Dolores King St. George, King Communications and GraceNet Media

I would speak about the importance of prayer. Having a relationship with the Lord is about spending time together. Spending time together means spending time in prayer. If you want a relationship with God, we must spend time in prayer. Praying is sharing our thoughts; he speaks to us through the activities that happen in our lives. 

Gregg Wallick

I’ve been a TED Talk fan for fifteen years: subscribed to the talks, read the book, even auditioned but didn’t get picked. If I was given the chance to do a TED Talk, I would capitalize on that sacred ten minutes with my lifelong mission, mantra and battle: How To Live When You Want To Die. And I would use the irrefutable clinical cases from the Bible as my foundation, proof and evidence. 

Heather Palacios, Founder, Wondherful, Inc

History and the different cultures in the world have always been of great interest to me. If and when I could, I would love to travel and experience God’s creation, talk to the people in different countries and see what makes them tick! We will share Heaven with people He has placed all over this awesome world, but I want to meet some of them here first!

Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty

I enjoy encouraging people to go on a mission trip. I have been to Africa on more than 50 mission trips with volunteers. When a volunteer goes on a well-planned mission trip, without fail, the volunteer learns so much about others and themselves and they return home with a whole new perspective on life and making a difference.

Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service, and Team Lead, Egbe Medical Mission

If given the opportunity to give a TED Talk on a hobby, it would to discuss the vast knowledge we have yet to discover about human nature based on our Devine design. I’ve always been fascinated by self-imposed limits, choices and their impact on our realization of all God intended for us. It would be a conversation rather than a presentation to provoke creative thought.

Dr. Jessica Vera, Founder/CEO, Elite Foundation

I’d plunge the audience into a thorough lecture on the superiority of freediving vs. scuba diving, and the health effects from living in close proximity to large bodies of water.

Justus Martin, Photographer, Justus Martin Photo

How I could get the Miami Dolphins to win a Superbowl in the next three years.

Laura C. Bishop, Executive Vice President of Development, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Worldview development is one of my favorite topics. It is especially vital in society today to have a strong biblical worldview. The first 11 chapters of Genesis establish the foundation for a biblical worldview, defining creation, human identity, the origin of sin, and God’s redemptive plan. If our worldview is not based properly in the first 11 books of Genesis, it will be skewed in every decision we make and we can get 10, 20, 30 years into our Christianity and not know what the true north is. Unfortunately, I believe this has happened to many Christians today.

Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

Many of my baby boomer generation would happily recall the name of the late great commentator, Paul Harvey. He used to present brief vignettes of interesting people on radio. He would weave an assortment of little-known facts about the person to get the listeners so engaged that they would hang on his every word for the great reveal. When it finally came, he would proudly announce “And now you know the rest of the story!”

If I were to give a TED Talk, it would be about someone whom I think Paul Harvey would have been very interested. From surfer boy to super saint; from tragedy to triumph; from found, lost, found, lost and finally found the love of his life. From devoting his life to serving kids and doing so with boundless energy and a generous smile for all he meets. And a big hug if you are really lucky! All this and, as he announced last month, he just beat cancer. If you haven’t already guessed, of course I’m speaking about Coach Rick Andreassen!! And now you know the rest of the story! I am just happy that my family and I could be, and can continue to be, a small part of Coach Rick’s story.

Mike McDermott, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company

I would love to give a TED Talk on the Power of Words. The Bible repeatedly reminds us that our words can build or tear down very effectively. We know from Scripture that “the Word became Flesh.” If words can become something, then we ought to speak words that become LIFE!  

Dr. Mike Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine and Chiropractic

If I were to give a TED Talk, it would be on the topic of the importance of having goals in all areas of our life, whether professional, personal, family life, church community, ministries, etc. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters

My TED Talk would be about traveling … traveling to historical locations in Europe as well as the ancient cities in China and along the Nile. I’d also spend time exploring the countryside of different places throughout the world and meeting the people and learning about their culture, food and customs. This world is filled with so many interesting people groups and wildly different environments that exploring all of them would be a dream come true.

Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company

My TED Talk would be, how to turn a losing football team on any level (little league or NFL) into a championship football team in just one season. Now those who are reading this are probably saying that it is just not possible, but I am telling you that it is possible because I did that as a high school football coach, by incorporating a simple 15-minutes practice routine in our daily football practice. The 15-minute practice routine was to have the players to practice their basic skills in each of the 22 positions on the football team. As a high school football coach, I discovered that football players on every level tend to forget the basic skills in the position they are playing. Knowing basic skills made us a championship football team.

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

If I were asked to give a random TED Talk, it might be a little bit work-related because I work with Children… But I would speak on: Why I believe children laugh on the average 400 times a day” (Of course we all agree because they do not have mortgage payments, bills to pay, or major responsibilities lol). But I also (personally) feel because children are not tainted (with worldly perspectives) such as being opinionated, judgmental, critical, competitive, prideful etc.. 

Because of that innocence, their belief system is a ‘clean slate’ and therefore a happier one… They take everything and everyone at face value… I know for sure I can learn a lot from the perspective of a child… yet maturely knowing that not everything is to be silly or to be laughed about… But I also realize there’s a good chance if I accepted others exactly the way they are and appreciated them for that fact alone… and accepted life, more often, on life’s terms… there is a good chance I would laugh and enjoy life and people a whole lot more!!

Studies have shown that laughter causes the body to release endorphins which help keep us healthier. Just like Proverbs says: “laughter is ‘good medicine’ it refreshes the soul”!!!

I am so grateful God has given us children as good Role Models to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and laugh a little more often along the way!!!

Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and president, SAINTS Homeschool P.E. And SAINTS International Sports Ministry

If an opportunity to give a TED Talk was offered to you, you would want to make sure your topic was something interesting that you had some success with. Because I have 47 years of experiencing one, my talk would be on Family Businesses. The dynamics of personality and skill sets are always key factors of making any business work. However, shared vision and values, strong communication and succession planning are even more important in family businesses.  Since my entire business career has been involved in a family business, which is now turning 100 years old, I think I could keep the audience’s attention who  are interested in family businesses for at least the 18 minute TED Talk.

Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler, LLP

I’d be interested in exploring the ethics of amateur golf. On the one hand, the rules are important, but for a mediocre golfer (e.g. yours truly), they can cause major frustration at the expense of enjoying the game. Shifting the ball out of a bad lie, granting a mulligan (or two, or three), etc. If it’s just a round with friends or solo (as I prefer), what’s the right balance between law and grace on the golf course? 

Scott Manor, Ph.D., President | Professor of Historical Theology, Knox Theological Seminary

If I were tasked to give a TED Talk on a random topic outside of the gospel that I preach almost every week, it would be on the benefits of CrossFit. I have been doing CrossFit since 2011, and there are so many benefits that you learn from it beyond the exercise and health benefits. Some of the lessons are getting through difficult workouts with a plan of a specific weight, reps, etc. to be able to finish. This has helped me in studying for and passing licensing exams for work and even in moments in the church where things seem difficult, but the more you do them, learn from others and break it up, what looks impossible can be possible with a plan. One of my favorite quotes is “It always seems impossible, until it is done.” CrossFit parallels life when trying to achieve what the world may say is impossible by proving it can be possible with God and a plan.

Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor, Calvary Chapel Parkland

I have always been a huge baseball fan. Growing up in New York Yankees versus Mets. I’m a Met fan and proud of it. I would always dream of going behind the scenes in the locker room and just understanding all the non-public things that go on. I would love to do a TED Talk, attend a TED Talk, and be part of it to see all that happens behind the scenes.

Steve Solomon, Area Director, Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) 

For more Good News, read the GOOD NEWS March 2025 Issue at: https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2025/march/#1