The TEDxRanchoMirage speaker series returns — after a self-professed "highly successful inaugural year" in 2025 — on Tuesday, Aug. 25, bringing together the Coachella Valley's brightest minds and passionate voices to share talks on topics ranging from composting to psychology.
This year's theme is "Under the Same Sky," and it marks the first year the organization asked for submissions from the community. The event, led by educator and writer Eric Cunningham, received 499 submissions, including ones from all over the world. Of those, five speakers were selected, and all of them underwent "a comprehensive, multi-month preparation gauntlet alongside dedicated TEDx speaker coaches to help them refine their scripts and polish their stage presence
ahead of the August event," as the event press release states.
"We are energized to bring TEDxRanchoMirage back for its second year," Cunningham said in a press release. "And the world-famous Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory is the perfect place to host it: everyone already knows it’s synonymous with brainy, high-quality programming."
Speakers at this year's TEDxRanchoMirage are:
- Compostpreneur and CEO of Prema's Permaculture & Composting Prema Walker
- Ultramarathoner and Guinness Record holder Ivan Borzenko
- Oxford-trained clinical psychologist Dr. Romi Ran
- Author and grief expert Dr. Lynda Reid
- Professor and mentalist Dr. Carl Christman
"In the Coachella Valley specifically, there are ... people who grew up here, who have these amazing stories to tell, and more importantly, amazing ideas to share," Cunningham told The Desert Sun during a video shoot. That was the impetus for the first year's event, and once he saw how many submissions came in for this year, he realized "there is a demand for this, people want these kind of events to happen."
The event will take place 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, located at 71-100 Highway 111. It's free to attend, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you go
What: TEDxRanchoMirage speaker series
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25
Where: Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, 71-100 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free, but seating is limited and first come first serve
More info: tedxranchomirage.com
(This story was updated to add a link.)
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, on X @ema_sasic and on Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Learn how to read minds when TEDxRanchoMirage returns to the desert
