Julie BursteinTED 2012

JULIE BURSTEINis a radio host and writer who is a radio host and writer who

has interviewed creative minds has interviewed creative minds for a living. When Julie is not for a living. When Julie is not

writing or making radio, or writing or making radio, or spending time with her family, spending time with her family, she can usually be found in the she can usually be found in the

pottery studio.pottery studio.

JULIE BEGAN

her presentation with a her presentation with a description of a piece of description of a piece of pottery that she created, using pottery that she created, using a technique called Raku, which a technique called Raku, which she keeps on her desk. Pottery she keeps on her desk. Pottery making is then expanded into a making is then expanded into a metaphor for creativity itself. metaphor for creativity itself.

RAKUis a special kind of pottery making that requires the artist to let go of their creation and leave it to natural process of quickly baking and cooling, which transforms it into something new.

Expanding on the metaphor, Julie delivers the first of her four lessons in creativity:

Letting Go.

The metaphor is easily understood and immediately opens the audience to the remaining three lessons.

THE FINAL LESSON

about embracing loss, is introduced as the most difficult lesson, and is exemplified through the captivating and even beautiful photography of the wreckage of the September, 11 attacks, something with which the entire audience is likely to be familiar.

MY DYNAMISM RATING

Julie was clearly passionate about her subject, as well as knowledgeable, but was not overly animated.

MY DYNAMISM RATING4/5

This was appropriate as much of her discussion was about the struggles of creativity and the relieving experience of embracing those struggles. She maintained a positive tone and outlook throughout even the most dramatic moments of her presentation.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Pausing between new topics allowed her audience to take in the information she's already given. I learned that pausing during a presentation is not dangerous and may in fact be necessary.

Julie dropped a pottery creation of hers, a metaphor for letting go, intending to break it.

The cup did not break.

This didn't hinder her presentation at all and, somewhat ironically, served to further demonstrate her first lesson, as well as generating a bit of laughter. I learned that mistakes are made and don't have to be damaging to the presentation.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Her demeanor was consistently calm, yet passionate, throughout her presentation. I learned that presenting in a composed manner will help to bring the audience to the desired state of mind.

DIFFERENCES TO KEN

Ken Robinson was a little more engaging.

There was no intentional use of humor in Julie’s presentation, which had a calmer feel compared to Ken’s.

SIMILARITIES TO KEN

Both Ken and Julie were passionate and knowledgeable about their subject, brought up stories to support their ideas, and maintained a positive outlook.

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN

Julie remained composed throughout the presentation, even through mistakes.

She balance out new information with familiar topics to support her presentation without overwhelming

Julie BursteinTED 2012