Speaking at South by Southwest Conference


WOW! Just WOW! I spent the last hour registering for South by Southwest Conference held in Austin this coming March 12 – 21st. I am honored to be selected to lead a ‘core conversation’ on the topic “social media for social change”.

It’s kind of scary stepping out like this. I mean, I don’t have money so booking a hotel is rather insane. But I’m reminded of last year when I was asked to speak at my first national conference. I was asked in November yet the event was not until May. As most of you know I was very close to homelessness myself back then. I accepted that invitation fully expecting to have to cancel because I would be on the streets. Interesting that although my financial situation has not changed I have spoken at several national events this year! That’s why I am saying “WOW” over and over again!

SXSW is a huge deal so of course I accepted. In fact, the format of ‘core conversation’ is a perfect fit for me. I am like crazy excited! I have no idea how I am going to get there or how I with come up with rent money that month – who cares – it’s SXSW and I’m jumping in head first!

I turn 50 years old on March 13th. I made a promise to myself that on my 50th birthday I would jump out of an airplane. Too me, skydiving is a perfect fit to celebrate this crazy life I’ve lead for half a century, and it would be a real miracle on my part to actually go through with it. Well, I guess just being able to afford a plane ticket to fly to Austin will be my perfect fit miracle.

Thank you SXSW for believing in me and a very special thanks to everyone who supported me. Especially Heather Meeker and the Whrrl team. I didn’t even know what SXSW was until they suggested I submit a panel.  And my favorite foodie Babette for adding me with the rest of the ‘cupcakes’, TechZulu for adding me to their picks, and of course the only Christian site that listed me Church Marketing Sucks.

I am truly grateful.

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  • Congratulations my friend what an amazing honor to be chosen and I look forward to seeing you there in March! (w/ Liz Strauss - of course!)
  • Absolutely fantastic... Gigantic contratulations...
  • I'll see you in Austin! It is a bit scary the first time but it's a great audience and you'll love the conversations all around. There are communities and co-ops in Austin that will let you stay free/cheap and I can usually catch very cheap plane deals by keeping an alert in my inbox. I registered last month and will be leading a panel on Intimacy & Network Culture, looking at how we are all connected and how our actions affect the others in our extended circles. Let me know if you need any help getting prepared along the way! I hope we can talk more about homeless/transition programs that work -- I'm part of a larger coalition of activists working on this topic too from our nonprofit office in LA. Sorry we haven't met in person but let's connect in LA before Austin.
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