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TEDxBigSky: Meet the speakers Pt. 3 Introducing the 2022 TEDxBigSky speaker lineup

BY MIRA BRODY

BIG SKY – Whether it’s saving an entire ecosystem starting with one species, or facing trauma for personal growth, this issue’s featured TEDxBigSky resilient speakers provide more fuel for inspiration. Meet Jan Winburn, a journalist and teacher with four decades of reporting behind her; Briana Lynn, who will explore six “microstories” through her traumatic past in the form of spoken word, slam poetry and deep breathing; and Tom Spruance, a conservation activist who will discuss the power of the ripple effect.

Be sure to purchase your tickets to this inspiring two-night speaker series, available at tedxbigsky.com.

Jan Winburn

In September of this year, an Amtrak train derailed along the Montana Hi-Line, killing three and injuring dozens of others. Jan Winburn, who has been a journalist for 40 years, was at the time teaching a class of journalists at the University of Montana when it occurred, and had the opportunity to work with one of her students as they reported on the tragic incident. Through the student’s work, she was able to see a concept of jounralism play out that she’s been teaching, and one she’ll cover in her upcoming TEDxBigSky talk this January.

“Coverage that comes so quickly after an event is informing you,” Winburn said. “Coverage that comes much later, when a person has had an experience and has had some time to make sense of it … what can we gain from that?”

Her UM course, titled “The worst day ever: Writing about trauma,” took a deep dive into these later iterations of reporting, what she calls Act 2 journalism, and explores coverage of trauma and loss. Trauma, she explains, is something almost none of us are shielded from, especially coming out of this pandemic.

“There’s a reaction to trauma, but that is kind of all it is in the beginning,” Winburn said. “It’s with the passage of time that we can understand things better. And I think that’s true of everything … like what we’ve gone through with this pandemic.”

Winburn believes that instead of shying away from traumatic news, that we actually have a lot to gain from letting it in, if the journalism is done well. On par with this year’s theme, that’s where she believes resilience comes into play.

“I think it’s about growing from experience,” she says of the word.

Briana Lynn

Briana Lynn believes resilience is an intentional choice. The Reverend, who went through a month-long program to become a minister and practices nature-based spirituality, will center her TEDxBigSky talk around six “microstories” from her own life experiences. It’ll be a mixture, she says, of spoken word, slam poetry, deep breathing and fun. Her own traumas, she candidly discusses, are disordered eating, walking out on a narcissistic and abusive relationship and discovering shamanism. Her recovery from these experiences is deep seeded in her current way of life, which emphasizes community support—Lynn lives in a community of eight other people who share 1.5 acres of land in Los Angeles they call The Mother Tree.

“This American dream that we’ve been sold isn’t working for anyone, so what is actually wealth, what is actually value?” Lynn said. “To me it’s to be in a thriving community where what I do contributes to the greatness and beauty of others and the greatness and beauty of me.”

Lynn calls The Mother Tree an experiment, and is quick to explain that their situation is ever evolving to the community’s needs and lessons. What she is adamant about however, is the power of this year’s theme.

“Resilience is not an accident,” Lynn said. “It’s a very intentional choice to not to live as the victim.”

Tom Spruance

Avid fly fisherman and president of the Spruance Foundation, Tom Spruance believes the key to saving the ecosystems around Big Sky and other booming mountain towns relies on something called the ripple effect. A supporter of the Gallatin River Task Force, Jack Creek Preserve and Yellowstone Forever, his fear has always been that developers will gain the upper hand and pave away natural beauty—an attribute that brought many here in the first place.

Spruance’s talk will follow a line of thinking outlined in American journalist and founder of Mountain Journal Todd Wilkinson’s newest book (out in April 2022), “Ripple Effect.” The idea behind a ripple effect is that by concerting efforts toward the success and rejuvenation of a single species, you can return the natural balance of an entire ecosystem.

“Let’s say you don’t like fish, but let’s say you like eagles or osprey or otters,” Spruance said. “The interesting thing about the return of cutthroat trout, is because of the lake trout removal efforts, you’re bringing back the natural balance that those animals are used to.”

This isn’t an attack on local developers, Spruance explains, but is rather about establishing a compromise that allows for growth while preserving the natural habitat of local animals. Right now, he believes we’re moving in the wrong direction.

He urges residents of Big Sky to not give up, but to hunker down and help determine the future of our ecosystem—his definition of resilience.

“The reason all of us came to Big Sky was because of the natural beauty of the place, but yet there is that financial benefit of the growth and development,” Spruance said. “There’s a conundrum that faces the families and business owners; they are benefitting from the growth and development, but yet that growth and development is causing an impact.”

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Best of Big Sky’s Editor’s Picks: Honoring the core of our community

BY MIRA BRODY

BIG SKY – Many artists have captured familiar renditions of Big Sky—the sharp silhouette of Lone Mountain, the curves of the Gallatin River and the shades of the surrounding pine forests. While zoomed out, the area makes for a vast and beautiful landscape. Within that landscape however, are the details that make up the community. Honing in on these details—the community members, businesses, food and culture—is what Best of Big Sky’s Editor’s Picks are all about. Join us in celebrating those who stepped up this year; the faces that make the core of our community more than just a pretty landscape, but a place that gives back as much as you give it.

Best Business: Big Sky Post Office

This year’s Best Business Editor’s Pick honors the Big Sky Post Office, an organization that has been unwavering in its ability to serve the community with a basic and vital need, even as that community grows rapidly. Big Sky depends on its local post office and its steadfast team for everything from paying bills to filling prescriptions. These simple errands are always made better by the warm and welcoming staff.

Best Community Member: Andy Dreisbach

Although he’ll be too humble to admit it, Andy Dreisbach is considered a Big Sky local. A killer skier, business owner and family man, Dreisbach also volunteers his time toward the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section.

“Andy’s a true ambassador of Big Sky and a cherished community member,” said EBS Editor-in-Chief Joseph T. O’Connor, who describes Dreisbach as a “gentle giant.”

"He’d give you the shirt off his back then take off on a swift-water rescue as a volunteer with Search and Rescue. He always keeps things light and never takes life or himself too seriously.”

Best Restaurant: Lotus Pad Asian Cuisine

Although Big Sky is full of talented chefs, Lotus Pad’s Alex Omania stands out as a true entrepreneur who cares about her food, her employees and the people in Big Sky. Through the pandemic, she worked tirelessly to not only keep the community fed with delicious Thai food, but also her staff healthy and employed. Omania’s unwavering work ethic and contagious laugh has earned her establishment Editor’s Pick this year.

Best Event: Big Sky Soul Shine

Big Sky Soul Shine embodies what it means to live in Big Sky. The annual live music event is a celebration of community and life, particularly that of the late Mark Robin who passed away from complications from ALS in 2016. This year’s event returned after a 2020 hiatus, featuring music by Dammit Lauren! and Moonlight Moonlight, and raised money for Team Gleason, a nonprofit that provides various kinds of support to those living with ALS.

“The Robins are staples of Big Sky, and Soul Shine, in memory of Mark, is the most selfless event around,” O’Connor said. “He was a gem. It’s an honor to give this award to Soul Shine.”

Best Nonprofit: Big Sky Search and Rescue

Going big—it’s in the name. Big Sky residents move here to experience the rugged recreation Lone Mountain and the surrounding scapes have to offer, whether that be on bike, skis or foot. When an accident occurs, leaving you stranded or injured, there’s one nonprofit you can always rely on to help you in a pinch, which is why we’ve chosen Big Sky Search and Rescue as Editor’s Pick for Best Nonprofit. We believe that when you give your best to your community, your community and your neighbors give that back to you, and in that regard, BSSAR takes the prize.

CONGRATULATIONS

from the team at Explore Big Sky

BEST BUSINESS

1st. Big Sky Build 2nd. Ace Hardware 3rd. Two Pines Properties Editors Pick. Big Sky Post Office

MOST SUSTAINABLE/ GREEN ORGANIZATION

1st. Gallatin River Task Force 2nd. Recycling Center 3rd. Big Sky SNO

COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE YEAR

1st. Al Malinowski 2nd. Lindsey Hurlbut 3rd. Heather Morris Editors Pick. Andy Dreisbach

BEST RESTAURANT

1st. Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge 2nd. Olive B’s 3rd. Riverhouse BBQ & Events Editor’s Pick. Lotus Pad Asian Cuisine

BEST LOCAL MEAL DEAL

1st. Riverhouse BBQ & Events 2nd. Mi Pueblito Taco Bus 3rd. Hungry Moose Market & Deli

BEST ARTIST

1st. Heather Rapp 2nd. Jill Zeidler 3rd. Anna Middleton

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

1st. Dave Pecunies 2nd. Ryan Turner 3rd. Kirby Grubaugh

BEST BURGER

1st. By Word of Mouth 2nd. Copper Whiskey Bar and Grill 3rd. Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro

BEST PIZZA

1st. Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. 2nd. Blue Moon Bakery 3rd. PInky G’s Pizzeria

BEST BAR

1st. Beehive Basin Brewery 2nd. The Rocks Tasting Room and Liquor Store 3rd. Brothel Bikes

BEST SPA/YOGA

1st. Santosha Wellness Center 2nd. Sanctuary

BEST SALON

1st. Tribe Salon 2nd. Hairninja Salon

BEST WELLNESS BUSINESS

1st (tie). Big Sky Medical Center 1st (tie). Big Sky Natural Health 2nd. Santosha Wellness Center 3rd. Moving Mountains

BEST APRÈS

1st. Scissorbills Saloon 2nd. Beehive Basin Brewery 3rd. The Rocks Tasting Room and Liquor Store

BEST COFFEE

1st. Caliber Coffee 2nd (tie). ACRE Kitchen 2nd (tie). Blue Moon Bakery 3rd. The Traveling Bean

BEST EVENT

1st. Big Sky PBR 2nd. Music in the Mountains 3rd. Big Sky Farmers Market Editor’s Choice. Big Sky Soul Shine

BEST OUTDOOR RETAILER

1st. Grizzly Outfitters 2nd. Gallatin Alpine Sports 3rd. East Slope Outdoors

BEST FISHING OUTFITTER

1st. Gallatin River Guides 2nd. East Slope Outdoors 3rd. Wild Trout Outfitters

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

1st. Big Sky Real Estate Co. 2nd. Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty 3rd. L&K Real Estate

BEST ARCHITECT

1st. Centre Sky Architecture 2nd. 45 Architecture 3rd. Bechtle Architects

BEST BUILDER

1st. Highline Partners 2nd. Big Sky Build 3rd. Lone Pine Builders

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

1st. Two Pines Properties 2nd. Ascend Properties 3rd. Hammond Property Management

BEST NONPROFIT

1st. Big Sky Bravery 2nd. Big Sky CommunityOrganization 3rd. Big Sky Community Food Bank Editor’s Pick. Big Sky Search and Rescue