iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

I typically do about 20-40 hours of continuous needs assessment for the TEDx events I run. I do that much because I want to make sure the events I run are professional- no matter how many people come to my events.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

I don’t think people in OT understands how hard I prep for TEDx events. I treat prep for these events seriously because I know these events represent the university I am teaching at.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

events.humanitix.com/tedxalmansor... I know TEDxAlmansorPark events are remote still. But, even so, TEDxAlmansorPark events are committed to make a difference for the world we live in. The next event on deck is May 17 from 9 am to 1 pm PST on Zoom.

events.humanitix.com

TEDxAlmansorParkWomen

This TEDxWomen event will be on Zoom. Please see description to log on to the event on May 17th.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

I am glad I showed up at a TEDx event tonight. There are always nuances in being in charge of TEDx events. Keeping up as a licensee is crucial!

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

In today’s uncertain times thanks to Trump et. Al, doing due diligence on how others run TEDx events will be crucial.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

I will NOT watch any TED talks by Elon Musk or JD Vance. Although I am a TED/TEDx talks fan, I don’t have to like every TED/TEDx talk that are out for the public to consume.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I don’t take missing OT conferences lightly. But when it is a matter of the opportunity to be with the most powerful movers and shakers in the world and advocate for OT (and I know this opportunity is a bit cost prohibitive for many in OT), this makes it a very tough decision on my end.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Signing up to hopefully attend #tednext again. I really enjoyed last year and I want an encore.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I think I am now qualified to give Gabby Marshall some advice for her future OT career. She will have to learn how to deal with awe struck families and/or patients… especially given her connections with Caitlyn Clark and her past college basketball successes.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I know Elon Musk has been featured on TED talks for 4+ times, but I am refusing to watch them.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Sometimes I think a few levels ahead and/or deeper of my professional peers. Public media is a space where you sometimes can’t wait too long to take action.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I just did some digging- Elon Musk appeared on TED talks 4 times. With what’s going on in the world now, I wonder if his TED talks will be as hated as the TEDx talk by the mom of one of Columbine’s shooters.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I want to help any TEDx teams who are considering folks who got laid off from CDC, NIH, etc. as speakers for their events in the near future. I want to use my background as a health professional to make a meaningful difference!

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

If OT profession is wondering why I want OT/OTA academics and/or students to PUBLISH TEDx talks? As an insider, I know TED is super strict with health content. OT/OTA academics and/or students have an edge on making sure the content that is intended to be publisher doesn’t sound like medical advice.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Not many people in OT gets a chance to have heart to heart talks with editor in chief of major newspapers or leadership of NPR. But, I had an opportunity last week with TEDx’s head of licensing. Honestly, this turned out to be the proudest moment of self advocacy that I have to date.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Some OTP’s and OTS’s might think it is no big deal in trying to assume my call for action is for them to deliver TEDx talks instead of organizing TEDx events. Actually, it is a big deal because they are 2 distinctly different actions and they need to start realizing their social blunders.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

A classic mistake many OT/OTA academics still make- THERE IS A DIFFERENCE between giving a TEDx talk vs. publishing a TEDx talk. They are not the same and nobody is allowed to do both at the same TEDx event. Doing both at the same event is “eating cake AND having cake”, which is a no-no!

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

But, people from many different walks of life and backgrounds can be TEDx event licensees. This include high school, undergrad, and graduate students. This includes professionals from various fields. The common denominator is that they all want to make a difference in their communities.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

However, there are still people in OT who still don’t understand this. You need certain qualifications to be an editor in chief of a newspaper- this includes a relevant degree. This means member of the public most likely aren’t qualified to be editors in chief of newspapers.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Op ed’s and TEDx talks are 2 of the ways that can help increase OT’s public awareness. Getting an op ed publisher or an opportunity to give a TEDx talk can be competitive processes in their own rights.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

If OT community is asking me why I am almost at a complete stop at organizing TEDx events, my answer is- unless I have a few clones of myself, no way I can do in person events. The baton is now passed to full time OT/OTA academics at institutions where TEDx has little to no history, fair or not.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

I think a big question for OT is- If my journey to be in charge of TEDx events is coming to an abrupt end, who amongst the current or future generations of OTP’s and/or OTS’s to pick up the slack?

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Not too many TEDx event licenses I can try to apply for now. I am hopeful that there are still options… but I gave things a pretty good run when it comes to publishing TEDx talks on TEDx’s YouTube channel if this journey in the TEDx organizing space is coming to an end next week.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I am looking forward to my conversation with TED HQ staff today.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I just calculated how much I paid for CAOT vs. OT Australia conferences. OT Australia conference is about 1.75 times more expensive than CAOT.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Can’t believe this year will be my 15th time attending AOTA conference this year.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

If OT community thinks what I ask of them in terms of being in charge of 1 TEDx event a year is already too much, there is also a “good neighbor” component I didn’t even mention. Try also being willing to offer pointers, speaker coaching, translation, etc. to other teams in need.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Being a resource and manpower poor TEDx event licensee- that is like a challenge of an NFL offensive coordinator trying to design plays to keep their team’s star quarterback upright with a non-existent offensive line while also not incur any penalties in the process.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Here are some tips I wish I know about being in charge of TEDx events- 1/

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

That said, I truly want to mentor more in OT to have the courage to be in the TEDx organizing space. I want to mentor folks in OT to do what I wish I can get done there if I were to have more backing and support.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

If remote TEDx events no longer exist, I think my role in the TEDx organizing space can be someone who can mentor new organizers. I can be someone who can offer some ideas that can make sense for their events, even if I am just helping from a distance.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

I also know I asked the OT profession a question that was never answered- if I all of a sudden call it quits when it comes to being in charge of TEDx events, who in OT can fill the void in terms of replacing my production?

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

I love TED and its mission. I love to support local TEDx events when I can. The fact that I got to experience TED full circle- from being a speaker, to an audience member, to a licensee… I don’t think there is another OTP or OTS in the world has this 360 experience yet.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I don’t give about Donald Trump- and I don’t care if this account is real or not

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I don’t give about Donald Trump- and I don’t care if this account is real or not

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

This gif is how I describe my TEDx organizing proficiency vs. almost everyone else in OT profession. A key difference is that I am willing to study A TON (and I still do) since COVID. I am also in tune of nuances that other teams use. My defense- I can’t stay stagnant. TEDx is a dynamic space.

media.tenor.com

a woman stands in front of a white board with the words big and small written on it

ALT: a woman stands in front of a white board with the words big and small written on it

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

To sign off on publishing public content in areas one doesn’t have top expertise about can be scary. But, if OTP’s and OTS’s want to be strong players in the TEDx organizing space, this is one of the many personal hurdles they have to overcome.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I understand that OT profession can feel uneasy with the TEDx organizing space. On one hand, it requires some of the strongest skills we possess. On the other hand, it also requires courage to dive into some of our weaknesses while navigating the lifestyle of being frontline clinicians.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

youtu.be/xYjFxFFdyyk?... This song came to mind the moment I stepped foot into TEDNext’s Open Drinks (which were exclusive to TEDx event licensees and organizers 2 days before the actual conference) last fall after I already attended 4 days of COTEC-ENOTHE conference in Krakow, Poland.

youtu.be

A Whole New World

YouTube video by Lea Salonga - Topic

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Old dogs sometimes need to learn new tricks. Me attending TEDNext last fall and the experiences and lessons I brought back from it- it is time for this 108 year old profession to learn some new moves… and they have to start from its present and future leaders.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

When I chose to attend TEDNext last fall, this decision was all on my own. My professional development mentors now would have told me, “You know the TED space better than almost everyone in OT. You can make better judgments than I can. There is no point of me giving you advice.”

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Many in OT still think that giving talks on the TEDx platform is the only way to increase public awareness of OT there. This made me think of a classic quote- 1/

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Meanwhile, I also would take a moment to highlight this from 2019’s Eleanor Clarke Slagle from Ellen Cohn, “The responsibilities of increasing awareness of OT lies on us.” So, my TEDx organizing work took what Dr. Cohn asked a few levels beyond what OT profession sees what it is capable to do.

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Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L @billwongotr.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

At the time of when Dr. Jacobs delivered her lecture, I actually thought what she asked for was audacious, to be fair. But, my favorite Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture was also one that didn’t age well. I wish there was a 2.0 with that lecture with what are out there in public media.

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