In February of 2012, Joshua joined the non-profit organization On the Ground for the Run Across Palestine - a 5 day, 129 mile ultra marathon to raise funds and awareness in support of fair-trade olive farming communities in the Palestinian West Bank. He was trusted with the honor of carrying some of Michigan - in song and story - to Palestine, and in return, to soak up some of the art and culture there to share with my community. The fear and courage he witnessed there, on both sides of the wall, and also within himself, were profound. He returned much less resolved and far more inspired than he could have imagined.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)