Original Thinkers is Telluride's local "ideas festival". Founder David Holbrooke, Director of Programming Laura Shaunette, and several festival guests join to chat about this year's meeting of the minds.

“I am very excited to participate in and attend Original Thinkers this year. I would say that now, more than any other time in my life we have needed leaders who think critically, think deeply and ultimately, think originally. I hope to leave inspired and energized to keep making good in the world.

Original Thinkers announced today the films, discussions and special guests set to connect a global community of change-makers on September 29 – October 2, 2022 in Telluride, CO. The four-day festival will explore topics including reproductive rights, geopolitics and the fight for democracy, advancements in cancer treatment, life-saving mindfulness, the healing power of nature and many other timely issues afflicting modern society. In addition to the festival’s multimedia exploration of the world through stories, performance, and fresh thinking, Original Thinker’s offers attendees a full experiential weekend with wellness activities, special events and community gatherings.

If there’s anything Original Thinkers encourages, it’s that we all are original thinkers. The concept is at once approachable as it is lofty, but it is one that OT founder and ringleader, David Holbrooke, and president Meredith Lavitt, are confident the festival, and humanity, are poised to tackle. The annual gathering, scheduled for Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 at the historic Sheridan Opera House, has announced the early round of its provocative programming and that tickets are now available for purchase.

What a tremendous delight and honor it was to share our work at Original Thinkers last weekend in Telluride. The Aspen leaves were going off, we had early snow in the mountains and the town was buzzing with the power of original thinking. Of course, this doesn’t come together without all the people who made OT 21 singularly memorable.

Attention Telluride community members! Come join the Original Thinkers crew tomorrow for two free community encores of shows Becoming Braver and Joy Is An Inside Job at the Sheridan Opera House. Becoming Braver will take place 3 - 5pm and features the documentary Rebel Hearts, speakers Rosa Manriquez, Lenore Dowling, Pedro Kos. Joy is an Inside Job will take place 6 to 7:30pm and features film Mission: Joy and speakers Peggy Callahan, Louie Psihoyos, Sonja Lyubomirsky.

Original Thinkers is excited to offer virtual programing for the entire month of October. Ten ideas will be explored through riveting speakers, brilliant artists, indelible performances, terrific films and unforgettable stories. This year’s shows include a range of themes from joy, healing, living your truth, equity to reconstruction and agency. New this year is the OT Spotlight series, which will showcase the stories and work of fascinating individuals through talks, song and spoken word.