From pooing in public to the Seattle Superman: Ignite Seattle aims to surprise

Ignite Seattle is an unusual event. The organizers like to surprise the audience when they can — like that time a couple got married on stage. Thrills like that aside, there’s something thoughtful and genuine in every talk. More often than not, we learn something new. It takes courage to get up on stage all by your lonesome in the packed Egyptian Theatre. But the way this event is planned and executed brings out the best in everyone. If someone stumbles, the kindly crowd is there for support.

Ignite started in Seattle in 2006 and is run by volunteers. You have five minutes, 20 slides and a microphone with which to share an insight or idea. Ignite Seattle 36 featured the following talks:

How I Dumped Denial, Sally Fox

Why We All Still Talk Like Pirates, Monica Houston

How Slack Saved My Life, Rob Eickmann

Silicon Valley Desperately Needs a Sense of Humor, Coco Krumme

The Seattle Superman, Jonathan Belle

Getting Naked for Feminism, Katrina Hamilton

Breaking the Ramadan Fast Live on Stage, Kholood Alabdullatif

How a Punching Bag Saved My Life: Parenting Tips from a Group Home Kid, Phoenix Cavalier

How to Woo a Seattle WOC, Marie Bolla

Ignite Survey Says . . . , Nicole Steinbok

Pooing in Public, Jason Preston

Mystery Ignite (improvised Ignite talk), Kinzie Shaw

This event took place on May 17 at SIFF Cinema Egyptian. Sonya Harris recorded the talks. The emcee was Scott Berkun. Ignite Seattle 37 is coming up in October on a date TBD.