Big News: I'm Giving A TED Talk!

Hi friends!

When MORE THAN WE EXPECTED was published two years ago, I was excited to share our story with families and clinicians caring for kids like our son. My hope was that it would resonate with people in similar situations.

As you know, I’ve been overwhelmed by the response within these communities — so much so that I left my job in November to see where this all might lead.

Well, I never imagined that it would lead here. I’ve been invited to speak on the main stage at TED2026 in Vancouver this April. My talk will be part of a session on how to be human in a new age of technology.

Wow.

Earlier this week, I attended a small gathering with some of this year’s other TED speakers. We were asked to share how we were feeling about being part of the event.

I mentioned two things:

• First: it will be a challenge to fit everything I want to say into a ten or fifteen minute talk. That’s not a bad thing — I’ll be speaking to a different audience than I’m used to, and it will be a neat exercise to frame my story in a way that interests them. I’m lucky to have Manoush Zomorodi and David Biello in my corner to help out.

• Second: I’m excited to hear how our story resonates with people who haven’t had a similar experience to our own. When I was trying to find a home for my memoir, publishers seemed dubious that readers would want to read about such a difficult topic. But I’ve always felt that our story has universal relevance. It speaks to themes that affect us all: what it means to be human; what it means to live, grow and heal; and what it means to wrestle with the unknown.

Of course, I’m feeling a flood of other emotions as well. This opportunity, like so many of the things I’ve experienced since this book was published, brings with it both exhilaration and astonishment. It can get exhausting and overwhelming.

Here’s my secret weapon: the support and encouragement you all have given me over the past few years. Each of you has inspired me to keep going, step by step, throughout this entirely unexpected journey. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Thank you, as always.

Best, James