In the years I've been involved with TEDx, one thing that impresses me is the quality of the people involved. I've learned a great deal from them, and many have become friends. I met Mark Sylvester through TEDx and grown to consider him a friend. He, too, recognizes the incredible people involved and has developed the podcast series "Hacking the Red Circle" to share their stories. Even after curating more than two dozen TEDx events, I still learn something from each interview and seek to apply what I've learned to make our events better.

I had the great pleasure of working with Mark recently in making a podcast for 805 Conversations. I am impressed with Mark’s constant energy and enthusiasm for each topic, his insight in delving into the issues in an engaging and informed manner, and his utter delight at discussing each point. His wealth of experiences, great appreciation for our region, and joie de vivre make his podcasts a joy to record and a wonder to hear. The resulting podcast is stunning, with no lags anywhere in it, and keeping the listener engaged in the subject, learning much along the way.