TEDx | Why Capitalism Needs to Empower People Again | Matthew Wilburn King
Watch the TEDx Talk
What if the most powerful change in the world starts with a single act—yours?
Subscribe to my newsletter, Elemental.
In my TEDx talk, I share a deeply personal story rooted in survival, ancestral legacy, and the hard-earned wisdom of facing death. From working across the globe to battling Stage IV-b cancer, my journey has been one of confronting powerlessness and reclaiming agency, not just for myself but for the planet and future generations.
Through storytelling that weaves together lived experience, environmental ethics, and the evolution of capitalism, this talk invites us to reimagine what’s possible when we choose to act from a place of connection, courage, and clarity.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, activist, educator, or someone seeking a more purposeful life, this talk is a call to step into your role as a force for change.
️One choice. One act. One person at a time—that’s how we change everything.
TEDx | University of Colorado, Boulder | Macky Auditorium | April 5, 2025
Why This Talk Matters
-
Speaks to individual and collective empowerment in the face of disempowering economic systems.
-
Reframes the narrative of capitalism through a lens of conscious evolution and ecological interdependence.
-
Offers a hopeful, grounded message in a time of global uncertainty.
-
Draws from personal resilience, ancestral wisdom, and systems thinking to inspire action.
Selected Articles
- Why the Next Stage of Capitalism is Coming – BBC Future
- How Brain Biases Prevent Climate Action – BBC Future
- Ecuador’s Kichwa Implement Innovative Approach to Rainforest Conservation – Mongabay
Media Features & Interviews
- Good Morning Europe, Euronews – “Why Humans Resist Change in the Face of Crisis” (2020)
- KGNU Boulder, Connections Radio – “From Systems to Soul: Why the Future Needs a New Ethic” (2014)
Select Speaking Engagements
- Porsche Super Group Think Tank | Porsche HQ, Atlanta (2021)
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) | Climate Security (2013)
- Kinship Fellows | Biodiversity Offsets for Protected Areas (2014)
Want to Host a Conversation?
Whether you’re part of a university, think tank, nonprofit, or business, I’m open to engaging in meaningful dialogue on the future of economic systems and the possibilities ahead.