In today's society, we have the tools to be connected anywhere at any time. The scene is repeated almost every day. People will stand in line with their cell phones, to make a call to someone just a few feet away. Remarkable. We may believe we are connected with technology, but in many ways we becoming more disconnected socially. This prevents us from finding and telling those deep personal stories, or as Jim Jorstad, says "We don't dive deep to find the emotional stories right in front of us."

Jim Jorstad, an awardwinning journalist and filmmaker, researches how people can use social media and digital storytelling to connect with people, and the world. He has been quoted as "documenting history in real time." Through his work, he has found ways to help us break through our societal disconnection by crafting inspirational and emotional digital stories and sharing them worldwide. The digital stories Jorstad has authored through CNN iReporting, have been seen by nearly 1 million viewers. Jim was selected for the CNN iReport Spirit award for his efforts.

Jorstad is Director of Academic Technologies at the University of WisconsinLa Crosse.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, selforganized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are selforganized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)