The first TEDxPeachtree took place in November 2009 and the theme was “What if…?” Humorist, syndicated columnist and former airline attendant Hollis Gillespie was on the roster, speaking on “What if there was no such thing as air travel?” Her point? Enjoy the journey.

Jim HacklerLike his friend Hollis, Jim Hackler, one of our speakers this year understands how humor can drive a point home in a way that people can appreciate. “I just try to take a more engaging approach using humor and stories rather than facts and figures,” he says. “I love to give people a new perspective or get them to think differently about our world.” Also known as The Urbane Environmentalist, he knows firsthand what it’s like to travel the streets of Atlanta without a car. Jim promotes living responsibly and works to convey that message while living it.

Jim’s involvement in the environmental movement is multi-pronged. He began in television journalism, has headed two major green building initiatives while continuing to write and educate. In addition to having served as adjunct faculty at Georgia State University, and delivered workshops to builders and realtors, Jim also teaches at Hollis’ Shocking Real Life Learning Center, the largest writing school in Atlanta.

He and Hollis, friends and colleagues for nearly 20 years, started out in comedy at the same time. “We actually both took a Jeff Justice comedy class together where our graduation was a four minute performance at The Punchline. I figured that was it, but Hollis kept signing us up for open mic nights at other comedy clubs in town and I really began to enjoy it.”

With humor, Jim can “take the mean out of green,” his personal motto. During his time as a television journalist, growing from small local media to CNN, Jim observed that, “Almost all of the news is horrible, and it slowly desensitized you to how terrible we are to each other. Comedy is this amazing release where I use all my journalism skills, but get to laugh at myself and the world.”

He has found stand-up comedy to be effective. “Part of my routine pokes fun at the environmental community, a group that’s not exactly known for its sense of humor,” he explains. “I tell people it comes from a place of love as an insider, rather than the tired environmental stereotypes used by outsiders. Humor is also a great way to sneak in some powerful messages – it gets their guard down and makes you more relatable. No one, including me, wants to be preached to.”

Life, like travel, is about enjoying the journey. The path between where you start out and where it takes you from there isn’t always predictable, but when you’re able to infuse each step with your passion, the journey becomes something worth savoring. So what does Jim Hackler love to do? “Make the world a better place; it’s why I got into journalism then transitioned into environmental work.”

More importantly, what keeps Jim going? “The environmental community in metro Atlanta and across the country. It’s a great group of people that easily welcome and support each other.” He adds, “…and we’re all a little crazy, which makes it fun.”

Jim Hackler is part of an exciting line up at this year’s event on November 8 at the historical Buckhead Theatre. Get your tickets today before they are sold out!

Wendy Kalman attended the 2009 TEDxPeachtree event and became hooked, volunteering each year ever since. By day, she works as a Proposal Manager, and by night, her alter ego as involved parent, engaged volunteer, music lover, and Facebook addict emerges.

One response to “Speaker Spotlight: Jim Hackler’s Journey”

  1. […] on stage with his bike and helmet, journalist Jim Hackler garnered laughs and let his enthusiasm for the benefits of cycling speak for itself. He […]

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