Post by Everett Harper

This year was my 7th Dent the Future Conference since 2017, when I presented what would become Move to the Edge, Declare it Center for the first time. Why do I go every year? The best conferences feature great storytellers, who describe topics or events with simplicity and expertise. What makes Dent distinctive is how they curate presenters who explore different narratives. Stories make us feel secure, comforting us with familiar arcs and predictable resolutions. Narrative challenges us by shifting how a story is told—exposing assumptions, revealing new perspectives, and bending our expectations. Those shifts are the dopamine-catnip-rocket fuel for people who want to play big, and are the genesis of new ideas, new connections, and collaboration. ‘Denters’ bring it every year, from dinner conversations to late-night banter. Thank you to some of my favorite narrative shifters — Special shout to Jason Preston, Steve Broback, Morgan Johnson, Elisa Camahort Page Sara Sutton Ann Coleman, Laura Sutphen, Morris Vanegas, Ph.D., Matt Kowalczyk, Steve Coy, Jami Swiss, Tynan Szvetecz, Aimee Hadfield, LCSW, CP, PAT, Andrea Umbach, Tamrah Barber, ICF Certified Professional Coach, Ellen Petry Leanse, Stewart Ugelow, Patty Doherty, Dean Browell, Sumanth Channabasappa, Brandon Scott, Jessica Artiles Markos Moulitsas Bob Beth Franziska N. A special shout out to Jill Sobule, whose 2024 performance at Dent was magical. Her death was a shock, and through Jami’s thoughtful memoriam, we were able to grieve, laugh and remember her gifts together. Want to know what narrative-bending topics unfolded this year? Read the full article: