STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The importance of human and animal relationships. Innovative approaches to mental health. How to handle life’s transitions.

These are among the themes that a new crop of TEDxSunValley speakers will tackle when the second annual TEDxSunValley takes place on Sept. 23.

The day-long event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sun Valley Opera House. It will feature a few TED Talk videos, in addition to the live talks.

This year’s speakers include Dale Bates and Cody Lee, Deborah Brosnana, Kevin Cahill, Todd Dean, Pirie Grossman, Todd Mitchem, Gerry Moffatt, Nadia Novik, Terry O’Connor, Narda Pitkethly, Annie Pokorny, Kate Riley, Paul Shapiro, Jody Stanislaw and Hayley Stuart.

They submitted topic themes, outlines and descriptions of how they hoped to impact the audience. They also submitted short videos, giving the selection team an opportunity to see their onstage presence. They were judged on their relevance, public interest and newness factor.

They will work with volunteer coaching teams between now and Sept. 23 to hone their message and master their presentation.

Aimee Christensen, who co-organized the first TEDxSunValley with Kim Castellano, said it was amazing to see such a diverse group of applicants wanting to share their passions.

“I’m so heartened by the incredible people in our community who will now have a platform to showcase their expertise,” she added.

Tickets can be purchased at http://TEDxSunValley.com. Those who would like to volunteer or sponsor the event can find more information on the website.

TEDx is a program of local self-organized events that brings people together to share a TED-like experience of “ideas worth spreading” in 18 minutes or less. Local events are held to strict guidelines by TED.

Many of the talks given at TED’s annual conference in Vancouver, B.C., are provided free on TED.com.