Choose to be Curious Ep. #302: Curiosity at PechaKucha Night Knoxville, with Lila Honker & Matthew deBardelaben
Oct 23, 2025
Join Matthew deBardelaben, a seasoned PechaKucha curator, and Lila Honaker, a key member of the curation team, as they dive into the unique format of PechaKucha. They discuss how the 20x20 constraint fosters concise storytelling and sparks connections within the Knoxville community. Matthew shares insights on how personal stories cultivate empathy, while Lila explains the process of selecting engaging presenters. They also highlight the impact of hosting free events that prioritize community without sponsorship, making knowledge accessible for all.
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Format Fuels Curiosity
- PechaKucha combines high novelty with social signals of importance, creating a strong vehicle for curiosity.
- The 20x20 format ensures pacing and keeps audiences wanting more without overwhelming them.
Humble Local Origins
- Matthew described the first PechaKucha in Knoxville starting in an architect's workshop with ~50 people in 2011.
- He joined the organizers, formed a curator team, and the event grew to 300–400 attendees.
Curation Reveals Community Depth
- Curation gives volunteers deep, often private insight into community members' hopes and failures via applications.
- That inside view strengthens community bonds beyond casual encounters.