David Allan is the Editorial Director of CNN Health and Wellness and writes a column called The Wisdom Project on applying to one's life the wisdom and philosophy found everywhere, from ancient texts to pop culture.
Prior to joining CNN, David was the Managing Editor for the features sections for BBC.com and a features and news editor at The New York Times, overseeing and contributing to sections that ranged from Travel (where he wrote a column), National, Styles, the magazine and the Politics desk in DC.
He wrote two travel guides to Ireland and Scotland for Frommer's, created a show on MTV, is a former White House intern and middle school teacher with Teach For America. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, he holds degrees in Journalism and Philosophy. His TEDx Talk is titled "Who Knows What's Good or Bad?"

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]