examples/talks gives TypeError on start, same with other examples

Description:
On trying to start talks example, get error
TypeError: Object prototype may only be an Object or null: undefined
getting error from src/pages/TopicPage.tsx
line 195: export { TopicPage };
Full stack trace is given at the end of this ticket

Steps to replicate:
go to examples/talks
yarn
npm start

JSON Data required to replicate, if applicable:

trace:

./src/pages/data/AppDataStore.ts.__extends | @ | TopicPage.tsx:195
-- | -- | --
(anonymous function) | @ | AppDataStore.ts:13
./src/pages/data/AppDataStore.ts | @ | AppDataStore.ts:45
__webpack_require__ | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:669
fn | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:87
./src/pages/SearchPage.tsx | @ | MapPage.tsx:320
__webpack_require__ | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:669
fn | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:87
./src/index.tsx | @ | fetch.js:461
__webpack_require__ | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:669
fn | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:87
0 | @ | suggestions.ts:55
__webpack_require__ | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:669
(anonymous function) | @ | bootstrap 3b02778…:715
(anonymous function) | @ | bundle.js:719