How do we turn our deepest regrets into a force for good? Author Gregg Ward shares a profoundly personal tragedy that helps us explore how regret and "moral injury" can overpower and undermine our work, relationships, and lives or - if we choose - be a compelling catalyst for making a positive, powerful difference in the world.greggwardspeaker.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggward/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572430516281#regrettingthepast #regret #personalgrowthtransformation #TEDxSanDiego #TEDx #TEDxspeaker #speaker #griefGregg Ward is the Founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership. He began his career as a theater professional in New York and the UK using improvisation to train NYPD police officers. From 1988-92 he also served as a journalist in Europe for BBC Radio and other UK media, covering the fall of the Berlin Wall. He now serves as a global thought leader and speaker on respect and is the author of the bestselling, award-winning business fable "The Respectful Leader" (Wiley 2016). Gregg sits on the Advisory Board of the Hyacinth Fellowship, is a Board-Certified Coach, a Master Corporate Executive Coach, and a Certified Management Consultant-Emeritus.In 2024 he was a finalist in the San Diego Business Journal’s CEO of the Year competition; and was named Top Executive Director by the International Association of Top Professionals, and top Executive Coach by Real Leaders Magazine. https://centerforrespectfulleadership.org/This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Sophia shares what she has learned about culture and community as a spelling-bee champion and an explorer of language. Sophia is a junior at Cedarville High School who loves to learn new words. She represented the Dayton Area in the Scripps National Spelling Bee three times and explored word origins and language patterns in her studies. Through her experiences growing up with the spelling community and attending a rural school, Sophia has found an interest in both standard and non-standard forms of English. She encourages exploration of the growing English language and continues to learn about the intersections between linguistics, geography, and policy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Riley Lenihan argues that we should aim for understanding instead of seeking absolute truth in arguments. She suggests using the scientific method as a conversation framework, emphasizing observation, hypothesis testing, and openness to new evidence. This approach fosters deeper connections and continuous learning, rather than defending fixed beliefs. Ultimately, she advocates for prioritizing empathy and curiosity over certainty in our interactions. Riley Lenihan graduated from the University of Rhode Island in Spring 2024 with degrees in Biological Sciences and Spanish. She has since applied to law schools, motivated by a desire to confront the social and systemic obstacles that hold our communities back. Drawing on her academic background in science, Riley’s perspective adopts the dynamic approach of the scientific method, where each question sparks deeper exploration instead of offering a single, conclusive “truth.” Her talk centers on fostering deeper connections with one another and encouraging curiosity over static notions of right and wrong, emphasizing that while many may seek definite and clear “truth”, the real reward lies in shared dialogue and the empathy cultivated along the way. By inviting audiences to challenge assumptions and embrace an ever-unfolding sense of truth, Riley hopes to empower them to continue these conversations beyond the TED stage, ultimately shaping deeper relationships- and a better world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When Ruth Agbaji was faced with impossible odds, she didn’t wait for the perfect solution — she started with what she had. In this talk, she shares how thinking like a coder helped her go from running for her life in Nigeria to building a tech career, launching a business, and empowering over 10,000 kids to code. Her mindset shift offers a powerful new way to approach problems — and create your own opportunities. Ruth Agbaji is the founder & CEO of Code Wiz, a dynamic children’s coding franchise that has sparked a love for technology in kids across the US. Born & raised in Nigeria, Ruth taught herself to code amidst challenging circumstances, driven by a determination to change her future. Her journey led her to the US, where she worked at Microsoft and discovered her passion for teaching & entrepreneurship. Through Code Wiz, Ruth has built a community where children explore STEM in a fun, engaging way, developing skills in coding, robotics, & problem-solving. Under her leadership, Code Wiz has grown to over 40 locations, making technology accessible to children from all backgrounds and inspiring the next generation of tech leaders. Recognized by publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur, Ruth’s innovative approach has transformed how kids learn to code. Her commitment to making tech education inclusive and exciting continues to drive Code Wiz’s success and impact on communities nationwide. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We’re taught that apathy is the absence of feeling but what if it’s actually a signal that we’re overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally shut down? This talk offers a powerful reframe of apathy, showing how it might be the first step toward emotional freedom and reclaiming our shared humanity. Lindsay is an award-winning entrepreneur, human behavior expert, transformation strategist for individuals and organizations, and host of the Journey to CEO® Podcast a cultural podcast, geared toward guiding leaders to wholeness and empowering them to become the CEOs of their own lives.Her client portfolio includes strategic consulting for Fortune 100 executives, as well as curating solutions for JP Morgan Chase, Google, Ingram Micro, HubSpot, and AT&T. Lindsay’s accolades include Ingram Micro Cloud’s Breakthrough Partner of the Year 2021 and CRN’s “Women of the Channel” title for three consecutive years.However, Lindsay’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Lindsay had a wakeup call, realizing she could no longer use her achievements to hide behind the mask of high-functioning depression, anxiety, and a deep-rooted sense of unworthiness. This awakening led to dedicating her life’s work to being a guiding light for individuals and organizations to become the change they want to see. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx