The number one question Montana von Fliss is asked is how to be more confident. Over her 16 years of coaching speakers all over the globe and 30 years as a professional actor, Montana has developed a reliable and repeatable 2-part strategy to step up in front of any audience and appear confident—even if you’re not.Montana von Fliss is an executive speech and presentation coach, actor, speaker, facilitator, and founder and CEO of Montana & Co., a full service communication coaching company. Montana and her team of trainers transform presenters into passionate, powerful, and confident speakers. For the past 16 years, Montana has been coaching regularly for companies like Microsoft, GitHub, Amazon, Google—as well as a myriad of start-ups and individuals—on a broad range of communication issues, including content strategy, storytelling, and of course, excellent delivery.Her 30+ years as a professional actor gives her unique insight into how to disrupt the tradition of boring presentations and bring energy, fun, and joy into the room. Her passion is helping people own the stage and find ease, confidence, and a new tool set to tackle the daunting task of public speaking. 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

Social media is not social anymore. The original goal of many social media was to connect people, but that the tools have morphed into something different. Currently, there is more content than there are connections on these apps. Instead of connecting with a friend from years ago, many of these apps are tools for doom scrolling. Humans naturally need to join with other people and live in communities. This talk explores ways we can make social media useful once again. Daniel is a recent graduate from Christopher Newport University with a degree in computer science with minors in business administration and leadership studies. Technology has been a huge part of his life since he was a kid rebuilding computers and learning to code at the age of 12. He hopes to use his education to create something beneficial for the 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

Michael explores how a cultural immersion in Egypt helped him understand how to be a more authentic version of himself. Michael Messeh is a current student at Christopher Newport University studying finance, and he hails from Annandale, Virginia 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

In this powerful talk, Dima Abu-Aridah, an architect, urban planner, and researcher, shares her personal journey and deep insights into the refugee experience, focusing on life in Zaatari Camp in Jordan. Drawing from her Palestinian heritage and her extensive research, Dima highlights the challenges refugees face, including restrictions on movement, limited resources, and the emotional toll of displacement. She emphasizes the resilience of refugees, showcasing how they creatively adapt their living spaces to reflect cultural and social needs. Through her work on "spatial (re)production," Dima advocates for designing refugee settlements that empower displaced people, fostering autonomy and dignity. This talk calls for a shift in how we view and design refugee camps, aiming for solutions that honor the humanity and agency of those affected by displacement. Dima Abu-Aridah is a Jordanian architect and a doctoral candidate at Penn State's Stuckeman School of Architecture. Recognized for her research on the design and spatial dynamics of refugee camps, Dima's work focuses on how displaced individuals reshape their environments to foster a sense of community and belonging. Her PhD dissertation, "Who Designs the Camp? The Spatial Reproduction of Refugee Camps," explores the interplay between spatial planning of camp spaces and the human ingenuity of refugees in adapting these spaces. Dima has been honored with Penn State’s Graduate School’s Alumni Association Dissertation Award in 2023 and the Graduate Student International Research Award in 2024 for her innovative contributions to understanding the intersection of design and displacement. 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

Art can be intimidating and overwhelming to try to understand. Art is subjective and that's part of its magic! You don't have to be smart of have fun looking at art - you just need to be open and curious. Chelsea Hogan is an educator, comedian, and passionate advocate for joyful, accessible engagement with art. With nearly 20 years of experience at celebrated institutions like the J. Paul Getty Museum, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and The Smithsonian, Chelsea has pioneered innovative ways to use comedy and play to bring art to life for all audiences in the "hallowed halls" of museums. In her TEDx talk, "You Don’t Have to Be Smart to Have Fun Looking at Art," Chelsea dispels the myth that art appreciation demands expertise, encouraging everyone to explore art with curiosity, openness, and fun. 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

Savannah shares her story of going from "From People Pleasing to Peace Protecting ." She helps the listener understand the power of setting healthy boundaries and how the word "no" can be viewed as a positive thing. She shares her perspective to ensure you can maximize your impact without facing burnout. Savannah Dunn is a senior at Christopher Newport University majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Digital Humanities Journalism. 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