For too long, South Asian women have been told that excellence is the price of respect—that worth is measured by achievement, not by humanity. Meanwhile, our community has silently grappled with domestic violence, mental health crises, and deep-seated gender inequality. We've been taught to keep these struggles private, to maintain the facade of perfection. This “excellence tax” isn't just uncomfortable. It's dangerous. This speech challenges us to disrupt narratives that demand our compliance and calls for a radical shift through dialectical feminism—the choice to embrace contradiction, complexity, and change. By shifting the stories we tell about ourselves and redefining the knowledge we value, we can dismantle the systems that have held us captive and demand more from ourselves and our community. Adithi Kadle is a senior at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at UNT. She is passionate about intersectional feminism and believes that community-based organizing is the key to building more empathetic, justice-driven policy. Outside of school, Adithi is involved with several advocacy groups and enjoys volunteering with children. 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

The speaker highlights some mistakes that international students make, which ruin their chances of landing an interview or a job. He then went further to provide four strategies that help turn the tides positively. Secrets to landing a £30k+ UK job as an international student in less than 90 days 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

This TED talk explores a refined approach to decision-making by expanding beyond the traditional focus on immediate crossroads. Often, we only consider the direct outcomes of a decision, but this talk encourages analyzing the long-term implications, looking five or six steps ahead. By adopting the SWOT analysis model, we can evaluate decisions through the lenses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and time constraints, considering how each factor shapes future outcomes. The talk also introduces the concept of a decision web or tree, where multiple possibilities converge over time, rather than a singular choice. This method empowers individuals to assess their opportunities more thoroughly, offering a nuanced perspective on decision-making in a world of uncertainties. Nikhil Srinivas is a driven high school student and researcher passionate about ecology and sustainability as well as economics and finance. He holds the Congressional Gold Medal and has obtained an Eagle Scout distinction. He enjoys the field of biology and wishes to grow it furthers and inspire others wanting to work in it. 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

Amidst humanity’s greatest challenge to its continued existence, climate change, this speech will problematize the pedagogy of science and polemicize the ameliorative and teleological visions of scientific history to “dissect” STEM. In performing an archeology of the history of science, this talk will interrogate the STEM metanarrative and investigate rhizomatic and individualistic anthologies that chill the Western-centric domain of scientific inquiry. In doing so, this speech will move and educate students in STEM-centered fields, like TAMS’ very own, on the power that science has to both spark massive reform but also inhibit it for decades. Naren Ganesh conducts research in optics under Dr. Yuzhe Xiao at the University of North Texas, focusing on investigating thermal radiation in non-equilibrium porous media for applications in preventing hearing loss, and is a member of the UNT Debate Team, competing in NFA-LD debate. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and biking. 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

This talk describes for the generalist the current research, literature, and theories on the psychological concept of flow described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and how to practically apply the concept to maximize the efficiency of daily creative and cognitively demanding work. Starting with a flow description, including interesting perceived characteristics of flow experiences, flow measurement details, and statistics proving its efficiency, we'll briefly describe the relevant theories of explicit and implicit processing of the brain: transient hypofrontality hypothesis (THH) by Dietrich and synchronization theory of flow (STF) proposed by Weber and Tamborini. Using these models, we'll gain an intuition on how to trigger flow. Ultimately, for the bulk of my talk, I'll describe several methods (with simple instructions) for leveraging the ideas behind flow to apply to work, study, and leisure! Hunter Hoinkes is studying computer science to pursue a career in stochastic algorithms and modeling, specifically in artificial intelligence theory and quantitative finance. When he's not working out in the gym, you can find him listening to music on his Google Drive atop a nearby parking garage or reading across campus. 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 a world obsessed with likes, followers, and numbers, are we measuring life all wrong? Nag Ashwin, acclaimed filmmaker and director of Kalki, dives into the comparison culture—where we constantly measure ourselves against others, chasing success and happiness in external validation. But what if the key to fulfillment was within us all along?Through sharp insights and a fresh perspective, he challenges us to stop the endless comparisons and instead, live each day as if it were our last. Because when we do, what truly matters becomes clear. Nag Ashwin is a visionary filmmaker redefining Indian cinema with his bold storytelling. Known for his critically acclaimed Mahanati, which won three National Film Awards, Nag pushes boundaries with Kalki 2898 AD, India’s first sci-fi epic, blending mythology with a futuristic narrative. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to storytelling and ability to create compelling worlds. Nag’s films challenge conventions, inspire audiences, and showcase his passion for marrying art with imagination. 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