From Loss to Strength—A Journey of Healing | Sai Singh | TEDxGoodShepherdIntlSchool
Sai opens up about the profound grief he felt after losing his beloved father. In the wake of this loss, it wasn’t just family who held him up—it was the quiet, steady presence of friends at school that helped him begin to heal. He shares that in moments like these, family alone isn't always enough. Sometimes, it takes a whole village of support to carry someone through.Grief, he says, doesn’t just break you—it reshapes you. It teaches you how fragile life is, and how important it is to treasure every fleeting thought, every shared laugh, every small, beautiful moment. Through this pain, Sai has grown stronger, more resilient, and more present. His story is one of heartbreak, but also of hope. Sai is a passionate advocate for personal growth through grief, drawing from their own transformative experiences. When not inspiring others on stage, he can be found playing football, experimenting in the kitchen, or strumming his bass guitar, blending creativity and resilience into every aspect of life. With a commitment to help others strive through their ups and downs, he believes that grief is something that should be embraced and not looked down upon. 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
More from TED
- 17:383 ways to address systemic racism in healthcare | Yasmine Elmi | TEDxMcGillWhat happens when a lifelong dream collides with harsh truths? In this powerful talk, Yasmine shares her journey from aspiring doctor to healthcare equity advocate. Through stories of systemic racism in medicine, she reveals the hidden harms within the healthcare system. Drawing on her research and community work, Yasmine calls for a more compassionate, anti-racist future in medicine—where each ripple of action helps shape a system that truly serves everyone. Yasmine Elmi is an MD-PhD student at McGill University dedicated to pursuing a dual career as a clinician and researcher. Her work focuses on addressing health inequities, particularly in maternal and child health and racial health disparities. Her research has been featured in leading academic journals such as The Lancet and highlighted by major media outlets including CBC, CTV, and Radio-Canada. Passionate about creating lasting ripples in healthcare and education, Yasmine is an advocate for mentorship and diversity in STEMM. She actively contributes to the National Youth Mentorship Advisory Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Federation of Black Canadians, and Let’s Talk Science’s Black Volunteer Collective. Her efforts to foster equity and inclusion have earned her prestigious accolades like the McCall MacBain Scholarship, the 21 Under 21 Awards, and recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch. 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
- 17:01A Mother's Dream, Morris College, and a Desire To Help Others | Henry Darby | TEDxLady Street EDWhat happens when a mother’s dream becomes the compass for her child’s future? In this inspiring TED Talk, Mr. Henry Darby shares a deeply personal journey rooted in love, legacy, and purpose. From the nurturing values instilled at home to transformative experiences at Morris College, Mr. Darby reflects on how education and community shaped a life committed to service. This talk is a tribute to the power of dreams passed down through generations—and how they blossom into a lifelong desire to uplift others. Mr. Henry Darby, principal at North Charleston High School, is the epitome of selfless dedication to his community. In 2020, after realizing many of the students in his school were struggling financially, with some sleeping under bridges or in their cars, he decided to do something about it. Mr. Darby applied to get a part-time job at Walmart, working from 10 pm to 7 am three days a week, just so he could donate his pay to his students. His actions have led to the community donating almost $100,000 to the school, and Walmart has donated an additional $50,000. Mr. Darby says "I was taught if your hands find something to do, do it. So I came to myself and said, 'Perhaps I need another job in terms of part-time.’” Mr. Darby holds a Bachelor’s and two Master’s Degrees and has served in education for over 40 years, but it is his humility and genuine love for the children he serves that make him an excellent leader. In addition to his other accolades, he is the author of numerous books. 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
- 8:40Effective Leadership is TBD | Arin Patterson | TEDxUNCCharlotteLeadership lessons can be learned in the most unexpected places, like a gridlocked traffic jam following a college graduation– as Arin Patterson knows firsthand. Arin discusses three theories that are fundamental to understanding effective leadership: transformational leadership, behavioral leadership, and destructive leadership. By understanding these theories, we can understand that organizational success is TBD. Arin Patterson is an innovative community developer and culture architect with over a decade of experience in leadership roles at high-impact nonprofits, working with youth, young adults, families, and communities. As a visionary leader and effective communicator, she is passionate about helping others maximize their strengths and achieve their highest potential. She brings an enthusiastic energy to her work, offering authentic encouragement and an optimistic outlook on life.Arin focuses on servant leadership, practical training, and consistent inspiration, always aiming to develop better individuals, leaders, and teams. Building bridges between people and organizations is vital to her, and she enjoys helping others find meaning in their work by connecting it to a larger purpose. 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
- 10:52Can we use geological examples to understand the climate crisis? | Charlotte Spruzen | TEDxMcGillCan the Earth’s past help us make sense of today’s climate crisis? This talk examines how geological records such as ancient ripples and mass extinctions can inform our understanding of modern climate change. While natural laws remain constant, the current rate and scale of human-driven warming are unprecedented. By contrasting scientific insights with climate denial narratives, the talk highlights the importance of context, evidence, and urgency in using the past to shape a livable and sustainable future. Charlotte is a PhD candidate at McGill University. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, and stayed for a master’s degree specializing in the oceanic sulfur cycle. Now, she researches sedimentary rock predating the dawn of animal life, aiming to improve our understanding of how microbially-constructed reefs altered ancient climate. She is passionate about teaching others about geology, because an understanding of Earth history and deep time directly lends itself to an appreciation for the natural world. As a result, she does science outreach on social media under the username @charbonate, through which she creates informative videos about the Earth's past, and advocates for the importance of geoscience education. 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
- 11:45Designing better urban landscapes for the future of cities | Michael Zegarelli | TEDxMcGillWhat happens when cities are shaped not just by planners but by the people who live in them? This talk explores how urban spaces evolve beyond their original designs through everyday acts of creativity and community. Mount Royal Park’s transformation to the Superblocks of Barcelona highlights the power of adaptive design—an approach that balances structure with spontaneity, inviting cities to grow in resilient, inclusive, and unexpectedly beautiful ways. Michael is an educational keynote speaker who inspires audiences with his insights on mindset, productivity and leadership. Drawing on his experience leading teams and managing complex projects, he focuses on creating frameworks for process optimization. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, Michael has over 15 years of experience in infrastructure advisory and project management, contributing to transformative projects that have shaped cityscapes across Canada. As Vice President, Quebec at Colliers Project Leaders, he continues to explore his passion for building modern cities and is an advocate of forward-thinking approaches to urban development. Michael is currently dedicated to exploring innovative strategies to build and sustain high-performance teams, focusing on collaboration, adaptability, and shared purpose. His commitment to personal growth mirrors his professional ethos, making him a compelling voice for innovation, resilience, and the future of city planning. 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
- 9:03How children help us remember what’s true | Erin Thorkilsen | TEDxURIEric Thorkilsen discusses children's unique ability to speak the truth in ways that adults often don't, revealing factual honesty and deeper emotional truths. Children's unfiltered observations remind us of our core selves, often buried under responsibilities and self-doubt. By listening to children, we can reconnect with our inner truths and learn to be better versions of ourselves. They teach us about honesty, joy, and living in the present moment, showing us what truly matters. Erin Thorkilsen is a passionate educator, innovator, and advocate for children. She is the founder of Heart in Education—a program for teachers that brings a fresh, heart-centered approach to professional development. An adjunct professor of education at the University of Rhode Island, Erin is a recognized leader in the fields of well-being and mindfulness, a podcast guest, conference presenter, parent educator, and consultant.With over 20 years as an award-winning elementary classroom teacher, Erin deeply understands the challenges and joys of teaching. She has taught preK, kindergarten, fourth grade, mentored and supervised undergraduate and graduate student teachers, and served in an administrative role as the Director of Associate Teachers. Balancing her professional work with the adventure of raising twin young daughters, Erin lives in Wakefield, RI with her husband, the two girls, and dog, Ruby. 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