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
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- 14:23Lessons from a late in life autism discovery | Patrick Casale | TEDxManitouSpringsWe are seeing more people who are discovering that they're Autistic later into adulthood. This is not because of an epidemic, but because we as a society have more access to education, information, resources, and research. Patrick Casale dismantles ableist misconceptions and helps to validate and affirm an existence that is so often misunderstood. Patrick Casale is an AuDHD mental health therapist, Neurodivergent business coach, and Keynote Speaker who leads retreats, summits, and coaching programs, helping entrepreneurs work through impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and paralyzing perfectionism, while embracing their authenticity. He has coined the phrase, Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway™.He is the founder of All Things Private Practice LLC, and the host of the “All Things Private Practice Podcast, and the Divergent Conversations Podcast.” Patrick also owns a group psychotherapy practice in Asheville, NC. 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
- 13:35Redefining Strength | Todd Duermyer | TEDxSIUCWhat does strength really look like in fatherhood? In this compassionate talk, Todd Duermyer opens a conversation about paternal mental health, often overlooked yet crucial to family wellbeing. Drawing on research and personal experience, Todd speaks to the silent struggles many dads face, including anxiety and postpartum depression. He calls for a cultural shift that uplifts fathers, supports open dialogue, and redefines strength as vulnerability and presence. Todd has been happily married to his wife Kristena for over 22 years, and they adopted their 2 kids (Chris and Kynleigh) through the foster care system. He joined SIU in 2019 after 13 years in the television broadcast industry. As a Cinematographer/Creative Video Producer for SIU’s University Communications & Marketing, he creates videos showcasing SIU on various platforms, leads a team of students and Graduate Assistants in video production, and is also one of the licensed drone pilots for the campus. Since 2022, Todd has served on the Civil Service Council, contributing to scholarships, fundraising, and honorary degree recommendations. 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
- 14:15Change and the Struggles of Adjustment | Julian Howard II | TEDxSIUCJulian Howard II speaks at TEDx SIUC about how change is a driving factor in life, and how one adapts to it determines how one learns to grow. Julian’s talk covers how change in his life has helped him to grow into the man he is today, with stories of his time in the military and in his family, he shows how adversity is merely the fire in which we are formed. Julian Howard II, a U.S. Army Disabled Combat Veteran with over 14 years of service to our nation and CEO of Howard’s Inland Logistics LLC. He has expertise in communications, transportation, healthcare, and technology, excelling in leadership roles in both military and civilian sectors. Julian has managed multi-million-dollar contracts, led teams, and instructed personnel. He is also a 9-year employee of the State of Illinois and proudly serves as a Cairo School District Board member. Deeply rooted in his community, Julian is a devoted entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves where he’s a communications instructor. 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
- 8:48Beyond Bars: Advocating for The Forgotten Families of Incarceration | Portia Taylor | TEDxSIUCPortia Taylor speaks on the TEDx SIUC stage about how communities need to support each other through all endeavors. In this talk, Portia shares her personal journey as the daughter of an incarcerated father and draws from her research on the ripple effects of parental incarceration on communities. Inspired by the book What We Owe Each Other, she highlights how individual struggles impact society as a whole, creating “love and hope deserts” when we fail to support one another. Portia challenges the audience to restore the village mentality of collective care and responsibility, showing how rebuilding these connections can heal communities and foster resilience. Born in Chicago, IL, and living between Bolingbrook, Carbondale, and Chicago for most of my life, Portia was raised in an environment steeped in service, making her pursuit of social justice a natural path. From a young age, Portia aspired to attend law school and practice law, a passion sparked by her father's incarceration when she was just six years old. However, as she grew older, she realized her true calling lay in advocating for families affected by a loved one's incarceration, much like her own. 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
- 16:01How to Self-Advocate | Elizabeth Strusz | TEDxSIUCWhat does it mean to speak up for yourself in a world that often tells you not to? In this heartfelt talk, Elizabeth Strusz explores how self-advocacy can lead to healing, purpose, and personal peace, even when it feels uncomfortable or selfish. Drawing from her own life as an entrepreneur, author, hairstylist, and mental health advocate, Elizabeth shares how claiming your voice is a radical act of self-love and liberation. Her journey is a testament to helping others embrace their full potential and live authentically. Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for helping others find their voice and embrace their true potential. As a mission driven entrepreneur, hairstylist, and author, they've spent years guiding people through personal and professional challenges, sharing their own journey of self-advocacy along the way. From founding a coffee shop and tattoo studio to writing books on building a business and mental health, Elizabeth believes in creating space for people to overcome obstacles and live authentically. Their approach is rooted in compassion, honesty, and a deep belief that everyone deserves to be heard and understood. 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
- 14:19Planet X, Planet 9: mondi nell'oscurità | Luca Nardi | TEDxToranoNuovoCi può essere un pianeta oltre Nettuno? I pianeti transnettuniani, mondi situati nella gelida oscurità ai confini del sistema, assillano la ricerca planetaria da oltre un secolo. Tra gli esempi più noti ci sono Planet X, proposto a inizio ‘900 per spiegare un’anomalia nell’orbita di Urano, e Planet Nine, una misteriosa super-Terra che dopo anni di ricerche continua a nascondersi nel buio del cielo.Astrofisico, dottore in scienze planetarie e divulgatore scientifico.È noto su tutti i social network, ma in particolare sul suo canale YouTube. Collabora con il Planetario di Roma e con varie testate, tra cui Wired Italia.Ha pubblicato “Un mese a testa in giù” (Geo4Map, 2021), “Giganti Ghiacciati” (Dedalo, 2023), e “Pianeti Mancanti” (Dedalo, 2025).Con “Giganti Ghiacciati” ha vinto il Premio Nazionale di Divulgazione Scientifica. 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
