What is the connection between our brain and our body? The invisible border drawn between mental and physical health is deconstructed by graduate student Hannah Moore. She shares her personal and professional experiences navigating this unnecessary border to illustrate how this connection runs deeper than most people think. By taking an integrated view of healthcare, we can improve patient experiences and outcomes as well as our understanding of our own bodies and health. Hannah is a third-year doctoral student in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) at Marshall University and a supervised psychologist at Cabell Huntington Hospital Counseling Center. Her work focuses on providing comprehensive psychological services, including diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy, while emphasizing a holistic approach to mental and physical well-being. Through her studies and practice, Hannah is passionate about breaking down the barriers that separate mental and physical health, advocating for an integrated vision of wellness that treats the whole person. 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

Have you ever wished you could drop the baggage that keeps you from achieving your goals? In this inspirational talk, Glen Midkiff walks viewers through the strategies he used to overcome challenges and F.L.I.P. the script of his life. Whether it’s combating negative thoughts, overcoming past traumas, losing weight, or accomplishing things you never thought were possible, Glen’s methods can provide one strategy for improving your life. Glen Midkiff is a living example of how resilience, determination, and the courage to take control of your story can transform your life. As Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the Rahal Center for Strategic Engagement at Marshall University, Glen is passionate about creating opportunities for students—especially first-generation college students—to realize their limitless potential.Glen’s own journey was shaped by significant health challenges, but instead of allowing those obstacles to define him, he made a conscious decision to rewrite his story. Through sheer determination and the strength to rise above adversity, Glen proved that our circumstances don’t define us; our choices do.A four-time graduate of Marshall University, Glen holds a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees in adult and technical education and human resource management, and an Education Specialist degree. 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

Entrepreneurship is a journey that demands passion, resilience, creativity, and a relentless drive to succeed. However, in the pursuit of building businesses and achieving success, many entrepreneurs overlook a critical component of sustainable growth a healthy life. As a visionary leader, soaring beyond boundaries! Ambition and a commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind the remarkable leadership of Siddhant Digvijay Jaitha. Born and raised in Mumbai, Siddhant obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Abroad and returned to his hometown - Kolkata in order to hone his entrepreneurial skills. His passion for flying and paper planes began when he was a child. As the Director of Atherton and the fourth generation of leaders, Siddhant has enabled the company to become India 's leading importer of aircraft and spare parts, bringing his childhood aspirations to fruition. 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

What do The Iliad and The Lord of the Rings have in common? According to Jonathon Stanley, these stories, written hundreds of years and miles apart, share a unique commonality that may reveal one of the fundamental desires of humanity that transcends beyond both culture and time. Diving into these works and drawing one of their major parallels to paint a picture of the human desire to transcend death and exist beyond one’s own mortality, Stanley explains how culture may be the ultimate endeavor to transcend death. Understanding this can bridge cultural divides and barriers. A lawyer by trade (and a student by nature), Jonathon C. Stanley, Esq. has dedicated his life to finding the true, good, and beautiful in the stories of literature and history. Mr. Stanley graduated from Brigham Young University with degrees in History, Russian, and Anthropology, before graduating cum laude from Washington & Lee University School of Law. During these studies, he was awakened to the profound nature of myth--particularly, how myths which seem to divide cultures can actually unify them. He has since found his passion in immersing himself in literature and art from around the world. Mr. Stanley is a member of the law firm of Robinson & McElwee PLLC. He is a resident of Cabell County, West Virginia, where he lives with his wife and four children. He is an active member of his community, including his religious congregation. Prior to living in West Virginia, Mr. Stanley lived in Virginia, Texas, Minnesota, and Utah, as well as two years in Western Siberia. 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 his TEDxPasha Street talk, wildlife ecologist and National Geographic Explorer Zakher Bouragaoui delves into the innovative field of bioacoustics. He illustrates how monitoring natural sounds can unveil hidden aspects of species behavior and ecosystem health. Drawing from his extensive research—from studying lizards in North Africa to employing machine learning for biodiversity assessments in California's Sierra Nevada—Zakher demonstrates the power of sound as a non-invasive tool for conservation. Zakher Bouragaoui, an ecologist whose research began with reptile biology in North Africa and Tunisia, focusing on lizard species. He co-founded the Tunisian Association for Wildlife, a grassroots initiative led by young conservationists. His research later expanded into bioacoustics and ecoacoustics at the Sound Forest Lab (University of Wisconsin-Madison), where he used machine learning and acoustic indices to monitor biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada, California. As a National Geographic Explorer, he developed environmental education initiatives before taking his current role as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at WWF North Africa, where he tracks conservation impact. 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

Have you ever been in a museum and wanted to go behind the glass to touch, manipulate, or take a closer look at something that fascinates you? Through virtual reality, this possibility has been brought to life. Dene Grigar’s talk showcases this revolutionary technology and how its application may change how we learn about and interact with the objects that make up our history. Dene Grigar, Ph.D., is a professor and the director of creative media and digital culture in the Department of Digital Technology and Culture at Washington State University. Her current projects include exploring the future of reading and writing in Extended Reality spaces and building “The NEXT” an open-access, virtual museum-library to house digital art. 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