What 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

Julian 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

Portia 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

What 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

Entrepreneurs and "entrepreneurial thinkers" have the power to transform lives, communities, and the world. Yet, many people with great ideas never take the next step to bring them to fruition. In this talk, Chris Egelston shares critical steps that individuals and communities can follow to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, drawing from his own journey as a teenage entrepreneur. Chris Egelston became interested in magic at the age of six. In 1982, at the age of 15, he booked his first paid, professional show. Starting purely an entertainer at various events he moved to becoming a magician with a message for young audiences on topics such as reading and good character. He also became a corporate entertainer and eventually a keynote speaker on topics such as goal-getting, customer experience and sales. His performances and speaking gigs paid his way through college, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and MBA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. A southern Illinois native, Chris has spent most of his life in Carterville, Illinois where he still resides with his wife Robin. 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

Dean Cantu speaks on the role that death plays in all human lives, discovering what is at the end of all of our journeys. He looks at how death is portrayed and personified in art across history, through literature, television, film, and popular culture. Through this Dean explores how to come to a healthy understanding of death, and how to better value our life. Dean Cantu is Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Dr. Cantu received his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Ed.S. in community college education, M.A. in history, and B.S. in social science education from Arkansas State University; and A.S. in social science from Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. Dr. Cantu has over 30 years of experience in professional education from high school through the university level. He has also served as Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo; a History Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education at Ball State University; and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (Missouri) High School. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Dr. Cantu also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. 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