How much brain do we need for spirituality? | Mohammad Amin Saraei | TEDxUConn
For too long, we've treated spirituality as something generated inside the brain—like a computer processing inputs. But what if spirituality is more like a radio, tuning into signals from our bodies, environments, and shared rituals? My research challenges the brain-centric model by showing how practices like Salat synchronize bodies and emotions, creating a communal rhythm of connection. Using wearable technology, we can study spirituality as an embodied experience, not just neural activity. This shift opens up new ways to explore spirituality—not as isolated thought, but as something we live, move, and feel together. Mohammadamin Saraei is a PhD candidate in ecological psychology at the University of Connecticut, where he works in the Experimental Anthropology Lab, specializing in the cognitive science of religion. His research explores how sacred and secular beliefs and practices shape individual and societal well-being by affecting our minds, bodies, and brains. With a background in clinical psychology, Mohammadamin is particularly interested in understanding how religion and spirituality can support mental and physical health. Using new technologies, he examines spiritual practices and rituals in an embodied, embedded way, aiming to diversify the study of spirituality and make its benefits more accessible to people. 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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- 15:19The truth about pregnancy loss and abortion | Elisabeth Kraus | TEDxSpokaneNOTE: This talk discusses pregnancy loss by miscarriage and abortion and contains some graphic details.When it comes to pregnancy loss and abortion, our society often speaks out or remains silent, trapping countless individuals in cycles of isolation and shame. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, this talk explores how different communities and individuals navigate conversations about pregnancy endings – whether by choice or circumstance – and challenges us to move beyond judgment to a place of deep understanding and support. By sharing authentic stories and examining our own biases, we can shatter the stigma that keeps so many silent, empowering others to add their voices to this vital conversation and build a more compassionate community where every person's reproductive journey is met with empathy rather than judgment.After growing up in a small-town faith community, Elisabeth went on to earn both her undergraduate and graduated degrees from Northwest University with the hope of continuing on much further in her studies. But as it does for all of us, the journey of motherhood became the most formative of her life as she navigated 2 high risk pregnancies resulting in unexpected 2nd trimester terminations. She has spent the last 16 years teaching at the university level and writing about the ways that faith collides with questions of reproductive justice, gender, and parenting.Most recently, Elisabeth has been teaching at Whitworth University and working as a Parent Coach for parents whose children are various navigating medical complexities. In her spare time, she enjoys life with her girls.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
- 15:21Could This Virus Replace Antibiotics? | Yuliia Lohvynenko | TEDxBrayford PoolWhat if the future of medicine lies in a virus designed to heal, not harm? In this gripping talk, Ukrainian scientist, Yulia, shares how bacteriophages - viruses that target and destroy harmful bacteria - could help solve antibiotic resistance. From working through missile attacks to driving innovation in a war zone, she shows how resilience and science can shape a healthier future.Yuliia Lohvynenko is a senior regulatory affairs specialist at a biotechnology company based in Lincoln, UK. She focuses on developing dossiers for bacteriophage-based technologies as novel antimicrobials to improve the welfare of both humans and animals and on researching development strategies. With a background in biotechnology, ecobiotechnology, genetic engineering, plant-based technology, pharmaceutical production, and veterinary product manufacturing, Yuliia has been working in international regulatory affairs since 2018. Her expertise spans multiple disciplines, ensuring the safe and effective implementation of cutting-edge biotechnological innovations. Yuliia’s work promotes environmentally sustainable and targeted therapies that enhance the health and well-being of both animals and humans. 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
- 5:46We Were Told to Dream — Then Left Behind | Gabby Wright | TEDxBrayford PoolWhat if anger wasn’t something to fear, but something to fuel us? In this passionate talk, Gabby shares how her righteous anger at systemic failure has become a call to action for intergenerational justice. Drawing from her own experience and the voices of the young people she supports, she exposes how society has pulled up the ladder—and challenges us to rebuild it, rung by rung, by listening to youth, empowering their voices, and making long-term decisions for a shared future.Gabby Wright is the Project Coordinator at The Network Lincoln, a charity supporting young people as they transition through early adulthood. Trained in counselling as well as information, advice and guidance, she’s been working with The Network since 2018 where she refocused the delivery to include person-centred careers advice, support and mentoring. The Network supports on average 200 young people minimum a year. In this work we have spotted common themes around systemic and intergenerational inequalities and injustices that fill Gabby with a quietly burning rage. In partnership with LocalMotion she is working to co-produce with the young people of Lincoln a research and systems change movement called Raising Young Voices, to level the playing field for young people who have been left disproportionately impacted by previous policy and funding decisions and ultimately create a new, equitable, intergenerational social contract for our younger generations. 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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- 12:56Has physics lost its way? | Joseph Davidson | TEDxBrayford PoolIn this provocative talk, Joseph argues that modern physics has become trapped in literalism and scientism, mistaking models for reality. Drawing on philosophy and metaphysics, he calls for a return to intuitive, meaningful understanding - and proposes a new role for the philosopher-physicist to help science rediscover its deeper purpose.Joseph Davidson is a Master’s student in Physics with Philosophy from the University of Lincoln. His area of expertise is metaphysics, with an emphasis on how physics and philosophy interact and how we may build a bridge between them that would be advantageous to both. In his bachelor’s dissertation, he attempted to answer questions on how various entities in 21st-century physics are understood in the context of classical frameworks of metaphysics like Descartes’ Substance Theory. Through this attempt, he found that philosophy has a vast and latent potential to disambiguate physics, particularly when it comes to its famously most abstract and unintuitive concepts, like wave-particle duality and quantum entanglement. In his bridging of physics and philosophy, he has twin aims: to shine a light on the utility of metaphysics and to improve the explanatory power of physics. 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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