At a time when most people are thinking about retirement, one writer, bookkeeper, and mother of two found an unlikely new career: musical theater writer and lyricist. In this hilarious and moving talk, Kim Bixler shares her unexpected journey to a Master's of Theater Writing at NYU and seeing her work produced on an Off-Broadway stage. Kim Bixler is an author, playwright and public speaker. She published her latest book Growing Up in a Frank Lloyd Wright House and is featured in the PBS documentary Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years. In addition to her work based on the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Kim has written two non-fiction books, several musicals, numerous plays and monologues that are not about the architect. After graduating from Cornell University in 1991, Kim decided to defer her admission to business school for “one year.” In 2023, Kim graduated from NYU Tisch’s Musical Theatre Graduate Writing Program ending her 30-year-academic-gap year. 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

Musician and 2022 TEDxEustis speaker Nic Patterson leads a team of attendees in the first performance of a piece he wrote just for the conference. Utilizing instruments they just learned, the "TEDxEustis Orchestra" performs a musical number highlighting the theme of the conference, UNRAVEL. Nic Patterson majored in Piano Performance at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and University of Montevallo. A concert pianist, he represented Steinway & Sons for a time. He started the NicNac Design, a multimillion dollar marketing company at the age of thirteen. He is a devotional writer with The Upper Room and served as a United Methodist pastor in his twenties. After making bad choices, Nic was incarcerated for several years. During that time, he dealt with the loss of his adoptive parents, a divorce, and his four children being adopted; all within one year. To help cope, he developed a program which helped over 400 inmates learn music theory, play instruments, and compose. Nic recently founded The Storm Foundation. He serves as Director of Music at The Village Church in World Golf Village, St. Augustine, FL. Nic is a motivational speaker and teaches at-risk youth leadership and public speaking skills. He attends Harvard University. Nic is currently writing a book about his journey. 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

Mahima Bakshi shares her perspective on how leadership has evolved and is continuing to evolve in today’s world. She emphasizes that modern leadership is deeply rooted in youth empowerment. The need of the hour is for young leaders who not only take charge but also inspire and nurture others around them. She poses a thought-provoking question: What will leadership look like in 10 years? Will it be seasoned bureaucrats giving commands from their corner offices, or will it be algorithms influencing decisions in real-time? As the world shifts, Mahima highlights how leadership today is a blend of human values and technological advancement. She contrasts the past, where bureaucratic leaders were often detached and unapproachable, with the present, where technology has made leadership more connected and human-centered. She particularly points out how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transformation, especially for women. The rise of work-from-home culture gave women an unprecedented opportunity to take on leadership roles while managing personal responsibilities. She stresses that leadership is no longer about hierarchy, but about self-improvement, grooming, and preparing oneself for the real world. According to her, modern leadership is dynamic, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent. It’s about being adaptable, learning constantly, and balancing IQ with EQ. Mahima advises having a role model, someone whose footsteps you can follow, as it provides direction and inspiration. She further explains essential leadership traits, starting with the importance of feedback — true leaders welcome feedback and use it to improve. They are also present on social media, engaging actively with people. She explains the significance of reviews, rewards, and recognition, mentioning that dynamic leaders recognize talent at the right time to keep the organization thriving. Mahima also talks about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in leadership by enhancing efficiency, personalization, creativity, and data accuracy. Importantly, she celebrates how more and more women are entering the startup ecosystem, breaking barriers, and leading successfully. Finally, she touches on four key qualities every leader must have: collaboration to foster innovation, curiosity to keep learning, courage to do things differently, and communication, which must always be two-way. Through this, she beautifully redefines leadership as a blend of heart, mind, and technology. A pioneer in maternal and child wellness, Dr. Mahima Bakshi is an award-winning author, activist, and global advocate for women's empowerment. As India’s first Dancing for Birth-certified instructor and a Water Birth Coach, she founded Birthing Naturally Queen, the largest platform promoting maternal mental health. Her books, Birthing Naturally and Empowering You Beyond Birthing, have transformed perspectives on pregnancy and postpartum care. Honored by the Governor of Haryana and FOGSI, Dr. Bakshi is also a TEDx speaker, fashion model, and vocal advocate for breastfeeding in public. Her global accolades and unwavering passion continue to inspire and empower millions. 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

Did you know wave energy could meet 66% of the U.S.'s electricity needs and produce twice the world’s current energy? Despite this promising potential, prior attempts to scale offshore wave energy production have proved costly and impractical. By innovating with an onshore system using existing structures, a new approach to wave energy could offer a more affordable, reliable, and eco-friendly solution to the world's growing energy demand. This talk reveals how one person’s passion turned a childhood dream into a clean energy innovation. See how waves could power a sustainable future. Inna Braverman founded Eco Wave Power at the age of 24. Under her leadership, the company installed its first grid-connected wave energy array and secured a significant project pipeline of 404.7MW. In July 2021 Inna Braverman led Eco Wave Power’s IPO on Nasdaq Capital Market (Stock Symbol: WAVE). Inna is recognized by Wired Magazine as one of the “Females Changing the World”, by Fast Company as one of the world’s “Most Creative People in Business” and is the winner of the United Nations “Global Climate Action Award”. For Inna, clean electricity is a very personal journey, as she was born two weeks before the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster and suffered respiratory arrest due to the pollution in the region. Luckily, her mother, a nurse, came to her crib on time and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which saved her life. She got a second chance in life and decided to devote it to the development of a clean and safe method of electricity production. 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

Lamis Abdallah, the 2023 African Karate Champion. lamis shares her journey of perseverance, discipline, and mental resilience, from starting karate at the age of four to overcoming injuries, setbacks, and burnout. Despite facing numerous challenges, lamis stayed committed to her goals, proving that success is about persistence and mindset. Lamis highlights the importance of mental training, having a strong support system, and embracing failures as stepping stones to greater achievements. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, lamis's one key message is to never give up and keep moving forward. The career of 2023 African Karate Champion Lamis Abdullah is a testament to tenacity and willpower. She began practicing karate at the age of four and overcame many obstacles, including as a serious injury and competitive disappointments, to fulfill her aspirations. Because of her commitment to both mental and physical preparation, Lamis won gold at the African Championship and served as an inspiration to others. As she demonstrates that tenacity is the secret to success, she keeps pushing herself to reach new heights and aims for Olympic gold. Since the biggest obstacle is oneself, she wants to inspire people to push themselves. 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

Hazem Sami, the founder of the Zaghalil platform, and how he started his path in creating entertaining content for both children and adults . he emphasized the impact of social media on children and adolescents, specifically improper information that may have a detrimental impact on their behavior and mentality. Hazem shares his love of sketching since infancy and how he began by creating simple comic-style drawings. Over time, his labor grew into a larger endeavor. He describes the difficulties he had in the beginning but chose to begin with what was available rather than waiting for the ideal opportunity. As time passed, his content developed into the Zaghalil characters, designed to be simple and appealing to children. Hazem samy highlights the importance of producing clean, ethical information that adheres to cultural and moral standards. It also emphasizes that success is possible without sacrificing one's ideals. Furthermore, it emphasizes the platform's wide reach and good impact on children, emphasizing content providers' obligation to their young audience. hazem fundamental message is that success does not imply abstaining from one's values. While the beginnings may be obscure and persistence Hazem Samy received his degree from Menoufia University's Faculty of Engineering. With animation, he specializes in producing engaging and instructive content for audiences of all ages. He concentrates on making enjoyable and safe cartoons. In his discussion, he discusses the difficulties he encountered while in college, recounts his personal growth, and explains how he came to the realization that individuals should learn how to pursue their passions while also respecting their dignity and worth. 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