In healthcare, timing is everything—too often, life-changing diagnoses arrive too late. Dr. Harvey Castro, an ER physician and AI innovator, shares a deeply personal journey highlighting why early intervention is not only possible but necessary. Through heartfelt storytelling, he illustrates how emerging AI technologies like CRISPR and proactive health monitoring could rewrite the story of preventable diseases. SAFE-AI (Strategic Accountability, Fairness, Ethics, and Early intervention) presents a vision where healthcare moves from reactive to proactive, empowering patients, ensuring equitable treatment, and dramatically reshaping the future of medicine. Dr. Harvey Castro is an accomplished emergency room physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for proactive medicine. With 20 years of experience in the this field, he has dedicated his career to improving patient care by integrating technology and innovation into healthcare. As a physician, author, and speaker, Dr. Castro focuses on how artificial intelligence (AI) and edge technology can transform healthcare delivery. His mission is to empower individuals to take charge of their health through early intervention, personalized insights, and accessible tools.; Dr. Castro’s work has been featured in many publications, and he is recognized for his leadership in pioneering AI solutions in medicine. He combines his clinical expertise with an understanding of technology to advocate for a future where prevention is the standard. In his spare time, he enjoys mentoring medical professionals, writing, and sharing insights on the intersection of healthcare and technology. 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

Music can help you regulate emotions, reduce stress, and reconnect with joy—even in hard times. In this inspiring talk, Sadie Higgins shares how Harry Styles, playlists, and concerts helped her heal after her husband’s brain cancer diagnosis. Learn how to use music for emotional wellness, connection, and resilience—and be the conductor of your own life. Sadie Higgins is a writer, public speaker, and wellness advocate who helps others harness the transformative power of music to navigate life's challenges. As an entrepreneur Certified in Music and Wellness from Berklee College of Music, Sadie combines personal experience with research to inspire audiences to use music and sound as a tool for emotional regulation, healing, and connection. A mother of three, she is passionate about fostering connection and emotional growth through the magic of music and sound. Through he talks, courses, and writing, Sadie empowers caregivers, women, and anyone on a journey of self-discovery to process their emotions and reclaim their inner strength. When she’s not speaking or writing, she’s creating playlists for every mood, dancing, or working on her transformational memoir, Newly Released, which explores healing and finding your true voice in the midst of life’s noise. 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

This talk highlights how traditional, teacher-centric learning approaches leave youth unprepared for an unpredictable future and shows how entrepreneurship education can unlock critical skills like creativity, resilience, curiosity, critical thinking and empathetic leadership. Drawing from personal experience and global impact stories, Beth calls on school leaders, educators, parents, and students to embrace a culture of experimentation, growth, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. It’s a powerful invitation to rethink education and unlock the skills youth need to navigate an unknown future. Educator, author, researcher, and coach, Dr. Beth Goldstein sees learning as a path to transform minds and create agency. She holds a doctorate in entrepreneurial leadership in education from Johns Hopkins University, where she researched the role educators play in increasing their students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy, confidence, grit, growth mindset, and resilience. Beth is the Senior Academic Director for the Babson Academy Youth Impact Lab, a member of the entrepreneurship faculty, and a business coach for Babson’s Summer Venture Program. Beth currently teaches entrepreneurship at a women’s prison in Massachusetts and previously taught at Boston University, Brandeis University, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, and the Isenberg School at UMass, Amherst. Beth engages adults and youth learners across the globe, helping them see themselves as changemakers and entrepreneurial leaders, to empower them to design the world they want to live in. 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 this powerful and deeply personal TEDx talk, Ken Frownfelter—Marine Corps veteran, decorated law enforcement officer, SWAT operator, podcaster, speaker, and transformational coach—explores one of life’s most urgent questions: Are you living a life of value? From chasing childhood dreams of heroism to navigating the traumas of front-line policing and the silent battles of midlife crisis, Ken takes us on a raw, emotional, and inspiring journey. He shares harrowing stories—from saving lives to witnessing the tragic loss of a child—and his own breaking point that ultimately became the beginning of his transformation. Through his story, Ken challenges us to confront the fears, distractions, and excuses that keep us from fulfilling our purpose. He dares us to look back at the dreamers we once were—and to take action now to become the people we were always meant to be. Ken Frownfelter is a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and a man of many pursuits. With nearly 18 years of service as a law enforcement officer, Ken has honed discipline, resilience, and calm under pressure—qualities he now shares through teaching and coaching. A 4th Dan black belt in Saito-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Ken has spent years as a sensei,instilling these values in his students. His passion for wellness extends to personal training and hiscurrent journey as a certified life coach. As an ordained minister, Ken also finds fulfillment in offeringspiritual guidance. Ken is the host of What’s a Hero Podcast, where he celebrates stories of courage and heroism that inspire and uplift. A member of the Man of War Society, he lives by principles of honor, integrity, and leadership. Committed to leaving a legacy of purpose and strength, Ken strives to honor those who came before him while inspiring others to live with gratitude and resolve. 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

Anaïs explores psychological phenomena that prevent us from pursuing meaningful social connections with one another. She explores first impressions, biases and other social and psychological tendencies. She makes a case for being mindful of these tendencies and really trying to get to know people. Anaïs is a sophomore at Oak Knoll and will be giving her second talk about social tendencies and how they hinder honest human connections. She was drawn to participate in the TEDx program due to her love of exploring multi-faceted topics and questioning everyday scenarios. As well as serving as TEDx co-president, she enjoys singing in Oak Knoll’s Ensemble, writing for the history magazine and participating in most Oak Knoll Art’s performances. 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

Ellis discusses the research and current events that demonstrate a decline in empathy among young people. She also discusses how to become more empathetic and why it's important. Ellis is in 8th grade at Oak Knoll and a first year member of Tedx. She chose to give her TedTalk on empathy and social interactions because of her interest in current events and the world around her. Aside from Tedx Club, Ellis is also an avid speller and reader and placed in the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee this year. She loves public speaking and writing, and found Tedx Club a great way to refine her presentation skills and learn from her peers. 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