In his TEDx talk, Noah Kouhoupt highlights naive optimism as a powerful driver of innovation. Through stories of Walt Disney, the Wright Brothers, and others, he shows how those labeled as unrealistic or foolish often go on to reshape the world. These dreamers succeed because they act without fear, stay curious, and imagine possibilities others overlook. His message: don’t let “realism” dim your vision—protect your flame of hope, because the people crazy enough to believe they can change the world are usually the ones who do. Blending engineering precision with creative vision, Noah Kouhoupt leads Atlantic Media Company with a focus on strategic growth and measurable impact. His cross-disciplinary expertise transforms complex challenges into thoughtful, effective solutions that drive real results. 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 a world overwhelmed by burnout, pressure, and disconnection, Rachel Supalla reveals the game-changing truth: play is the antidote. It’s not childish—it’s human, and science backs it up.In this TEDx talk, Rachel takes us on a journey from skepticism to transformation, showing how leading with play—creativity, empathy, and joy—unlocks connection, collaboration, and innovation. Through her real-world experience, including a transformative moment in Utah, she demonstrates how workplaces that embrace play outperform those that don’t. The best part? You don’t need a research paper to see the magic—just ask the teams who thrived through play. When you lead with permission instead of pressure, the result isn’t just compliance; it’s transformation.Rachel’s story proves that leadership isn’t about control; it’s about connection. Get ready to rethink leadership and discover how embracing play can create a culture of joy, freedom, and creativity. Because the power to lead comes from the permission to play.Are you ready to unlock your leadership magic? Rachel Supalla, M.Ed. is known for disrupting traditional leadership with her signature Playful Leadership framework. As the founder and CEO of Discovery Kidzone Montessori, she scaled a home-based childcare program into a multimillion-dollar, multi-state company with 10 thriving schools.Now, as the author of The Playful Leader’s Toolkit: Creating a Legacy of Joy and Magic in Ruby Slippers, Rachel empowers leaders to build team-led cultures rooted in empathy, creativity, and sustainable impact. Her M.A.G.I.C. framework—Mindset, Assessment, Grounding, Influence, and Clarity—replaces burnout and bottlenecks with boldness and brilliance.A former underestimated student with ADHD and dyslexia, Rachel knows firsthand the power of rewriting your own leadership story. Through her work, she invites every leader to stop playing small and start leading with joy—because permission to play is power to lead. 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 if the very thing we run from—failure—is the key to unlocking our greatest breakthroughs? In this compelling TEDx talk, Lori Rogers, also known as Chef Lorious, shares how personal and relational failures became the unexpected catalyst for transformation in her life.With vulnerability, humor, and deep insight, Lori walks us through her journey—failed relationships, missed opportunities, and the painful patterns that forced her to stop, reflect, and rewrite her life’s narrative. Rather than breaking her, failure gave her vision. It gave her language. It gave her the courage to build something real—from the inside out.Lori’s powerful story challenges the notion that failure is something to avoid. Instead, she reframes it as a teacher, a mirror, and a sacred invitation to discover who we truly are.As a culinary entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of the women’s ministry Imperfect Good Girls, Lori blends her passion for food, faith, and storytelling to inspire women to embrace grace over perfection. She is the creator of Jam Vino, a line of gourmet wine-infused jams, and the author of Calibama Cooking: Classic & Contemporary Comfort Food, celebrating her Southern roots and California upbringing.Lori has appeared on national television including Good Morning America, The View and Good Morning Texas, and continues to encourage women to laugh a little, slay a lot, and live with purpose. Lori “Chef Lorious” Rogers is a celebrity chef, cookbook author, and influencer known for her signature "Calibama Cooking," blending California and Alabama flavors. With her warm, down-to-earth style, Chef Lorious has captivated home cooks and professionals alike through her recipes and cooking shows. She is also the creator of Jam Vino, the first wine-infused jam, inspired by her Southern roots and California’s wine country that won a coveted spot in Walmart stores. A sought-after TV personality, Chef Lori has appeared on Good Morning Texas, Good Day DC, Good Day Philadelphia, and GMA among others. Chef Lori Rogers is an accountant by training and an astute businesswoman who loves to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and let go of the past in order to realize their full potential. 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 TEDx talk, fashion is unveiled as a universal language that transcends stereotypes, connecting people and industries in ways we often overlook. Through SEAMS—science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and sustainability—fashion is shown to be more than aesthetics; it's deeply woven into the fabric of our everyday lives and diverse professional disciplines. Dr. Ashlee Rzyczycki is a pioneering educator and fashion industry expert dedicated to transforming fashion education through sustainability, ethics, and innovation. With over a decade in the fashion sector and academic roles at institutions like Mercyhurst University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, and Kentucky Wesleyan College, she brings a wealth of experience to her current position at St. Thomas University. As the founding Program Director, she launched Florida's only SACSCOC-accredited Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design. Dr. Rzyczycki's research delves into sustainable fashion, cultural narratives, and the intersection of faith and fashion. She is a sought-after speaker, having delivered talks at conferences and events, where she challenged prevailing narratives in the fashion industry . 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 talk, Sujith inspires audiences with the message that no goal is too difficult when pursued with determination and a commitment to lead by example. Sujith is an Indian-born, Dubai-raised banker, motivational speaker, personal trainer, and rapper. A Guinness World Record holder for the largest GPS drawing (2023), Sujith's journey is one of extraordinary resilience. After a life-altering accident left him paralyzed from the chest down at age 20, he overcame immense physical and emotional challenges—including undergoing 18 surgeries and pulling a 1,200 kg car in a wheelchair. Today, he is the UAE’s first wheelchair-bound Level 3 Personal Trainer, a four-time TEDx speaker, and a leading voice for inclusion and empowerment. Beyond his personal achievements, Sujith has become a symbol of hope and strength for people across the world. 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

FR/ Lorsque nous rencontrons des défis, nous avons tendance à nous tourner vers notre entourage pour obtenir du soutien. Le soutien social joue en effet un rôle de premier plan dans notre capacité à nous relever dans les moments difficiles, notamment dans le rétablissement d’une maladie. La contribution des proches est non négligeable dans la résilience chez les survivants à long terme de cancer pédiatrique. Toutefois, qu’est-ce qu’un soutien optimal chez cette population? Camille Bourdeau, candidate au doctorat en psychologie à l’Université de Montréal, a tenté de répondre à cette question dans sa thèse. Ses recherches portent sur les facteurs de résilience chez les survivants à long terme de leucémie pédiatrique, notamment la régulation émotionnelle, le soutien social et l’intégration de l’expérience de cancer à l’identité.EN/ When we face challenges, we tend to turn to those around us for support. Indeed, social support plays a key role in our ability to bounce back from difficult times, particularly in recovery from illness. The contribution of loved ones to resilience in long-term survivors of pediatric cancer is not negligible. But what constitutes optimal support in this population? Camille Bourdeau, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the Université de Montréal, has attempted to answer this question in her thesis. Her research focuses on resilience factors in long-term survivors of pediatric leukemia, including emotional regulation, social support, and the integration of the cancer experience into identity. Étudiante au doctorat (PhD) en recherche et intervention en psychologie clinique à l'Université de Montréal depuis septembre 2019, elle consacre ses recherches à l'étude des facteurs associés à la résilience chez les survivants à long terme de leucémie pédiatrique. Parallèlement à ses activités de recherche, sa pratique clinique est axée sur l'accompagnement des enfants, des adolescents et de leurs familles. 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