Fail and Sail: Owning Your Mistakes | David Eisenthal | TEDxAmerican School of Marrakesh
In this honest and reflective talk, Grade 11 student David Eisenthal explores the fear of failure and how avoiding risks can often feel safer—but ultimately holds us back. Through personal stories and psychological insight, he redefines failure as a stepping stone for growth, not a dead end. With humor and clarity, David introduces a four-step framework—Acknowledge, Assess, Analyse, Apply—to help peers learn from mistakes and “sail” forward. This talk is a thoughtful reminder that it's not failing that defines us, but what we do next. I am David Eisenthal, an Grade 11 IB Student from ASM. As someone who's personally not failed a major failure in life, only often acquainted with those that are petty, I've thought of attempting to tackle this topic and idea from a more objective, somewhat scientific perspective, allowing myself to outline the process of failure, its effects, and how we as humans aim to move forward from it. I'm hoping that my speech can let off a little bit about me personally, so as to become acquainted with my audience, and to not only inspire my audience but also educate them on the process behind failing and sailing, so all can leave with a new perspective, or at least a new idea. 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
More from TED
- 17:37How partial truths are a threat to democracy | De Kai | TEDxKlagenfurtWhat if the biggest misinformation threat isn’t lies—but half-truths? Meet Neginformation—misleading facts that manipulate you not through deception, but through what’s left unsaid. AI, media, and human biases fuel this silent epidemic, shaping public perception and distorting reality. In this eye-opening talk, De Kai uncovers how omitted context controls the narrative—and how we can break free from its grip.De Kai is a pioneering AI innovator and one of the founding figures behind the world’s first global-scale online language translator, which led to Google Translate, Yahoo Translate, and Microsoft Bing Translator. Recognized as one of the Founding Fellows by the Association for Computational Linguistics and named one of Hong Kong's 100 most influential figures by Debrett's, De Kai addresses philosophical questions about the future of technology and its impact on society.His work bridges cultures through AI, cognition, language, music, creativity, ethics, and policy. He has been featured in the New York Times, on the cover of Human magazine, and at events such as the UBS keynote with Geoffrey Hinton, TEDx, and major news channels like NDTV and i24 News. De Kai is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, a Distinguished Research Scholar at Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute, and an independent director of AI ethics think tank The Future Society.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
- 12:56TikTok Can Solve Every Issue That Pisses You Off From Your Bedroom | Olivia Zhang | TEDxBerkeleyAfter losing loved ones to cancer, Harvard sophomore Olivia Zhang shares how she leveraged social media to transform her small nonprofit into Cancer Kids First, now the world's largest youth-led cancer organization with 40,000 volunteers across 80 countries. Olivia Zhang is a global health leader and the founder and CEO of Cancer Kids First, the world’s largest youth-led cancer nonprofit with 40,000 volunteers across 80 countries. Olivia believes passionately in youth leadership, sharing tips and her story on social media (@livviazhang) with 125,000+ followers and 50 schools to encourage other young people to engage in meaningful service work. She even launched a nonprofit mentorship network where she cultivated 187 leaders in 100 youth-led nonprofits to impact 15,000 individuals. Olivia's work has been featured in People, YahooNews, Business Insider, CBS News, Medium, and ThriveGlobal. She was named a 2023 Legacy Diana Award winner with recognition from Prince William and Prince Harry, a 2021 WEGO Health world's top patient leader (youngest in history), included in Girls’ Life Magazine 30 Under 30, and named Harvard’s First-Year Emerging Global Leader. 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
- 13:29Make your marketing accessible | Tania Gerard | TEDxTamworthSmall shifts can create powerful, lasting change. Accessible marketing isn’t just about compliance, it’s about rethinking how we communicate so that no one is made to mask. In this talk, Tania Gerard shares how businesses, from start-ups to global brands, can make simple yet effective changes to their marketing strategies that open doors to wider audiences, implement inclusivity, and drive real business success. Through practical insights, she reveals how accessibility isn’t just a tick box but how it’s a driving force for creativity, trust, and growth. Tania Gerard is an accessible marketing consultant, neurodiversity trainer, and advocate for inclusive communication. As the Founder of www.taniagerard.co.uk Tania Gerard Digital UK, she helps companies connect with a wider range of people by improving how they communicate and make an impact. Her work focuses on the power of small, practical changes in marketing and workplace culture to create understanding, belonging, and stronger communities. A speaker and trainer, Tania shares her insights into neurodiversity and accessibility, helping bridge the gap between brands and the people they aim to reach. She also hosts ADHD Founders Unfiltered, a podcast exploring entrepreneurship and life through the lens of neurodiversity.Tania’s goal is simple: to show how small steps toward inclusivity can bring about real change and bring people together. 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
- 15:56The Future Needs Your Feminism: A Message from Tomorrow | Ky Polanco | TEDxBerkeleyActivist and digital creative Ky Polanco transports us to a world transformed by collective liberation, revealing how today’s activism shapes tomorrow’s reality. Through personal stories and grassroots organizing, she empowers us to find our role in the feminist movement and take action for a more just future. Ky Polanco is a visionary media entrepreneur and co-founder of FEMINIST, a groundbreaking nonprofit media company that reaches 25 million people globally. Drawing from her extensive background in luxury fashion, where she collaborated with prestigious brands like Balenciaga, Balmain, and Diane Von Furstenberg, Ky transformed FEMINIST into a powerful platform for social change and gender equity. Her leadership style, characterized by empathy and inclusivity, has been instrumental in shaping FEMINIST's visual identity and mission. Under her guidance, the organization has built a multi-channel platform and thriving global community of over 6 million members through innovative digital initiatives that merge content creation with social justice advocacy. 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
- 13:01The heart behind our art | Brandon Leake | TEDxBerkeleyBrandon Leake explores the power of art as a unifier and a force for advocacy, drawing from his journey as a poet, educator, and America’s Got Talent winner. Through personal testimony and spoken word, he highlights how creativity can uplift marginalized communities and inspire hope. Brandon Leake hails from Stockton, where he grew up in a single parent household. Having battled through the emotional difficulty of abandonment, and inner city living Brandon found home in basketball and God, which landed him a collegiate scholarship to be the first graduate of his family. From there blazing a new trail Brandon pursued spoken word poetry as a profession traveling the world as a poet, speaker, and educator for several tours he's spearheaded. However, his most notable success came from winning the hit TV Show America's Got Talent season 15; and then in further commercial success by winning 7 Telly Awards, 1 SOVAS Award, and 1 Emmy Award. But for Brandon his greatest achievements are in his faith, family, and community. Honoring God being his priority, serving his family being his greatest calling, and reaching community through his art and teaching being the mission he pursues. This is Brandon Leake. 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
- 16:26Lessons in resilience from a quadriplegic | Robert Paylor | TEDxBerkeleyAfter suffering a catastrophic rugby injury that left him quadriplegic, Robert Paylor transformed his paralysis into power and defied medical expectations, learning to stand and walk again through 2,800+ days of rehabilitation and unwavering determination. Robert Paylor’s life changed forever when a catastrophic injury during the collegiate rugby championship left him paralyzed from the neck down while competing for the UC Berkeley men’s rugby team. Doctors delivered a devastating prognosis: he would never walk or move his hands again. Forced to relearn basic human functions—from feeding himself to getting dressed to brushing his teeth—Robert began a transformative journey of recovery. Today, Robert can stand and walk with assistance and inspires others to overcome life’s challenges. In 2020, Robert graduated from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and embarked on a career in inspirational speaking. His journey of perseverance has led him to deliver over 100 keynote presentations. As an author and speaker, Robert empowers others to overcome the “paralyzing” challenges in their own lives, whether physical, emotional, or mental. His message of resilience, positivity, and determination resonates with audiences worldwide. 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
