What if everything we’ve been taught about aging is wrong?In this paradigm-shifting TEDx Talk, Melissa D. Hall—Medicare expert, speaker, media personality and founder of The Hall Insurance Group—invites us to reimagine aging not as a slow decline but as a powerful, purpose-filled progression.Drawing from her personal journey—watching her grandmother struggle with Alzheimer’s and inadequate healthcare, to eventually becoming an insurance agent and trusted health and wellness guide for seniors—Melissa uncovers the deeper truths about ageism, healthcare, and our cultural resistance to growing older.With heartfelt stories, striking statistics, and real-world encounters with vibrant seniors like the unforgettable Miss Louise Gooch, Melissa reveals how aging can be a time of winding up, not winding down–full of joy, connection, love, and leadership.Melissa challenges society’s outdated narrative: Aging isn’t a problem to fix—it’s a season to embrace and shows us that the future of aging isn’t bleak—it’s bright.A call to action for every generation, this talk empowers us all to prepare better for our senior years, speak louder, and build community and government systems that honor life at every age and stage. Melissa D. Hall is the founder and CEO of the award-winning Hall Insurance Group, a leading firm dedicated to assisting seniors in navigating their Medicare options. Since 2017, Melissa and her team have provided thousands of seniors with personalized Medicare plans tailored to their individual needs. A speaker, thought leader and frequent on-air guest, Melissa D. Hall has shared her expert advice on numerous outlets, including Fox, CBS, Radio One Baltimore, My Carolina, Good Day Baltimore, Roland Martin Unfiltered and more. Melissa is the creator and host of the award-winning talk show “The Golden Report” which highlights the vibrant side of aging. A consummate businesswoman, Melissa has founded, scaled and sold a business, and endeavors to educate and inspire other business owners with courses and workshops to help them master sales, execute client events that convert, and brand themselves to become a household name. 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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- 8:15Is AI Fuelling a New Climate Crisis? | Stuart Clark | TEDxBrayford PoolWe don’t often think of data as polluting, but what if every scroll, stream, and swipe came with a carbon cost? In this powerful talk, we’re asked to confront the hidden environmental toll of our digital lives - from AI’s massive energy demands to the mountains of e-waste we leave behind. As data centres expand and screen time soars, the speaker challenges us to rethink our relationship with technology. Can we build a future where digital progress doesn’t cost the Earth?Stuart Clark, a coder, presenter, and author, advocates for software sustainability at the intersection of education and policy. Speaking at global conferences, he challenges audiences to code conscientiously and innovate intentionally. Stuart’s expertise in programmability and DevOps informs his approach to creating environmentally sustainable software. Beyond the stage, he builds developer communities and creates content, empowering others to thrive in tech while championing sustainable development practices. 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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- 8:08Rebuilding: Architecture, resilience, identity | Yaroslava Spodin | TEDxFountainbridgeA consideration of architecture as a tool for resilience and identity - beyond the build environment. Yaroslava enjoys discussing diverse ideas and perspectives, leading her school’s debating club to further develop her skills in articulating and defending complex topics effectively. Originally from Ukraine, she moved to Edinburgh just before the war, an experience that reshaped her understanding of resilience and change. Witnessing the destruction in her home country deepened her interest in how architecture can restore communities, identity, and hope. Her talk will examine how cities can emerge from devastation stronger than before, using innovation and design to foster healing and inspiration. She hopes the audience will leave with a new perspective on rebuilding—not just as a means of recovery, but as an opportunity to create a more connected and resilient future. 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
