From 80s-era sitcom spoofs of Trekkies (Star Trek fans) at conventions to 2010s articles making fun of teenage girls who love the latest boy band, entertainment fandom has long been a source of jokes and jibes. In fact, these communities have very rarely found themselves on the receiving end of respect that other fandoms (sports, for example) receive, though they all serve the same purpose: bringing human beings together to address chronic loneliness.By speaking openly about entertainment fandom – and feeling culturally safe to do so – fans of books, TV shows, movies, music, anime, manga and more can find one another both online and in the real world – to the benefit of all.Amanda Lien (she/her) is a healthcare content marketing specialist, thought leadership ghostwriter, and a lifelong fangirl. Growing up, she found her closest friends through online fan communities, bonding with others who loved the same books, TV shows, and movies as she did. As an adult, she still geeks out over sci-fi and speculative fiction in all forms – and continues to forge her best and brightest friendships through those fandom connections.When she's not crafting content for others or scrolling on Tumblr, she writes science fiction novels and fanfiction drafts, proving that being a fangirl never gets old. To get away from her desk, she takes ballet and modern dance classes and attends as many concerts as possible. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.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

Struggling with performance anxiety in bed or lacking sexual desire? Many of us unconsciously follow unspoken sexual scripts that create pressure and expectations - disconnecting us from our body sensations and reducing pleasure. What if we approached sex with curiosity, mindfulness and openness, guided by how it feels instead of how it should be? In this TEDx talk, Pepa invites you to reconnect with your desires, tune into your sensations, and embrace your personal journey toward more electrifying, pleasurable sex.Discover TEDxSapienzaU, the student-led TEDx event at Sapienza University of Rome, active since 2022. Learn more at https://www.tedxsapienzau.com.Pepa Pasatu is a clinical psychosexologist and performer exploring sexual pleasure, body awareness, and mindfulness through a multidisciplinary lens. Originally from Berlin, Pepa holds a BSc in Psychology (University of Potsdam, Germany and University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and an MSc in Clinical Psychosexology (Sapienza University of Rome and University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy). Beyond scientific research, Pepa integrates artistic expression - especially dance and improvisation - to create workshops, performances, and dialogues that challenge cultural norms and invite bodyfulness, an embodied presence. Current projects include lustlab and pleasure practice.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

Keynote speeches have been a staple in business, finance and tech since Steve Jobs’ company addresses in the 1990s helped transform Apple into the cultural behemoth it is today. Since then, these presentations have been copied by every major tech company in the world - from Blackberry to Sony, Meta, Open AI and so many more. In this presentation, the handsome and well-traveled business journalist Dan Toomey diagnoses the issues with the modern tech keynote, and how its current state is a far cry from the speeches Jobs once used to inspire millions.Dan Toomey is a comedian and host of the YouTube channel, @GoodWorkMB . With over one million subscribers, Good Work is one determined attempt to understand the world of business, finance and tech that’s come to dominate modern life. Covering private equity, investment banking, business school, Palantir, Cybertrucks and more, Dan and his team of crackerjack researchers (Jack Stebbins, Henry Stockwell) are always sure to get to the bottom of the big story. And if they don’t, they tried their best.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

Trust and common core values will lead to a „for one another spirit“ in teams. This key to success in military operations will also support performance in civilian companies. To achieve and maintain the „for one another spirit“ requires constant leadership commitment. Dr. Thomas Harbaum is a German General (OF-6) in the Medical Corps of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). He serves as the Medical Director and Commander of the Military Hospital in Hamburg since April 2022. He joined the Bundeswehr in 1984, studied medicine at the University of Münster and specialized in general medicine and tropical medicine. Harbaum has held various leadership roles, including positions in NATO and the Ministry of Defense in Berlin. He participated in various missions, amongst them deployments to Indonesia, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (University of London). His special focus is on how to improve performance in teams and how to apply leadership principles that support effectiveness and efficiency to reach common goals. “Leaders encourage to take over responsibility and enable the whole team to be prepared for that. The baseline is not to work with one another but for one another. We learned that military missions will be only successful when this simple principle is applied consistently.” In various discussions with the C-level of civilian companies the General noticed that military and civilian leadership culture need to adhere to the same principles to achieve success in operations. 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

When Hurricane Helene and its flooding struck Appalachia in 2024, devastation followed—but so did something powerful: fearless generosity. In a world shaped by fear and scarcity, Jordan Bailey offers us a new perspective rooted in abundance and community. From muddy boots and shared meals to bold creativity and collaboration, discover how Appalachians are rebuilding not just with resources, but with mindset. You'll hear a powerful call to rethink fear, embrace generosity, and rewrite the story of what’s possible—together. A must-watch for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone seeking to live and give more fully. As a Senior Creative Producer at Cumberland Marketing, I help clients create stories and visuals that drive excitement and growth for their brands. I have over six years of experience in producing, directing, and editing various digital media projects, ranging from web series and podcasts to mini documentaries and social media campaigns.I am passionate about marrying messaging with art, and using my 15+ years of experience and skills in photography, digital photography, and image editing to craft compelling and impactful narratives. I am also an award-winning director of the mini documentary "Storytelling For A More Inclusive South", which explores the role of storytelling in fostering diversity and inclusion in the Southern region. Additionally, I am the owner of Weirdough, a microbakery and food side hustle that aims to create exciting food events and collaborations that bring chefs and communities 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

When tragedy strikes—whether it’s the death of a spouse, a devastating diagnosis, or a natural disaster—we often ask the same question: How can I help?Through real-life stories pulled from her SupportNow website, Jordan Arogeti introduces a new framework for navigating support during life’s most difficult moments: Support Languages.Watch and forever change the way you show up for others. Jordan Arogeti is on a mission to make showing up for others as effortless as it is essential.As CEO and co-founder of SupportNow, she is transforming how people offer help. The free, customizable platform provides clear guidance for giving funds, food, or time, ensuring that support is immediate and impactful.Before launching SupportNow, Jordan was a top enterprise strategist at Salesloft, helping scale the company from $1 million to $200 million in revenue. A champion for women in tech, she helped shape policies that paved the way for working mothers. She also invests in and advises startups nationwide.Jordan is a University of Georgia graduate and lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children. 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