There is no question that Grief has power over the lives of people dealing with the loss of a loved one. Yet the traditional way of coping with Grief appears to be shifting from a traditional step model, to a view that Grief may be analogous to a learning process. In this TEDxOldHickory talk, market researcher and data scientist Rob Farmer discusses his personal journey of recovery after the death of a loved one at a young age, and how that contributed to his leadership development over a period of many years. He explains how Grief has the possibility of sharpening skills such as learning, empathy and vision development, and how he incorporates those principles to coach colleagues through their own grief in the modern workplace.Rob Farmer has been working globally in market research roles for 20+ years with a passion for using data-driven market insights to improve large companies’ customer focus, generate revenue and accelerate go to market decision making. Increasingly, this has meant reaching far beyond traditional market research to include data science of all kinds including AI, social media, biometrics and geolocation sensors. Rob’s latest mission is to fuse all of these disparate data sources to improve the most challenging aspects of our personal and professional lives. Rob spent 15 years living abroad in Shanghai, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo in executive roles at Nissan and General Motors. His latest assignment is in Tennessee, where he resides in the Nashville suburbs with his data scrum leader wife, with whom he parents both an LGBTQ budding neuropsychologist and an equestrian-loving adopted child. When not gigging on data and humans, The Farmers can be found travelling the globe.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

Stress, conflict, and emotional strain—these are common challenges in relationships, often heightened during difficult times. But what if facing stress together could strengthen the bond between partners? In this talk, Guy Bodenmann presents his concept of dyadic coping, a powerful approach where couples support each other to manage stress together. By communicating stress effectively to the partner and by engaging in shared coping efforts, partners can transform moments of difficulty into opportunities for growth. Through understanding the dynamics of mutual support, the talk reveals how fostering a collaborative coping environment can lead to healthier, more resilient relationships.Guy Bodenmann is a Full Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Zurich since 2008. Previously, he directed the Institute for Family Research and Counseling at the University of Fribourg for 14 years, also serving as Associate Professor of Clinical Relationship Psychology from 2001 to 2008 and as Assistant Professor from 1999 to 2001.His research centers on the interplay between stress and relationships, the impact of relationships on psychological disorders, relationship conflicts and child development, and preventing relationship distress. He pioneered the concept of dyadic coping - how couples manage stress together - and developed the widely-used Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), translated into 24 languages. A cognitive-behavioral therapist, couple therapist, trainer, and supervisor, Bodenmann also created the 3-phase method and the coping-oriented approach for couple therapy, as well as the Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET), an evidence-based program to strengthen relationships. He is the author of over 25 books and more than 300 scientific publications. A 2021 scoping review from the United States ranked him among the most influential relationship researchers in the world today.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

Community is the heartbeat of innovation-the infrastructure of our shared humanity. First-generation Portuguese-American designer, technologist, and educator Ana Pinto da Silva explores how community shapes our ideas, learning, and leadership. Drawing on her personal story at the intersection of culture, identity, and innovation, Ana reveals how family and enduring bonds influence our sense of belonging. She celebrates the transformative power of community in fostering connection and creativity, emphasizing its critical role in this pivotal moment of our human story. Community is the heartbeat of innovation—the infrastructure of our shared humanity. First-generation Portuguese-American designer, technologist, and educator Ana Pinto da Silva explores how community shapes our ideas, learning, and leadership. Drawing on her personal story at the intersection of culture, identity, and innovation, Ana reveals how family and enduring bonds influence our sense of belonging. She celebrates the transformative power of community in fostering connection and creativity, emphasizing its critical role in this pivotal moment of our human story. 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 leadership lessons can we learn from COVID, chaos, and crisis? This talk outlines experiences navigating a global pandemic, grappling with massive organizational mergers, and facing profound personal losses that reveal essential truths. Learn the vital importance of taking care of yourself so you can effectively lead and care for others. It stresses the necessity of being adaptable and flexible when confronted with life's challenges and chaotic situations. Most importantly, we must confront the stark reality that time is unforgiving, and understand the urgency of prioritizing loved ones and spending time wisely. This talk offers insights on finding your footing as you navigate life's uncharted waters, encouraging you to live your life, so life doesn't live you. Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle was the 45th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Surgeon General and Deputy Commanding General (Support), U.S. Army Medical Command.His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (seven Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal (two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Humanitarian Service Medal, the Order of Military Medical Merit, Recruiters Medallion, the Order of Kentucky Colonels, the Army Surgeon General’s prestigious 9A Proficiency Designator, Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. 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

Covid brought the importance of supply chain management to the forefront. Arjun's talk focuses on the importance of developing human capital capable of managing supply chains. He points out the fact that manufacturing has become very complicated due to worldwide sourcing of materials and we are at a place where simplification in the form of re-shoring is part of the solution to rising prices.References quoted in this talk: Slide 1: Statistics Canada. (2025, March 4). Annual retail trade, 2023. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250304/dq250304a-eng.htm World Bank. (Latest Year). Canada Trade Profile. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/CAN/Year/LTST/Summarytext Slide 2: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). (2021, May). Removing the Ever Given from the Suez Canal is just the beginning. Retrieved from https://www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/civil-engineering-magazine/article/2021/05/removing-the-ever-given-from-the-suez-canal-is-just-the-beginning Source: BBC News. (2021, March 29). Suez Canal: Ever Given ship freed after a week. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56559073 Arjun Kashetty is a professor, and supply chain expert. With over a decade of experience in logistics, supply chain management, and demand planning, Arjun has held key roles at organizations like Walmart, Sobeys, and The Home Depot. Arjun shares his industry expertise at Seneca and Durham Colleges, where he inspires the next generation of global business leaders through teaching and mentorship. 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