In this powerful and deeply personal talk, the speaker challenges society’s rigid beauty standards and shares her journey of self-acceptance. She shares about body image, societal expectations, the impact of social media on self-worth and her realization that true confidence comes from within—not from conforming to external ideals. By embracing self-awareness and self-acceptance, she found strength in her uniqueness and encourages others to do the same. Her message is clear: it’s important that we silence external voices, define our own worth, and boldly embrace who we are. A vibrant Year 10 student, Yoanna finds joy in singing, and reading—simple, yet powerful expressions of her lively spirit. She is a firm believer that everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin, even when it feels challenging.
With a heart set on impact, Yoanna aspires to become a successful politician, lawyer, and philanthropist, using her voice to advocate for others and create meaningful change. Her journey is one of self-assurance, ambition, and the drive to make a difference. 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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- 10:55How puppets can teach us to be kind | Bradley Freeman, Jr. | TEDxBoulderPuppetry is a universal language. Humans have been using puppets to communicate stories for several thousand years. In his talk Bradley Freeman, Jr. explores the inescapable link between puppets and people, showcasing how we assign characters to things in our everyday lives and how we can use this natural human tendency to our advantage by being kind to ourselves and to others.Bradley Freeman, Jr. is the official performer of The Pigeon with Mo Willems Workshop. He is a principal performer on the Emmy-Award-Winning program Sesame Street, where he plays Tamir, Wes, Timmy Twiddlebug, and many others. Additionally, he is a supporting performer with the Disney Muppets. His work has been featured on shows including Sesame Street, The Muppets Mayhem, Helpsters, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Michael Buble’s Christmas in the City, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days, Elmo’s Mindfulness Spectacular, Tamir on the Street, The Pigeon Explains, and more.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
- 9:243 tips to preserve your vision | Dr. Pam Theriot | TEDxGrandviewHeightsWe rely on our vision every day, yet few of us think about how modern lifestyles are affecting our eyes. With screens dominating our work and leisure, digital eye strain is affecting both our productivity and health. In this eye-opening talk, Dr. Theriot explores the impact of screen time and shares simple, research-backed ways to protect your vision for years to come.Dr. Pam Theriot is an optometrist and internationally recognized expert in dry eye disease. As a member of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), she is dedicated to advancing eye health education worldwide. Through her clinical practice, research, and popular dry eye vlog, Dr. Theriot empowers individuals to prioritize their vision, transforming the latest scientific insights into simple, actionable steps for daily eye care.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
- 15:17How the game of chess teaches lessons for life | Rasheme Ellington | TEDxManhattanBeachFor Rasheme Ellington, chess is a way of life. In his inspiring talk, Rasheme shares the potential for chess as a powerful tool for personal growth, strategic thinking, and empowerment. Based on research and personal experience he also demonstrates how the principles of chess can help youth develop confidence, discipline, and the mindset needed to become the best versions of themselves. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, Rasheme Ellington has been teaching chess since 1998, enriching the lives of more than 30,000 students, and guiding them from novice to expert levels. His prowess is exemplified by his achievement as a first-place city chess champion, underscoring his exceptional skills and mastery of the game. Beyond his contributions to education, Rasheme is a successful entrepreneur and a committed family man. He is a staunch advocate for the transformative power of education, believing it to be a crucial tool in combating poverty and hunger and opening doors to a better life. As both a master chess player and an accomplished financial educator, he continues to inspire and empower through his teaching and mentorship. His mission is centered on spreading love, fostering positivity, and being a guiding light in the lives of those he encounters. 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
- 16:13How To Stay Human | Phil Redhead | TEDxYouth@UISOur guest speaker, Mr. Phil Redhead, converses about how we can stay human in the 21st century. With the rise of modern generative AI tools, our world becomes more and more reliant on technological advancement and tools that seem to have conscious thought. Phil talks about the dangers of delegating our achievements to these tools and how we can bring our humanity back to the world. Through his TED talk, Phil urges us to bring our human aspect back into our everyday life for a brighter future. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, senior education leader, digital transformation strategist and consultant, Phil brings unique international experience as a buyer and provider of EdTech in both public and private sector settings. Recognised as an inspirational education futurist and influencer, Phil draws on his strong global network to co-create high-impact change. 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
- 19:00Narratives in Our Complex World | Frank Wolf | TEDxDresdenWhy are narratives important? Let's watch Frank's talk about how new and better narratives can transform families, teams, communities, organizations, and our world. Frank Wolf is a cofounder of Staffbase, an employee communication platform, and author of the book "The Narrative Age." Frank brings his unique perspective on the power of storytelling to TEDxDresden, exploring how narratives influence our complex world and shape the future.About Frank: * Cofounder of Staffbase, a leading platform for employee communication * Author of "The Narrative Age," a book about the importance of storytelling in today’s world * An expert in messaging, positioning, and marketing, with a passion for connecting ideas to action 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
- 14:39The Puzzle of the World Puzzle Center | Roxanne & George Miller | TEDxVitoshaFollow the journey of two puzzle enthusiasts to create the World Puzzle Center with more than 80,000 mechanical puzzles. Roxanne and George Miller are like characters in a fairy tale. Their story takes place in a medieval castle in Italy, which they bought 3 years ago to house their huge collection of over 80,000 puzzles. Thus the World Puzzle Center was born. For years the couple has been building this stunning collection of puzzles – some new, some ages old - from all over the world. Why? Because it is their greatest passion. And because no one has ever done it before. George is 80 years old and looks like Santa Claus, regularly receiving invitations to embody him at Christmas. Roxanne is the Fairy who knows the answers to all questions and holds her magic wand firmly. The castle in Umbria is now open to every curious mind - to touch and try the art of intricate mechanical puzzles, to immerse in a world of mosaics and mysteries. 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
