NOTE FROM TED: While some might find this talk helpful as a complementary approach, please do not look to this talk for mental health advice and seek professional help if you are struggling. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of physiology, behavior, and the brain. Several claims warrant further scientific investigation. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfIn a world increasingly shaped by screens and algorithms, Dorli Muhr makes the case for something profoundly simple: gathering around a table. Drawing from personal stories, neuroscience, and cultural traditions, she explores how sharing meals — with people of different generations and opinions — builds empathy, resilience, and connection. From family dinners to conversations between strangers, she shows how analog experiences are essential for mental health and human well-being. Because civilization doesn’t flourish online — it thrives around the table. Founder of Wine+Partners in 1991, she leads Europe’s leading marketing and public relations agency in the wine and gastronomy sectors. In 2002, Dorli Muhr also established a winery on the Spitzerberg (Carnuntum). In 2000, Ute Watzlawick became a partner at Wine+Partners, and in 2022, Dorli Muhr was inducted into the “Hall of Fame” of the Event Marketing Board Austria. In 2019, Dorli was named “Hero of the Year” by the Dutch magazine Perswijn, and her red wine Ried Spitzerberg 2017 received the highest score ever awarded to an Austrian red wine by Wine Spectator. In 2022, she inaugurated a winery building in Prellenkirchen, constructed according to a revolutionary sustainability concept. That same year, her project was included in Wine & Spirits magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Wineries of the World.” In 2024, Gault&Millau awarded her the title of “Outstanding Winemaker,” recognising her contribution to the global acclaim of Spitzerberg. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of language, stress, and physiology. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfImprovisational comedy teaches practioners not to negate their scene partner and, instead, to use affirming language. In this fascinating talk, expert Sonja Stetzler reveals how two powerful words from the world of improvisation can turn contentious and difficult relationship interactions into collaboration. Through her research in the field and her own personal experience interfacing with her teenage son, Stetzler reveals how "yes and" changes dynamics and unlocks common ground between people. Sonja Stetzler, MA, CPC is the founder of Effective Connecting, a coaching and consulting practice specializing in developing the communication and leadership skills of mid-to-senior level business professionals. Sonja works with her clients to craft their message, convey it with confidence, and most importantly, connect with their audiences. Sonja is a Certified Professional Coach and a Conversational Intelligence® coach with several decades’ worth of experience in management, sales, training, education, and coaching/consulting.Sonja uses applied improvisation in her work as a coach, facilitator, and trainer and has conducted research to determine the impact of using applied improvisation techniques on communication skills. She co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article on her research that concluded that applied improvisation can positively impact empathetic communication skills. 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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Dr. Mary Mason teaches us about the emerging presence of security AI in schools, and the possibly dangerous consequences regarding our children's mental health and privacy that that may entail. As the Associate Director of the Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law, Dr. Mary Mason will address the unintended consequences and ethical concerns associated with AI safety monitoring platforms for mental health alerts in educational settings. Her talk will delve into the challenges posed by current AI monitoring software and advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration to develop responsible AI solutions. 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

In her transformative TEDx talk, It Ends With Me: Insights to Healing Generational Trauma, Carlene Fonseca shares a deeply personal journey of breaking free from cycles of trauma, addiction, and emotional pain. With a rare blend of vulnerability and professional insight rooted in wellness, recovery, and trauma-informed care, Carlene invites us to explore the power of healing as a courageous act of legacy-building. Her message is a call to action—showing that by choosing to heal ourselves, we open the door to generational empowerment, connection, and lasting change. Carlene Fonseca is the CEO of The Greatest You Consulting, where she empowers individuals to center wellness and healing in their lives through innovative workshops, public speaking, and a wellness product line. She is a trailblazing millennial, survivor, and mental health and recovery community advocate with over 15 years of unique personal and professional experiences. As a first-generation Cape Verdean American, Carlene believes that education, mental health wellness, financial empowerment, and self-advocacy are the keys to healing and living a happier life.In November 2023, Carlene took on the role of Statewide Director for the Rhode Island Afterschool Network, bringing her expertise and passion for youth and community development to the forefront. Additionally, Carlene spent four years on the Central Falls City Council, demonstrating her commitment to public service and community advocacy. She continues to educate and inspire as a faculty member at College Unbound, where she supports non-traditional adult learners.Carlene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Georgetown University and a Master’s degree in Criminology from The George Washington University. A lifelong learner, she is also a certified Social Emotional Learning facilitator and yoga instructor, bringing a trauma-informed lens to all her work. 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

Suzanne Jabour explores the profound challenges of grief and offers a roadmap for supporting those in mourning. After losing her son, Suzanne confronts society’s misconceptions about grief, emphasizing its unpredictable timeline and all-encompassing effects on the mind and body. She highlights the power of compassionate actions and thoughtful communication through personal anecdotes and expert insights. Viewers will learn practical strategies for offering meaningful support, such as saying the right words, making specific offers, and creating a safe space for grief to unfold. Suzanne inspires a cultural shift toward understanding grief better, empowering individuals to ease the burden of others and foster deeper human connections in the face of loss. Suzanne is a grieving mom who became a student of grief for her survival after her world fell apart in September 2020. She received the middle of the night phone call every parent dreads and was notified her son, Ben, had died. She didn’t know enough about grief to do it in a way that felt healthy, nor did she understand that the symptoms she was experiencing were normal and there was nothing wrong with her. As she shared her experiences, she saw that our silence and fear around grief mean that we are unable to show up and support people who are grieving. We create isolation at a time when we need connection.Suzanne became a certified Grief Educator and shares her story and expertise to normalize grief so people feel more confident that they can say or do something without doing harm. Join her in creating a world where no one grieves alone and where genuine connection is our default response. 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