NOTE FROM TED: This talk contains a discussion of military operations. Contents only represent the speaker’s personal views and experiences. 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.pdfRenrick Palmer, a best-selling author, accomplished actor, and military veteran celebrated for his talent in the performing arts. Renrick will share his journey of resilience, creativity, and self-discovery following profound loss and the unique challenges he faced transitioning from military to civilian life. He invites us to view creative expression as a vital tool for healing and to explore our own sources of support and inspiration. Renrick Palmer is a Bestselling author, accomplished actor, and military veteran renowned for his exceptional talent in the performing arts, both on stage and screen. He has garnered critical acclaim and earned awards for his outstanding performances. Renrick's memoir, War Your Way to Success: A Veteran's Journey from Loading Bombs to the Stage, shares his inspiring life story and serves as a motivational guide for readers striving to achieve their dreams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Medgar Evers College in New York City and a Master’s degree from Long Island University. Renrick also completed the Acting for Film one-year conservatory program at the New York Film Academy. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, reading, listening to audiobooks or motivational speakers, and supporting charitable causes, including regularly donating to The Homeless Alliance. 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 visualization, vibrations, and the mind which lacks legitimate scientific support. Several claims may be stigmatizing to viewers. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. 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.pdfWhat if your greatest limitations were just stories you told yourself—and what if you had the power to rewrite them?We hold the power to transform fear into confidence, negativity into positivity, and scarcity into abundance.In this inspiring talk, entrepreneur Lakshya Daga reveals how to unlock the power of the subconscious mind to create lasting happiness, success, and meaningful relationships. Drawing from personal experience and real-world examples, Lakshya shares three simple yet powerful tools—affirmations, visualization, and gratitude—that can help shift your mindset and "change poison into medicine.”Lakshya is the Founder & CEO of TruLeague, a peer-to-peer enrollment platform for colleges that helps prospective college students connect authentically with current students and alumni. A Babson MBA and Techstars alum, he’s also an avid golfer, investor, and someone deeply committed to personal growth. My passion for business early on led me to join EY and later as the CEO of Avani Group, where I led a team of 200 talented individuals. Building on these experiences, I pursued an MBA in Entrepreneurship at Babson College, a decision that transformed my perspective on leadership and innovation. While at Babson, I founded TruLeague, a platform that fosters authentic connections between prospective and current students at colleges and universities, empowering students and higher education. I had the opportunity to participate in the transformative Techstars Boston accelerator program, which honed my skills and expanded my vision. Outside of entrepreneurship, I’ve been a national-level golfer and enjoy traveling to immerse myself in diverse cultures and ideas and embracing challenges that inspire personal and professional growth. I firmly believe that combining vision, discipline, and teamwork is key to achieving remarkable outcomes whether in business, sports, or life. 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 attachment styles, inflammation, and behavior. 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.pdfThis talk explores the complex factors that influence our choice of romantic partners, focusing on biological, psychological, and practical aspects. It begins by reflecting on personal experiences with love and how our understanding of it evolves. The discussion highlights the role of biology, such as the influence of immune system genes on attraction, and psychology, particularly attachment theory, which shows how early relationships shape our adult behaviors in love. The presentation also addresses how attachment styles impact partner selection and offers advice on making mindful choices in relationships by becoming self-aware, redefining labels, and focusing on emotional regulation. Ultimately, it emphasizes that love and attraction are influenced by patterns that can be understood and potentially changed. Mariam Badreddine is a clinical psychology MSc student with a focus on relationships, family, and human development. With a background in family and sexuality Msc, she explores the psychological and biological patterns that shape attraction and love. Through her research and work with children and families, she examines how early experiences and social dynamics influence the way we form connections. In her talk, she challenges the idea that love is just fate, offering a practical perspective on how we can recognize and reshape our patterns in relationships. 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: 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 this inspiring talk, Albert Brulé, CEO of United Way of Thunder Bay, explores how collaboration can be the catalyst for real, lasting community change. With decades of experience in the non-profit sector, Albert shares powerful insights on how uniting individuals, businesses, and organizations around a shared purpose can help tackle complex challenges like poverty.Rooted in the belief that no single organization can do it alone, Albert highlights real examples of collective action driving impact in Thunder Bay. He challenges us to reimagine what’s possible when we stop working in silos and start building partnerships that are bold, inclusive, and community-driven.Through his message of hope and unity, Albert reminds us that when we come together with intention — better is always possible. Albert Brulé is the CEO of United Way of Thunder Bay. Originally from London, Ontario, Albert first came to Thunder Bay in 1980 as a student in the arts management program at Confederation College. After graduation, he worked across Canada with a variety of arts, post-secondary, healthcare, and international charities, always maintaining close ties to Thunder Bay. In 2019, he returned to lead United Way, where he brings people, businesses, and organizations together to tackle urgent issues related to poverty.Albert believes that real change happens when communities unite with purpose. Under his leadership, United Way is fostering innovative partnerships and collective action to build a stronger, more inclusive Thunder Bay — because when we unite for good, Better is Possible. 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

Many Americans, particularly women, struggle with bodily dissatisfaction, and we often assume this is the result of secular phenomena, such as the diet and weight loss industry or pervasive beauty marketing. In reality, our body image woes are due to both secular and religious influences. Winding through centuries of Christian history, this talk explores how ancient philosophy and monastic eating practices inform the way we talk and think about food both in real life and in digital spaces, from ascetic nuns of the Middle Ages all the way to “girl dinner.” This talk posits that these traditions are not obsolete, but have rather evolved and are echoed in our modern-day eating practices. By acknowledging this religious history and by incorporating a design mindset, we can begin to move forward and genuinely heal our relationship with our bodies.Sophia (Phi to her friends) Day is an artist from the Chicagoland area. She graduated with her MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts in 2023 and is currently serving as the Post-Graduate Exhibitions Fellow there. In addition, she also works and teaches at various local arts organizations. Her art practice combines making, curation, and research to amplify under-discussed narratives and to form connections across disciplines and histories. Raised Catholic, she has produced several bodies of artistic and academic work about the intersections of feminism and Catholicism and she brings this background, along with her experience in food systems, to her Tedx Tufts talk. When not juggling multiple jobs and art projects, she likes to host friends for dinner with her dog, Tommy.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

Surveillance as the New Frontier for Gender-based Violence Online. Marwa Fatafta is a Palestinian digital rights advocate and tech policy expert based in Berlin. She leads Access Now’s work on digital rights in the Middle East and North Africa region as the MENA Policy and Advocacy Director. Her work spans a number of issues at the nexus of human rights and technology including content governance and platform accountability, online censorship, surveillance tech, and transnational repression. She has written extensively on the digital occupation in Palestine and particularly interested in the role of new technologies in armed conflicts and humanitarian contexts. Marwa is also Policy Analyst at Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, and an advisory board member of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. Marwa was a Fulbright scholar to the US, and holds an MA in International Relations from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. 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