In this thought-provoking and refreshingly honest talk, Dr. Brian Carpenter explores the well-intentioned yet often incomplete advice school boards receive as they navigate governance, leadership, and educational outcomes. With humor and insight, Dr. Carpenter unpacks why some of our most common recommendations fall just short of real impact — and what it would take to transform “almost useful” advice into strategic guidance that actually moves the needle. This talk challenges board members, educators, and leadership teams to go beyond surface-level solutions and engage in deeper, more courageous conversations that drive meaningful change. After dropping out of high school in 1977 and joining the United States Marine Corps, neither he nor those around him could have predicted the turn his life would take. In the nearly five decades, he has become an educator, author, speaker, and charter school consultant. His expertise in charter school oversight, board governance, and financial management has made him a sought-after advisor for schools, authorizers, and education attorneys across the country. For the past 20 years, Dr. Carpenter has leveraged his expertise to empower charter school leaders, board members, and authorizers nationwide. He has authored multiple books. Dr. Carpenter holds a Ph.D. in Education from Capella University, a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination from West Virginia University. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), utilizing his skills to strengthen financial and operational integrity within schools. 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 this powerful and personal TED Talk, titled Chapter 1: Seeing Students As Origin Stories, Mr. David Crook invites the audience into a heartfelt journey that redefines how we view young people—not by their mistakes or limitations, but through the lens of their beginnings, their potential, and their narratives still being written. Drawing from lived experiences as an educator and leader, Mr. Crook challenges educators, policymakers, and communities to see every student not as a statistic or a discipline case, but as an unfolding origin story—rich with resilience, creativity, and promise. This talk is a call to reimagine schools as places that honor the full humanity of students and recognize the transformative power of empathy, equity, and storytelling. David Crook is a dedicated education leader who believes in seeing the possibilities in every student rather than accepting the probabilities. As CEO of The Heron Institute, he is committed to expanding virtual learning opportunities in South Carolina. He leads Cyber Academy of South Carolina and Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina (HVASC), two statewide virtual charter schools designed to empower students through flexibility and support. Under his leadership, HVASC celebrated its first graduating class in 2024, demonstrating the success of its student-centered learning model, which provides alternative pathways for high-risk students through credit recovery and work-based learning programs. Mr. Crook also oversees The Heron Institute. Passionate about innovation, equity, and student-centered learning, he challenges traditional structures to unlock student potential and ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive on their own unique path. 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 this inspiring TEDx talk, Rajneesh, Head of Google TV, recounts how a single idea as a product manager helped lakhs of small businesses access credit and scale. Drawing from his journey from rural Punjab to global tech leadership, he explores how technology can be a force for good. Rajneesh challenges us to dream beyond job titles, leverage our privileges, and build solutions that uplift lives and redefine possibilities. Rajneesh Agrawal is the Head of Google TV and a pioneering tech leader whose journey from a small town in Punjab to Silicon Valley is nothing short of inspiring. With a deep-rooted passion for technology, he began his career at Flipkart, where he led product innovations that empowered small and medium businesses across India. Today, at Google, he shapes how millions engage with entertainment worldwide. Rajneesh’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, purpose-driven work, and the transformative potential of technology to uplift lives and create lasting impact. 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

Australian menopause expert Kath Berry challenges outdated ideas about women's health, pleasure, and vitality. With sharp wit and fresh insights, she unpacks groundbreaking research on ageing, intimacy, and self-care. From the cultural moments that shaped our understanding of female pleasure to the latest science explaining how our bodies change, Kath reveals an empowering truth - women need to take more control over their health and well-being. This isn’t just a talk about menopause. It’s a call to action, a celebration of choice, and a redefinition of thriving at every stage of life. From unexpected perks of pleasure to the science of staying sexually active, Kath delivers straight-talking insights and plenty of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?” moments. It’s time to take control of your health, your pleasure, and your future - starting now. Kath Berry is a women’s health specialist with over 30 years clinical experience, and qualifications in acupuncture and a Master of Science research degree. In 2023, she published ‘Menopause: A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners’, the world’s first evidence-based textbook on traditional Chinese and East Asian medicine for menopause. Kath runs an online education company that has trained over 10,000 acupuncturists worldwide. Kath loves to empower women through courses on enhancing health, achieving balance, promoting confidence, and encouraging sexual vibrancy. 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

Existence is inherently chaotic. Aeken talks about his experience with the unpredictability of the human. Aeken has experienced much of what life has to offer at the ripe age of 17, and has changed his personality and perspective on life more times than he can count. In this talk, Aeken shares a life-lesson that he has learned through constant reflection and self-conciousness Aeken Sope is a 17 year old senior high school student studying in Haarlem. Aeken has experienced much of what life has to offer at the ripe age of 17, and has changed his personality and perspective on life more times than he can count. 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

Sai opens up about the profound grief he felt after losing his beloved father. In the wake of this loss, it wasn’t just family who held him up—it was the quiet, steady presence of friends at school that helped him begin to heal. He shares that in moments like these, family alone isn't always enough. Sometimes, it takes a whole village of support to carry someone through.Grief, he says, doesn’t just break you—it reshapes you. It teaches you how fragile life is, and how important it is to treasure every fleeting thought, every shared laugh, every small, beautiful moment. Through this pain, Sai has grown stronger, more resilient, and more present. His story is one of heartbreak, but also of hope. Sai is a passionate advocate for personal growth through grief, drawing from their own transformative experiences. When not inspiring others on stage, he can be found playing football, experimenting in the kitchen, or strumming his bass guitar, blending creativity and resilience into every aspect of life. With a commitment to help others strive through their ups and downs, he believes that grief is something that should be embraced and not looked down upon. 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