Ancient women are often topics of fascination, the subjects of novels, art and even operas, but how well do we really understand them as individuals? This talk will explore the lives and actions of the first Roman empress Livia Drusilla and the Byzantine empress Theodora. Instead of seeing all ancient women as a homogenous group, we'll delve into the ancient sources to try and reconstruct the true personalities of Livia and Theodora. Phoebe Smith is a student in the Lower Sixth studying Latin, History and Classical Civilisation. She hopes to study Classics at university and is particularly fascinated by women in the ancient world. 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

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t start that business. I can’t go to that party. I can’t show up in that photo or take that stage—because I’m too fat,” Sara has a message for you: Baby—Do. It. Fat. Sara Chambers is a brand strategist, speaker, best-selling author, and the CEO of Elly and Nora Creative, a full-service agency that builds brave, bold, brag-worthy brands for entrepreneurs who are ready to lead with purpose and power. With a background in marketing, PR, and communications for nonprofits and a variety of personal and lifestyle brands, Sara has spent nearly two decades helping thought leaders clarify their message, amplify their mission, and own their space. 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

Build Like You’re Broke: The Secret Power of ConstraintsWhat if being broke was a superpower? In this sharp and soulfully funny TEDx talk, serial entrepreneur Abhishek Soni turns the conventional startup gospel on its head. Drawing from his journey as a two-time founder — including building and selling one of India’s top fintech startups — he shares a radical insight: scarcity doesn’t stifle innovation, it supercharges it.From ISRO’s moon landing on a Bollywood budget to Zoho’s billion-dollar SaaS empire built from rural Tamil Nadu, Abhishek weaves together stories of legendary breakthroughs born in constraint. With punchy visuals and even punchier wisdom, he lays down 5 timeless rules for creators, builders, and dreamers: Bootstrapping Builds Muscles. Scarcity Sharpens Focus. Mindset Trumps Model. Creativity Loves Constraint. Smart Before Scale.Whether you're building a company, a career, or a legacy, this talk will challenge your idea of what it takes to create impact. After all, planes take off into headwinds — and that’s what gives them lift. Abhishek Soni is a 2x entrepreneur and former CEO of Upwards, a pioneering digital lending platform acquired by Lendingkart in one of India’s top fintech exits of 2023. An IIT Delhi silver medalist and ex-strategy consultant, he brings over 13 years of experience across fintech, consumer tech, and venture ecosystems. He’s known for building ventures from scratch that have raised $50M+, scaled fast, served millions, and used technology to solve real-world problems at scale. He’s been featured by Forbes, Economic Times, and Times 40U40 for creating both impact and shareholder value. Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, he’s obsessed with decoding the human side of decision-making—whether in money, leadership, or relationships. Through startups, writing, and mentoring, he enjoys turning hard-earned lessons into sharp, practical wisdom that helps others move faster and live better. 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

Para Dino Gueno, uma loja nunca é apenas um espaço de compra, é um lugar onde memórias e sonhos ganham forma. Da mercearia da família, com cheiro de afeto e confiança, às grandes redes de varejo, ele descobriu que cada inauguração carrega histórias de conquista e realização. Em sua fala, Dino mostra que o varejo é feito de pessoas e emoções: é o palco onde se constrói pertencimento, se celebra a criatividade e se transforma o simples ato de comprar em experiências que marcam para sempre. Criador do Método Rede Milionária, que já ajudou centenas de empresas de varejo na América Latina a alcançarem crescimento de vendas. Autor do livro "A Loja que Vende - Manual para Ser Imbatível no Seu Negócio", acumula 22 anos de experiência no varejo, onde já contribuiu para a venda de mais de R$16 bilhões no segmento. 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

Aliara Tanahashi quebra um mito: transformação digital não é sobre tecnologia, é sobre pessoas. Para ela, a verdadeira inovação acontece quando entendemos que a tecnologia deve ser sinônimo de liberdade. Liberdade para simplificar, para reduzir sobrecargas e para abrir espaço ao que realmente importa. Sua fala é um convite para enxergar o digital não como fim em si mesmo, mas como um aliado para uma vida mais humana e equilibrada. Com mais de 16 anos de experiência empreendendo com tecnologia. Começou no setor de beleza e expandiu sua atuação para áreas como varejo, saúde, eventos e política. Apaixonada por inovação, acredita que a tecnologia é uma ponte para que as pessoas tenham mais tempo para viver a vida. 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