After rejection from every film school he applied to, AJ Bleyer accepted that his dream of becoming a director was over. But that setback opened the door to a career beyond anything he could have planned for. In this talk, AJ shares how redirection can be a hidden gift, why confidence isn’t built on certainty, and the importance of being kind to yourself when feeling lost. Because often, the best way forward isn’t the path you planned- it’s the one you never saw coming. Trying to marry his passion for cars and cameras, AJ began shooting automotive videos with his high school friends. His work caught the attention of local car dealerships, and at the age of 22, he left his job at Apple to pursue filmmaking full-time. He founded Advent Films and quickly became a trusted shooter for many of the world’s most prestigious brands, including Ferrari, McLaren F1, Aston Martin, NASA, Red Bull, Riot Games, Amazon, 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
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- 16:41Polyamory isn’t what you think—here’s why | David Hague | TEDxUKYPolyamory is an authentic way to demonstrate love and experience connection with multiple partners. In polyamory, we can express a variety of desires, develop community, and form meaningful relationships. This talk explores the benefits and challenges of polyamory and the possibilities of open relationships in our current society.Dr. David Pascale Hague earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2015. He is an assistant professor in Counseling Psychology and is the Director of the Community Mental Health Clinic in the College of Education. Dr. Hague teaches ethics, practicum, and psychopathology courses for master’s and doctoral students. He is a licensed psychologist in Kentucky, maintains a small private practice, and sits on the board of the Kentucky Psychological Foundation. Additionally, he is the current liaison for LGBTQIA issues with APA Division 31 (State, Provincial, and Territorial Associations). Dr. Pascale Hague’s clinical and research interests focus on working with sexual, relationship, and gender minority groups.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
- 9:53How companionship enriches our lives | Jarryd Atkinson | TEDxSaint Ignatius College Geelong YouthJarryd Atkinson is currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education at the ACU, majoring in Religious Education and Geography, he holds the position of Youth Ministry Coordinator at Saint Ignatius College.Jarryd has a deep fascination with storytelling in all mediums, and believes that the narratives we co-create and share vicariously have the power to totally define who we are, and how we are, in this world.This talk will explore how companionship – in its rawest, etymological sense – adds necessary depth and meaning to our lives, sets the foundation for richer, more authentic relationships, and provides a blueprint for how we ought to engage with our neighbours and the stranger. Jarryd is a teacher at St Ignatius College Geelong. 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
- 15:09What 10,000 cartwheels have taught me about life | Jessica Tudos | TEDxMcfarren Boulevard YouthWhat can 10,000 cartwheels teach us about life? Olympian turned multi-passionate Portfolioist Jessica Tudos flips conventional wisdom upside down to reveal why curiosity—not certainty—is the true key to confidence, clarity, and creative reinvention. Jessica Tudos is a high-flying Olympian turned life design rebel who’s flipping the script on what success looks like. With the heart of an educator, the mind of a strategist, and the spirit of a portfolioist, she empowers people to thrive because of their many passions — not despite them. Whether she’s captivating keynote stages, classrooms, or coaching sessions, Jessica helps others rethink their paths in order to design meaningful lives in any direction they choose. JessicaTudos.com 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
- 15:35How to Survive Chaos | We. Build. | Andrew Lu | TEDxKULeuvenBrusselsIn a world defined by chaos — from pandemics and wars to personal failures and change — what do we do when everything feels uncertain? In his personal and inspiring TEDx talk, Andrew explores how building — not just things, but purpose, relationships, and communities — helps us not only survive chaos but thrive in it. Driven by community, and empowered by resilience—Andrew Lu is a product manager, violinist, and changemaker whose journey spans continents, cultures, and careers. From performing with an international orchestra as a teenager to launching TEDx at his university during the height of a global pandemic, Andrew has always chosen to build when the world breaks down.Now spreading his roots in the heart of Europe, Andrew uses his unique background to transform uncertainty into opportunity—whether it's navigating corporate culture shocks, uniting people through shared purpose, or pioneering initiatives that outlive their founders. 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
- 7:49Fashion Beneath Imagination | Aisyah Thoriq | TEDxAvicenna Cinere SchoolDid you know that research shows that people who read fiction tend to be more empathetic? That same power of stories can shape who we are and who we dare to become. From “you can be anything” Barbie to Disney’s flawed yet fearless heroes, to Elle Woods proving brilliance and pink can coexist, this talk will surprise you, move you, and maybe even change the way you see yourself. What if Barbie, Disney princesses, and Elle Woods could teach us more about real life courage than we ever imagined? In this inspiring TEDx Talk, Aisyah Thoriq shares how fictional characters shaped her self belief, resilience, and the powerful lesson that being underestimated can actually be a secret superpower. Through heartfelt stories and pop culture icons, she reveals how the sparkle on the outside is always fueled by the fire within. TEDxAvicenna Cinere School is a TEDxYouth event that brings together young minds, passionate thinkers, and inspiring speakers to share ideas worth spreading. The event is a collaboration among teachers, staff, students, and speakers, supported by the school and sponsorship. TEDxAvicenna Cinere School celebrates the brilliance and potential of the next generation. Join us for an unforgettable experience that empowers, educates, and inspires youth to shape the future. Aisyah Thoriq is an 11th grader at Avicenna Jagakarsa Senior High School, a 17-year-old girl from Jakarta. She finds comfort in sketching, painting, and styling outfits that reflect her mood. Whether she’s curating collages or experimenting with color, Aisyah uses fashion and art to express her thoughts and tell stories. From school projects to Instagram posts, she’s always done it in her own style. She will be one of the speakers at the TEDxAvicenna Cinere School Pre Event on May 24th, 2025. 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
- 5:14Dear Universe | Britti Mahajan | TEDxTheArdeeSchoolNFCIn a world that often tells us who to be, where to go, and how to live, this talk is a heartfelt outcry to the universe: allow us to simply be. Through stories of reflection, resilience, and belonging, the talk explores the timeless human quest to find our own place in the world. Britti Mahajan is a student of Year 9 at The Ardee School, New Delhi. 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
