How to escape mediocrity and lead with impact | Jo Rose | TEDxForbesPark
Most people settle for mediocrity because they believe it’s safer to settle than to risk more. Jo Rose shows why authenticity and courage are the true antidotes to mediocrity, and how leading with them can transform your life and your impact. Jo Rose is a meditation guide, entrepreneur, and creator of A Zen Mind, a globally recognized podcast. Blending personal development with grounded strategy, Jo has built a thriving business rooted in mindfulness, energy work, and conscious creation. She helps people align with their highest selves through meditation, courses, and custom practices that integrate mindset tools and somatic techniques. Known for her accessible approach, Jo makes deep transformation feel practical, inspiring, and magnetic. Beyond her work, she is passionate about empowering others to step into their authenticity, expand their vision, and create lives of freedom, purpose, and alignment. Her mission is simple: to show that choosing presence, clarity, and inner alignment can unlock limitless potential. 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
More from TED
- 10:14Standing Tall: Redefining Confidence | Navya Khambete | TEDxTheOrchidSchoolThis story reflects Navya’s journey of embracing herself for who she is and reclaiming her voice. Growing up, Navya was often made to feel small by those around her who judged her for her height. Jokes, whispers, and dismissals planted a seed of doubt in her, and self-doubt took over. Through her talk, she speaks about how, with the support of her family and friends, she rebuilt her confidence and learned that true bravery lies in asking for help. Navya is a 15-year-old changemaker with a deep sense of collective growth for herself and everyone around her. Headstrong, punctual, empathetic, and confident, she leads with heart, discipline, and authenticity. As her school’s ex-house captain, a core member of the history club, and a fashion-forward creative, Navya brings purpose and originality to everything she does. She’s an experienced public speaker, a graceful dancer, and a proud founder of a student-led cleanliness campaign in her community. A passionate communicator and optimistic leader, Navya makes the most of every opportunity not just to grow, but to inspire meaningful change in every space she enters. 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
- 10:28Channeling the Spirit of the Music in ASL | Brandon Kazen-Maddox | TEDxPasadenaASL Artist and Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA) Brandon Kazen-Maddox reveals the joys and challenges of growing up Black and Queer in a white, Deaf world—and how they found their voice through music and sign language. Brandon Kazen-Maddox is a Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA) and third-generation native signer of American Sign Language (ASL) who identifies as a Nonbinary, Black Indigenous Person of Color and a member of the LGBTQAI+ community.From 2010 to 2017, Brandon worked as a professional circus acrobat in San Francisco, CA and honed their circus training and dance technique through various collaborations in theatre, film and opera. In May 2019, Brandon graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA in Dance and New Technology. Brandon currently works as a professional artist, choreographer, director, editor, acrobat and ASL Artist.In the summer of 2020, Brandon co-founded Up Until Now Collective, an interdisciplinary arts and media company centering stories of radical empathy and inclusion. Brandon collaborates with and provides opportunities for Deaf artists who share a passion for bringing artistic works of ASL Dance Theater to the stage, screen and beyond.Brandon also highlights and empowers BIPOC and LGBTQAI+ artists, building multicultural bridges of collaboration and community for artists of all backgrounds and abilities.Up Until Now Collective projects include SOUL(SIGNS) : An ASL Playlist, SOUL(SIGNS): OPERA, Global Citizen's 2022 Pride Video Campaign, and the Time Square Midnight Moment ("Georgia").Throughout the summer of 2021, Brandon served as the lead liaison for providing ASL services at The Shed, Little Island, Lincoln Center and the Park Avenue Armory, where they brought Deaf Directors of Artistic Sign Language into the inner workings of arts organizations and integrated both the Deaf perspective and Deaf performers onstage, on camera and behind the scenes. Brandon continues to lend their artistry to the empowerment of the Deaf, Disability and Arts community on a local, national and international scale.Brandon's work as an ASL Artist, interpreter and social activist has been featured in The New York Times and Dance Magazine, on CNN , ABC World News, PBS Newshour's "Brief But Spectacular," and ABC/Disney's "Storytellers Spotlight" series. Brandon has appeared as a co-star in "The Good Fight" (CBS) and “High Maintenance” (HBO).Brandon was also a featured story-teller for the 100th episode of "Stories From The Stage" (PBS). They are also a recipient of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Grant and an awardee of the 2022 cycle of the Creative Capital Award for the ASL Dance Theatre reimagining of Joseph Moncure March’s graphic poem, The Wild Party. Brandon is also a recipient of the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation grant, from 2023-2025. Brandon was also named one of Gucci's 2022 Chime-for-Change: Visions for a Feminist Future and was a featured speaker for "A Day of Unreasonable Conversation" at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Brandon is a 2024 Artist-in-Residence for PBS/WNET/ALL ARTS and their half-hour special SOUL(SIGNS): Making Music Visible premiered on April 15 and is currently available to stream on-line. 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
