What if building better habits had less to do with discipline—and more to do with showing up? In this inspiring talk, Aaron Colaco unpacks the real reason most habits fail and how to fix it. Drawing from personal battles, everyday routines, and moments far outside his comfort zone, he shares a refreshing approach to syncing good habits into your lifestyle—without needing superhuman willpower. Through powerful insights and actionable advice, Aaron shows how small, consistent changes can unlock big transformations. His message is simple yet urgent: Life won’t wait—so neither should you. Whether you're struggling to stay consistent or just beginning your self-growth journey, this talk will help you stop overthinking and start doing. Aaron Colaco is a Toastmaster, a proud cancer survivor, and a passionate advocate for habit-building and personal growth. With a background in Computer Engineering, an MBA in Finance, and Data Science credentials from IIT Madras, Aaron brings together the discipline of tech and the heart of human resilience. He believes that meaningful habits, coupled with great communication, are the true engines of transformation. Through his work, Aaron empowers others to build systems that stick, turning small steps into lifelong momentum. 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

The origin of the Cabaçal Band in the municipality of Várzea Alegre and in the arid hinterlands of Cariri, where the scorching sun mixes with the dust of the roads and the earth echoes, is a tradition that spans generations and captivates hearts. The pulsating rhythm of the Cabaçal Band is a cultural expression deeply rooted in the Northeast of Brazil. The origin of the Cabaçal Band in the municipality of Várzea Alegre and in the arid hinterlands of Cariri, where the scorching sun mixes with the dust of the roads and the earth echoes, is a tradition that spans generations and captivates hearts. The pulsating rhythm of the Cabaçal Band is a cultural expression deeply rooted in the Northeast of Brazil. 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

"Pelé o Bico de Ouro" - A musician who learned to play the trumpet and whistle songs using only his lips by himself. Everything was self-taught. He has performed in various local, regional, and national media shows. A musician who learned to play the trumpet and whistle songs using only his lips. Everything was self-taught. He has performed in various local, regional, and national media outlets. 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

Musical Performance by the Writer and Poet Bruno Siebra and Maestro Romildo Silva. The performance featured a sung poem by Bruno Siebra and the songs Lamento Sertanejo, composed by Dominguinhos, as well as A Hora do Adeus and Sanfona Sentida by Luiz Gonzaga. Everything evoked our Northeast, our roots! Bruno Siebra, born in Várzea Alegre, Ceará, on March 27, 1983, is a multifaceted professional. He holds a degree in Journalism from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), with postgraduate studies in Portuguese Language and Arts Education. In addition, he is a musician, writer, teacher, and book editor. He also works as an audiovisual producer.In summary: Bruno Siebra is a professional with diverse areas of expertise, including journalism, music, writing, and education.Details:Education: Journalism (UFPI), Postgraduate in Portuguese Language and Arts EducationFields of Work: Journalist, Musician, Writer, Teacher, Book Editor, and Audiovisual ProducerPlace of Birth: Várzea Alegre, CearáDate of Birth: March 27, 1983Other Activities: Blogger and book editor at Siebra Comunicação 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

Matthew and Isobel explore how large language models can become collaborators in the creative process. In a fearless, informal dialogue, they delve into how LLM tools can illuminate the art of verbal creativity and character development in dramatic writing. Blending art, philosophy, and machine learning, they take us on a playful, mind-bending journey through the strange loops of consciousness, identity, and creativity, both human and artificial. Matthew Gasda is a playwright, director, and novelist based in New York City and the founder of the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research. His work explores the emotional and intellectual undercurrents of contemporary life, examining themes of identity, performance, desire, and cultural decay through ensemble casts and stylized dialogue. Known for his commitment to independent theater and DIY production, Gasda has written and staged numerous plays—including Dimes Square, Berlin Story, Ardor, Zoomers, Doomers, and Soonest Mended (that have attracted devoted followings for their incisive wit, philosophical depth, and naturalistic staging). His plays are often set in spaces of social tension (apartments, bars, dinner parties) where intimacy and conflict unfold simultaneously.In addition to his theatrical work, Gasda is the author of several novels, including The Sleepers, and numerous essays. He is deeply engaged with the intersections of aesthetics, history, and thought, and his writing reflects a reverence for classical forms fused with a distinctly modern sensibility. Gasda's work has been compared to that of Eric Rohmer, Richard Linklater, and Wallace Shawn, but his voice remains unmistakably his own: raw, searching, and alert to the beauty and absurdity of everyday life.Isobel McCrum is a language engineer and historian investigating the moral and material consequences of large language models, both in product development and at large. At Microsoft, she works at the intersection of ethics, design, and engineering, developing tools and frameworks to better understand model behavior and safeguard the integrity of human cognition in generative systems. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges language patterns, technical architecture, and responsible innovation. As a co-founder of Folly Productions, Isobel also explores these questions through storytelling, confronting the cultural and psychological tension that generative technology provokes. Using narrative to generate conversation, Isobel’s creative work embraces ambiguity, asking audiences what it means to be human in an era shaped by transhumanist possibility., 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

Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, from global finance to health tech, Yobie Benjamin shares real-world insights into building AI systems that are both groundbreaking and safe, inviting us to rethink how we develop, deploy, and govern artificial intelligence in service of society. Yobie Benjamin is an AI architect and venture investor who has worked on artificial intelligence implementations across various industries. Recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, he co-founded Token.io, which helped develop Open Banking innovation used by 80 UK and European banks serving 210 million users. During his time as Global CTO at Citibank, he contributed to the technological infrastructure supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay.Benjamin focuses on exploring practical and technical approaches to AI safety while developing beneficial applications. His experimental projects include AI tools for analyzing dog health through movement patterns trained on thousands of videos, and systems for assessing skin health combining image processing, skin and gut microbiome analysis. Through his writings and essays, he shares perspectives on responsible AI development and brings unique insights to enterprises navigating complex AI deployments and risk mitigation. He volunteers as Digital Innovation Advisor to the UN's World Food Programme and serves on the California Healthcare Facilities Funding Authority Board. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience solving enterprise-scale AI challenges, he helps organizations balance innovation with safety in their AI implementations. 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