NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfIn this inspiring TEDx talk, entrepreneur Sparsh Agarwal challenges one of the most common beliefs that holds people back from pursuing their dreams — the idea that we must be fully ready before we begin.Standing on the TEDx stage as a student, entrepreneur, and constant learner, Sparsh reflects on a feeling many of us know too well: self-doubt at the moment an opportunity arrives. Drawing from his own journey, he shares how waiting for perfection often delays progress, while action creates clarity.The talk traces Sparsh’s path from a simple college observation — crowded buses and expensive daily travel — to the creation of a carpooling startup that began as nothing more than a problem statement. With no funding, no investors, and limited resources, he and his co-founder funded their startup through freelancing, built multiple failed product versions, learned from rejection, and iterated relentlessly.Through real stories of failure, incubation support, government grants, pitching rooms filled with seasoned founders, and the importance of investing in the right team, Sparsh reveals a powerful insight: success doesn’t wait for readiness — readiness is built through action.This talk is not just about startups or funding; it is about courage, self-belief, and showing up even when you feel unprepared. Sparsh reminds us that problems are often directions in disguise, and that growth begins the moment we decide to take the first step.A compelling message for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone standing at the edge of opportunity, this talk urges us to stop waiting — and start, even if it’s imperfect. Sparsh Agarwal leads AP Mobility India Private Limited, driving product strategy and partnerships for sustainable urban mobility, EV infrastructure, and smart-city transportation projects. With experience in scaling mobility startups and building cross-functional teams, he focuses on impactful technology adoption and ecosystem development. 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

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfEvolution isn’t a straight line—it’s a repeating pattern hiding in plain sight. Let’s explore the fractal shapes that shape life itself. Vishwajeet is a multi-dimensional storyteller bridging technology, creativity, and global impact. With a background in engineering, business, neuropsychology, and international relations, his journey explores the intersection of technology, human behavior, and global systems.He co-founded The Blockchain School, empowering over 100,000+ learners globally, and has worked with industry leaders like Nas Daily to drive education and innovation. Through Stanford WiDS, he and his team facilitated $200,000+ in scholarships for women in web3.At heart, he is a storyteller writing technical documents by day and crafting plays, films, and novels by night. His creative works have won international recognition, seamlessly blending art and technology.Currently, alongside his academic, professional, and creative pursuits, he is in the process of building platforms to address global challenges and inspire change. His mission: to merge technology, creativity, and education to shape a better 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

NOTE FROM TED: Research around microplastics and human health remains an ongoing field of study. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfEvery time we get dressed, we’re wearing more plastic than we realize. From luxury fashion to outdoor gear, synthetic fibers shed microplastics that pollute our oceans, our air, and even our bodies. In this TEDx talk, Phoebe Yu reveals how next-generation, bio-based and biodegradable fibers—powered by regenerative farming, green chemistry, and nature’s own design principles—can transform the fashion supply chain from a source of pollution into a force for planetary healing. Phoebe Yu is the Founder and CEO of ettitude, an award-winning luxury home goods brand on a mission to reduce the harmful impacts of textiles. She is also Co-Founder of PLNTmatter, a material science company turning tree-free plant cellulose into high-performance, low-impact materials through organic chemistry and waste-free processes.Phoebe pioneered CleanBamboo®, a sustainable alternative to cotton, silk, and bamboo viscose, and launched ettitude in 2014. The company was recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in 2020 & 2021 and as one of the most impactful companies by Worth.com in 2024.Through PLNTmatter, Phoebe extends her vision for a regenerative materials revolution, making sustainable innovation scalable and affordable without compromising quality. She was named one of the 100 Most Influential Chinese by Forbes China in 2023 and frequently lectures on entrepreneurship and sustainability. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only reflects the speaker's personal views and understanding of energy, emotions, and healing. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfCreate the life you want, desire, and deserve. Victoria Nielsen is a 2x boy mama, author, intuitive healer, and 200-hr yoga and breathwork facilitator. With a mission to help women discover the goddess within, she demystifies ancient spiritual practices, translating them into grounded, accessible tools for modern women seeking alignment, clarity, and purpose. Through sacred circles, 1:1 coaching, and energy work, she creates transformative spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to trust their intuition and forge their own path. Known for her authenticity, warmth, and “no-fluff” approach to spirituality, Victoria Nielsen believes there’s no one-size-fits-all formula to healing or happiness. Her upcoming TEDx talk, "Cultivating a Life You Don’t Want to Escape," is a call to turn inward, reclaim your truth, and embody a life of self-love, intentionality, and joy—from the inside out. 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 real reason relationships feel harder than ever isn't because of a gender war - it's because we're navigating modern love with outdated relationship maps designed for function-based, rather than connection-based, partnerships. Kristal DeSantis cuts through the noise of polarizing gender wars to offer modern couples what they really need: a roadmap for building strong, lasting bridges to connection and a shared future of love. Drawing from years of clinical experience, she reveals the “4 S’s of Safety”—Self-Awareness, Stability, Self-Regulation, and Self-Expression—as the essential skills for lasting relationships. Her message is clear: love isn’t luck or chemistry—it’s a skill we can all learn to build deeper, safer, and more authentic connections.Kristal DeSantis is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Austin, Texas, who specializes in helping individuals and couples build emotionally connected relationships. She is the author of STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man and works at the intersection of gender dynamics, emotional intelligence, and relationship health.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

When I was nine years old, I lost my best friend. At twenty-one, I lost my dad. Through grief, music, and memory, I discovered the surprising power of nostalgia — not just as a longing for the past, but as a way of choosing hope and healing in the present.In this heartfelt TEDx talk, I share stories of love and loss, the songs that carried me through, and why I believe every moment can be prepared as a future memory. Because when we live intentionally, nostalgia doesn’t just look backward — it fuels joy, empathy, and optimism for what’s ahead.✨ Nostalgia can keep you alive. And glad to be alive.? Listen to my music: [www.girlnamedtom.com] ? Follow along: [@girlnamedtom @bekahliechty]#TEDx #Nostalgia #Healing #Grief #Music #RebekahLiechty Bekah Liechty is a singer and songwriter who shares music with her brothers in the sibling trio Girl Named Tom. After winning NBC’s The Voice as the show’s first-ever group champion, Bekah went from singing in her small hometown of Pettisville, Ohio, to performing on an arena tour with Pentatonix and headlining theatre tours across the country.For Bekah, music is more than performance—it is connection. Her voice, both tender and powerful, carries stories of love, loss, and healing. She believes in the gift of nostalgia: how songs can take us back, hold us in the present, and help us imagine what’s ahead.Whether on stage before thousands or in the quiet of songwriting, Bekah leads with honesty and heart. Her artistry invites listeners to feel deeply, to remember fully, and to find beauty in the moments that shape us. 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