In a world consumed by performance, noise, and comparison, being yourself has never been harder—or more revolutionary.In this deeply human and trail-tested talk, Ryan Benz reveals that authenticity isn’t something you find—it’s something you build—and it takes clarity, courage, and connection every step of the way.With honesty and heart, he invites us to slow down, shed what doesn’t fit, and start walking our own path—one step, one choice, one courageous moment at a time. Because in a culture obsessed with attention, the quiet rebellion is choosing to be yourself. Ryan Benz is a bestselling author, speaker, and storyteller known for his deeply human approach to authenticity and personal growth.With nearly two decades of experience as a brand strategist helping organizations uncover what makes them truly unique, Ryan eventually realized that the most important brand you’ll ever build is the one inside yourself. Today, he draws on that insight to guide his work with individuals and teams—helping them cultivate authenticity, build resilience, and inspire growth in life, work, and everything in between. 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

Music is the native language of Volume Speaks, who brings movement to the stage in every sense of the word. Her performances pulse with kinetic energy, textured beats, and a presence that refuses to stay still. She creates worlds through sound, pulling audiences into a sonic journey that feels alive, embodied, and relentlessly forward-moving. Volume Speaks brings more than music; she brings movement. A multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and the only woman to win the Champions Battle with St. Louis’ Fresh Produce Beat Battle, she’s performed with over 20 bands across genres and stages. Her performance at TEDxStLouis is a celebration of sound, story, and creative power. 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

Dijital çağda zaman mı bizi yönetiyor, yoksa biz zamanı mı? Fatih Irak, dikkat ekonomisinin görünmez mekanizmalarını, dijital dünyanın zihinlerimiz üzerindeki etkisini ve bu döngüde farkındalığın gücünü sorguluyor. Zamanın kontrolünü yeniden kazanmak isteyen herkes için bir farkındalık çağrısı.//In the age of the attention economy, do we manage our time — or does time manage us? Fatih Irak, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Meta, explores the hidden mechanics of attention, the influence of the digital world on our minds, and the power of awareness in reclaiming control over our time. A wake-up call for anyone seeking balance in a hyperconnected world.Kariyer hayatına 2006’da kendi iş girişimleri ile başlayan Irak, 2010’dan bu yana NTT DATA Business Solutions Türkiye (eski adıyla itelligence Türkiye) bünyesinde sırasıyla çözüm yöneticisi, sektör satış yöneticisi, endüstri satışları grup yöneticisi, stratejik müşteriler satış müdürlüğü ve son olarak satış direktörü ünvanlarıyla görevini sürdürmüştür. 1985 tarihinde İstanbul’da doğan Fatih Irak, Kadir Has Üniversitesi Endüstri Mühendisliği Bölümü mezunudur. 2021 yılında NTT DATA Business Solutions’da satış ve pazarlamadan sorumlu genel müdür olarak atanan Fatih Irak, 1 Temmuz 2024 tarihi itibariyle görevine META bölgesi Satış ve Pazarlama’dan sorumlu Kıdemli Başkan Yardımcısı olarak devam etmektedir. 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

Lindsey Hermes is literally paving the road to a more sustainable future. As President of BioSpan Technologies, a Missouri-based company that develops eco-friendly materials for roads and infrastructure, she’s leading climate-focused efforts to reduce emissions and rethink how cities are built. A former global supply chain leader and entrepreneur, Lindsey shows how everyday systems, like the roads we drive on, can be reimagined to meet global challenges. Lindsey Hermes is a global leader in tech, innovation, and sustainability with a career spanning four continents. As President and COO of BioSpan Technologies, she drives the development of connected material sciences that advance the circular economy. A St. Louis native with 16 years in Hong Kong, Lindsey brings a global lens to supply chain transformation, collaborating with top brands across apparel, beauty, food, logistics, and more.She’s spoken at major events including CES and GreenBiz Circularity and is known for building communities around innovation. A former agency founder, she’s led initiatives with companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Target, and held leadership roles at FleishmanHillard, Avery Dennison, and Serai.Lindsey co-chaired AmCham Hong Kong’s supply chain committee and advises startups globally. An alumna of WashU and a Harvard Sustainability master’s candidate, she’s passionate about using purpose-driven tech to fuel transparent, sustainable change. 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

Tahterevallinin bir ucunda başarı, diğer ucunda özgürlük… Yılmaz Odacı, kurumsal hayatı geride bırakıp yollara düşen bir dijital pazarlama profesyoneli olarak, dengenin anlamını yeniden tanımlıyor. “Tahterevallinin diğer ucunda kim var?” sorusuyla, bizi kendi hayatlarımızdaki ağırlıkları sorgulamaya davet ediyor.//On one side of the seesaw stands success, on the other — freedom. Yılmaz Odacı, a digital marketing professional who left corporate life to become a traveler, redefines what balance truly means. Through his story, he asks: “Who’s on the other side of the seesaw?” — inviting us to question the weights we carry in our own lives. s a Senior Account Manager at SEM, a leading digital marketing agency, I managed and optimized the campaigns of various clients across different regions, such as LC Waikiki, Tetrapak, and Beymen. I was the primary contact point for these clients, identifying opportunities to increase their revenues, providing them with high-level service, research, and market analysis, and ensuring that their budgets were spent in the most effective way.With a master's degree in marketing communication management from Galatasaray University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Dicle University, I have a strong background in both the technical and creative aspects of digital marketing. I am skilled in Facebook Ads Manager, TikTok Marketing, Social Media Communications, and Enterprise Design Thinking. I am also a META Blueprint Certified Digital Marketing Associate Trainer, which enables me to share my knowledge and experience with other aspiring marketers. I have a very strong interest in travel, sustainability, and global matters, and I am motivated by challenging and innovative projects that make a positive impact. I am an enthusiastic collaborator, a motivated teammate, and a passionate learner. 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

Dijital çağda ruhumuz sürekli uyarılıyor, hızla tüketiyoruz; peki insan kalmayı nasıl başaracağız? Dr. Aslı Aktümen, “Ruhumuzun Sınanan Dengesi: Dijital Çağda İnsan Kalmak” başlıklı konuşmasında, teknolojinin gölgesinde varoluşumuzu korumanın yollarını, psikiyatri ve psikoterapinin penceresinden anlatıyor. Modern dünyanın içinde dengeyi yeniden kurmaya davet ediyor.//In the digital age, our minds are overstimulated and our emotions constantly tested — but how do we remain human? In her talk “The Tested Balance of Our Soul: Staying Human in the Digital Age,” Dr. Aslı Aktümen, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, explores how we can preserve our inner harmony and authenticity amidst the noise of modern life. A call to rediscover balance within ourselves.Uzm.Dr. Aslı Aktümen, Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, ardından Uludağ Üniversitesi Psikiyatri ABD’dan Psikiyatri uzmanı ünvanı alarak meslek hayatına başlamıştır. Bu süreçler ile paralel olarak Odağ Vakfı’ndan Psikanalitik Yönelimli Psikoterapist eğitimini tamamlamıştır. Aynı zamanda Sanatla Terapi ve Yaratıcılık eğitimi, İstanbul Psike Vakfı’ndan Bireysel Psikanaliz, Harvard Tıp Fakültesi Frank M. Dattilio’ dan Aile ve Çift Terapisi eğitimi almıştır. 2011 yılından itibaren çeşitli yurt içi ve yurt dışı psikiyatri kongrelerinde, sanat ve psikiyatri birlikteliği ile ilgili sunumlar ve toplantılar düzenlemektedir.Film yorumları, biyografi çalışmaları, grup terapisi ve bağımlılık terapisi alanlarında çalışmaları devam etmektedir. Aktümen, aynı zamanda Psikeart dergisinde aktif yazarlık yapmaktadır.İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Psikoloji Bölümü’nde ders vermektedir. Şu anda kurucusu olduğu psikiyatri kliniğinde, serbest muayenehane hekimliğine Psikiyatrist ve Psikoterapist olarak devam etmektedir. Aynı zamanda sinematerapi ve sanat terapi alanlarında atölyeler ve eğitimler düzenlemektedir.Kitapları: Bir Psikiyatristin Sinema Defteri, Bilinç Dışı Öyküler/ Sulu Boya, Beş Ses Bir Sır 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