This talk traces Saijal Bansal’s heartfelt journey through change, challenge, and rediscovery. From her early years in boarding school to navigating life across cities and countries, Saijal shares how each unexpected detour shaped her into who she is today. Studying psychology abroad, returning home transformed, and finding her purpose through hypnotherapy—all became milestones in her path toward inner strength. Through creativity, compassion, and a mind wired for wonder, she shows how growth often comes from the roads we never planned to take. This is a story of resilience, warmth, and finding your way back to yourself—one detour at a time. She is a Mental Health Consultant and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and through her practice Apricity Haven, she guides individuals back to inner healing and self-connection. Blending therapy and storytelling, she creates safe, transformative spaces where vulnerability becomes strength, and pain finds purpose — rooted in her belief that no one should have to carry their struggles alone. 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

Morgan dyed her hair Manic Panic green in middle school because she loved standing out. Years later, her face was 10 stories high on the Nasdaq billboard… and she felt empty. Morgan Massie had perfected the performance of leadership—until she realized polish was costing her everything that actually mattered. A raw, funny, science-backed revelation: the most powerful leaders aren’t the most flawless. They’re the most present. Morgan Massie is a leadership strategist, coach, and best-selling author with over 20 years of experience helping leaders grow their impact from the inside out.As the founder of Leadership and Training Concierge, she guides executives, entrepreneurs, and teams to lead with presence, purpose, and heart. Morgan holds a master’s degree in instructional systems design and is currently completing her PhD in business management and leadership studies. Her work has been featured by Forbes, Nasdaq, and major media outlets. Drawing from lived experience and research, Morgan speaks on authentic leadership, connected communication, and the courage to show up real. She believes the future of leadership won’t be written by those who wait—but by those who speak the truth of where they are. 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

Strade chiuse, tetti coperti di nero, città paralizzate. Quando l'Etna erutta, sembra solo un enorme problema. Ma se vi dicessimo che quella polvere nera, quella cenere vulcanica, può diventare "oro" per l'ambiente? In questo talk visionario, la ricercatrice Alessia Marzo ci guida attraverso una scoperta sorprendente che trasforma un disastro naturale in una risorsa vitale. Invece di spendere milioni per smaltire la cenere vulcanica come rifiuto, il team del dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente dell'Università di Catania ha scoperto che può essere un filtro perfetto per pulire le acque di scarico delle nostre città.In questo TEDx Talk vedrai come funziona un impianto di fitodepurazione "alimentato" dal vulcano; i risultati incredibili: da acqua sporca a risorsa per l'agricoltura; come trasformare un'emergenza in un'opportunità green.Un'analisi tecnica su come le Soluzioni Basate sulla Natura possono ottimizzare il ciclo integrato delle acque. Alessia Marzo è una ricercatrice di idraulica agraria e sistemazioni idraulico-forestali presso il Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A) dell’Università di Catania. La sua ricerca si concentra sulla valutazione delle efficienze depurative e sul riuso delle acque reflue attraverso sistemi di fitodepurazione. In particolare, si occupa dell’impiego di substrati innovativi e dell’analisi del loro funzionamento idraulico. Ha pubblicato oltre 40 lavori scientifici, ha partecipato a numerose conferenze nazionali e internazionali di carattere scientifico e divulgativo, è referente Erasmus, è rapresentante dei Ricercatori in Giunta del Di3A, è membro del GreenLab del Di3A. 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

In this thought-provoking talk, our speaker takes us from the confines of a metaphorical 6x6 box to the vast terrain of real-world exploration. Through experiences in boarding school, corporate corridors, classrooms, and finally remote mountains, he uncovers how fear, resistance, and uncertainty shape us—and how stepping beyond familiar boundaries rewires us for growth. With stories of bold risks, unexpected detours, and the “art of beggary” that opened global doors, he reveals one powerful message: comfort limits learning, but wonder expands it. This talk invites every listener to embrace the unknown and “go risk something today.” He is a Pune-based educator and facilitator with decades of experience in experiential education across India and abroad. As Director of FEEP, he designs learning-by-doing programmes for schools, corporates, teachers, and communities, and was instrumental in introducing Play for Peace in India. At TEDx, he brings insights from this global, hands-on journey to re-imagine education, teamwork, and community building. 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

Muitas pessoas terminam a universidade com um sonho claro: conseguir um emprego estável, com bom salário, progressão na carreira, benefícios e prestígio. Subir na hierarquia, tornar-se gestor, talvez até mesmo chegar a CEO. Esse percurso tradicional parece sólido, previsível e seguro. É visto como a rota natural para alcançar sucesso, estabilidade e conforto financeiro.Contudo, a realidade desse caminho nem sempre corresponde às expectativas. Empresas mudam, são compradas, reestruturadas ou simplesmente desaparecem, e muitos colaboradores, mesmo sendo bons profissionais, podem ser dispensados por motivos alheios ao seu mérito. Paralelamente, o sucesso profissional nem sempre traz realização pessoal. A rotina intensa, a pressão constante, as longas jornadas de trabalho, as reuniões intermináveis e a falta de tempo para si ou para a família geram frustração, ansiedade e questionamentos sobre o verdadeiro propósito da vida.Norberto defende uma alternativa: transformar-nos em profissionais independentes, por exemplo, consultores, usando a experiência acumulada para ajudar um número mais vasto de clientes, com liberdade de gestão do próprio tempo e independência. Esse modo de trabalho possibilita fugir da rotina repetitiva, dá autonomia para escolher projetos, permite equilibrar a vida pessoal e profissional e obriga a aprender novas competências, como autogestão, marketing pessoal, gestão de projetos e criação de valor. Para quem procura significado, flexibilidade e controlo sobre o seu destino, essa pode ser uma via mais consciente e gratificante do que a promessa ilusória da estabilidade corporativa. Especialista em comunicação, inovação e liderança, ele transforma a oratória em ferramenta estratégica e conecta pessoas por meio de ideias que provocam e inspiram. Organizador, curador e apresentador do TEDxPorto, Norberto é reconhecido internacionalmente por sua trajetória em mais de 280 eventos TEDx, palestras e competições ao redor do mundo. ? 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

In an age of rapid technological change and AI-driven disruption, collapse is no longer an exception—it’s a catalyst. Drawing from a life-altering spinal injury and her journey into building an AI-powered creative agency, the speaker reframes breakdowns as opportunities for reinvention. This talk introduces a simple, human-centered framework—Pause, Prototype, Partner—to show how adaptability, not talent, is the real creative superpower. Rather than fearing AI, she invites us to collaborate with it, using technology to amplify imagination, accelerate experimentation, and design what comes next. This is a call to move from resistance to creative alchemy—and to become active co-creators of our future. bio coming soon 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