Life thrives far from equilibrium, driven by dynamic energy flows that build complexity and break symmetry. These flows create patterns, from the mesmerizing murmur of starlings to the rippling protein waves in cells, revealing a self-organizing dance in the physics of living systems. By understanding these patterns, we can understand the arrow of time, energy, and the processes that sustain life, challenging us to perceive existence as a vibrant, evolving ballet.Nikta is an associate professor in the department of physics at MIT and the physics of living systems group. She studies how to adapt and extend physics concepts to describe how tiny biological components give rise to living organisms. Her research group combines concepts from physics, biology, and engineering to decode non-equilibrium mechanisms in active living matter and exploit these mechanisms to engineer functional, active materials.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

Chef Yia Vang believes food is a universal language that brings people together to foster community and belonging. Through his acclaimed restaurants, Vinai and Union Hmong Kitchen, Yia shares the rich traditions of Hmong cuisine, using each dish as a way to tell stories and connect cultures.An award-winning chef and storyteller, Yia has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, and Bon Appétit and showcased on PBS, CNN, and Food Network. His latest restaurant Vinai has received national recognition, including a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination. Through his work in the kitchen and on screen, including his PBS show “Relish” and podcast “Hmonglish,” Yia honors his heritage and invites people to experience the power of food in building bridges across communities. An award-winning chef and storyteller, Yia has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, and Bon Appétit and showcased on PBS, CNN, and Food Network. His latest restaurant, Vinai, has received national recognition, including a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination.Through his work in the kitchen and on screen - including his PBS show Relish and podcast Hmonglish - Yia honors his heritage and invites people to experience the power of food in building bridges across communities. 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 a society that often treats menopause as a taboo or a loss, Keri Mangis offers a bold reframing: What if this transition was honored as a sacred rite of passage? In her “Pause Day” concept, Keri invites us to celebrate menopause not as an ending, but as the birth of elderhood - a time of deeper wisdom, freedom, and power.Drawing from spiritual traditions, cultural analysis, and personal experience, Keri explores how “Pause Day” ceremonies could transform personal healing and societal structures alike. She dismantles myths, restores dignity to aging, and reconnects women to their rightful place as vital elders in their communities. Through ritual, story, and community, Keri helps audiences reimagine midlife as the most powerful chapter yet. Keri speaks and writes for those navigating times of transition, questioning old beliefs, and seeking deeper meaning in an increasingly chaotic world. Drawing on two decades of study in spiritual and personal transformation including Alchemy, Jungian psychology, rites of passage, and cultural myth, Keri brings a unique voice to conversations about change. She bridges ancient wisdom with modern realities, inviting readers and audiences alike to reclaim their agency, reimagine their roles, and move through life’s thresholds with greater clarity and 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

“Stigma is built in silence, disclosure is the only way to break it.” We like to think our choices are independent, but much of what we think, believe, and fear is conditioned by societal norms. Abdirahman Warsame’s powerful story of addiction, survival, and recovery reveals how breaking silence is the only way to dismantle the invisible forces that shape our world.Abdirahman is a Minneapolis-based activist, nonprofit leader, and advocate for addiction recovery in the Somali and East African communities. As the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Generation Hope, he has worked to bring culturally competent addiction recovery services to underserved communities. His spoken word pieces, documentary “The Forgotten Ones,” and advocacy have sparked critical conversations on mental health, trauma, and healing. Recognized with the International Somali Award and Public Health Hero Award, Abdirahman’s mission is clear: Challenge the way we see the world so we can change it. Abdirahman is a Minneapolis-based activist, nonprofit leader, and advocate for addiction recovery in the Somali and East African communities. As the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Generation Hope, he has worked to bring culturally competent addiction recovery services to underserved communities.His spoken word pieces, documentary 'The Forgotten Ones', and advocacy have sparked critical conversations on mental health, trauma, and healing. Recognized with the International Somali Award and Public Health Hero Award, Abdirahman’s mission is clear: challenge the way we see the world so we can change it. 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

Yellappa Reddy, shares his role as a guardian of biodiversity, and how he led numerous initiatives to restore degraded lands, protect wildlife, and promote afforestation. His dedication has inspired communities, policymakers, and youth to see conservation as a shared responsibility. Even after retirement, he continues to be a voice of wisdom, guiding society toward ecological balance and ethical leadership. This talk highlights not just his professional journey but also his values, proving that integrity and passion can truly change the future of our planet. He is highly respected Retired IFS officer & known for his unwavering integrity and lifelong commitment to environmental protection. With decades of experience in forest conservation and sustainable development, he has played a vital role in shaping eco-conscious policies in Karnataka and beyond. His work has always reflected honesty, discipline, and deep respect for natural ecosystems. #Environment #Forest #IFS #IntegrityInAction #ForestConservation #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateActionIndia #BiodiversityMatters #EcoLeadership #ClimateChange #SaveForests #WesternGhats #VanaDurge A N Yellappa Reddy is one of India’s most respected environmentalists, a former Indian Forest Service officer & a pioneer in eco-restoration, he transformed the Western Ghats & helped shape landmark laws. He played a pivotal role in strengthening the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, ensuring greater accountability in urban tree protection. His efforts helped institutionalize tree mapping, community involvement, and ecological restoration across Bengaluru & the Western Ghats.Rooted in both science and ancient wisdom, he revived the practice of Sacred Gardens-blending tribal traditions, Ayurveda, and native biodiversity. Today, he continues to protect our forests, water systems,& endangered species with unwavering dedication. At 89, he continues to live a life of purpose -as an environmentalist, author, mentor, & guardian of nature’s legacy. He inspires generations through his words, his actions, and his unwavering belief that integrity and nature must always walk together. 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