What if the angriest people you meet aren’t your enemies—but just overinflated blowfish? In this riveting and unexpectedly funny TEDx talk, veteran ER nurse and award-winning speaker Katelyn Carey unpacks the biology of rage and the hidden science of why telling someone to “calm down” never, ever works. With gripping stories and cutting-edge neuroscience, Katelyn shows how modern stress hijacks our ancient threat responses—and how understanding those responses can help us de-escalate even the most chaotic conversations. Her practical tools, or "brain hacks," help deflate tension, reduce conflict, and restore calm when it matters most. Katelyn Carey is a healthcare leader, national speaker, and the founder of “Beauty After Breast Cancer,” a trauma-informed resource offering hope and empowerment. If you’re tired of polarization and ready to connect through the chaos, this talk will leave you equipped, inspired, and newly curious. Katelyn Carey is an acute care nurse and crisis management specialist who uses humor and storytelling to explain how our brains process information differently under stress. Passionate about making science accessible, Katelyn turns complex concepts into practical tools and brain hacks to support high-stress interactions. She has designed and taught programs supporting caregivers, from community crisis nurseries to physician residency programs. As a speaker and author, the tools Katelyn has developed are used by healthcare organizations globally, helping professionals navigate the challenges of caregiving and crisis management. 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

What if the key to environmental resilience was swaying gently beneath the ocean surface? In this enlightening TEDx talk, marine biologist and kelp entrepreneur Inga Potter unveils kelp’s remarkable potential to heal our planet. Regenerative, nutrient-rich, and carbon-absorbing, kelp may be nature’s most underestimated climate superhero. Inga shares how kelp farming supports both ecological restoration and economic revitalization—providing jobs, absorbing carbon, improving ocean health, and fueling new innovations in skincare and bioplastics. As co-founder of Cold Current Kelp and a lifelong ocean advocate, she reveals how science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship can come together to tackle one of our most urgent crises. With clarity, passion, and science-backed optimism, Inga helps us imagine a future where working waterfronts thrive, communities adapt, and the ocean becomes a source of renewal. If you care about climate, coastlines, or creative solutions, this talk might just make you a kelp believer. Inga Potter is a marine biologist, educator, and blue economy entrepreneur, co-founder of Cold Current Kelp, a kelp farm and skincare company in Kittery, Maine. The company uses regeneratively farmed kelp to create skincare products and develop extraction technology to explore the chemistry of kelp’s bioactive compounds. Inga is passionate about kelp’s potential to heal the planet and build resiliency in New England’s waterfront communities. She earned her Ph.D. in large fish ecology from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 and has collaborated with scientists globally. Inga’s lifelong love of the ocean began with childhood summers on Nantucket Island, where she now returns with her four children. 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

At 45, Freddy Petrone lost his sight—and found a deeper vision. In this gripping TEDx talk, Freddy shares his raw journey through addiction, depression, and the moment everything went dark—literally. But instead of giving up, he reached out. Freddy's story is a powerful testament to the healing power of service. “Depression has a hard time hitting a moving target,” he says. With that mantra, he rebuilt his life through helping others, founding two charities (I Got Bridged and Recovery Church Portsmouth) that support people facing the very challenges he overcame. If you’re struggling, stuck, or searching for meaning, Freddy’s story may be the bridge you need to take the next step. Freddy is often seen walking miles around Portsmouth with his white blind cane, sunglasses, and a backpack, always with a sense of purpose—to help others. In 2018, at 45, Freddy lost his eyesight due to a rare genetic disease while recovering from a lifetime of addiction. He believes losing his sight saved his life. In 2021, he founded I Got Bridged, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need on the Seacoast. The term “getting bridged” symbolizes overcoming life’s obstacles. Petrone is also one of the founders of Recovery Church Portsmouth, a church created by the recovery community for the recovery community. 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

Every day, teachers across America walk into classrooms carrying invisible weight—trauma, exhaustion, and a system that expects them to be superheroes without support. In this raw and revelatory TEDx talk, Sandi Herrera unpacks the devastating cost of neglecting educator wellbeing—and offers a powerful framework for redesigning schools from the inside out. From active shooter drills to emotional burnout, Sandi invites us to face the uncomfortable truth: we are losing incredible educators not because they don’t love teaching, but because the system is breaking them. And there is hope. She shares how her ME. WE. SCHOOL. model is transforming campuses and lives, proving that when we prioritize those who guide our children, the ripple effect changes everything. Sandi Herrera is CEO of HumanizEDU and co-author of Unpacking Bliss. She is leading a national movement to build psychologically safe schools where both educators and students thrive. Sandi Herrera is the CEO of HumanizEDU, leading efforts to create psychologically safe schools where both teachers and students thrive. With a background in workplace culture and leadership, she began her career as COO of Delivering Happiness, founded by Tony Hsieh. Sandi has since worked with schools globally, helping leaders build cultures of trust, connection, and empowerment. She is the co-author of Unpacking Bliss, a Certified Organizational & Relationship Systems Coach, and an Accredited Genius Educator. A thought leader and culture strategist, Sandi is dedicated to helping educators unlock their potential and inspire students to embrace their own brilliance. 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

From Annie to Spider-Man to Peter Pan, pop culture loves the scrappy orphan who beats the odds. But what if these stories—meant to inspire—are actually harming the very kids they claim to uplift? In this powerful and deeply personal TEDx talk, foster parent and advocate Hilary Crowley reveals the hidden damage behind these well-meaning myths. A quiet moment with her son, sparked by a vulnerable turtle in the road, becomes a window into the deep fears and invisible wounds children in foster care carry every day. Hilary introduces the concept of the “Foster Mindset”—not a system, but a way of being. One rooted in nourishment, support, and real connection. Because fostering isn’t just about providing a home—it’s about creating a space safe enough to grow. With heart, clarity, and a powerful call to action, Hilary challenges us to rethink what kids in crisis truly need—and to offer foster youth what fairy tales never do: a real childhood that leads to a healthy adulthood. As a foster mom, Hilary Crowley is passionate about children, healing, and the transformative power of real-life stories. She serves as an Educational Advocate in New Hampshire, supporting children in state custody. As the host of The Good Energy Healing Show podcast, Hilary shares her journey as an energy healer with over twenty years of experience in integrative healthcare at Whole Life Health Care. A regular presenter at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, she is also the author of The Power of Energy Medicine: Your Natural Prescription for Resilient Health. Hilary is currently working on her next book, focused on developing your intuitive brilliance. 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