Life often hands us challenges that make us question everything we know about ourselves. For Renee Exelbert, that challenge was cancer. While some call these experiences “gifts,” the real question is: what do we do with a gift we never asked for? In this talk, Renee explores how life’s hardest moments can be transformed into powerful sources of strength, meaning, and possibility. Dr. Renee A. Exelbert is a licensed psychologist, certified elite personal trainer, and author dedicated to exploring the mind-body connection in healing and empowerment. She is the Founding Director of The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change, where she integrates psychotherapy and exercise to help individuals regain control of their bodies and minds. A four-time cancer survivor, Dr. Exelbert has turned her personal battle into a mission—guiding others through resilience, strength, and transformation. She previously served as a Staff Psychologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital Cancer Center, working with pediatric cancer patients, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt. A sought-after speaker and media expert, she shares her insights on mental and physical well-being in her book, Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned from Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Patient. 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

We all want to solve the plastic problem — but what if our solutions are making it worse? In this talk, Bengu challenges common assumptions about plastic and invites us to rethink what real change might look like. Bengu Mete is a chemical engineering researcher with expertise in materials science and bioengineering. Her work explores the complex role of plastics in modern society, from their essential applications in medicine and technology to their environmental impact. With a focus on sustainable materials and innovative solutions, she challenges conventional narratives around plastic use, advocating for smarter, climate-conscious strategies. Through her research, Mete aims to bridge the gap between sustainability and practicality, shaping a future where materials science drives positive 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

At just 16 years old, Meridith Bradley founded an NGO dedicated to teaching middle school girls about safety and self-defense. She believes that empowering young women early is the key to preventing harm before it happens. In this talk, Meridith shares how prevention—not just treatment—can spark lasting social change and create safer, stronger futures. At just 16 years old, Meridith Bradley is proving that leadership has no age limit. As the founder of Safe and Seen Lubbock, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and empowering young women, she has turned passion into action—challenging the way we think about service and impact.Beyond her advocacy work, Meridith is a dedicated student, a big sister, and an animal lover. Through her efforts, she is inspiring others to take bold steps toward change, no matter their age or resources. 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 transcends borders, languages, and cultures — reminding us that we are more connected than divided. In this talk, Maestro David Cho takes us on a journey through the world of music, showing how harmony and melody unite people across nations and generations. David In-Jae Cho is an internationally acclaimed conductor and music director, known for his dynamic leadership and artistic excellence. Born in Seoul and immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, he trained at Oberlin Conservatory, the Peabody Institute, and Rice University, launching a career that has taken him to Carnegie Hall, the Salzburg Festival, and the Kennedy Center.Cho has collaborated with world-renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Renée Fleming and has conducted major symphonies across the U.S. and beyond. As Music Director of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, he is passionate about using music to inspire, connect, and bring communities 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

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world — but are we building it the right way? In this talk, Dr. Stas Tiomkin explains how AI really works and explores the difference between machine-driven and human-driven AI. He challenges us to design AI that empowers people, partners with us, and strengthens society instead of replacing us. Dr. Stas Tiomkin is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Texas Tech University, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Reinforcement Learning, and Human-AI Interaction. He holds a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and completed postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley’s Robot Learning Lab. His work focuses on building AI systems that are not only intelligent but also aligned with human values, exploring areas such as intrinsic motivation in AI, control of robotic systems, and safe human-AI collaboration. 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 does identity mean when you never belong to the majority? From Iraq to Lebanon to the United States, Lahib has always lived as a minority. In this talk, she reflects on her journey across nations and cultures, exploring how identity is questioned, reshaped, and discovered when you’re always on the margins. Lahib Jaddo is an Iraqi-born artist, architect, and educator whose work spans painting, sculpture, and storytelling. Born in Baghdad to a Turkmen family, she spent her formative years in Iraq and Lebanon before immigrating to the U.S., where she earned a Master of Architecture and a Master of Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. Jaddo's art explores themes of memory, displacement, and cultural identity, blending her Middle Eastern heritage with her deep connection to the American landscape. She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and is the subject of the award-winning documentary Jaddoland. 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