What if the trans story is all of our stories? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking talk, educator and musician Forest Britt shares how his journey as a trans person intersects with broader human experiences—identity, visiblity, and the power of voice. Through music, teaching, and moments of unexpected connection, he explores how storytelling can bridge divides and create understanding. With rising anti-trans legislation and ongoing societal challenges, this talk is a call to recognize our shared responsibility in uplifting one another. By examining privilege, allyship, and the impact of personal narratives, Britt challenges us to ask: How can we use our voices to support those who need us most? Forest Britt is an educator coming to us from New York City. With a Masters of Science in Adolescent Special Education from Pace University, he began his time as an educator participating in the rigorous New York City Teaching Fellows program. With a keen interest in working with Autistic students, he participated as a team member in New York University’s ASD Nest program. Forest now calls Asheville home, bringing his expertise to the local community. A self-proclaimed math nerd, he enjoys uplifting young minds by connecting math to their real-world experiences.Outside of the classroom, Forest is a musician and music production coach, working to empower artists to learn to record themselves at home. Additionally, he finds joy in outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and climbing. Alongside his wife, Luna, he is a champion of LGBTQ+ advocacy. They live together with their two silly, too-smart-for-their-own-good dogs, Rosie and Arrow. 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

Hayatta "mış" gibi yaptıklarımız, "mış" gibi sonuçlar doğurur. Bir gerçek eylem, birçok yol açabilir. İşte yolların kapılarını ardına kadar açan bir konuşma! Doğukan Erdem Kutlu, who lives with the passion of turning life into a story, has a versatile career in media and arts. He has created a unique language in each project by taking on different roles such as presenter, producer and actor. With the unique formats he has developed, he has succeeded in transforming the power of communication into genuine bonds and has presented sincere and in-depth narratives in the productions he has taken part in. Kutlu, who built an emotional bridge with the audience through television programs and series projects, also contributed to multicultural narratives with his cinema experience. For him, every role is a new story, a new perspective that should be approached with empathy. 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

Bir kadın ki köyü sırtında taşır, bir dünya ki takdiri çok görür. Sınırları aşan, bir kanat çırpışıyla fırtınalar koparan bir hikaye... Ümmiye Koçak is a strong female leader who uses art for social change despite her limited educational opportunities. Born and raised in a rural village, Koçak turned to theater to make visible the difficulties faced by village women. With the theater troupe she founded with illiterate women, she staged plays that bravely addressed women's place in society, violence and discrimination. She reached thousands of people with works she wrote and directed such as “Kadınının Feryadı”, “Hasret Çiçekleri” and “Çocuk Gelin”. In 2012, she won international awards for the movie “Yün Bebek”, which she wrote and directed, and became the voice of women with her art. Ümmiye Koçak is an important name who opened up to the world from the countryside with her courage and determination and created social awareness through theater and cinema. 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 We All Thought Like Maria Montessori? Dr. Maria was a revolutionary thinker and educator, with her method of education still being practiced today. What if we follow her ideas of respecting the individual, freedom within limits, observation, learning through experience, learning in community, and peace education, and live into her philosophy of our cosmic task? What if we all think like Maria Montessori? Cheryl Allen is the Montessori Coach at Mountain City Public Montessori. She has taught in Montessori schools for fifteen years. She has been a teacher trainer, parent educator, and a frequent contributor to Montessori magazines. She is currently part of a monthly parenting webinar, which is helping to revise Montessori teacher education programs to both support adult learners with neuro differences and prepare guides to be more comfortable supporting students with neuro differences, and is a workshop presenter. Sheryl is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Montessori Studies at University of Wisconsin, River Falls. 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 do tuk-tuks have to do with curiosity? Why do we stop asking questions as we grow older? Abheek reflects on a childhood memory of tuk-tuks in Bangalore and a rainy night in Bangkok to explore what it means to stay curious in a world that rewards certainty. This talk is a call to slow down, notice the overlooked, and rediscover the joy of questioning - not for answers, but for the spark itself.Abheek is a grade 11 student with a passion for engineering and astronomy and all things STEM. His curiosity in these realms have led him to success in many competitions, such as FIRST Robotics. He transfers and furthers these passions by leading clubs and building communities. In a world where society often leads to its gradual decline, Abheek truly values curiosity as an intellectual tool of the highest order. Through his first TEDxYouth talk, he wishes to reach a diverse audience and highlight the importance of curiosity in our lives. He believes that a spark is always there; it just needs kindling. 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 biggest changes in your life weren’t the ones you remember? In fact, your brain never stops changing - every thought and challenge is silently rewiring your brain - thanks to neuroplasticity. In this talk, Zhanel explains why feeling “stuck” is a sign of hidden transformation and reminds that even in your quietest moments, you’re evolving.Zhanel is a grade nine student originally from Kazakhstan. Recently, she has been very curious about what’s going on inside our heads - literally. So in her first TEDxYouth talk, she explores neuroplasticity, or rather how small, invisible moments, instead of one big event, create real change in our minds. Zhanel hopes to help people understand their minds, and the invisible changes that shape us everyday. By connecting this idea to the event’s theme, Turning Point, she indicates that change is not always something we consciously decide to do, and it can happen without us realizing it. When not diving into neuroscience, Zhanel enjoys playing video games, hanging out with friends and family, participating in MUN and debate, playing tennis, and reading books. 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