Finding stories in our closets | Ishanvi Tupili | TEDxOakridgeGachibowli
In a world of overflowing wardrobes and ever-changing fashion trends, how is it that we so often feel like we have “nothing to wear”? Ishanvi takes us from her own crowded closet to her grandmother’s forgotten sarees, uncovering how the Paradox of Plenty plays out in fashion. Through her initiative Saree Stories, she shows how upcycling old garments not only revives fabric but also preserves memories, empowers women, and redefines value in what we wear. With humor, honesty, and vision, she challenges us to rethink fast fashion and discover the deeper stories stitched into our clothes. Ishanvi Tupili is a spirited and thoughtful student with a deep love for fashion and sustainability. She sees clothing not just as fabric, but as a medium for storytelling and change, leading initiatives like upcycling sarees into modern designs that bridge heritage and conscious living. Her curiosity extends into psychology, where she explores the ways people think, feel, and connect, fueling her interest in human behavior and empathy. Beyond her academic and creative pursuits, she is an accomplished horse rider, finding freedom and discipline in the sport. Always open to new challenges, she thrives in spaces that allow her to combine creativity with purpose. At TEDx, she hopes to share a vision of fashion that redefines abundance and inspires meaningful 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
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- 4:59Breath as an Act of Rebellion | Sepideh Eivazi | TEDxPacific AvenueWhat if the most powerful act of resistance isn’t loud or public—but intimate, embodied and ancient? In this soul-awakening TEDx talk, Sepideh Eivazi—an Iranian-born visionary, immersive experience designer, trauma-informed breathwork practitioner, and mental health activist—guides us from silence to self-reclamation through the radical power of breath.At 20 Sepideh fled Iran with her 17-year-old sister in search of freedom. What she discovered was that true liberation isn’t geographical—it’s physiological. A body conditioned to shrink and disappear, especially in a repressive environment, can only hold trauma, But, as explained in this talk, the body has within it an awesome blueprint for its own healing . .One raw, trembling breath changes everything.Rooted in ancestral wisdom and somatic intelligence, this talk reframes breath as a radical protest in a world addicted to numbness, performance and disconnection. With poetic storytelling and lived defiance, Sepideh reveals regulation not as self-care, but as revolution—and dares us to ask:What if your next breath… was your rebellion?Sepideh Eivazi is a revolution in motion. An Iranian-born visionary, a trauma-informed mental health activist, immersive event architect, and founder of Dawn of the Earth—a purpose-driven platform weaving somatic breathwork, tea rituals and ancestral wisdom to reawaken the human spirit.As a psychedelic integration practitioner and member of Global Wellness Institute’s Breathe Initiative, Sepideh is redefining how we gather—transforming events into portals of remembrance, regulation, and collective awakening. Her mission: to rupture numbness, restore connection, and leave every soul she touches moved and seen.A 2025 Smart Meetings Hall of Fame inductee, Smart Speaker, 40 Under 40 honoree, and Meetings Today Trendsetter, Sepideh’s impact spans global stages and publications including Poosh, The Purist, Skift, Women to Watch, IMEX, and MPI. Her groundbreaking activations include wellness roadshows with Caesars Entertainment and a somatic pre–Met Gala ritual with Morphe and Dripology. 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
- 13:57Why doesn't the government innovate? | Nicholas Nicholas | TEDxClaremontGraduateUniversityIn this bold and unflinching talk, police captain and public sector leader Nick Nicholas explores the real reasons why government doesn’t innovate—and what we can do about it. Using a powerful symbol from his public safety career, he illustrates how outdated systems, fear-driven policies, and institutional inertia are handcuffing progress. Drawing on insights from Peter Drucker and real-world examples of reform, Nick challenges both public leaders and everyday citizens to rethink what’s possible. This is a call to action to unlock government—not through more policies, but through courageous abandonment of the ones that no longer serve us. Nick Nicholas is a police captain and public sector executive with nearly two decades of experience navigating the inner workings of local government. He has served both on the front lines of law enforcement and behind the scenes in management and leadership—balancing operational demands with the bureaucratic realities of public systems. Nick is a doctoral student at the Drucker School of Management, where his research focuses on understanding the factors that influence city pride and how local governments can foster stronger civic identity through strategic leadership and organizational practices. He is passionate about empowering professional staff, rethinking outdated processes, and unlocking the potential of public institutions. Nick has spoken nationally on policing, leadership, and civic innovation. 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
