In this deeply personal and inspiring TEDx talk, Manav Parmar—spiritual storyteller and founder of Cocoon’s Library—takes us on a transformative journey from self-doubt to soulful purpose. Growing up introverted and unsure of himself, Manav didn’t follow a set path or five-year plan. Instead, his life was shaped by a series of uncertain steps, unanswered questions, and an inner curiosity that refused to die.Through the lens of vulnerability, Manav shares how asking “Who am I?” became the spark that led him to abandon societal expectations and discover his true voice. What began as a random act of curiosity—clicking photographs at a wedding—slowly turned into a path of spiritual storytelling, where he now retells India’s ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata in a way that resonates with today’s youth. His story is not about a perfect life—it’s about embracing the imperfect unknown. Manav reminds us that not having it all figured out is not a weakness, but an invitation to grow, connect, and create. This talk is a call to everyone who has ever felt lost or unheard: your path begins where the world’s script ends. Manav Parmar is the founder of Cocoon’s Library, a spiritual storytelling platform that brings India’s ancient wisdom to life through soulful narratives and engaging podcasts. As a passionate storyteller and podcast host, he shares the timeless teachings of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and tales of deities like Shiva, Krishna, Hanuman, and Devi in a way that resonates with today’s generation. Manav’s gift lies in simplifying deep spiritual truths into relatable life lessons, inspiring listeners of all ages to embrace values like empathy, courage, and inner peace. His work isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about spiritual reconnection, cultural revival, and healing through heritage. 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
More from TED
- 7:11How Far Have We Come? Gender in Children's Literature | Jessica Hale | TEDxWCCIt’s widely recognized that children’s books play a role in gender socialization. To understand what messages are currently being conveyed, this study examined gender portrayals in award winning picture books from 2018-2022. An analysis of frequency data showed that more books featured female protagonists engaged in nurturing behaviors and male protagonists engaged in leadership behaviors, than other gender categories (gender nonconforming and gender indeterminate). Adult males were depicted with occupations more frequently than other genders and in a greater variety of roles. Continued inequalities in gender portrayals may be limiting for children’s development and society at large. Dr. Hale is a faculty member in the Department of English and College Readiness at Washtenaw Community College. She earned an M.A. in English from Indiana University (2023), an Ed.D. from Eastern Michigan University (2010) and a M.A. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan (2003). 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
- 13:48Healthcare's Blind Spot: Why Caregiving Must be Treated as Medicine | Stephanie Armas | TEDxRushUCaregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they remain undertrained, under-resourced, and overlooked. In this talk. Stephanie explore why caregiving must be recognized as a formal part of medicine—and how reimagining its role through education, policy, and support can improve outcomes for both patients and caregivers alike. Stephanie Armas is a medical student at Rush Medical College whose journey into medicine has been profoundly shaped by her experience as a long-term caregiver for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Through that role, she witnessed the toll caregiving takes, not only physically and emotionally, but also in how unseen and unsupported caregivers often are within the healthcare system. Stephanie is a passionate advocate for elevating caregiving as a recognized and resourced component of healthcare. She believes it’s time to invest in caregiver education, policy reform, and structural support—because without caregivers, healthcare cannot truly work. 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
