Beverley’s heartfelt talk highlights the transformative power of storytelling to foster connection and empathy. Through a humorous and touching anecdote about an awkward wedding dance, Beverley demonstrates how shared stories can break barriers, create understanding, and unite people. Drawing on 40 years as a professional actor and storytelling teacher, she shares how personal narratives build trust, reduce loneliness, and bridge differences in a world often dominated by digital distractions. Audiences will learn how to use storytelling for deeper human connections—whether around a campfire, at a family gathering, or in everyday life. This talk inspires viewers to share their own stories and embrace the joy of authentic human connection.Beverley has over 150 film/TV credits to her name. She has been a professional actor, singer, songwriter, storyteller, writer, teacher, and coach for 43 years. She’s told stories at the Flame and Vancouver Story Slam and has performed at the MOTH in NYC four times. She has also aired on CBC and Public Radio, USA. Her autobiographical one-woman shows, SINK OR SWIM and DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING, won Pick of the Vancouver Fringe Festival. SINK OR SWIM won best musical at the NYC United Solo Festival.Beverley began acting at 19, but it was through storytelling that she found her authentic voice. We all have stories of mishaps, risks, and breakthroughs to share. We find ourselves in each other’s stories and deeply connected in truth. She believes that storytelling is the root of all connection.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

Forget what you know about scientific heroes. The future of medicine is being built by teams, and that team includes you. Ashley Van Zeeland explains how shared data and global collaboration are helping to solve complex diseases and why your involvement as a citizen scientist is more important than ever.#TEDxSanDiego #Women #TEDxTalks #HealthData #ScientificInventorAshley Van Zeeland, PhD, MBA is leader in genomic innovation, dedicated to transforming healthcare through precision medicine. As Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at Illumina, she drives the advancement of genomic discoveries and applications through strategic innovation and global partnerships, building on a career of translating cutting-edge research into real-world solutions. From her leadership as CEO of Cypher Genomics to directing large-scale genomic platforms as CTO at Human Longevity, Inc., she has consistently operated at the frontiers of what's possible, driving closer to a future where genomic insights empower us all to live healthier lives.Ashley is passionate about building an inclusive innovation economy and serves as Vice Chair of Connect, an organization dedicated to catalyzing and supporting life science and tech companies in San Diego. She also serves as Scientific Advisor to Curebound, a San Diego nonprofit focused on accelerating cures for cancer.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

Berty Ashley, in his unique style, elaborates how humanity’s mastery over fire sparked curiosity and progress. He traces how that inquisitive spark fuels scientific and creative leaps across history, hinting at pivotal moments that reshaped thinking while keeping their full stories for the stage. The talk invites listeners to stay childlike, connect the unconnected, and make room for wonder. Berty Ashley is a molecular geneticist, quizmaster, and science communicator whose life’s work revolves around igniting curiosity. At the Dystrophy Annihilation Research Trust (DART), Bangalore, he is part of the pioneering team designing and synthesizing personalized genetic therapies for children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Beyond the lab, Berty has a unique ability to blend science with storytelling, turning complex ideas into sparks of wonder. He is the creator of First Principle Labs, an initiative that uses music, movement, books, and games to make young minds fall in love with learning. A passionate musician and quizmaster, he believes knowledge should never feel distant — it should feel like play. Through his journey, Berty shows how a single spark of curiosity can light fires of discovery, empathy, and hope in classrooms, communities, and beyond. 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

In this talk, sustainability leaders Ida Pernille Hatlebrekke and Brita Staal explore The Paradox of Hope, a deeply personal and thought-provoking reflection on what it means to remain hopeful in the face of climate crisis and uncertainty.Drawing on their experience in climate strategy, leadership, and social innovation, they ask one of today’s most profound questions: Is this still a world we should bring children into? Through science, philosophy, and lived experience, they invite us to rediscover a more grounded, active form of hope - one that inspires responsibility, action, and connection.Watch to explore how hope itself can become a catalyst for change. Ida Pernille Hatlebrekke is a sustainability leader with over a decade of experience in climate strategy, circular economy, and responsible business transformation. As Director of Sustainability at Møller Mobility Group, she integrates environmental and ethical responsibility into core business practices. Ida’s work spans from board positions in green-tech ventures to initiating industry guidelines against greenwashing. She’s passionate about bridging systemic change with human values, advocating for a future where sustainability is both a strategic choice and a moral duty.At TEDxFredrikstad, Ida will join Brita Staal to explore The Paradox of Hope. Asking whether this is still a world we should decisively bring children into, and how hope can be rebuilt through science, philosophy, and honest reflection.Brita Staal is a climate strategist, impact investor, and systems thinker who has shaped sustainability strategies across sectors. She has led climate-risk initiatives, founded Protect Our Winters Europe, and driven innovation through the Exponential Roadmap Initiative. Whether advising EU research programs or local adaptation projects, Brita works at the intersection of mitigation, resilience, and regeneration. She believes in hope as a deliberate act and in the power of science-based collaboration for a livable future.At TEDxFredrikstad, Brita will join Ida Pernille Hatlebrekke in The Paradox of Hope, an exploration of how philosophy, science, and systems thinking can help us choose hope - even in the face of uncertainty. 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

Why do we cry for characters that don’t even exist?From the trembling hand of an animator to the flicker of emotion on a cartoon’s face, this talk reveals the invisible art that makes drawings feel alive.In this emotional and deeply human talk, animator Bintang Rizky Utama takes us behind the scenes of the animated worlds we love from Pixar’s subtle gestures to Studio Ghibli’s quiet magic.Through personal stories, film references, and reflections from his 12 year journey in animation, he explores how empathy and observation bring life to even the simplest drawings. Bintang Rizky Utama, a high school graduate who became a professional 3D character animator in 2014, is known for some of your favorite cartoons like Adit, Sopo & Jarwo, Kiko, Nussa and recently JUMBO (the No. 1 Indonesian animated movie of all time in ASEAN). He is also interested in filmmaking. In 2015, he directed a short film (Indonesia Muda), which was nominated for Best Editing and Best Film at the BCA Short Film Festival. He believes animation helps us become more empathetic by learning how things work physically and psychologically to tell believable stories. When he was four, he enthusiastically asked his dad how cartoons were made. His dad’s response became one of Bintang’s core memories and has impacted his career to this day. Bintang’s TEDx Talk encourages individuals interested in animation not only to move things but also to understand life because EVERY GESTURE MATTERS. 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