What If We Taught Communication Before Math? | Muhammad Shayan Azmat | TEDxUniversity of Peshawar
In a world driven by human connections and collaboration, what if we reimagined the foundation of education? This thought-provoking talk explores the idea of prioritizing communication skills over mathematics in early education. The speaker delves into how teaching empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and effective expression could transform not just individual lives but entire societies. By equipping children first with the tools to understand and connect with others, could we create a generation better prepared to collaborate and innovate? The talk challenges traditional education systems, emphasizing that emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills could be the true building blocks for a more harmonious and successful future. Through compelling stories and research, this topic invites us to rethink what truly matters in the foundational years of learning. Muhammad Shayan Azmat is an award-winning leader in climate change, gender-inclusive development, and disaster risk reduction. He has represented youth voices at national and international platforms, including Radio Pakistan, and currently serves in ADB funded Khyber Pakhtunkwa Cities Improvement Project. Beyond policy and advocacy, Shayan is a seasoned public speaking and IELTS coach, with a passion for empowering young people to communicate with confidence and lead with purpose. 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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- 6:15How to look beyond the fixed self and choose who you are | Paul Vincent | TEDxPacific AvenueWe are not really here. At least, not in the way we think.What you see, taste, touch, and feel isn’t direct reality—it’s your brain’s reconstruction.Neuroscience calls this the active inference model: at best, we’re perceiving reality, not living it. But it doesn’t stop there.As psychology, Indigenous wisdom, and Taoism all echo, we are also perceiving ourselves—the “self” isn’t solid, it’s a construct - shaped by lived experiences, survival patterns, and beliefs. What we call personality is, in fact, a looping script.The truth is, we are not confined by these perceptions. Once we see them for what they are, we uncover the potential to move beyond them—and live a life beyond limitations, and far more boundless.In just over six minutes, Paul weaves modern neuroscience, Indigenous knowledge, and Buddhist philosophy to reveal why we get stuck in life. Paul Vincent has pushed the limits of human performance in ways few attempt. As an expedition athlete, he raced hundreds of miles through jungles and deserts, across countries and continents surviving on little more than an hour of sleep a day.His curiosity about the human spirit led him to earn a Master’s in Human Performance and a PhD in Psychedelic Studies, and intense initiations with Indigenous lineages - Huni Kuin (Brazil), Wixárika/Huichol (Mexico), Arhuaco (Colombia), Pygmy (Gabon), Ai Cofan (Ecuador) - that included 4 day Shamanic plant medicine journeys and non-stop 24 hour wilderness treks.For over two decades, Paul has coached Olympians, entrepreneurs, and prepared lead actors for blockbuster films including Mission Impossible, Star Wars, Black Panther, Blade Runner, and Star Trek. His work bridges science, Indigenous wisdom, and Taoist practice—Using ancient and modern wisdom to guide people beyond survival patterns into lasting fulfillment. 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
- 13:36How Design Designs Us | Prernaa Mangla | TEDxNerulDesign isn’t just about pretty rooms or stylish furniture it’s about how the spaces around us quietly shape who we are.In this talk, Prernaa Mangla, Creative Director and Founder of MWM Spaces, opens up about her 20-year journey of interior designer growth. From being the only Fine Arts student in her class to building a team of 100+ people and completing 500+ projects, she’s seen how a well-thought-out space can completely change the way we live and connect with each other.Through real stories of challenges, unexpected wins, and the lessons she’s learned from designing homes, offices, restaurants, and more Prernaa shows how design isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about creating places that make us feel, think, and grow. Prernaa Mangla is a visionary Creative Director at MWM Spaces, a renowned interior design company based in Gurgaon, India. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovative design, Prernaa has been instrumental in shaping the aesthetic identity of numerous spaces. Her expertise spans a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial, each infused with a unique blend of functionality and creativity. As a creative leader, Prernaa inspires her team to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in interior design. Her dedication to delivering exceptional results has earned her a reputation as a talented and forward-thinking designer. On stage, Prernaa will share her insights on the power of design to transform spaces and lives, offering a glimpse into her creative process and the stories behind her most notable projects. 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
