The Courage to Heal, Lead, and Transform | Arti Shirish | TEDxHimalayan International School Youth
We are all running on invisible code — beliefs, habits, fears — written by family, culture, and society, often without our awareness. But what if we could rewrite it?In this powerful talk, Arti Shirish draws from her 15+ years of experience in employee relations and a life-changing moment during the 2023 Israel conflict to explore how self-recognition, reframing, and reclaiming our inner stories can transform us. With engaging stories and metaphors — from bamboo trees to childhood dreams — she shows how decoding our inner code isn’t just self-work, but the key to unlocking resilience, authenticity, and the future we want to create. With over 15 years of experience in Employee Relations, I have dedicated my career to understanding the intricate dynamics of human behavior in the workplace. My professional journey has been a continuous exploration—an opportunity to observe, learn, and engage with the subtle nuances that define how people connect, communicate, and grow. I consider myself a lifelong seeker, driven by curiosity and a deep respect for the human experience. Each interaction, challenge, and resolution has added to my understanding of empathy, resilience, and leadership. I believe that learning is not confined to formal settings—it happens in conversations, in conflict, and in quiet reflection. My work has taught me that people are complex, and that complexity is a source of insight, not confusion. I bring to every space a learner’s mindset, a listener’s heart, and a commitment to growth—for myself and for those I work with. 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
- 18:244 strategies to balance professionalism & authenticity | Steven Stumph | TEDxFPTUniversityHCMCThrough his personal story during an international work trip, Steven Stumph revealed the fear and inner conflict of having to conceal his true identity to ensure safety. He illustrated how queer professionals often “code-switch” - altering language, behavior, even appearance to survive in workplaces where authenticity could cost one’s career or freedom. Steven outlined four common strategies: selective concealment, identity separation, communication and appearance shifts, and prioritizing work over self. His message is: to go all the way in a global career requires more than skill; it calls for a fairer world and organizations that truly listen, empathize, and create space for authenticity. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steven Stumph is a former collegiate athlete at the University of Southern California. Steven has a passion for traveling, taking him to all 50 U.S. states and over 126 countries.His time as an admission counselor and recruitment manager at USC has taken him to over 20 countries to speak and learn from people of varying backgrounds. Over the past three years, Steven has worked on his Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California.With over a decade of experience in academic innovation, DEI, and gerontology, Steven uses storytelling, scholarship, and grand narratives to challenge how we define professionalism, identity, and belonging. As a queer higher ed leader and advocate for older adults, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, he amplifies the narratives of professionals navigating visibility, and those that must conceal their authentic identities. 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
- 17:03Οι ζωές των άλλων | Μανόλης Θεοδωράκης | TEDxUniversityofCreteΠόσες όψεις μπορεί να έχει ένας άνθρωπος; Στην ομιλία του, ο Μανόλης Θεοδωράκης μας ταξιδεύει από την προσωπική του πορεία και τις καλλιτεχνικές του αναζητήσεις, μέχρι τις πιο κρυφές πλευρές της ταυτότητας και του προσανατολισμού. Με θάρρος και ειλικρίνεια, μιλά για την αποδοχή, την ελευθερία και την ανάγκη εκπαίδευσης σε μια κοινωνία που συχνά φοβάται το διαφορετικό. O Μανόλης Θεοδωράκης σπούδασε υποκριτική στην Ανωτέρα Δραματική Σχολή «Ίασμος» του Βασίλη Διαμαντόπουλου και τζαζ χορό στο «Jacob’s Pillow» στην Βοστώνη με υποτροφία. Έχει συμμετάσχει σε πολλές θεατρικές/musical παραστάσεις καθώς επίσης και σε παραστάσεις σύγχρονου χορού. Κατά τη διάρκεια της καριέρας του έχει συνεργαστεί με καταξιωμένους σκηνοθέτες και χορογράφους.«Το τροπικό πουλί» είναι ένας μουσικός θεατρικός μονόλογος που έγραψε, σκηνοθέτησε και ερμήνευσε ο ίδιος. Επιπλέον, έχει επιμεληθεί την κινησιολογία και τις χορογραφίες σε θεατρικές παραστάσεις, ενώ ασχολείται και με την κατασκευή θεατρικών κοστουμιών και την τέχνη του make-up.Τα τελευταία χρόνια επίσης, δραστηριοποιείται επαγγελματικά και με το Drag Performance, κάνοντας shows σε μουσικές και θεατρικές σκηνές μέσα από την drag περσόνα του, Mary Sunshine. 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
