In a world obsessed with clicks and algorithms, Jessica Shailes brings us back to the human heart of marketing. She reveals the unseen forces shaping why we buy, and how understanding them can help us make better, more meaningful choices. Have you ever regretted spending money on purchases that feel wasteful? Or feel overwhelmed by the endless choices in today’s consumer-driven world? In her TEDx talk, Jessica Shailes reveals the hidden forces behind why we buy, from personal narratives to unconscious influences and offers a fresh perspective on navigating consumer choice in a world of abundance. Using science, psychology and storytelling, she shares practical tips to help you avoid buyer’s remorse, align your spending with your values and become a more intentional, conscious consumer. 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

When the tide turns against us, how do we keep swimming? Anna Wardley transforms grief into courage, showing how even in our darkest waters, we can find strength, purpose, and light. At a time when the world feels volatile and overwhelming, Sheffield-born Anna shares an unforgettable story of personal empowerment and hope.Moving to Gosport 20 years ago cemented a life-changing connection with the sea that has seen Anna overcome unimaginable childhood loss to achieve incredible feats of endurance in the water. In 2013 she became one of only four people to swim non-stop swim around the Isle of Wight. With warmth, humour and disarming honesty, Anna’s storytelling helps people discover that even in the most testing of times, we each have the potential to find purpose, courage and hope.A record-setting endurance swimmer and award-winning Churchill Fellow, she’s led groundbreaking work to improve support for children after the suicide of a parent. 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

What does it take to thrive when everything around you is falling apart? Paula Reid has faced some of the planet’s toughest environments, from the South Pole to a war zone, and brings back lessons on courage, mindset, and what it really means to dare greatly. Paula Reid is no stranger to risk and bravery, having yacht-raced around-the-world, skied to the South Pole and volunteered in East Ukraine 7 times. In her TEDx story she will be revealing a little about her own heroic journeys, then sharing the monomyth concept of ‘The Hero’s Journey’ which she studied for her MSc. in Applied Positive Psychology, before involving the audience in the HOW - how to Dare Greatly and be a hero because, she believes, we need more of them! 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

Animals lovers, this one's for you 🐾 We’re venturing into the weirdest and wildest corners of the animal kingdom 👑 Get ready to uncover the answers to questions you didn't even know you had: What is a crow funeral? Do crocodiles play games? What lurks in the deep sea? And seriously—why is that cat riding a bike?From cuddly cats and disease-detecting dogs to deep-sea slugs and urban otters, this livestream features our greatest TEDx animal talks—a celebration of the creatures that make our world extraordinary 🌍Whether you're here for the science, the stories, or just a dose of dopamine, join us on October 23, 2025 at 12 pm ET for a 24/7 live stream of Creature Features from TEDx.Follow TEDx!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedx_official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/tedxofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxEvents#TEDx #TED #TEDxTalks

What if the big questions of philosophy weren’t just for scholars, but for everyone? Alison invites us to rediscover our curiosity and use everyday philosophy to build wiser, kinder communities. Philosophy isn’t just for academics, it’s for everyone. Alison Allsopp, a teacher and facilitator of philosophical enquiry, believes that by exploring big questions about life we clarify our values and deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. Alison shares her lifelong experience and advocacy of the benefits of ‘Practical Philosophy’ offering us some reasons and tools to get thinking and talking more deeply about what matters in life.Alison has dedicated her career to Education, focusing on advocating for and training teachers in Philosophy for Children (P4C). She began teaching philosophical thinking in Gosport schools and later held a senior role with the national educational charity SAPERE, supporting schools both nationally and globally. Known in recent years, as the Philosophical Thinking Life Coach, Alison also leads 'Philosophical Friends', a local volunteer group that promotes practical philosophy within her local community. 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

The mirror never tells the whole story. Julie Ridley reveals how our reflections are shaped by the myths we inherit, and how unlearning them can set us free to define health, beauty, and self-worth on our own terms. Julie Ridley spent years locked in a daily standoff with her reflection. Pulling, prodding, and wondering why her body never quite matched up to the stories she'd been told about how it should look. In What If the Mirror Isn’t the Problem?, she gently unpacks the beliefs we carry about our bodies (the loud ones, the sneaky ones, and the downright ridiculous). With honesty, humour, and a big dose of real-life wisdom, she invites you to quiet that inner critic and start seeing yourself with less judgement, more kindness and maybe one less wardrobe meltdown in front of the mirror. 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