At 45, Freddy Petrone lost his sight—and found a deeper vision. In this gripping TEDx talk, Freddy shares his raw journey through addiction, depression, and the moment everything went dark—literally. But instead of giving up, he reached out. Freddy's story is a powerful testament to the healing power of service. “Depression has a hard time hitting a moving target,” he says. With that mantra, he rebuilt his life through helping others, founding two charities (I Got Bridged and Recovery Church Portsmouth) that support people facing the very challenges he overcame. If you’re struggling, stuck, or searching for meaning, Freddy’s story may be the bridge you need to take the next step. Freddy is often seen walking miles around Portsmouth with his white blind cane, sunglasses, and a backpack, always with a sense of purpose—to help others. In 2018, at 45, Freddy lost his eyesight due to a rare genetic disease while recovering from a lifetime of addiction. He believes losing his sight saved his life. In 2021, he founded I Got Bridged, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need on the Seacoast. The term “getting bridged” symbolizes overcoming life’s obstacles. Petrone is also one of the founders of Recovery Church Portsmouth, a church created by the recovery community for the recovery 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

Every day, teachers across America walk into classrooms carrying invisible weight—trauma, exhaustion, and a system that expects them to be superheroes without support. In this raw and revelatory TEDx talk, Sandi Herrera unpacks the devastating cost of neglecting educator wellbeing—and offers a powerful framework for redesigning schools from the inside out. From active shooter drills to emotional burnout, Sandi invites us to face the uncomfortable truth: we are losing incredible educators not because they don’t love teaching, but because the system is breaking them. And there is hope. She shares how her ME. WE. SCHOOL. model is transforming campuses and lives, proving that when we prioritize those who guide our children, the ripple effect changes everything. Sandi Herrera is CEO of HumanizEDU and co-author of Unpacking Bliss. She is leading a national movement to build psychologically safe schools where both educators and students thrive. Sandi Herrera is the CEO of HumanizEDU, leading efforts to create psychologically safe schools where both teachers and students thrive. With a background in workplace culture and leadership, she began her career as COO of Delivering Happiness, founded by Tony Hsieh. Sandi has since worked with schools globally, helping leaders build cultures of trust, connection, and empowerment. She is the co-author of Unpacking Bliss, a Certified Organizational & Relationship Systems Coach, and an Accredited Genius Educator. A thought leader and culture strategist, Sandi is dedicated to helping educators unlock their potential and inspire students to embrace their own brilliance. 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

From Annie to Spider-Man to Peter Pan, pop culture loves the scrappy orphan who beats the odds. But what if these stories—meant to inspire—are actually harming the very kids they claim to uplift? In this powerful and deeply personal TEDx talk, foster parent and advocate Hilary Crowley reveals the hidden damage behind these well-meaning myths. A quiet moment with her son, sparked by a vulnerable turtle in the road, becomes a window into the deep fears and invisible wounds children in foster care carry every day. Hilary introduces the concept of the “Foster Mindset”—not a system, but a way of being. One rooted in nourishment, support, and real connection. Because fostering isn’t just about providing a home—it’s about creating a space safe enough to grow. With heart, clarity, and a powerful call to action, Hilary challenges us to rethink what kids in crisis truly need—and to offer foster youth what fairy tales never do: a real childhood that leads to a healthy adulthood. As a foster mom, Hilary Crowley is passionate about children, healing, and the transformative power of real-life stories. She serves as an Educational Advocate in New Hampshire, supporting children in state custody. As the host of The Good Energy Healing Show podcast, Hilary shares her journey as an energy healer with over twenty years of experience in integrative healthcare at Whole Life Health Care. A regular presenter at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, she is also the author of The Power of Energy Medicine: Your Natural Prescription for Resilient Health. Hilary is currently working on her next book, focused on developing your intuitive brilliance. 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 raw, moving talk, Clement Nsenga Kigugu, a Rwandan refugee turned U.S. community leader, takes us on his unforgettable journey from war zones to snowy New Hampshire. He shares the trauma of leaving his family behind, the shock of adjusting to a new culture and climate, and the profound loneliness of starting over in silence. Through humor, heartbreak, and hope, Clement gives a voice to millions of refugees—and challenges us to meet them not with judgment, but with empathy. Watch this if you’ve ever wondered: How would I survive if I had to begin again… alone? Clement, a former refugee from Rwanda, is the founder and executive director of Overcomers Refugee Services, which he established in 2013. His organization assists settled refugees in helping newcomers become successful, contributing members of American society. Clement also serves as the Senior Pastor of The Overcomers Church of God. A father of six and grandfather of four, he speaks five languages and holds a degree in Management from the Université Libre de Kigali. Additionally, Clement is a trained and certified medical interpreter. He is also the recipient of NH’s Top 40 Influential Business Leaders and Business Leader of the Year 2025 award from the Chamber of Commerce. Clement, a former refugee from Rwanda, is the founder and executive director of Overcomers Refugee Services, established in 2013. His organization helps settled refugees assist newcomers in adapting to their new lives, enabling them to heal and thrive as active citizens. With extensive experience supporting refugees, immigrants, and families in need, Clement also serves as Senior Pastor of The Overcomers Church of God. A father of six and grandfather of four, he speaks five languages and holds a degree in Management from the Université Libre de Kigali. Clement is also a trained and certified medical interpreter. He is also the recipient of NH’s Top 40 Influential Business Leaders. 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 if pretending wasn’t just for kids? In this bold, electrifying TEDx talk, drag performer and therapist Journee LaFond (they/she) invites you to rediscover the transformative power of play. From their mother’s beauty rituals to meeting a drag queen who shattered their world open, Journee weaves personal storytelling with social science to challenge everything you think you know about identity, performance, and becoming. This isn’t just about wigs and sequins—it’s about liberation. It’s about showing up as your fullest self. It’s about you. If you’ve ever wanted to break free, to grow, or to live more honestly—this talk just might change how you see yourself forever. Journee (they/she) is a social worker, voiceover actor, drag performer, model, event organizer, and restorative justice advocate. Passionate about creating spaces for historically marginalized communities, they are dedicated to redefining mental health, Queerness, and what it means to be a Person of the Global Majority. As their drag persona, Onyx Reigns, Journee was honored to be canonized by the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as the Saint of the Onyx Journey. Journee works to create safe spaces for Queer folx and People of Color in New Hampshire, aiming to eradicate stigma and promote equity for marginalized groups. They live in Southern New Hampshire with their spouse and two children. 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 Elsa Sanlara joined Mexico’s National Taekwondo Team at just 17, she thought she was training for medals. But the lessons that shaped her most weren’t about winning—they were about becoming. In this powerful TEDx talk, Elsa shares how elite athletic training prepared her for something even harder: adapting as an immigrant, challenging stereotypes, and finding her place in unfamiliar environments. With humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Elsa explores what it means to redefine success—and where true strength really comes from. Her story is a reminder that some of the toughest battles aren’t fought in the ring—and the biggest victories don’t come with medals. Elsa is a former Mexican National Taekwondo Team member, bringing the discipline and perseverance of her sport to life’s challenges. With years of experience leading HR and Operations teams, she has transformed workplace cultures, creating environments where people thrive. Her book, Repeat Offender, explores grief and resilience, while her column in La Jornada Morelos reflects on the immigrant experience and the healing power of laughter. Through her Instagram, Elsa shares relatable struggles with humor, inspiring others to embrace change and rewrite their own stories. 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