Samantha Hurley takes the stage to share how photography enabled her to embrace the power of her unique perspective, inspiring others to do the same. Her talk encourages us to imagine what is possible when we act as experts in our own stories, shaping our narratives around our experience over expectations.As a legally blind photojournalism student, Samantha has brought a unique perspective to the field that redefines perception and proves that there is no singular way of seeing the world. She has brought new perspectives to various publications, including her coverage of the Paris Paralympics for the Associated Press and contributions to The New York Times and The Guardian.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

Can putting on a character help you reveal your truest self? Heather Witherden—mother of three, comedian, and burlesque emcee—shares her powerful journey from suburban mom to stage persona Your Mom Kathy. Through comedy and glitter, Heather sheds the expectations placed on women, mothers, and aging bodies, reclaiming confidence, voice, and joy in unexpected places.From a keyboard in her basement to the spotlight of a burlesque stage, Heather uses storytelling, satire, and sensuality to challenge societal norms, celebrate identity, and create radical self-acceptance. This talk is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt unseen—and a call to let yourself be fully seen, sparkle and all. Heather Witherden, a mother and burlesque performer, has discovered the power of self-expression through this bold art form. Her talk will explores how burlesque inspires personal revelations and empowerment. 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 her heartfelt talk, Françoise Jacob shares how her love for the natural world began underwater, among towering kelp forests and fragile marine life. Through awe and heartbreak, from ocean magic to ghost nets, she discovered the urgency of protecting biodiversity. Françoise invites us to rethink nature not as something distant or decorative, but as a vital system that sustains our lives. Drawing on decades of experience around the world, she invites us to shift our mindset, reconnect with nature, and recognize biodiversity not as a luxury, but as a foundation for life and resilience. Françoise was appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator in Armenia in April 2024. With 30 years of experience in humanitarian and development work, she previously served as UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia and as UNOPS Representative to the EU in Brussels. She has held leadership roles across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with UNOPS, UNRWA, ECHO, NGOs, and the private sector. A strong advocate for climate action, biodiversity, and human rights, she also brings expertise in peacebuilding and governance. Françoise holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School and is a certified yoga teacher and avid mountaineer. 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

This talk explores how modern life subtly conditions us to follow patterns—first in school, then at work—leading us into a survival mindset driven by routine and expectation. Over time, this leads to a gradual loss of awareness, where our actions become automatic rather than intentional. Drawing on personal insight, statistics, and ancient Eastern philosophies, Krish reflects on how we've become disconnected from conscious living. He invites us to pause, reflect, and rediscover a deeper sense of awareness—the key to living beyond survival. Born to an American father and Indian mother, and raised in the UAE with a British education, Krish Thomas Guyer is currently pursuing the IB diploma. He believes life goes far beyond academics and work. Driven by curiosity, Krish is exploring how our consciousness shapes the way we experience life. Today, he shares his belief that no scientific proof can match the power of living consciously. 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 independently organized TEDx talk, multidisciplinary artist Asiyah Martin explores the intersection of creativity, recovery, and access, sharing her personal journey of overcoming substance dependency as a young Black artist. Through experience, Martin highlights the critical role that creative expression plays in the recovery process and the barriers that many artists, particularly artists of color, face in accessing both substance abuse treatment and creative spaces.By weaving personal storytelling with compelling statistics, Martin sheds light on the lack of representation of Black individuals in recovery spaces and the urgent need for rehabilitation programs that integrate artistic healing, sharing how returning to dance and pursuing her MFA became a key component of her long-term sobriety. In this talk, Martin not only inspires but also advocates for more accessible recovery options that recognize the power of creativity in healing. Asiyah Martin is a multidisciplinary artist from Houston, Texas, celebrated for weaving dance, film, and spoken word into powerful, expressive works. She holds a BA in Dance Studies and is currently pursuing her MFA in Dance, set to graduate in May 2025. As a choreographer, Asiyah values musicality, fluidity, and exploring the many ways that dancers can be in relationship within her work. Before returning to academia, she worked as a freelance video producer, crafting content for organizations such as Pure Movement Dance Company, Kilgore College, and KNowBox Dance. Asiyah has led dance film workshops at institutions including the Texas Dance Educators Association, Katy High School, Missouri State University, and Texas Woman’s University. A passionate sobriety advocate for young Black creatives, she has been invited to speak on platforms such as the Sober Black Girls Club, TWU Smart Talks, and at local fundraising events supporting substance abuse awareness. 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

Imagine your happiest life. Are you married to the perfect spouse? Are you excelling in your career? Are you traveling the world? When most people think about happiness, it’s these types of images that come to mind. Fantasies of bliss, excitement, and perfection. Now imagine these dreams never came true, and that your life was ok, but far from what you thought would make you happy. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Gregory Scott Brown has worked with thousands of patients who are chasing their idea of what happiness should be. More often than not, it’s an impractical fantasy that they just can’t seem to access. Like his patients, and perhaps like you, he's been there. That’s until he realized that there’s a lot we get wrong about happiness. First, we put too much value in it. Studies have shown that overvaluing happiness – by assuming that the only way to experience it is when life is perfect – causes you to feel less happy. Second, we pay too much attention to so-called hedonic happiness, the kind of happiness you experience on your wedding day or after getting a big promotion. Eudaimonic happiness, on the other hand, priorities the experience of finding joy in purpose and community. Third, we undermine the importance of fulfillment – that’s when you accept who you are, are grateful for what you have, and are optimistic about the future. If you want to access true happiness in your life, it’s time to focus on what will bring you true and lasting joy – fulfillment. Gregory Scott Brown, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and educator. A nationally-recognized leader in mental health advocacy, Dr. Brown writes and speaks about mental health in a way that is informative, relatable, and fun. His first book, The Self-Healing Mind: An Essential Five-Step Practice for Overcoming Anxiety and Depression, and Revitalizing Your Life, outlines evidence-based self-care strategies for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. For five years, Dr. Brown co-hosted the popular Instagram Live series, Friday Sessions, that welcomed over one hundred prominent guests who are changing the way we think about and talk about mental health. Dr. Brown is a committed educator and he serves as a faculty member at the University of Houston College of Medicine where he teaches psychiatry courses to medical students. His work has been featured in several major media outlets including the Washington Post, the PBS News Hour, and NPR. 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