Changer de vie, c’est souvent un rêve… mais rarement un chemin tout tracé. Dans ce talk sincère et inspirant, Julien Song raconte comment il a quitté une carrière prestigieuse dans le conseil en stratégie pour suivre une passion : les échecs. Entre doutes, choix difficiles et révélations, il partage les clés qui lui ont permis de franchir le pas et de s’y épanouir pleinement. Une réflexion universelle sur le courage de se réinventer, et sur ce qu’il faut vraiment pour oser changer de cap. Julien Song aurait pu suivre une carrière classique dans le conseil en stratégie. Mais il a choisi une autre voie : celle des 64 cases. Porté par sa passion des échecs, il quitte le monde du conseil pour vivre de ce qui l’anime profondément. Aujourd’hui Maître International, il partage son expertise sur YouTube avec une communauté de près de 600 000 abonnés, forme de nombreux joueurs dans son club en ligne, et incarne avec audace le choix d’une vie guidée par la passion. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and experiences in the military. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfEx Indian Army veteran Major Vandana Sharma talks about Humanity and Technology. Technology can be a curse if not handled with care. She narrated her Kargil War experiences and delved into mantras of success- Critical Thinking, Adaptability, Resilience and Empathy.Major Vandana Sharma represents the spirit of courage, conscious leadership, and purposeful living in today’s world. A Kargil War veteran, she served with distinction where she led teams under challenging conditions with clarity, discipline, and resilience.After a decade in the Army, she transitioned into the corporate world, taking on leadership roles across industries, building cultures of accountability and excellence while nurturing the next generation of leaders. Major Vandana Sharma represents the face of today’s multi-talented bold Indian woman who challenges man in every field from country’s defense to corporate sector.She served in the Indian Army as a Major for a decade, earned fame in the corporate sector, and is now helping entrepreneurs find success with her venture “StartupPeopleConsulting”.Major Vandana Sharma played a back end role in the Kargil War, 1999 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of emotions, parenting, and the nervous system. Several claims around mirror neurons and the polyvagal theory lack sufficient scientific support. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf.Kayla Tychsen explores how parenting offers a profound opportunity for self-discovery and healing when we’re willing to look at the emotions and behavior our children communicate to us. Drawing on the science of mirror neurons and the autonomic nervous system, Kayla unpacks why our children’s emotions often trigger our own emotions, and how these moments can become invitations to understand ourselves.Through storytelling and compassionate reflection, Kayla guides us to see that parenting isn’t just about raising children, it’s about growing and becoming our truest selves. Instead of staying stuck in patterns of reactivity, we can learn to pause, reflect, and respond with awareness and empathy. In doing so, we break cycles, heal past wounds, and create new legacies of emotional safety for our children and for ourselves.Kayla Tychsen is a certified parent coach, educator, and speaker. She has co-founded education projects in the Middle East serving displaced and vulnerable children. Through her workshops, coaching, and public talks, Kayla equips parents, caregivers, and educators to lead with empathy, regulation, and intention. Kayla Tychsen is a Certified Parenting and Integrative Trauma Coach who is passionate about empowering parents and caregivers to cultivate confidence, connection, and joy in their families. With training in Trauma-Informed Classrooms, Resilience in Children, Social EmotionalLearning, and an AMI Montessori certificate for ages 0-3, Kayla brings a holistic and research- backed approach to her work. Her training in Motivational Interviewing, InterpersonalNeurobiology, and Integrative Trauma Therapy allows her to guide parents with compassion and clarity through the complexities of parenting. Kayla's work has spanned the globe, from working in an inner-city classroom in Southern California, co-founding two elementary schools for refugee populations in Lebanon, and supporting families around the world with practical, evidence-based solutions. Having navigated postpartum anxiety, she understands firsthand the challenges of parenting. Her journey fuels her dedication to helping parents become aware of how their past experiences shape their present parenting, define and live their values, and foster deep, secure relationships with their children. Her tutelage under the renowned Dr. Dan Siegel has allowed Kayla to stay at the forefront of neuroscience and attachment research. Through personalized coaching, engaging workshops, and accessible online resources, she equips families with the knowledge and tools to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, understood, and empowered to thrive in today’s world. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only reflects the speaker's personal religious views and understanding. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfMy talk explores the harmony between religion and science, two realms often perceived as conflicting. Growing up with Islamic beliefs, I accepted religious teachings without question, wholeheartedly embracing and practicing what I was taught. However, in high school, as I delved into the study of science, I encountered concepts that seemed at odds with my faith. Science appeared clear, objective, and evidence-based, while religion often felt more subjective and rooted in the unknown. This contrast sparked an inner conflict: could I embrace both science and religion, or was I destined to choose one over the other?By embracing both science and faith, I’ve come to see each as a vital source of insight, balance, and humility. This coexistence will take center stage in my career as a medical professional, serving as a reminder of the limits of human knowledge and ability. It will ground me in moments of success and failure, ensuring I approach my practice with humility and compassion, rather than the “god complex” often associated with the medical profession. For me, this balance isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a framework for practicing medicine with humanity and perspective. Mustansir Pindwarawala was born and raised in Toronto and graduated in June 2024 from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science Honours in Medical Sciences and a Certificate in Human Physiology. During his time on the east coast, he worked as a teaching assistant for biology and physiology, a tutor at the Dalhousie Writing Centre, and a student dissector for the Body Donation Program, preparing prosections for graduate schools across Atlantic Canada. He also spent over two years conducting research in a retina lab and co-founded the DUHC podcast to uncover the hidden curriculum in post-secondary education. Now a medical student on the west coast, Mustansir is passionate about advancing research across various specialties while exploring rural medicine and public health. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching hockey, reading, skiing, and traveling the world. 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 you're awake, all your brain’s functions gradually deteriorate. Sleep somehow restores them and may hold the key to understanding how brains operate—by tuning them to the edge of chaos. Understanding this tipping point helps explain the incredible power of the brain, offering insights that connect evolution, development, and neurological disease. Keith is an assistant professor of biology at Washington University in Saint Louis. He studies how computation emerges from biological systems. Keith's laboratory uses cutting-edge systems neuroscience tools, theory, and molecular manipulations to shed light on why we sleep, how our brains support rich and diverse functions, and how disease impacts information moving through networks of neurons. His research is funded by NIH. 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 work, created in collaboration with Grant Stinnett's original music composition, delves into the role of consciousness in shaping movement, exploring how awareness and intention guide the body through complex, unseen forces like emotion and rhythm. Inspired by the interconnectedness of mind and body, the choreography responds to the themes introduced by the speakers on the TEDxNewEngland stage and reflects how consciousness evolves and influences the performers' experiences. Boston Dance Theater is New England’s premier contemporary dance company, presenting works of socio-political relevance. They’ve performed at Jacob's Pillow, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York. 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