When I was nine years old, I lost my best friend. At twenty-one, I lost my dad. Through grief, music, and memory, I discovered the surprising power of nostalgia — not just as a longing for the past, but as a way of choosing hope and healing in the present.In this heartfelt TEDx talk, I share stories of love and loss, the songs that carried me through, and why I believe every moment can be prepared as a future memory. Because when we live intentionally, nostalgia doesn’t just look backward — it fuels joy, empathy, and optimism for what’s ahead.✨ Nostalgia can keep you alive. And glad to be alive.? Listen to my music: [www.girlnamedtom.com] ? Follow along: [@girlnamedtom @bekahliechty]#TEDx #Nostalgia #Healing #Grief #Music #RebekahLiechty Bekah Liechty is a singer and songwriter who shares music with her brothers in the sibling trio Girl Named Tom. After winning NBC’s The Voice as the show’s first-ever group champion, Bekah went from singing in her small hometown of Pettisville, Ohio, to performing on an arena tour with Pentatonix and headlining theatre tours across the country.For Bekah, music is more than performance—it is connection. Her voice, both tender and powerful, carries stories of love, loss, and healing. She believes in the gift of nostalgia: how songs can take us back, hold us in the present, and help us imagine what’s ahead.Whether on stage before thousands or in the quiet of songwriting, Bekah leads with honesty and heart. Her artistry invites listeners to feel deeply, to remember fully, and to find beauty in the moments that shape us. 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