Our ways of working are fundamentally broken resulting in massive economic and human capital costs. Globally $11 trillion is lost in economic productivity through absenteeism, attrition and presentism. Our workplace have become sources of massive human suffering with 40-60 percent experiencing stress and 22 percent burn out. This talk challenges the listeners to transform their workplaces from one of human suffering to human flourishing unlocking breakthrough gains in performance and health. Ashish Kothari is an executive coach, author, and founder of Happiness Squad, a company focused on helping individuals and organizations unleash the power of happiness and well-being to achieve their full potential. Ashish is a deep expert on the topic of happiness and human flourishing having read over 650 books and trained under masters across the disparate fields of spiritual wisdom traditions, psychology, and neuroscience. In his book “Hardwired for Happiness” Ashish outlines an easy-to follow recipe that can help anyone increase joy, health, love, and meaning in their lives. His transformational approach is secular, interdisciplinary and integrates learnings and best practices across the fields of science and spirituality. 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 we’ve been defining leadership all wrong? In this bold and refreshing talk, Nate flips the script on everything we’ve been taught about leadership. Instead of forcing results or chasing outcomes, he asks a radical question: What if leadership success isn’t something we pursue, but something that grows organically when we cultivate the right set of conditions? Drawing from the wisdom of nature and the science of living systems, Nate makes a compelling case for a new kind of leadership, one that looks less like controlling a machine and more like tending a garden. For nearly 30 years, Nate Payne has supported, advised, and led high-performing IT teams across Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofits. But after years of watching even the most talented leaders burn out, he started asking a different question: What if the real problem isn’t leadership itself, but how we define it?That question changed everything.Today, Nate helps leaders achieve clarity, make better decisions, and build healthier teams by focusing on the four critical levers of leadership: time, budget, team, and tools.His unique approach is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: organizations function more like living systems than they do machines. They’re complex. They’re dynamic. And they adapt, evolve, and survive or thrive, based on how people, resources, and decisions, connect and interact.The result? Sustainable success without sacrificing well-being. 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 the secret to resilience isn’t discipline or grit; but play? In this deeply personal and surprising talk, Elizabeth Blake Thomas challenges our cultural dismissal of joy as frivolous and makes the case for its essential role in mental health and wellbeing. Drawing from her own journey through trauma and depression, she reveals how small moments of lightness, from wearing bold clothes to singing loudly in traffic, helped change her brain, her body, and her life. Backed by science and full of heart, this talk is a powerful reminder: what we leave behind in childhood might be exactly what we need to heal.This talk was delivered with Elizabeth's constant companion, her adorable Maltese "Chai" who supported her mental health and wellbeing for the past 13 years. Sadly, Chai passed two weeks after the speech, causing her to call on the critical advice she shares in the talk. Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is an award-winning director, keynote speaker, and creativity coach known for empowering storytellers through film, live events, and personal mentorship. With a passion for intentional filmmaking and emotional authenticity, she helps individuals and organizations unlock creative potential and lead with purpose. 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 the future of the Workplace look like? In his talk, Andrew Vande Moere explores the fascinating concept of an Adaptive Office, and how it has the potential to change both productivity and the Workplace entirely. Meet Andrew Vande Moere – professor in Design Informatics at KU Leuven and pioneer at the intersection of technology and design. His research explores how emerging technologies shape the way we interact with data, buildings, robots, and each other. By blending design science with computer science, Andrew pushes the boundaries of human-computer, human-data, human-robot, and human-building interaction.In his TEDx talk, Andrew invites us to rethink how technology can be more than just functional, how it can be designed to enrich our daily experiences in surprising and meaningful ways. 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

Turning discomfort into a valuable lesson is a concept Mirus Ponon understands brilliantly. In his talk, he reveals his journey into becoming the founder of a globally recognized youth activism organization, and the insights he has gained from the process. Mirus Ponon is a dynamic 23-year-old youth changemaker and the Founder and Chairperson of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network. His journey began at age 9 when he saw poverty first-hand while growing up in Paco, Manila. This personal encounter with adversity ignited Mirus' passion for advocacy, and he has since shared his story in numerous news and media outlets. With over 500 speaking engagements around the globe, Mirus has become a powerful voice for change.Currently, Mirus is a postgraduate student at KU Leuven and was the youngest speaker at the United Nations Global Climate and SDG Conference. His aspirations lie in continuing to be a catalyst for positive transformation, leveraging his platform to address global challenges and empower youth to create a lasting impact. His multifaceted roles and impressive achievements underscore his dedication to making a meaningful difference. 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 TEDx talk, social neuroscientist Dr. Richard Lopez delves into the irony of our technology-driven world: while we’re more connected than ever, many of us feel increasingly isolated and adrift. Blending personal stories and scientific insights, he unpacks the contradiction of our digital age and urges us to break free from superficial online interactions, fostering deeper, more authentic relationships by rethinking our relationship to technology and embracing meaningful, in-person connections. Richard Lopez received his PhD in psychological and brain sciences from Dartmouth College. He was an assistant professor of psychology at Bard for three years and now teaches and conducts research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr. Lopez is trained in social neuroscience, a newer field of neuroscience that examines links between the mind, brain, and social behaviors. Recently, Dr. Lopez and his students have been studying how young people experience and regulate their emotions in online settings, and how some individuals may be at higher risk for developing anxiety and depression based on how they use social media. His talk at TEDx Bard 2025 focused on how we can reimagine social media platforms to promote digital wellness and nurture our shared humanity. 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