The transformative power of trying—whether in small, everyday acts or larger challenges—as a way to learn, connect with others, and better understand ourselves. As a personal practice, trying encourages embracing discomfort, failure, and uncertainty, with the true value lying not in outcomes but in the growth, empathy, and connections gained along the way. Garth Bender (he/him) was raised in Stow alongside his three older sisters and attended Holy Family, where his mother taught. His father served as the Director of the Cuyahoga Falls Library. After a year of post-high school travel, Garth attended Kent State University, earning a B.S. in Physical Anthropology.Following college and a brief career as a field archaeologist and ceramics analyst, he found a more permanent path in advertising—first in Columbus, OH, and later in Chicago, IL. There, he had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s top brands and formed lasting friendships with incredibly creative colleagues.Most importantly, it’s where he met his wife, Sara, and began building their family. In 2018, they returned to Akron to raise their growing family close to the rest of their loved ones.Garth is also the founder of Pie as Resistance, a grassroots project rooted in the simple, powerful act of turning strangers into neighbors—one pie at a time. Every Saturday, Garth delivers a pie to someone he’s never met, introducing himself and exchanging stories to build community and connection.Inspired by family traditions and a deep belief in neighborliness, Pie as Resistance is both a personal practice and a quiet challenge to the idea that we’re more divided than united. 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