In this deeply personal and provocative talk, actress, director and activist Scottie Thompson explores the hidden cost of perfectionism, particularly for women.The pressure to perform perfectly often silences our true selves in today’s filtered, social media–driven world. Drawing from her own journey as a ballerina, Harvard graduate and actress, Scottie reveals how chasing flawlessness became a barrier to authentic expression, creativity, and connection.Grounded in Indigenous wisdom and the profound power of stillness, she offers a path back to the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to shame and dismiss. Through the lens of Kintsugi – the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold – Scottie invites us to see our breakage not as weakness, but rather as the source of our unique beauty, strength and identity. She poses that in embracing radical self-acceptance over polished perfectionism, we discover a more ‘perfectly’ whole self. Scottie Thompson is an actress, activist, writer and director. She danced professionally with The Richmond Ballet before obtaining a bachelor’s in Postcolonial Performance Studies from Harvard University. She followed her passion for storytelling into a career in film, TV and theater. Her directorial debut Sienna and the Sit premiered at the Oscar-qualifying festival Hollyshorts in 2025.She has recurred in series including Bel Air, 12 Monkeys, NCIS, The Blacklist, and MacGyver, among others. Film credits include Crown Vic, Skyline, Star Trek and most recently Hellfire, opposite Harvey Keitel and Stephen Lang. She produced and starred opposite Gabriel Byrne and Thomas Jane in the #1 ranking Netflix film Murder at Yellowstone City.She is involved in environmental activism and is an Ambassador for Amazon Watch, a nonprofit protecting Indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin. She is a contributing writer for the magazine Art Confidential:LA. 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

La moda non è solo estetica: è linguaggio, identità e potere. Giordano Calza ci mostra come i capi possano diventare armatura, resistenza e autoaffermazione, influenzando non solo come gli altri ci vedono, ma anche come noi percepiamo noi stessi. In questo talk scopriremo come la moda possa trasformarsi da semplice abito a strumento di libertà e self confidence Imprenditore, Co-Founder e Chairman di GCDS Giordano Calza, nasce a Napoli, con un innato piglio imprenditoriale, si laurea all'Università Bocconi e inizia la sua carriera nel 2010 come advisor nel settore bancario, per poi passare al mondo delle telecomunicazioni.Nel 2012 abbandona Milano e si trasferisce in Cina insieme a Giuliano, dove affina le sue doti manageriali e studia il mercato, tuttora tra quelli di riferimento per il brand. Ad oggi Executive Chairman di GCDS, supervisiona il business globale con focus sullo sviluppo del canale Ecommerce. 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 world’s most creative problem-solvers are being overlooked simply because they’re too polite to interrupt? In this witty, sharp, and heartfelt talk, 12-year-old Kaia Vernon-Oliveira challenges our assumptions about what giftedness looks like, especially in girls. With humor, research, and lived experience, Kaia unpacks how gender bias in education sidelines gifted girls and why it’s time to change the narrative.Equal parts personal story and powerful call to action, this talk is a must-watch for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about unlocking human potential.About the Speaker: Kaia Vernon-Oliveira is a profoundly gifted student, writer, and performing artist who attends Nasri Academy in Las Vegas and the Davidson Young Scholars program. Known for her bold curiosity, emotional depth, and comedic timing, Kaia uses her platform to advocate for equity in gifted education, especially for girls. Her TEDxLasVegas talk marks one of the few public talks addressing giftedness through the lens of gender and neurodiversity. Kaia is a multiracial 11-year-old storyteller and performer who loves making people think. A student at Nasri Academy for Gifted Children and a Davidson Young Scholar, she started watching TED Talks in kindergarten and is thrilled to give one of her own.When she’s not deep in debate, reading, writing, or building a prototype for her next big idea, she can be found on stage. From dancing to acting, she loves putting on a good show. She has performed with Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, Dynamic Performing Arts Center, Drama Kids of Las Vegas, and Bright Star Acting Academy.Kaia also loves comedy. Whether delivering a monologue or cracking a joke (the bluer, the better!), she believes her words have the power to move people—to action, to laughter, and if she’s lucky, both. Whatever she chooses to do with her life, Kaia plans to use her creativity and talents to empower girls and make the world a better place for everyone. 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: 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.pdfWhat if the very technology that scammers are using to steal crores annually from Indians could be turned into our greatest defense against them?In this TEDx talk, Shouvik Mukherjee exposes the terrifying reality of AI-powered scams in India, where your mother's voice can be cloned in seconds, fake police threaten you through video calls, and even government portals can be perfectly replicated. But as traditional awareness campaigns fail against these evolving threats, Mukherjee reveals how AI itself might be our only hope.Through shocking real-world examples and live demonstrations, he shows how we're approaching a world where we can't trust what we see or hear and why the solution isn't more education, but smarter technology.Learn how on-device AI can detect manipulation in real-time, flag deepfake voices during conversations, and protect your digital life without compromising your privacy.This isn't just about building better security, it's about choosing our future. Will we live in a world where AI amplifies fear and deception, or one where it stands as our digital guardian? Shouvik Mukherjee is the Founder & CEO of Bachao.AI, a Bangalore-based startup leveraging on-device AI to combat India’s ₹20,000 Cr+ scam crisis in real time. A college dropout who journeyed from call‑center roles to Principal Engineer, he built Bachao.AI to shield millions from fraud. With over 14 years in IT, he now leads India’s first proactive scam‑alert app. 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 spiritual views and beliefs. 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.pdfThe Art of Leadership: Unlocking the Ten Magical PowersIn this inspiring talk, Lieutenant Bobby delves into the essence of leadership, portraying it as a skill honed through experience and defined by the ability to inspire others to act with enthusiasm and efficiency. He outlines the five pillars of leadership—Competence, Integrity, Passion, Empathy, and Courage—and explains how they form the foundation of impactful leadership. Drawing from the "universities of life," he emphasizes the importance of empathetically managing relationships with those above, below, and alongside you. Lieutenant Bobby highlights the transformative power of listening and observation in building meaningful connections. The talk culminates with the introduction of ten magical powers of leadership—Touch, Appreciation, Timing, Smile, Downward Credit, Upward Responsibility, Gratitude, Humility, Admitting Mistakes, and Humour—that empower leaders to inspire and unite. Join us to discover how these principles can transform you into an effective and compassionate leader. Lt. Gen. Bobby Mathews AVSM, VSM is a distinguished second-generation Army officer with a career spanning over four decades. Commissioned into the 2 Kumaon (Berar) Regiment in 1978, he has held a range of high-profile command, staff, and instructional positions across his illustrious career. Notably, he commanded 2 Kumaon during Operation Hifazat in Manipur (1998-2001) and played a pivotal role during the Mumbai Terror Attacks in 2008 as Commander, Mumbai Sub Area.A graduate of the National Defence Academy, DSSC, and the prestigious NDC, Lt. Gen. Mathews also holds an M.Phil. in Strategic Studies. His diverse military service includes leadership roles in various sectors, from commanding a Mountain Brigade in the Eastern Sector to serving as the Deputy Commandant & CI of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). He also served as the Media Advisor to the Chief of Army Staff.Awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2014) and the Vishisht Seva Medal (2013), Lt. Gen. Mathews' extensive contributions have significantly influenced training, infrastructure, and overall operations at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. A passionate sportsman, he enjoys tennis, golf, and riding. 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. 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.pdfLieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey is a decorated veteran of the Indian Army, renowned for his strategic leadership and significant contributions to national security. Commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1985, he has served with distinction across India's most challenging operational theaters. His operational commands include the formidable terrains of Siachen, Ladakh, and Kashmir, where he demonstrated exceptional military acumen. As the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps (XV Corps), he spearheaded crucial counter-insurgency operations in the region, showcasing his tactical expertise and leadership under pressure. An alumnus of both the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA), Lt Gen Pandey's illustrious career includes prestigious appointments as Director General of the Territorial Army and Commandant of the Army War College. His exceptional service has been recognized with four distinguished military honors: the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). Beyond his military achievements, Lt Gen Pandey exemplifies commitment to social welfare and youth empowerment. His humanitarian initiatives include establishing the Parivar School for specially-abled children and organizing the Kashmir Premier League 2021, demonstrating his dedication to inclusive development and community building. His career embodies the highest ideals of military service combined with compassionate leadership for societal progress. Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey is a decorated veteran of the Indian Army, known for his strategic leadership and contributions to national security. Commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1985, he commanded forces in Siachen, Ladakh, and Kashmir, leading key counter-insurgency operations as the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps (XV Corps). Lt Gen Pandey, an NDA and IMA alumnus, served as DG of the Territorial Army and Commandant of the Army War College. He earned PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, and VSM. Committed to youth empowerment, he led initiatives like the Parivar School for specially-abled children and the Kashmir Premier League 2021. 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