Ryan Malee shares a deeply human talk about building, believing, and acting in spite of fear. He uses the metaphor of construction from ground test to fire test to guide us through the courage required to create something meaningful.Ryan reminds us that bravery isn’t the absence of fear but the decision to move forward anyway. His message is both practical and inspiring: start building your wall, one brick at a time, even when your hands are shaking. Ryan Malee is a multi-business founder and one of the UK’s most dynamic voices in property, construction, and business resilience. As CEO of Create Property Group, Ryan is driving an ambitious mission to deliver 1,000 new homes in 5 years, blending high-quality development with innovative, scalable strategies that fuel long-term impact.He’s also the creative force behind Seven Studios, a media platform built to power authentic storytelling and help others amplify their message. 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

Rajnish Maadan examines storytelling not just as art but as an essential human technology. He explores how narratives build meaning, create shared identity, and unlock empathy. Through personal stories and cultural reflections, he shows how storytelling can help fractured societies reconnect and flourish.His talk challenges us to recognise the stories we live by and to consciously write new ones. Rajnish’s message is clear: flourishing is not simply about individual success, but about the stories that hold communities together. Drawing from his own life as a son of immigrants in the UK, influenced by a rich tapestry of global cultures, Rajnish delves into how narratives have shaped his identity and outlook. He presents storytelling not just as a means of entertainment, but as a vital tool for personal growth and social connectivity. 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

Lee Tillman reveals how “place” itself can be a superpower for human flourishing. Drawing from real stories in Stainforth and across Doncaster, Lee shows how believing, belonging, and becoming can reshape local communities from saving airports to empowering young people to dream bigger.This is a talk about grassroots power, not grand institutions. Lee challenges the audience: How are you going to use your superpower? Lee's message is as energising as it is practical. Flattering begins not in distant capitals or boardrooms, but right where we stand. Lee’s responsibilities include corporate policy, performance, data intelligence, transformation, workforce strategy, sustainability, communities and business investment.Lee is a Director of Doncaster Chamber and a trustee for Club Doncaster Foundation, having previously served on the DN Colleges board. Doncaster-born and bred, he attended Hungerhill and Danum Schools, read American Studies at Lancaster University, completed an MSc in Economic Development, and returned in the mid-1990s to dedicate his career to public service and place-making. 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

Magician and entertainer Jamie Warren brought a spark of playfulness and awe to the TEDx Doncaster stage with a dazzling performance of magic and illusion. Through sleight of hand, unexpected twists, and moments of pure surprise, he reminded the audience of something profoundly simple that wonder is a powerful part of what it means to be human.More than a display of tricks, Jamie’s performance was an invitation to feel: to laugh, to question, and to rediscover a sense of curiosity often lost in adulthood. In a day of deep stories and bold ideas, his magic reminded everyone that flourishing also lives in joy, lightness, and shared moments of amazement. Jamie Warren is a professional magician and deceptive artist from Doncaster whose performances blend skill, storytelling, and surprise. His journey into magic began as a challenge to outdo a friend’s card trick, but quickly became a passion and, later, his profession. Inspired by his late grandfather, Jamie honed his craft over years of practice and now performs at weddings, corporate events, and live venues across the region.Specialising in close-up magic, Jamie thrives on creating unforgettable moments right in front of his audience.In recognition of his talent and creativity, Jamie was accepted into The Magic Circle on his first attempt, cementing his place among the UK’s most promising magicians.At TEDx Doncaster 2025 on Sunday, 5th October, Jamie will take to the stage as a solo performer, captivating the audience with his unique brand of magic — reminding us all that wonder, awe, and human flourishing are often found in the most unexpected moments. 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

Ruth Harris takes us on a powerful journey into the world of recovery, ego death, and the quiet revolution of community healing.Through the lens of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, she shows how over two million people worldwide have transformed their lives not through experts or systems, but through shared humanity and radical honesty.Her talk is both vulnerable and disruptive. Ruth invites the audience to imagine what society might look like if we embraced anonymity not as erasure, but as liberation, if we learned to become nothing in order to become everything. It’s a call to re-examine identity, belonging, and the ego’s grip on our lives. Recovering addict turned tech entrepreneur & Mindset coach. I transformed my life and now support others to do the same. Passionate about the power of the very programme that gave me life again, I believe developing this method could change the lives of millions of people. 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 one of the most moving moments of the day, Chris Perkins steps onto the TEDx Doncaster stage not to deliver a traditional talk but to share a lifeline. With cellist Stephen Donoghue beside him, Chris performs a song that carried him through one of the darkest chapters of his life.This isn’t just music, it’s a story of survival, healing, and the power of art to hold us when words can’t. The performance embodies the very heart of Human Flourishing: the way creativity can reconnect us to ourselves, give language to pain, and spark collective hope.As the final notes hang in the air, the audience is reminded that flourishing isn’t about perfection or control; it’s about finding light in the spaces where we once thought there was none. Chris Perkins is a dynamic performer and creative artist rooted in Doncaster’s vibrant cultural scene. His work blends storytelling, music, and performance to inspire connection and spark reflection. Passionate about bringing people together through creativity, Chris has built a reputation for pushing boundaries and using art to celebrate local voices with a global resonance. At TEDx Doncaster 2025, he brings his unique energy to the stage, showcasing how performance can be a catalyst for human flourishing and community spirit.Chris Perkins is the founder and Managing Director of Creative Push CIC (formerly Print Imperials), a Doncaster-based arts organisation dedicated to making creative expression accessible to everyone. Under his leadership, Creative Push has delivered print and screen-print workshops, immersive arts programmes, and community arts events across South Yorkshire, with a strong focus on mental health, youth engagement, and social impact.Stephen Donoghue is a versatile musician based in South Yorkshire, renowned for weaving emotionality and narrative into his performances. Skilled on cello, saxophone, and clarinet, he brings a rich textural voice to live settings, offering solo sets that range from classical to modern covers and atmospheric ballads.In addition to performing, Stephen teaches cello, saxophone, and clarinet, both locally in Doncaster and online, nurturing new talent and helping others find their musical voice.His repertoire spans ceremonial events, concerts, and intimate gigs, giving him the versatility to adapt his sound to the moment and setting.At TEDx Doncaster 2025, Stephen joins Chris Perkins on Sunday, 5th October, bringing his melodic, instrumentally rich presence to the stage. Together, they will fuse storytelling, sound, and performance to reflect themes of connection, growth, and human flourishing. 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