In the talk “Rowing Through Adversity,” Shahd Baslaim reflects on her journey from a rigid, perfectionist mindset, always pushing in one direction, to embracing the idea of change and new paths. She shares how letting go of her initial plan to study chemical engineering allowed her to discover a passion for medicine, ultimately encouraging others to be open to life’s twists rather than sticking to a straight line. Shahd Baslaim is a third-year medical student at King Abdulaziz University, with aspirations to make a lasting impact on the field of medicine. She graduated valedictorian of her class after completing the International Baccalaureate program with high honors at Jeddah Knowledge International School. Her achievements have not deterred her from engaging in a diverse array of endeavors. These include winning a silver medal at the inaugural female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition in Jeddah, volunteering in a multinational initiative for women's health treatment alongside a surgeon who trained at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, and raising awareness for arthritis through a campaign that has reached thousands of individuals in Jeddah. 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
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- 14:08Is AI making us dumber? Maybe. | Charlie Gedeon | TEDxSherbrooke Street WestWe keep asking how AI can help students succeed. But what are they really learning?In this thoughtful and challenging TEDx talk, university instructor and UX designer Charlie Gedeon explores how artificial intelligence is revealing and accelerating the cracks in modern education. From students outsourcing decisions to ChatGPT to the quiet disappearance of critical thinking, Charlie unpacks how AI is reinforcing a system built to reward grades over growth.With personal anecdotes, sharp systems thinking, and a call for collective responsibility, this talk asks: If AI is the teacher, what is the lesson? Charlie Gedeon is a university instructor, entrepreneur, and interaction designer. He studies how technology changes how we think and learn, and how systems shape behaviour. His work focuses on reimagining digital tools and learning experiences to support critical thinking, rather than replace it.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
- 8:21The Comeback is Always Bigger than the Breakdown | Krispin Watson | TEDxAlabasterWhat if your greatest setback was actually the setup for the life you were created to live?In this powerful and deeply personal TEDxAlabaster talk, Krispin Watson challenges us to rethink how we view obstacles, heartbreaks, and disappointments.Krispin introduces her transformative approach: Face it. Feel it. Flip it.Face it (Stop running from the pain and acknowledge what really happened.) Feel it (Give yourself permission to process the emotions instead of burying them.) Flip it (Shift your perspective and use the lesson to fuel your next chapter.)Through faith, resilience, and raw honesty, Krispin shows that setbacks don't have to define you—they can refine you. Her story is proof that even the hardest seasons can lead to purpose, growth, and breakthroughs when you choose to flip the narrative.If you've ever felt stuck, defeated, or unsure of how to move forward, this talk will remind you that your setback is not the end—it's just the beginning.Watch now and be inspired to flip your pain into power.#TEDxAlabaster #TEDx #SetbacksToSetup #Motivation #KrispinWatson Krispin Watson is a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others turn pain into purpose and platforms. As the founder of SLL Professional Services, she empowers clients through real estate, social media strategy, and business coaching. A former single mom who transformed her setbacks into a series of successful ventures, Krispin is passionate about showing others how to rise from challenging seasons with authenticity and boldness. She is the author of Shattered Vows: Turn Relationship Pain into God’s Purpose for Your Life and the host of the So Lux Life podcast, where she inspires listeners to pursue mental, spiritual, and entrepreneurial growth. Whether on stage or online, Krispin’s mission is clear: to equip people to embrace their story, own their voice, and build purpose-driven lives and businesses. 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
- 14:34The hidden power of universal design | Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes | TEDxAlabasterWhy are we still using 1990 rules to design a 2025 world?In this transformative TEDxAlabaster talk, communication scholar Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes reimagines accessibility, universal design, and inclusive communication as the engine of innovation. Grounded in research and in her lived experience as a brain-tumor survivor, Hayes pairs data with human stories to show how designing for disability from the start improves outcomes across higher education, media, and civic technology. Anchored by the curb cut effect, the talk explains why pre-Internet compliance frameworks miss today's realities—and, Dr. Hayes maps what a possibility-driven approach can deliver: multimodal materials, high-quality captions, blended "paper-plus-digital" learning, and accessible tools and spaces that scale from classrooms to campuses and cities. Come explore the ways that with one in four people facing barriers, inclusive design is not an add-on; it's core civic infrastructure that strengthens learning, participation, and creativity for everyone. This is a research-backed, inspirational case for building systems where stories and data work together—so communities can thrive. Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes is an educator, researcher, and universal design advocate. Currently an associate professor at the University of Alabama, she directs the Rhetoric, Discourse, and Public Culture Research Lab. Her award winning research focuses on public discourse, accessibility, and social change. She also currently directs the doctoral program in the College of Communication and Information Sciences and is a nationally award winning teacher and mentor of more than two decades as well as a highly sought after public speaker on issues of public communication. Dr. Hayes holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies and a graduate degree in Neuroscience. In 2019, her journey was interrupted by a life-threatening brain tumor. After a terminal prognosis, a 20-hour surgery, and a year-long recovery, Dr. Hayes adapted to losing the sight in her right eye and some of her hearing. This experience deepened her understanding of the brain, how we learn, and accessibility. 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
- 7:40Who are you influencing and why does it matter? | Tonya Williams | TEDxAlabasterWho's watching you right now and what are they learning from your life?Influence isn't reserved for celebrities or people with millions of followers. The truth is, everyone is an influencer. Every word you speak, every choice you make, and every action you take is shaping someone else's perspective whether it's your children, coworkers, friends, or even strangers.In this powerful TEDxAlabaster talk, Tonya Williams challenges us to rethink influence and recognize the responsibility that comes with it. She reveals how everyday decisions can leave a lasting impact, why intentional living matters more than ever, and how influence can either build up or break down the people around us.If you've ever wondered whether your life truly makes a difference, this talk will show you why the answer is a bold yes.Watch now to discover how to walk in authentic influence and why the way you lead your life matters more than you think.#ImpactAndInfluence #AuthenticLeadership #InfluenceWithIntegrity #ChangeTheWorld #PersonalGrowth #MindShift #EverydayInfluence #LeadWithPurpose Tonya has been a certified life coach for over 7 years. Tonya also received a certification in Pastoral Ministry from Highlands College in 2020. She believes in order to reach people you have to be REAL, Relatable and Non-Judgmental. She thinks it's important to meet people right where they are but her desire is not to leave them the same way she met you! Tonya has a heart for people to not only know WHO they are but WHOSE they are! Her teaching style is to provide tips and tools to create new routines and habits to help you achieve the life you've always desired and to walk in your God-given purpose! Tonya provides biblical principles to everyday issues we struggle with that the church won't address. Tonya says “We were created to grow through our experiences and come out better on the other side. God created us in His image so it's time we break free from the bondages that's been keeping us from living the life He desires for 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
- 11:24The PEACE practice | Dr. Melva Tate | TEDxAlabasterWhat if the key to protecting your peace—and transforming your life—was simpler than you think?In this powerful and relatable TEDxAlabaster talk, Dr. Melva Tate, international speaker, leadership strategist, and CEO of Tate & Associates Strategic Consulting, introduces The PEACE Practice—a five-step framework designed to help you navigate chaos, manage stress, and create ripples of positive change in your life and community.Through personal stories, humor, and hard-won wisdom, Dr. Tate reveals how choosing to Pause, Evaluate, Accept, Change, and Exit can help you reclaim your peace, strengthen relationships, and lead yourself through life’s most challenging moments with clarity and confidence.If you’ve ever struggled with stress, anxiety, workplace tension, or personal setbacks, this talk will inspire you to reset your mindset and embrace a new path forward.Watch now to discover practical, actionable strategies you can start using today—and create your own ripple effect of peace.#TEDx #TEDxAlabaster #PeacePractice #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #StressManagement #EmotionalIntelligence Dr. Melva Tate is a nationally recognized consultant, executive coach, and speaker with over 20 years of experience in human resources, organizational strategy, and leadership development. As the founder and CEO of Tate & Associates Strategic Consulting, she has empowered hundreds of organizations—from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies—to grow high-performing teams and resilient leaders. A proud Navy veteran, Dr. Tate’s journey from the west side of Birmingham to the boardrooms of major corporations is a testament to her belief in purpose-driven leadership and perseverance. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration & Entrepreneurship, an Executive MBA, and certifications in Life Coaching, HR, and Artificial Intelligence Consulting. Dr. Tate was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 and is known for blending inspiration with strategic impact. 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
- 12:45Lift Every Voice…Even Yours | Latrisha “Fee-Fee” Redmon | TEDxAlabasterWhat if your voice is already singing—even if no one ever taught you to hear it?In this powerful TEDxAlabaster talk, Latrisha "Fee-Fee" Redmon invites us to reimagine what it means to have a voice. Through stories of healing, silence, and unexpected song, she challenges the belief that only polished performers deserve to be heard."Lift Every Voice... Even Yours" explores the quiet courage it takes to speak your truth, even when the world tells you to stay silent. Whether through music, memory, or momentary hums, our lives are always expressing something sacred.With insight rooted in lived experience as a healer, artist, and survivor, Fee-Fee shares how even silence can sing—and how your story, no matter how soft, matters deeply.Keywords: healing, self-expression, fear of judgment, silence, TEDx talk, hidden voice, emotional healing, authenticity, voice and worth, performance vs truthWatch now and ask yourself: What is your life trying to sing? Latrisha “Fee-Fee” Redmon is a dynamic creative, wellness advocate, and founder of Fee-nomenal Music and Fee-nomenal Therapeutic Massage. Based in Birmingham, AL, she merges artistry and self-care to create experiences that uplift, inspire, and restore. As a licensed massage therapist, singer-songwriter, and event curator, Fee-Fee is passionate about helping others reconnect with themselves through music, touch, and intentional spaces. Whether performing, speaking, or offering therapeutic services, she carries a deep commitment to healing, hope, and community transformation. Her work reflects a heart for people and a purpose rooted in balance, creativity, and compassion. 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
