True happiness isn’t found in wealth, success, or appearance, it begins with what we consume mentally, emotionally, and physically. Over time, convenience and processed foods have disconnected people from the natural, nourishing relationship between food and well-being, leading to widespread health and hormonal imbalances. These habits, shaped by family traditions and stress, don’t just affect us, they’re passed down through generations, influencing the health of our children and grandchildren. Healing requires awareness, accountability, and intentional lifestyle changes that prioritize whole foods, balanced emotions, and self-compassion. By transforming our habits today, we can create a legacy of health, happiness, and generational wellness for the future. Alexis Kimbrough is the founder and CEO of Herban Soul Café, a wellness brand dedicated to redefining health through herbal, plant-based food and beverage innovations. With a background in mental health and holistic wellness, Alexis empowers communities through products and storytelling that nourish the mind, body, and soul. 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

When war reaches your homeland, empathy stops being an idea and becomes a heartbeat. Journalist and humanitarian Olesya Shyvikova shares her powerful journey from Crimea to Nova Scotia, and back to the frontlines of Ukraine.Through her story of loss, resilience, and the kindness of strangers, she explores how trauma fragments the soul—and how collective compassion can bring those pieces home. A moving reflection on the invisible bridges between people, places, and pain, this talk reminds us that kindness is not weakness—it’s the architecture of peace. Olesya Shyvikova is a Ukrainian-Canadian journalist, filmmaker and social entrepreneur. A former war reporter turned humanitarian, she has directed award- winning documentaries and launched initiatives supporting veterans, children and elderly in conflict zones.Olesya is the CEO of a tech startup developing life-saving AI solutions, and the founder of Chiron, a trauma recovery center for Ukrainian veterans in Nova Scotia. Her work brings together storytelling, innovation, and compassion to create impact where it's needed most. 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 it really mean to be transgender in Canada’s most gender-diverse province? In this powerful and deeply personal talk, advocate and community leader Mica Daurie shares her lived experience as a trans woman navigating identity, belonging, and resilience in Nova Scotia — where one in every 200 people identifies as trans or non-binary. Drawing on her work in public service and advocacy, Mica reveals the invisible barriers trans and gender-diverse people still face in employment, healthcare, and leadership, and calls for true solidarity rooted in understanding, action, and empathy. Her message is a reminder that inclusion is not just policy — it’s personal, and it starts with how we choose to see one another.Given at TEDxArgyleSt in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mica Daurie is a 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocate and thought leader with years of experience in spaces like government public service, before turning to a career in grassroots advocacy.Mica is a radical forward thinker who has brought difficult and thought-provoking conversations to every space she's been in. Her work is approached from her lived experience as a queer transgender woman raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Mica serves on the Board of Executives for the Local Council of Women Halifax, as well as serving as the Vice President of Health, Housing and Social Development for the National Council of Women Canada 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 pieces of your life that feel broken, misfit, or misunderstood were actually what made you whole? In this deeply personal talk, the speaker shares her journey as a Black, neurodiverse woman navigating multiple intersections of identity across continents, cultures, and generations.From childhood in Germany and Canada to raising a neurodiverse child, she explores how understanding her own mosaic mind—a tapestry of experiences, challenges, and resilience—revealed a strength and wisdom she never knew she had. Through reflection, courage, and the power of writing, she invites us to embrace our intersections, honor our differences, and insist on being seen. Missy Searl wears many hats — Executive Director of Period Equity Alliance, Provincial Coordinator of NSANSF, business consultant, and all-around community cheerleader. She’s powered by passion, purpose, and a love for helping people thrive. With a flair for adult education, DEIA design, and global training, Missy’s career has taken her from local boardrooms to international classrooms.She’s served with CEED, Oceanview, AWENS, and more — always with heart. When she’s not leading change, she’s cheering on her sons and grandkids, loving life with husband Stuart (37 years strong!), or dreaming up her next bold idea. Missy lives to uplift and inspire. 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 most powerful thing you can build in the age of AI… is something with heart?In this deeply personal and energizing talk, entrepreneur and global startup coach Tash Jefferies shares her journey from a shy, book-loving girl in public housing to a founder who has helped over 1,200 entrepreneurs across 10 countries build tech solutions that actually make money — and a difference. She weaves in the legacy of her mother’s resilience and three life lessons that shaped her destiny. With AI tools making innovation faster than ever, Tash challenges us to remember what machines can’t do: connect, care, and carry a story. Her message? Solve real problems. Build boldly. And above all, keep some of your heart in everything you create. Tash Jefferies is a 4-time founder, global startup advisor, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author.A Resident Mentor with 500 Global and Anchor Mentor with a16z, she has coached 1200+ startups across MENA, Asia, Europe, and North America. With a background in biology, sales, and consulting, she helps companies unlock product-market fit and build scalable growth engines.Named one of the “33 Badass Black Womxn in Silicon Valley,” her mission is to empower diverse founders to thrive and lead boldly. 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 forgetting wasn’t a weakness, but one of the brain’s greatest strengths? In this talk, Diyansha Singh, a senior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, uncovers why our minds are designed to let go—how forgetting protects us from overload and helps us focus on what’s meaningful. She connects this idea to machine unlearning, where even artificial intelligence models must forget to become smarter and more efficient. Diyansha Singh is a senior at WWP High School South. 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