This talk challenges us and our societal urge to rank our relative losses - reframing grief as a shared human experience that resists scorekeeping. Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her books, USA Today Bestselling Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it’s Time to Heal But You’re Not Sure You Want to and The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self. She has been published in The Chicago Tribune, Fortune, and Cosmopolitan, as well as quoted in the New York Times, CNN, and People. Born and raised in the Midwest, Kelly currently resides in Maplewood, NJ, with her family.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 his TEDx talk, Luis explores the reality of migration, questioning the belief that opportunity and success are tied to specific locations. He invites audiences to rethink what a “better life” truly means when shaped by their values and priorities. Luis is a University of Toronto alum and an international student from the Philippines. He received multiple academic and leadership awards during his education and has lived and worked in both Toronto and Manila. These experiences have shaped his perspective on opportunity across different systems and exposed him to both the highs and lows of that journey. Along the way, he has had to balance ambition with responsibility, and opportunity with sacrifice, across different cultural and social contexts. As a result, he understands the personal trade-offs behind global mobility and the weight of life-defining choices, even at a young age. 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

From our early education to our professional lives, the modern world rarely feels built for failing safely. So how do we learn the lessons that actually matter? Aerospace engineer and triathlete Abigail Lee found herself going through life on autopilot and realized her fear of making mistakes was shrinking her world. By sharing her journey from the intense pressure of graduate studies at MIT to the grueling finish lines of global Ironman triathlons, Abigail demonstrates how deliberately choosing a "side quest" creates a safe zone to fail, learn, and build resilient purpose. Abigail Lee is a Spacecraft Deployment Engineer based in Golden, Colorado. A graduate of MIT and Queen's University, Abigail is also an endurance athlete currently training for Ironman-distance events. Her unique background allows her to bridge the gap between high-level technical execution and her passion for building a strong mindset and consistent resilience. 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 a world shaped by rapid technological change, political polarization, and social uncertainty, how can we make sense of the moment we are living in? Museum founder and art advocate Stephanie Utz explores the powerful role of creativity in shaping and preserving the zeitgeist, i.e., the cultural spirit of an era. Drawing on examples from Renaissance to contemporary street art, she reveals how art has historically documented, challenged, and influenced societal transformation. Through personal experiences and insights from building Germany’s first Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA), Stephanie argues that creativity is not a luxury but a force that helps societies navigate change, preserve collective memory, and imagine better futures. Stephanie Utz is co-founder of the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) in Munich, Germany’s first museum dedicated to urban and street art. A passionate art collector and cultural entrepreneur, she has spent the past decade building a platform for internationally renowned contemporary artists while preserving the cultural significance of urban art for future generations. Through her work, Stephanie advocates for the role of creativity, artistic freedom, and cultural institutions in documenting and shaping the spirit of our times. 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

This talk explores how young people move from silence to using their voices to create meaningful change. Through personal experience, it highlights how purpose, direction, and support systems empower individuals, especially youth, to speak up despite fear or doubt. It ultimately challenges the idea that you have to wait your turn to be heard. Whitney is an Indigenous youth leader, advocate, and speaker from Montana and an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe. She is passionate about empowering young people to use their voices to create meaningful change. Through her leadership and advocacy work, Whitney focuses on promoting inclusion, representation, and opportunities for youth in her community.Whitney currently serves as President of the Billings Student Tribal Council and as a student council senator, where she works to amplify student voices and advocate for policies that support diverse perspectives.In addition to her advocacy work, Whitney is deeply involved in her school and community through leadership, service, and cultural engagement. She believes that when young people are encouraged to share their perspectives and step into leadership roles, they can create lasting change that benefits entire communities. 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

A vibrant performance of three original songs by Milli Bear. In a unique showcase of her creative musical talents and alternative style, Milli expresses her artistic voice through her eclectic, heartfelt songwriting. Milli Bear is a sixteen year old singer/songwriter from Cody, Wyoming. She has been performing and composing music from a young age, self-accompanying on the piano and ukulele. She was a finalist and award-winner at the 2025 Wyoming Singer/Songwriter Festival, and she performs frequently around the northern Wyoming and Billings, Montana area. Her songwriting style is unique and alternative, rejecting genre constraints and drawing inspiration from all things heartfelt and strange. Milli intends to dedicate her life to making music, hoping that she can use it to express ideas and make connections that words alone cannot. 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

1998 yılında Kapadokya'da profesyonel turist rehberi olarak kariyerine başlayan Aydoğan, aynı yıl bölgedeki ikinci sıcak hava balonu işletmesini kurarak havacılık sektörüne adım attı. Türk Hava Kurumu'ndan kiralanan balonlarla başlayan bu girişim, 2004 yılında balon pilotu olmasıyla yeni bir boyut kazandı. Bugün Pasha Balloons'un kurucusu ve CEO'su olan Aydoğan, Ürgüp'te doğan bu girişimi, Avrupa'da sertifikalı üretim gerçekleştiren ve farklı ülkelerde faaliyet gösteren küresel bir havacılık markasına dönüştürmüştür. Üretim, sertifikasyon ve uluslararası büyüme süreçlerinde aktif rol almakta; edindiği saha deneyimini girişimcilik ve inovasyon vizyonuyla birleştirerek sektöre yön vermeye devam etmektedir. In 1998, while working as a professional tourist guide in Cappadocia, he entered the sector by establishing the second hot air balloon company in the region. This journey, which began with balloons leased from the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), continued with him becoming a balloon pilot in 2004. Today, as the founder and CEO of Pasha Balloons, he has transformed his venture, which started in Ürgüp, into a global aviation brand that produces certified balloons in Europe and operates in various countries. Aydoğan plays an active role in the production, certification, and international growth processes. 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

This talk is about what life is like when you're different in ways beneath the surface, and Nico's personal experiences with people who don't enjoy the person he was meant to be. Niko is a 15 year old Freshman in High School. He is an officer within the FCCLA, being in charge of publicity and social media. He has been in choir since 5th grade, and currently is a 1st Soprano in Skyview’s Chantrelle’s choir class. This young man has a passion for everything musical and/or theater. Niko is headed for a culinary degree in college, while still hoping to advance within the performing arts. He is usually found in the library or FCS department at school, surrounded by his group of friends. Peers and teachers would describe him as “Determined, outgoing, autistically awesomesauce, and with high expectations for himself. Though he has and continues to struggle with mental health, he remains devoted to his relationships and plans for the future. His pastimes include baking, soccer, reading, music, fashion, video games, and tending to his cats. Niko is also a strong supporter of 406 Pride and LGBTQ causes, actively assisting in event planning for Rainbow Coffee House. 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

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Psikoloji bölümünden mezun olan Mehmet Çetin, kariyerinin ilk yıllarında Aile ve Sosyal Politikalar Bakanlığı bünyesinde görev yapmıştır. 2018 yılında devlet bünyesindeki görevinden ayrılarak çalışmalarını özel danışmanlık süreçlerine taşımıştır.Psikoloji, kişisel gelişim ve kültür temalı podcast kesitleriyle geniş kitlelere ulaşan Psk. Mehmet Çetin, akademik ve klinik tecrübesini dijital içerik üretimiyle birleştirerek toplumsal farkındalık üzerine konuşmalar yapmaktadır. Mesleki çalışmalarının yanı sıra sanat dünyasında "Yeis Sensura" sahne ismiyle müzikal çalışmaları ile de tanınmaktadır. Mehmet Çetin, a graduate of Hacettepe University's Psychology Department, worked for the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in the early years of his career. In 2018, he left his government position and shifted his focus to private counseling.Reaching a wide audience through podcast segments on psychology, personal development, and culture, Psychologist Mehmet Çetin combines his academic and clinical experience with digital content creation, giving talks on social awareness. In addition to his professional work, he is also known in the arts world for his musical works under the stage name "Yeis Sensura". 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

Çocukluğumuzdan beri izlediğimiz hikâyelerde çoğu zaman zenginler kötü, iyiler ise mütevazı ve yoksul olarak karşımıza çıkar. Peki ya bu anlatılar, para ve başarı hakkındaki düşüncelerimizi farkında olmadan şekillendiriyorsa?Bu TEDxDerinkuyu konuşmasında İlayda Bilek, "iyi insanların zengin olma sorumluluğu" fikrini farklı bir bakış açısıyla ele alıyor. Finansal okuryazarlıktan girişimciliğe, satış ve pazarlamadan değer üreten işler kurmaya kadar uzanan bu yolculukta, ekonomik gücün yalnızca bireysel bir hedef değil, toplumu dönüştürebilecek bir araç olabileceğini anlatıyor.Dünyayı daha iyi bir yer haline getirecek insanların, daha fazla etki yaratabilmek için daha fazla kaynağa sahip olması gerektiğini savunan bu konuşma; para, başarı ve iyilik kavramlarını yeniden düşünmeye davet ediyor.Çünkü belki de asıl soru, "İyi insanlar neden zengin olmalı?" değil, "İyi insanlar zengin olmazsa dünyayı kim şekillendirecek?" sorusudur. İlayda Bilek is an entrepreneur and content creator specializing in building communities and creating revenue models in the digital world. Through her own educational platform and social media, she provides training and consulting on digital marketing, personal branding, and content strategies. Reaching hundreds of thousands of people on YouTube and Instagram, she shares concrete steps to starting a business and achieving financial freedom. 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