From waving at airplanes in her small West Bengal town to standing on global stages, this deeply personal talk explores what it means to dream boldly—and confront the silent voices that tell us we can’t. Through humor, nostalgia, and raw emotion, a former banker and communication expert revisits her childhood dream of becoming a pilot and the moment it collided with rejection. But this is not a story of defeat. It’s a powerful reflection on self-belief, invisible barriers, and the courage to rewrite the script society hands us. Inspiring and introspective, it invites you to revisit your own “impossible” dreams—and to chase them with conviction. Banasri Brandon is a Dubai-based ex-banker, passionate public speaker, and two-time DTAC International Speech Contest finalist. With 15+ years of experience in the banking sector, she brings sharp insights in communication, leadership, and strategy.Banasri inspires audiences with her journey from a vernacular school in India to global stages. She’s also a strong advocate for families with special needs, drawing from her experience as a mother to champion empathy, inclusion, and 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

Yeşim Salkım, TEDxIstanbulAydinUniversity sahnesindeydi! Tecrübesi ve bilgi birikimiyle birlikte etkileyici bir konuşma gerçekleştirdi. Arnavut asıllı Yeşim Salkım, 1970 yılında Ankara’da doğmuştur. Saint Benoît Fransız Lisesi’nin ardından İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Türk Musikisi Devlet Konservatuvarı Klasik Türk Sanat Müziği bölümünde eğitim aldı. Yurtdışında sosyoloji alanında yüksek lisans yaptı. 1994 yılında Hiç Keyfim Yok adlı ilk albümünü çıkardı. Kariyeri boyunca 10 adet albüm, 2 adet müzikal albüm yayımladı. 1996 yılında Eşkıya filmi ile oyunculuğa başladı. Tiyatro, müzikal, sinema ve televizyon projelerinde çeşitli roller üstlendi. Tiyatroda tek kişilik müzikli oyun olan Babamın Ceketi dahil olmak üzere çeşitli sahne çalışmalarında bulundu. Birçok sahne performansı gerçekleştirdi ve televizyon programları sundu. 1995 yılında Yeşil Müzik adlı prodüksiyon şirketini kurdu. 2001 yılında başrolünü üstlendiği Şarkıcı filmiyle 38. Antalya Altın Portakal Film Festivali’nde “En İyi Kadın Oyuncu” ödülünü aldı. 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

Η ομάδα των Γιαβάς - Γιαβάς αποτελεί μια αυτοοργανωμένη συλλογικότητα που συναντιέται σταθερά στο Ηράκλειο με στόχο τη μελέτη και ανάδειξη μουσικών παραδόσεων από την Ελλάδα, τα Βαλκάνια και την ευρύτερη Ανατολική Μεσόγειο. Η ενασχόλησή τους με αυτούς τους ήχους και τους ρυθμούς τούς φέρνει πιο κοντά όχι μόνο με τη μουσική, αλλά και με τις κοινές ιστορικές και πολιτισμικές εμπειρίες των λαών της περιοχής.Σε μια εποχή που εντείνονται οι αποκλεισμοί, οι πόλεμοι και οι βίαιες μετακινήσεις ανθρώπων, επιλέγουν να στέκονται απέναντι στον φόβο, τον ρατσισμό και την αδικία. Πιστεύουν ότι η μουσική μπορεί να λειτουργήσει ως γέφυρα επικοινωνίας, συνύπαρξης και αλληλεγγύης. Διεύθυνση και καλλιτεχνική επιμέλεια: Κασαπάκης Στέλιος Υπεύθυνος κρουστών: Κωστής ΠουλιανάκηςΣτο ούτι: Κασαπάκης Στέλιος, Παπαδαντωνάκη Ζωή, Φαρσάρη Στεφανία, Τζουρμπάκης Σταύρος, Δρετάκη Εμμανουέλα, Καγιαμπάκης Ηρακλής, Giacomo Natali. Στο πολίτικο λαούτο: Λελέκη Δήμητρα, Ποζίδης Θεόφιλος (τραγούδι). Στο βιολί: Κλωτσοτήρα Ανδριάνα, Πολυζωάκης Θέμης, Σέγκος Στέλιος. Στη λύρα: Βαγγελόπουλος Νικάνωρ (σάζι), Λουλάκης Σταύρος. Στο νέυ: Σχοινά Βασιλική, Πουλιανάκης Κωστής (καβάλ), Μιχαηλίδης Σάββας. Στο κανονάκι: Σολωμού Μαρία, Καραχάλιος Μάριος. Στην ασκομαντούρα: Αθανασόπουλος Δημήτρης. Στο τσέλο: Sol Lingertwood. Στο κόντρα μπάσο: Πολύζος Σάκης. Στα κρουστά: Μελιγκουνάκη Στέλλα, Μαρκάκη Ασπασία, Καλαρώνη Σοφία, Τσαρτσαμπαλίδου Κική, Σεμιτεκόλου Πηγή (ακορντεόν), Γουρνιεζάκη Γαλάτεια, Κλώτσα Μαρία, Γέμελας Σαράντος, Μαυρομανωλάκης Μανώλης, Μανουράς Ιάσονας. 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 thought-provoking talk reveals how personality traits shape decision making. Sandra Walker is a strategic advisor, speaker, and thought leader at the intersection of neuroscience, decision-making, and leadership. Driven by deep curiosity about how we navigate complexity and uncertainty, Sandra helps leaders identify hidden patterns, challenge unconscious assumptions, and make clear, impactful decisions that shape better futures.Leveraging advanced research in decision science, Sandra founded the Viacern Group, developing AI-enabled, evidence-based tools and assessments designed to illuminate the hidden influences in decision-making.Sandra regularly partners with startups, executive teams, and boards, creating a meaningful impact by empowering confident navigation of rapid change, complexity, and ambiguity.Passionate about addressing global challenges, she also actively invests in and collaborates with innovative organizations that tackle climate, energy, and sustainability, bridging strategic decision-making expertise with tangible impact on the planet. 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

Join Anusha as she takes us through how algorithms, neuromarketing, and AI work together to influence our purchasing choices and how we can break free from these cycles and make the choices we truly want to. Anusha Ramachandran is a Senior Analyst in the business and customer insights domain, specializing in marketing analytics. With a background in management consulting and data analytics, she brings a unique perspective to solving real-world challenges using data-driven strategies and ML/AI-powered solutions. Anusha holds a Master’s in Business Analytics from the University of British Columbia and has worked across industries including retail, pharmaceuticals, and airlines. Passionate about the intersection of technology, art, and storytelling, she enjoys making complex ideas accessible and impactful. 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

Join the exploration of how technology can either reinforce bias or break barriers to belonging. By reimagining digital systems for inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability, this talk shows how innovation can drive personal reinvention and meaningful societal change. Maria Nathalia Drueco is an immigrant from the Philippines, a proud alumna of the University of Alberta (Class of 2012), and an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and women’s empowerment advocate. She was appointed Global Goodwill Ambassador for Canada by FAAVM Canada, a global human rights organization, and was recently honored with Silver Awards in Migrant Leadership and Women in Travel, Retreats, and Events at the 2025 Women Changing the World Awards in London, UK. She is the author of UnHide Yourself: Break Free from Bias, Stigma, and Stereotypes, a powerful guide to navigating identity and creating inclusive spaces. Maria is also the founder of three mission-driven organizations: Marianatha Tours, a travel company curating holistic journeys grounded in spirituality, culture, and sustainability; Inclusion Journey Consulting, where she partners with leaders to build equitable and high-performing workplaces; and BelongInclusivity, a tech-enabled nonprofit advancing equity and inclusion through research, innovation, advocacy, and systems change. Driven by her lived experience and a deep passion for innovation and impact, Maria works at the intersection of identity, leadership, equity, and technology—empowering underrepresented voices and redesigning systems where everyone truly belongs. 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