From Silence to Strength: Healing, Design, and Inner Power | Shweta Deshmukh | TEDxKharadi Salon
"Shweta Deshmukh is an award-winning architect, entrepreneur, and spiritual seeker who turned life’s deepest struggles into powerful stepping stones. Raised in Nagpur under modest means, Shweta faced extreme financial challenges and was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 12—a condition wrapped in stigma, silence, and emotional isolation. Despite the odds, she channeled her pain into purpose, pursuing her dream of becoming an architect.Her transformation began with a simple 21-day meditation practice that sparked self-acceptance and healing. Through spirituality, she reclaimed her identity, health, and inner strength. Today, she is the co-founder of Dezinebox, a sustainable design-tech startup delivering VR-enabled interior services across the globe. She’s worked on everything from temples to tech hubs, and her work integrates circular economy principles and emotional connection.In this TEDx talk, Shweta shares three key life lessons: accept your problems, embrace a spiritual practice, and, especially for women—stop trying to be Superwoman. Just be a woman. Authentic, intuitive, strong, and enough.Her story isn’t just about success—it’s about surrender, courage, and rising from within." Ar. Shweta Deshmukh, Principal Architect at SDA and Founder of Dezinebox, is a visionary leader with 20+ years of experience in architecture and design. SDA has delivered landmark residential and commercial projects across India. Through her tech-driven startup Dezinebox—part of CII’s Affiliation Program—she is democratizing design with online services, virtual visualization, and a strong partner ecosystem. An alumna of IIM Ahmedabad and incubatee of IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL, she was featured in CII’s prestigious ‘Leading the Change – 50 Inspirational Women in Innovation’ Compendium. Recognized globally, Shweta has received honors like ‘Exceptional Woman of Excellence’ and ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year’ and featured in publications like Forbes India, Fortune India, India Today, Economic Times of India and many more. Her work blends creativity, sustainability, and digital innovation to shape the future of architecture. Times of India and many more. 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
More from TED
- 18:47Creating your life as your masterpiece | Kaylin Ingram | TEDxUFWhat if you could create the life of your wildest dreams? Would you be able to love your current life in the process of getting there? In her Ted Talk, Kaylin Ingram explores what it means to truly create and to understand that we have the power to create the lives we want. Not only is this our biggest responsibility, but as the artist of our lives, this is our biggest masterpiece. As a Brand-Strategist and Co-Founder at Hang Ten Creative Agency, an author of her children's book, When Being Blew Through, a muralist in her hometown, and a former adjunct professor of graphic design at the University of Tampa, Kaylin Ingram has tapped into her creative potential and wants to help others do the same. Through all of these creative acts however, she has realized that her LIFE is the most important masterpiece and that maybe, through trial, error, some good books and therapy, she can learn to love the process of creating, just as much as the finished product itself. You can follow along Kaylin's creative life journey on instagram (@kaycoastal) or online at kaycoastal.com. 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
- 10:04The Geography of Survival: My Fight with Cancer and the Road to Change | Zachary Schroeder | TEDxKUAt just 21, a cancer diagnosis profoundly reshaped Zack's perspective on life. Over the coming years, it also deepened his understanding of healthcare and the unique value of healthcare to rural communities. At just 21, a cancer diagnosis profoundly reshaped my perspective on life. Over the coming years, it also deepened my understanding of healthcare and the unique value of healthcare to rural 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
- 14:43Designing beyond sight | Nilou Vakil | TEDxKUWhat if our built environment engaged all our senses, not just sight? Imagine a world where spaces were designed to be fully inclusive where architecture didn’t just serve the visually abled but embraced the needs of the visually impaired as well. In this talk, we explore how sensory-centric design can transform education, public spaces, and daily life, creating richer, more accessible environments for everyone. By rethinking the way we design, we can foster deeper connections, greater independence, and a more inclusive future for all. Nilou Vakil is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas (KU) School of Architecture and Design, a licensed architect, a LEED BD+C accredited professional, and Principal of in situ Design, an award-winning, community-oriented architecture and urban design firm she has led since 2010. With two decades of national and international professional experience, Vakil brings a deep commitment to community-engaged design, inclusive pedagogy, and design justice to both her academic and professional work.Originally from the Middle East, Vakil’s formative experiences during the regional wars and witnessing the destruction of thriving cities deeply shaped her belief that communities must have a voice in shaping their built environment. This belief grounds her teaching, research, service, and practice, all of which center on the intersection of participatory design, equity, and social 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
- 11:35Breaking the Silence on Misogynistic Terrorism | Sasha Wertime | TEDxHaverford CollegeIn this TEDx talk, Sasha Wertime examines the rise of misogynistic extremism, arguing it ought to be labeled and treated as terrorism. Drawing on comparative case studies in the United States, India, and South Korea, she elucidates how online subcultures and offline ideologies converge to fuel gender-based hate. By understanding the reach of this threat, we can begin to create targeted and informed responses to the global war on women.Sasha is a recent graduate of Haverford College, where she majored in Political Science and minored in English. She will move to England this fall to begin her Master’s in Social Policy at the London School of Economics. Originally from Thailand, Sasha is an international person who cares deeply about the ubiquitous horrors of misogynistic terrorism. Sasha is a recent graduate of Haverford College, where she majored in Political Science and minored in English. 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
- 7:40Jean-Baptiste Morin and the Importance of Process | Ian McKnight | TEDxHaverford CollegeIn this TEDx talk, Ian McKnight discusses the seventeenth-century French astrologer Jean-Baptiste Morin. Besides his astrology, Morin was a respected intellectual, engaged in many contemporary debates on medicine, physics, and philosophy. Through an examination of Morin's life and intellectual endeavours, Ian demonstrates the importance of scientific, intellectual, and personal processes.Ian McKnight is a recent graduate of Haverford College, class of 2025. He graduated with a double major in Religion and History, focusing on early modern Europe, Counter-Reformation Catholicism, and the Scientific Revolution. Ian McKnight is a recent graduate of Haverford College, class of 2025. He graduated with a double major in Religion and History, 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
- 13:19From Student to Teacher: The Cycle That Keeps Playing | Edgar Leon | TEDxHaverford CollegeIn this TEDx talk, Edgar Leon shares a deeply personal journey from struggling freshman percussionist to mentor and music educator, illustrating how a single moment of encouragement can transform a student’s life. Drawing on his experiences teaching at Waltrip High School in Houston, he demonstrates how music education nurtures resilience, confidence, and community in underfunded schools. Through the story of a frustrated student named Mike, he reveals how music became a lifeline, empowering both teacher and pupil to find their voice. Edgar Leon is a graduating senior at Haverford College, earning a double major in Music and Computer Science. A passionate educator and composer, he has taught percussion and bass guitar in underserved Houston schools, written original music for ensembles, and mentored students through musical and personal challenges. Accepted into Temple University’s Master of Music Composition program for Fall 2025, Edgar hopes to continue advocating for equitable access to music education nationwide. 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
