We spend a lot of time trying to change what we do. We set new goals, build new habits, and promise that this time will be different. But what if lasting change doesn’t begin with what you do? What if it begins with who you believe you are? Drawing on neuroscience and stories of transformation, leadership expert Megan Galloway reveals how our identities shape what we believe is possible for us. She offers a powerful new way to think about personal change: You may not be stuck. You may simply be telling yourself old stories about an identity you have already outgrown. Megan Galloway is a leadership facilitator, executive coach, and founder of Everleader. She has worked with thousands of leaders globally at some of the world’s largest organizations. Her work explores how identity shapes our behavior, our leadership, and who we believe we can become. She hosts the podcast Changed and is building a movement to change the world by changing how we lead at work. 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

As two young cancer survivors, we learned lessons before 21 that no classroom could ever teach: to celebrate the little things, to practice gratitude in the face of uncertainty, and to never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. People often ask us, "How are you so positive?" and the answer is simple: the only way to move forward is to find joy in the everyday moments and privileges most people walk right past. Our talk shares how our cancer experiences shape the ways we live and learn, and challenges others to reframe the hardships that build up their "invisible resumes.” We hope to share our perspectives of gratitude, encouraging the audience to celebrate the small things and step up in small ways for others. Amelia Knopp is a junior at the University of Kansas, studying accounting and sociology. At KU, she is a University Scholar, Truman nominee, KU Blood Drives executivemember, and an accounting teaching assistant. Amelia is a loyal KU basketball fan, an avid reader, and an aspiring memoirist. Luke Karel is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he studied Business Administration. As a bone marrow transplant survivor who spent nearly 500 nights in the hospital battling leukemia, he found his way back to college at KU, and back to life. Luke is passionate about healthcare, faith, skiing, and travel, and believes deeply in the power of celebrating the moments most people walk right past. 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

Is the classroom a place of opportunity or a source of inherited fear? Educator Eli Woody examines the non-monolithic nature of public education through the lens of Generational Educational Trauma. This talk reveals how the educational experience of relatives and other support systems are passed down to students, shaping their relationship with learning long before their first school bell rings. Discover how uncovering these generational echoes is the first step toward building a more empathetic and inclusive educational future. Eli Woody is a public school teacher in Kansas City, Kansas. Currently, he teaches Freshmen English and a college credit Public Speaking course. Eli attended public schools and has taught in public schools in Colorado, Texas, and Kansas. Eli holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Washburn University and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Colorado Denver. He is also the author of two books, entitled What I’ll Never Forget and Fruitcake; both are available on Amazon. 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

"Survivorship isn't a race. And it shouldn't be measured in marathons," says former eye care provider and professor Dr. Yvette Colón, OD. After pancreatic cancer took both her career and her mobility, she found herself in a wheelchair, facing a world that only wanted to hear one specific story: the medal, the marathon, the triumphant finish line. In this raw, deeply necessary talk, Dr. Colón dismantles the toxic "warrior" narrative to reveal the hidden emotional tax of performing resilience. She offers an unflinching look at what it's like to fall outside the story you're expected to tell, providing a new framework for learning how to truly live in a completely altered life—on your own terms. We live in a culture that demands heroism from the suffering. From the moment of diagnosis, patients are handed a "warrior" script—a mandate to stay positive, fight hard, and serve as an inspiration to everyone around them. But what happens when the pressure to be "strong" becomes as exhausting as the disease itself? In this provocative talk, I dismantle the "Superhuman Survivor" narrative to reveal the hidden emotional tax of performing resilience. This isn’t just a talk about surviving a diagnosis; it’s an urgent call to trade toxic positivity for radical honesty, showing us that true healing begins only when we stop hiding the struggle and start embracing our shared humanity. 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

How do you get through the moment life blindsides you? Start by knowing what you'll reach for before it happens. We're taught to prepare for every physical emergency, but almost never an emotional one. In this honest, moving talk, Sara Moses shares her perspective on emotional resilience and healing, drawn from the losses that taught her this the hard way — and the practical tools anyone can use to navigate life's most difficult moments.  Sara is a professional speaker, podcast host, mindset coach, matchmaker, and international best-selling author with a Master’s in Psychology. A survivor of profound personal tragedies, Sara has turned her experiences into a mission to help others move through trauma, overcome adversity, and create meaningful, lasting change. Sara is a contributing author to the book I’m So Glad You Left Me: 88 Stories of Courage, Self-Love, and Personal Growth, released October 4, 2024. Featuring powerful stories of women who transformed adversity into empowerment, the book has sparked a broader conversation around healing, self-love, and personal growth. Beyond her work as an author and speaker, Sara is the Founder and CEO of BANTER, an expertly curated matchmaking service focused on authentic connection. She is certified as both a Matchmaker and a Science-based dating and relationship coach through the Global Love Institute. 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