From inner transformation to global connection, these TEDx speakers explore the deep, often personal journeys that shape who we are and how we show up in the world. Here’s a curated look at some of the most compelling TEDx talks of 2025 each delivering powerful insights, personal stories, and actionable wisdom for navigating life’s most pressing challenges.
John Tarantino
Talk Title: You Only Have One Life…Until You Have Another.
In his second TEDx talk, “You Only Have One Life…Until You Have Another,” delivered on February 8, 2025, John Tarantino explores the idea that individuals experience multiple distinct phases throughout their lives, each shaped by evolving experiences, perceptions, and aspirations. He emphasizes that embracing these transformations allows for continuous personal growth and fulfillment.
Tarantino illustrates how our childhood and adult experiences differ significantly, shaping our perceptions, goals, and dreams. He suggests that to achieve lasting happiness, as Tolstoy proposed, we should focus on living for others—our families, friends, and communities—allowing our souls to live forever.
Michael Zedek
Talk Title: The four beautifuls — discovering everyday miracles
Our days are often full of difficulty and distraction. In this brief, vibrant talk, author and religious scholar Michael Zedek offers a simple and unforgettable practice for experiencing new depths and joy in daily life.
Michael is rabbi emeritus of two outstanding congregations, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah (greater Kansas City) and Emanuel Congregation of Chicago. In September of 2021, Michael accepted the position of rabbi-in-residence at Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist Seminary. The rabbi is a frequent presenter on themes related to spirituality for professional groups around the world.
He is a regular presenter at Rancho La Puerta, the oldest retreat center in North America. He is the author of a number of articles for professional and popular journals, as well as the book “Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality,” upon which this talk is based.
Esther Stanhope
Talk Title: How to actually get recognized for your work
Esther’s Background’s in broadcasting on TV and Radio at the BBC. Although she interviewed Hollywood stars (George Clooney and Madonna), rock stars and political leaders, she was not confident to be in the spotlight herself.
She didn’t think she was ‘good enough’ or ‘clever enough’ to be the person at the front of the room.
She didn’t think she deserved to be the person worth listening too and believed if you promote yourself you must be a show-off. (It’s not true).
As a result, for many years she was technically BRILLIANT at her job but ….not visibly brilliant. She found herself being overlooked for promotions and knew she needed to change.
Now she works in business coaching people to be more visible helping CEOs and high profile people write and perform speeches, get their voice heard, and boost their career.
Her TEDx talk is inspired by her second book “Visibly Brilliant,” (Oct 2025) and aims to spread the word about the unseen superheroes of the professional world! She calls them,
the “Invisibles” – those brilliant, hard-working individuals who generate magic behind the scenes but get NO recognition. The talk turns that narrative on its head!
Being ‘Visibly brilliant” is something Esther neglected for most of her career, she failed to focus on; self-investment, courage, and smashing through invisible barriers.
Now, she’s living proof that you can step into the spotlight, overcome your fears and share your stories, insights and expertise for the greater good.
If you work on yourself, your confidence and your visible brilliance….you can change the world.
Dr. Michelle Machado
Talk Title: The One Skill AI Can’t Replace
Dr. Michelle Machado is an international speaker, mindset expert, and the visionary behind the Human Connection Framework™. A soon to be 2x TEDx speaker whose thought leadership has reached hundreds of thousands worldwide, Michelle is on a mission to address one of the most urgent crises of our time: disconnection.
In a world driven by technology, comparison, and constant noise, Michelle believes we are losing more than just attention spans, we are losing each other. Backed by a PhD, MBA, and two decades of university leadership across Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the UK, Michelle combines neuroscience with hard-won life experience to spark change through her keynotes, masterclasses, and consulting.
From corporate stages to global conferences, her message is clear: in an era of automation and burnout, human connection is no longer optional, it is the competitive edge, leadership imperative, and legacy we leave.
Sendurai Mani
Talk Title: How to Transform Failures into Opportunity and Grow Luck
In his second TEDx Talk, Sendurai Mani reflects on the power of self-belief and how it can transform lives, especially for those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. He shares his personal journey from a small village in Tamil Nadu to becoming an educator and motivational speaker. Mani emphasizes that true education is not just about degrees, but about values, perseverance, and the courage to dream. He encourages youth to believe in themselves, even when the world doubts them. Through anecdotes from his life and the challenges he faced, Mani illustrates how inner strength and vision can break societal barriers. He also urges educators and parents to foster curiosity and creativity in children, rather than just pushing for academic success. His talk is a passionate call to action for individuals to pursue their goals fearlessly, and to build a society where every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.
Joe Mittiga
Talk Title: When Dreams Become Divine: Turning Inspiration Into Impact
Joe Mittiga the Spiritual Leader, Conscious CEO, and Visionary of Connection. Joe Mittiga is a conscious CEO, heart-centered entrepreneur, author, and sought-after speaker withover 31 years of sobriety and freedom from codependency.
As a spiritual leader and empathicvisionary, Joe is most passionate about creating The Smile—a global livestream movement of light,connection, and hope. More than a broadcast, The Smile serves as a spiritual lifeline, offering inspiration and presence to even the most impoverished and isolated communities around the world.
Joe is also the founder of ProjectSmile.world, a free educational platform dedicated to sharing tools for emotional healing, self-love, and empowerment.
With a deep commitment to inner transformation, Joe walks the path of healing alongside others,sharing the same self-loving practices and emotional insights that helped him rediscover his power and purpose. His message blends spiritual wisdom with practical tools for living a life rooted in love, clarity, and financial abundance.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Joe travels the world inspiring audiences in both the business and personal development spaces. Through his lived experience and unwavering commitment to authenticity, growth, and service, Joe continues to awaken hearts and ignite purposeful change!
Dr. John Chan Kok Meng
Talk Title: Rising Above and Beyond
Dr. John Chan Kok Meng, is a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Clinical Head of Surgical Services at CVSKL Hospital
In his TEDxUoNMalaysia talk titled “Rising Above and Beyond, he shares his journey from a medical student to a leading surgeon. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and mentorship in the medical field. Dr. Chan discusses the challenges faced in the Malaysian healthcare system and advocates for increased research capacity and innovation.
He highlights the significance of nurturing young talent and fostering a culture of excellence to advance the nation’s medical landscape. His talk serves as an inspiration for aspiring medical professionals to strive for excellence and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare sector.
Dennis Heijn
Talk Title: Dare to Be a Monkey – Be Your Own King
This talk explores the fine line between success and failure through the lens of a Dutch saying: “What is perseverance in a king is seen as stubbornness in a monkey.” The message? It’s often the same trait—determination—but the world only applauds it after you’ve succeeded. Dennis Heijn challenges the idea that we can neatly plan success or follow simple steps to happiness. Instead, he urges us to embrace uncertainty and act with courage even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
The talk questions societal labels and reminds us how easily we confuse visionary strength with foolish persistence—until hindsight defines the difference. Rather than waiting for approval or certainty, we must dare to live from our values, even if that means being seen as a “monkey” along the way. Because being yourself authentically and wholeheartedly, even in doubt, might just be what makes you king in the end.
Nadab Akhtar
Talk Title: Beyond the Rearview Mirror: Are You Ready to Look Ahead?
In his TEDxParkland talk, “Beyond the Rearview Mirror: Are You Ready to Look Ahead?”, Nadab Akhtar challenges traditional decision-making models that rely heavily on historical data. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Excite, a firm specializing in AI-driven quantitative trading, Akhtar introduces a forward-thinking approach inspired by quantum physics.
He advocates for systems that sense the present and adapt in real time, moving beyond static historical analysis. By modeling motion, causality, and uncertainty, these dynamic systems aim to anticipate future scenarios more effectively.
Akhtar’s perspective encourages leaders to embrace adaptive intelligence, enabling them to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world with greater agility and foresight.
Tatjana Stoljarova
Talk Title: How Language Learning Helps Children Make Connections
In her TEDx talk, How Language Learning Helps Children Make Connections, Tatjana Stoljarova explores the transformative power of multilingualism in children’s development. Drawing from her multicultural background and expertise in linguistics, she highlights how learning multiple languages enhances cultural understanding, empathy, and global competitiveness.
Stoljarova addresses the alarming issue of language extinction, presenting five key reasons behind this global crisis and offering strategies to reverse it. She also emphasizes three often-overlooked benefits of multilingualism, advocating for its role in fostering resilience, self-confidence, and safety in children. By promoting language diversity and preservation, Stoljarova underscores the importance of empowering immigrants and maintaining cultural heritage.
Her talk serves as a compelling call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers to support language learning as a means to build cross-cultural bridges and create a more inclusive world.
These TEDx talks showcase not just powerful voices, but ideas with the potential to spark transformation—within ourselves and in the world around us. Dive in, get inspired, and maybe even start your own journey toward becoming visibly brilliant, deeply connected, and courageously authentic.
Her talk serves as a compelling call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers to support language learning as a means to build cross-cultural bridges and create a more inclusive world.
