In this heartfelt TEDx talk, Felony Misdemeanor describes how doing drag became a journey from rejection to radical self-love. Through humor and honesty, she shares how coming out, embracing drag, and building community turned pain into power— and proves that drag doesn’t just entertain, it saves lives. Felony Misdemeanor is a walking contradiction turned living legend — a drag artist, community leader, icon, and activist who once hated drag and now uses it to save lives. Born from resistance and refined through purpose, Felony doesn’t just perform — she transforms. Her story is one of rebellion turned revelation: proof that healing can wear lashes and a crown. With a sharp tongue and a soft heart, she stormed stages, shattered norms, and stood boldly in spaces that weren’t built for her — and made them hers.Through her work with Planned Parenthood and Black Pride Colorado, she’s amplified the voices of the unheard, the unseen, and the unstoppable. Felony Misdemeanor is more than a name — she’s a movement draped in sequins, shaped by struggle, and committed to reminding every soul that growth is gritty, glittery, and gloriously real.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
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- 15:11The illusion of clarity — how to communicate better | Junie George Varghese | TEDxCMRIT HyderabadWe live in an age of endless communication yet we still feel unheard and misunderstood. Why? This talk challenges the illusion that we truly understand what it means to communicate. From animals and ecosystems to the cells within us, we’ll discover powerful ways life communicates without words. Through this lens, we begin to see that human connection goes far beyond language. What if the key lies in rediscovering what we’ve forgotten? Junie George Varghese is the Co-Founder & CEO of The 5th Mantra and a Communication & EQ Coach with 20+ years of experience.An IIFT Delhi alumna, she has mentored professionals across industries.Certified by ICF, Extended DISC, and NLP Society, she also mentors at IIT Chennai's NPTEL & BS-Data Science programs.Named among Yahoo Finance's Top 10 Communication Coaches (2021), she has trained 1000+ students and coached industry leaders. 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
- 13:08Still in the race | Ishanee Manoj Chembra | TEDxUniversity of Birmingham DubaiWhat if second place wasn’t a loss—but a lesson? In this witty and vulnerable talk, the speaker shares a personal story of losing a student election and unpacks society’s obsession with being “the best.” From Buzz Aldrin to buldak ramen, she explores why true success isn’t about beating others but about growing through setbacks. This talk is a powerful reminder that being second doesn’t mean you’re done—it means you’re still in the race. What if second place wasn’t a loss—but a lesson? In this witty and vulnerable talk, the speaker shares a personal story of losing a student election and unpacks society’s obsession with being “the best.” From Buzz Aldrin to buldak ramen, she explores why true success isn’t about beating others but about growing through setbacks. This talk is a powerful reminder that being second doesn’t mean you’re done—it means you’re still in the race. 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
- 8:10The colours of my room | Nourhan Sabah Chemandi | TEDxUniversity of Birmingham DubaiWhat does it really mean to be happy—and who gets to define it? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking talk, Nourhan challenges conventional psychological frameworks of happiness, sharing her journey through disconnection, eating disorder recovery, and rediscovery. With striking vulnerability, she invites us to turn inward, asking not what happiness should look like, but what it feels like when it’s truly ours. A beautiful reminder that vitality begins with presence—and sometimes, with noticing the quiet colours of our own room. What does it really mean to be happy—and who gets to define it? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking talk, Nourhan challenges conventional psychological frameworks of happiness, sharing her journey through disconnection, eating disorder recovery, and rediscovery. With striking vulnerability, she invites us to turn inward, asking not what happiness should look like, but what it feels like when it’s truly ours. A beautiful reminder that vitality begins with presence—and sometimes, with noticing the quiet colours of our own room. 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
- 11:43EducActor | Vighnesh Prasad Kizhepat | TEDxUniversity of Birmingham DubaiWhat happens when the stage meets the classroom? In this personal and thought-provoking talk, the speaker explores how a background in acting shaped a powerful, dynamic teaching identity. From Shakespeare to TESOL, they draw parallels between scripts and lesson plans, audiences and students, performance and pedagogy—inviting us to reimagine education not as authority, but as artistry. A call for educators to step beyond the script and embrace creativity, empathy, and performance in the pursuit of real change. What happens when the stage meets the classroom? In this personal and thought-provoking talk, the speaker explores how a background in acting shaped a powerful, dynamic teaching identity. From Shakespeare to TESOL, they draw parallels between scripts and lesson plans, audiences and students, performance and pedagogy—inviting us to reimagine education not as authority, but as artistry. A call for educators to step beyond the script and embrace creativity, empathy, and performance in the pursuit of real change. 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
- 12:26The power of media | Mahreen Munir | TEDxUniversity of Birmingham DubaiWhat if the beliefs you hold most dearly aren’t yours at all? In this eye-opening and deeply personal talk, Mahreen uncovers how media—through stories, stereotypes, and screen time—shapes our identity, perceptions, and even our dreams. From false narratives to viral truth-telling, she shares her journey as a content creator reclaiming the narrative for South Asians and Arabs through her show Karak with Mahreen. A compelling call to become conscious consumers in a world where media is not just influence—it’s power. What if the beliefs you hold most dearly aren’t yours at all? In this eye-opening and deeply personal talk, Mahreen uncovers how media—through stories, stereotypes, and screen time—shapes our identity, perceptions, and even our dreams. From false narratives to viral truth-telling, she shares her journey as a content creator reclaiming the narrative for South Asians and Arabs through her show Karak with Mahreen. A compelling call to become conscious consumers in a world where media is not just influence—it’s power. 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
- 12:56Life is soup, I am fork | Tejal Gupta | TEDxUniversity of Birmingham DubaiIn this raw, humorous, and deeply introspective talk, the speaker explores self-improvement not as a glossy success story—but as a process of failing, learning, and discovering. Using the quirky metaphor of a fork trying to eat soup, she reminds us that we’re not built for perfection—and that’s perfectly okay. Through reflections on rejection, emotional avoidance, and metacognition, this talk gently nudges us toward grace, growth, and getting to know the person we’re stuck with for life: ourselves. In this raw, humorous, and deeply introspective talk, the speaker explores self-improvement not as a glossy success story—but as a process of failing, learning, and discovering. Using the quirky metaphor of a fork trying to eat soup, she reminds us that we’re not built for perfection—and that’s perfectly okay. Through reflections on rejection, emotional avoidance, and metacognition, this talk gently nudges us toward grace, growth, and getting to know the person we’re stuck with for life: ourselves. 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
