What happens when a doctor trades his stethoscope for a camera? Photodocumentarian Tony Menias reveals how slowing down transforms the way we see ourselves and each other. From medical missions to National Geographic, his decade-long journey captures life's hidden rhythms and our shared humanity. Through stunning imagery and raw reflection, Tony shows how everyday moments become visual poetry when we pause to truly notice. This talk invites you to witness the divine connections that surround us daily—teaching that when we see with our hearts, not just our eyes, strangers become family and chaos becomes peace. Driven by curiosity & fascination with the world, Tony's love of capturing life began when his father handed him his first camera at age seven. From medical school to global missions serving the impoverished, photography was his guiding light in finding beauty in the simplest things. Witnessing the resiliency of souls he treated inspired a life change. Tony left medicine to pursue his craft. Within his first year as a photographer, he was recognized by National Geographic, held multiple exhibitions, & won an Award for Excellence. Photography was no longer a hobby, but calling. Known under the artist name ‘Beloveful’, Tony's passion for capturing the raw & unfiltered aspects of life led him on a profound journey of self-discovery. With a keen eye for detail & unwavering commitment to authenticity, he portrays beauty & chaos equally. Whether capturing bustling markets, serene landscapes, or intimate daily moments, he conveys connection & commonality among people– the rhythm of life. 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

Physicist David Awschalom takes us on a fast-paced journey from Star Trek to quantum teleportation, showing how what once seemed like science fiction is quickly becoming reality. Equal parts inspiring and mind-bending, he reveals how uncertainty—the quirky heart of quantum physics—is actually a powerful engine of discovery, fueling breakthroughs in computing, medicine, and secure communication. This talk makes clear that our quantum future is not just coming—it’s already here.#quantum #quantumtechnology #teleportation, #quantumcomputing, #sensing, #quantuminternet, #cybersecurity Dr. David Awschalom is an experimental physicist and pioneer in quantum technology. He is the University of Chicago’s Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Physics, a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and the founding director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange- an intellectual hub that advances quantum information science research, prepares the quantum workforce, and drives the quantum economy in collaboration with leading universities, national laboratories and more than 50 corporate, international, and nonprofit partners.Dr. Awschalom is the inaugural director of Q-NEXT, a U.S. Department of Energy Quantum Information Science Research Center. He is a member of the U.S. National Academies of Science and Engineering and has received a U.S. Secretary of Energy Achievement award. 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

A transplant surgeon's harrowing story of resilience in the face of personal and profession existential threats in his quest for breakthrough medical innovations to save lives, including his own. Robert A. Montgomery, MD, DPhil, is the H. Leon Pachter, MD Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is also the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Director of the NYU Langone Transplant 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

Nisaini Rexach reveals why sending 150 resumes gets you nowhere—and what actually works. As Microsoft's Community Engagement Lead, she shares her radical approach to career advancement through "social wealth": intentional relationship-building that compounds over time. From Chicago's government housing to rooms with Fortune 500 CEOs, Rexach never submitted a resume for any role. She introduces powerful frameworks including the "shareholder" concept, demonstrates how every encounter is an interview, and explains why your network underwrites your next opportunity. Through compelling personal stories and her mentee Paige's transformation, Rexach provides actionable strategies for building connections that create career opportunities traditional networking never could. Nisaini Rexach, known in the professional community as The Empowerment Enabler, is a visionary leader whose career is marked by a series of strategic initiatives that have catalyzed digital transformation, community engagement, connectivity, and strategic foresight. As a Digital Transformation Dynamo, Nisaini has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies into business processes.In Rexach’s current role as a Community Engagement Lead at Microsoft she has fostered robust communication channels and built strong networks, while serving as a Connectivity Conductor who forges meaningful conversations and connections between key stakeholders. 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 swapping traditional lawns for native plants supports pollinators and boosts biodiversity. Justin Grubb is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, published writer, naturalist, and co-founder of Running Wild Media. Justin earned his B.Sc. in Biology at Bowling Green State University and his Master of Biology at Miami University. With years of international wildlife field research and formal/informal teaching experience, Justin combines these two fields with media to enhance science communication. Justin’s love for nature and passion for the outdoors has brought him to some of the most extreme habitats on earth to study and film critically endangered wildlife.He is a 2017 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader, a Nat Geo Wild "Wild to Inspire" award-winning filmmaker, a member of the Explorers Club, and an Emerging League member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. 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