TEDxTeessideWomen

Last week, I had one of those pinch me moments meeting Chris Anderson, Head of TED and author of TED Talks: The Official Public Speaking Guide. So, what was this girl from Boro doing hanging out with Chris and the incredible TED team? The brilliant Toby Moore, curator of TEDxBrighton, brought together a small group of TEDx UK organisers (including me!) to support TED with a groundbreaking new concept. Chris and the team are reinventing the famous TED Talk format, showcasing what it really takes to discover and share ideas that have the power to change everything. This unique event will even feature in a documentary series, following speakers from idea to the red dot. From stage management to speaker coaching and checking in special guests, I got stuck into it all and loved every minute. It was so fun working with other TEDx UK organisers like Jan Carlyle, Simon, Kirsty and Alex Prinsley (absolute host with the most!). Such a talented bunch and I'm so excited to be part of this community. Sleep-deprived but buzzing, I soaked up so much wisdom from Chris, Kelly, John, Toby and the rest of the TED team. Their coaching tips and advice on preparing speakers for the red dot? Incredible. My favourite moment? Watching Chris surprise two speakers live on stage with introductions to organisations ready to help make their ideas a reality in 2025. Proper goosebumps! I also got to share the story of TEDxTeesside and the amazing impact we’re creating together. I’m bringing back so many ideas to make our events even more impactful. This is why I LOVE TED and TEDx so much. Ordinary people sharing extraordinary ideas that can truly change the world. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of TEDxTeesside this year. Your support is what makes the magic happen. Michaela x

One of our highlights of 2024 was collaborating with Charlotte Nichols Nichols and PRsonal Podcast! It was such a joy to have Charlotte and her guest Yasmin Khan on our stage this year, celebrating the podcast’s 50th episode. And how cool is this? It was the first-ever UK TEDx event to feature a podcast filmed live on stage! So, when Charlotte invited Michaela Reaney (TEDxTeesside founder) to guest host the PRsonal "End of Year Review" episode, it was an immediate YES! In the episode, the pair revisited the most memorable moments of the podcast this year, shared behind-the-scenes stories, and talked about Charlotte's exciting plans for 2025. At its heart, PRsonal creates a safe space for people to be open and share what’s really going on in their worlds—a mission we deeply resonate with. After all, shame dies when stories are told in safe spaces. Want to catch the full episode? Links to episodes: Spotify: https://buff.ly/49MkF3a Apple: https://buff.ly/49JS8eF Amazon: https://buff.ly/49Pfvn0 Audible: https://buff.ly/4iKRaTg YouTube: https://buff.ly/49OAW7G

‘Tis the season of deals, discounts, and gifting—Black Friday bargains, festive shopping sprees, and planned Boxing Day sales are everywhere. But this clip from Tamma Carel (PIEMA, FIIRSM, MSc, BSc)‘s TEDx talk invites us to pause and ask: How often do we consider nature in our decision-making? Sure, it’s wonderful to give gifts to friends and family, but maybe a goal for 2025 could be to consume less, shop second-hand, support local businesses, or explore the ethical practices of the companies we do buy from. It can feel overwhelming knowing where to start—but that’s exactly why Tamma’s talk is a must-watch. It’s filled with practical guidance to help us all make more thoughtful, sustainable choices. Here's the link to watch the full TEDx talk https://buff.ly/3OYUlt5 carve out some time this week to watch—it might just inspire your next steps. Big thanks to Earthwise Travel Julie Breckon for sponsoring this talk.

Curious about the true magic behind gift-giving during the festive season? It can feel a little overwhelming at this time of year, worrying about the cost of everything, have you bought what people want/need, trying not to overconsume and be more mindful in our gift giving - whilst still creating the magic. We thought we'd share one of our favourite throw backs to Meg Abernethy-Hope's talk last year. Meg shares the real purpose behind giving gifts. In this snippet, she beautifully shares the art of intention, the joy in making someone feel seen, and how each gift becomes a heartfelt connection. Ready to dive deeper into the conversation? Head over to the full TEDx talk to explore the magic of purposeful giving. You can grab the link to the talk here: https://buff.ly/4gGhOed Remember, it's not about the 'stuff' we buy it's about sharing a little love and kindness. We need more of that in the world. Content Warning: Meg discusses grief, the loss of loved ones and homelessness. BILLYCHIP CIC

Wow, did Dr Donna Elliott and Cheryl Reid raise the energy in the room?! If you were with us this year, you’ll know just how special these two are. Donna and Cheryl opened this year’s event with a grounding and energising session that left everyone present, connected, and ready to receive the incredible TEDx talks. You know what it’s like—rushing to get to an event on time, battling traffic, juggling the school run, or just feeling frazzled first thing in the morning. That’s why setting the tone for the day is so important to us. Donna and Cheryl did just that with their powerful exercises, helping us all focus, raise the vibration in the room, and create the perfect energy to kick off the day. And how epic was the theme song, “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman?! We’ll never hear it again without thinking of that incredible energy and the sense of community in the room. Big love to Donna and Cheryl for not only being TEDx speakers in 2023 but for continuing to inspire and contribute to our TEDx community in such meaningful ways. We’re always looking for new ideas to set the energy at our events. What are some great things you’ve seen at events? Share in the comments—we’d love to learn from you!

"Buzzing for days after this year's TEDx event." That’s just one of the amazing ways Christina Lord CPC ELI-MP described her experience at our TEDx event this year. It was a day packed with learning, curiosity, and community, and we couldn’t have done it without our incredible supporters like Christina. She brought her expertise to the stage with an afternoon breathwork session, helping everyone re-energise and refocus. One attendee shared how they went home and used the breathwork techniques to manage the stress of juggling life, children, and work. That’s exactly what TEDx is all about—taking the inspiration and learning from the day and putting it into practice. Big love to Christina for being such an important part of this year’s event! What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned at a TEDx event? We’d love to hear your ideas and experiences! Beyond the talks, this year we had poetry, breathwork, singing and dancing, exhibitions, saxophone performances, and so much more. Share your favourite moment with us in the comments. Vox pop credit: the brilliant Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio thank you for your support this year!

Ever dreamed of stepping onto the TEDx stage? Whether it’s TEDxTeessideWomen or another TEDx event, here are 3 top tips to help you craft an unforgettable application: 1. Focus on ONE clear idea. Your idea should be impactful, globally relevant, and timeless. Ask yourself: “What challenge have I overcome that others can learn from?” “What perspective or expertise do I have that can shift how others think?” 2. Make it about the audience, not you. Think about the gift you’re offering the audience: How will your talk inspire, educate, or empower them? Keep it actionable and relatable—something they’ll remember and use. 3. Stand out in the application process. Be authentic—TEDx is about YOU, not perfection. Show how your talk aligns with the event’s theme and adds value to the community. And don’t forget: your application can be written, video, or audio—whatever brings your idea to life! Dreaming of stepping onto the TEDx stage? Speaker applications for our 2025 event open early next year, and we’d love to hear your big idea! Join our mailing list to be the first to know when applications open - here's the link: https://buff.ly/3BmEiSw

Every time we read Aisha Lama's poem we can't help but get emotional. It perfectly sums up this year's TEDx event and we loved having Aisha as part of the team. After meeting her at a charity event where she was performing, we knew she’d be the perfect fit for our Poet in Residence role. Poetic note-taking was something on our wish list from the very beginning of curating this year’s event. It’s such a unique and meaningful way to capture the day and all its special moments. Aisha worked her magic throughout the day, capturing the energy and stories as they were shared, and then performed the poem live to close out the event. How talented is Aisha? We absolutely loved it, and we think you will too. You can read Aisha’s poem here in the image. It’s also available to buy in print! Check out the link to grab your copy. https://lnkd.in/d3Ajg9SJ

It was never just about the event. Okay, maybe a little 😆 It's always been about creating a space for you to think, feel or do something after watching the TEDx talks on our stage.  We’ve been hearing about some truly incredible moments of impact and we wanted to share just a few with you: 🔴 Millie Gooch’s talk on alcohol and mental health inspired someone to reflect on their drinking habits and explore sobriety. 🔴 A person who realised they’d called their friend “boring” for not drinking alcohol committed to doing better next time. 🔴 A CEO implementing new policies, recruitment practices, and ways of working to better support neurodiverse team members. 🔴 Another CEO reflecting on how they can better support their team at EVERY age and ensure opportunities are accessible to all. 🔴 Pupils from Outward Academy Ormesby who really enjoyed their trip and were still talking about the speakers all the way back on the bus and while waiting at school for lifts home. 🔴 Someone who felt uncomfortable during Chloe Laws’ talk has since gone away to research and understand the topic better—committing to showing up as a better ally. These are just some of the ripple effects we’re hearing about. Please keep sharing your stories with us, we love to hear them and they remind us why we do this. Because, really, what’s the point if it doesn’t make a difference? Share any of the ripple effects you've experienced in the comments.

The brilliant Chloe Laws explains more about her TEDx talk topic and why this is a vital conversation to be having right now. Misandry is often brought up as whataboutism when women discuss the very real issue of misogyny. This couldn’t be more relevant as the world continues to battle violence against women and girls, which has been declared a national emergency here in the UK. In this clip, Chloe Laws shares an overview of her talk and what to expect. It’s a must-watch for anyone wanting to explore Chloe’s powerful work and her incredible TEDx talk. From unpacking false narratives to revealing the facts around misandry, Chloe’s talk challenges perspectives and sparks essential conversations. Follow this link to watch the TEDx talk in full. https://buff.ly/4fW6kU9