You’ve made it to the semi-finalist round — congratulations again. This is a big step, and I know you may have questions about what comes next. Join me for a live Semi-Finalist Q&A Session where we’ll cover: - What to expect in the weeks ahead - How to make the most of our Skool community - Tips for polishing your submission - Open time for your questions This is your chance to get clarity, connect with fellow semi-finalists, and walk away feeling confident about the path forward. 📅 Date: Tuesday 9/30 or Thursday 10/2 ⏰ Time: 6-7:30 PM Come ready to ask, listen, and connect. We’re building something special here, and your journey is at the heart of it. RSVP in the Calendar tab so we know you’ll be there. https://www.skool.com/from-dream-to-speaker-stage-4093/calendar?eid=3dc2712c3025487d95cb7d7dea985c20

Yesterday we dropped the podcast episode with Dr. Amber Gunner. She was once right where you are - a TEDxThirdWard semi-finalist. With focus and persistence, she turned her idea into a talk that earned her a place on the stage as a finalist. In her talk, Dr. Gunner shared how burnout isn’t just about stress, it’s about disconnection. She showed us that real success isn’t doing it all alone, it’s having the courage to ask for help and letting community carry some of the load. Now you can hear her story and the big idea she shared on the TEDxThirdWard stage. It’s a powerful reminder of how far an idea can go when you commit to it. Poll: If you had to ask for help this week, what kind would make the biggest difference for you?

In 3 sentences or less, tell us the big idea you want to share on stage. Keep it short, clear, and powerful. After you post, read a few others and drop a quick comment: - What works well? - What could be sharper? This is your space to practice and support each other.

We’re thrilled to launch the Virtual Speaker Bootcamp, a one-week intensive designed to help you sharpen your big idea, refine your 3-minute video, and step into your power as a speaker. This experience includes: - Daily self-paced assignments with videos and PDFs posted directly in Skool - 3 shared coaching sessions (virtual) where you’ll get real-time feedback from coaches and alumni on your idea and submission - Evening discussions, Monday–Friday, at 6 p.m. CST featuring TEDxThirdWard alumni reflecting on their journey and sharing tips (not coaching, but powerful insight) - A community of peers cheering you on as you practice, post, and refine your talk Cost: $197 — pay directly here on Skool. This is your chance to receive focused feedback and surround yourself with people who know what it takes to stand on the red dot. You don’t want to miss it. ❓ FAQ Do I have to attend all three coaching sessions? No — you’re encouraged to attend at least one, but you’re welcome at all three. Are the evening alumni conversations required? No — but you’ll gain insights you can’t get anywhere else. We strongly encourage you to attend live or catch the recordings. What if I can’t attend live? All coaching sessions and alumni conversations will be recorded and posted here in Skool, behind the paywall, exclusively for Bootcamp participants. Does joining the Bootcamp guarantee I’ll be selected as a finalist? No. Participation doesn’t give anyone an advantage in the selection process. What it does give you is stronger preparation, sharper ideas, and feedback that can take your talk to the next level. Where do I pay? Right here on Skool. Look for the payment button and register to lock in your spot.

I’m Durrel K. Douglas, Curator of TEDxThirdWard, and I’m thrilled you’re here. This community is for dreamers, doers, and everyday storytellers who believe ideas can spark change. Let’s kick things off — introduce yourself in the comments: - Your name - Where you’re from - What bold idea or passion keeps you up at night I'll go first in the comments.