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.

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?

Semi-finalists — here’s something special for you. In this episode of the TEDxThirdWard podcast, Dr. Amber Gunner reflects on her own TEDx experience: the preparation, the challenges, and the insights she gained along the way. Her perspective is a powerful reminder that the TEDx stage is more than just a platform — it’s a process that transforms both the speaker and the audience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLvCGXG42e8 As you’re preparing your own submissions, take a listen and think about what lessons from her journey might apply to yours. What part of the TEDx process do you think will stretch you the most?

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.

This episode brings the TEDxThirdWard family together for a candid, wisdom-filled group conversation. Hosted by Durrel Douglas, the roundtable features: - Emem Washington – Speaker Coach - Chris Wright – TEDxThirdWard Speaker - Tiffany Yvonne – TEDxThirdWard Speaker - Dr. Amber Gunner – TEDxThirdWard Speaker Together, we dig into what it really takes to step onto the TEDx stage: - The highs and lows of the preparation process - Why a TEDx talk is its own art form (not a sermon or speech) - The transformation that happens behind the scenes - How this journey became both a challenge and a reunion If you’re a semi-finalist, an aspiring speaker, or just curious about the process, this episode is packed with stories and lessons to inspire your own path.