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.

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?

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.

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