Theme: You-nique!

We are delighted to announce the return of TEDxTralee to the Siamsa Tire stage for its 3rd year in October 2024. This independently organised event, licensed by TED, will feature local and national voices and TED Talks videos under the theme of "You-nique".

The TEDx Tralee Talks from 2021 and 2022 have now almost two million views and have encompassed an eclectic series of subject matter from Purpose and Passion, Advocacy and Change, Environment and Sustainability, Kindness and Inspiration and many more. All these speeches have one common denominator - a Big Idea on any subject delivered on the world famous Red Dot from a You-nique perspective!

Siamsa Tíre Theatre
Tralee Town Park
Denny Street
Tralee, Kerry, V92 XW44
Ireland

Aideen Finnegan

How to Pivot When Feeling Stuck

Aideen Finnegan is an award winning broadcaster and podcaster. She is a journalist with The Irish Times and former reporter with Newstalk. Her previous career in radio involved everything from producing a talk show, to reporting from the four corners of Ireland, to presenting alongside Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly on Newstalk. She now works as a podcast producer with The Irish Times; involved in putting together its daily current affairs podcast, In The News, and occasionally presenting its female-focused show, The Women’s Podcast. Her own podcast called How to Pivot – about radical career transitions - scooped silver at the 2022 Irish Podcast Awards.

Bob Ferguson

What's in an Engineer's Head?

As an engineer Bob endured many bad presentations. Some of them were his! Bob started his own development path to improve his public speaking. In the process he won three national speech championships and represented the UK & Ireland at the World Public Speaking Championship. He also had 20-years’ experience in the space industry working on the European missions to Mars and Mercury during which he had to communicate complex concepts and information to a wide variety of audiences. The marriage of the two paths led to Bob’s passionate interest in the way that technical experts could communicate to get their message over with confidence, clarity, and impact so that they’re heard, understood and valued. He would often see his very bright colleague’s struggle to explain what’s in their head, to their peers and senior managers, and searched for ways they could improve. In his talk he’ll explain how he thinks we can all do it better.

Breda O' Dwyer

The Entrepreneurial Suitcase

Breda is Head of Department of Organisation and Professional Development at MTU and Head of The Cantillon Academy. She is author of The ELMS Model – Entrepreneurial Leadership Mindset and promoter of eudaimonic entrepreneurial well-being. Through her work and publications Breda continues to enable interdisciplinary conversations, learning and research; empowering professionals in academia, practice, and public policy to work innovatively and intuitively alongside each other. Breda believe in the power of conversations, role modelling, storytelling, learning through life’s experiences and simply knowing who you are! At Cantillon we connect minds through our different fora, we empower minds through the application of innovative learning practice, and we ignite curiosity as we explore different research opportunities that allow us to get know the self to reach our optimum potential.

Clare McKenna

When the Health Message Gets Unhealthy

Clare McKenna has worked as a broadcast journalist in TV & radio for over 20 years, mainly in the area of lifestyle and current affairs. A regular face on Virgin Media television she presented and anchored on Ireland AM, The Elaine Show and as a reporter on Midweek. She has also worked extensively in radio starting her career on Dublin’s Spin1038 and their afternoon talk show where she and her cohost won Gold for Best Speech programme at the Radio Awards. She then worked at Today FM before moving to Newstalk where she remains presenting the health and wellness show Alive and Kicking. This turned a personal passion into a profession as Clare has always had a keen interest in personal development and wellbeing. Clare qualified as an integrative health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition last year and hosts wellness events in person and online with her business Nourish Yourself.

Corrie Block

Love at Work - Empathy and Leadership

Dr. Corrie Jonn Block has turned his ADHD into a polymath superpower. He’s an internationally recognized speaker, top-tier Executive Coach, and expert in Business Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Leadership. He’s Professor of Strategic Management at Monarch Business School, Switzerland, a Member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and a Certified Master Neuroplastician. His bestselling books include Spartan CEO and Love@Work. He’s also got 5 kids, advocates for green energy and poverty relief, and jumps out of airplanes for fun. SM Handles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrieblock/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dr_corrie_block/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcorrieblock/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.corrie.block

Courtney Fae Long

Money and Sex: The Surprising Connection

Courtney Fae Long, MSW, LC, CHt, is a leading-edge Sexuality Educator and Author who has been teaching for 25 years. Courtney holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (B.A.), and certificates in Sexuality Education and Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan, USA. Courtney teaches adults how to make magic in the bedroom, enhancing their happiness, health, confidence, and creativity. With a light and joyful approach grounded in scientific research, she empowers individuals to feel happy, turned on, and abundant in all areas of life, from love and intimacy to business, career, and financial success. Courtney lives in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States. She offers an online school and retreats at https://courtneyfaelong.com.

Dave Osh

Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World

Dave Osh is a transformative catalyst, an executive team coach, and a thought leader committed to augmenting our leadership potential. His journey from fighter pilot to global CEO has been marked by a commitment to evolve leadership teams during complex transformations. With extensive experience on the global stage, Dave inspires us to challenge our cultural conditioning and unite to address the world's most pressing challenges. He serves as the CEO of Varlinx and is the author of "CEO POTENTIAL: Transcend Self, Team, and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI SM - Linkedin @daveosh

David Lynch

Singer Songwriter - My My

David is 16 years of age and is delighted to be playing for this event. He is no stranger to the stage and the world of music as he has been a member of the Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre since the age of 4, where he has performed in numerous end of year shows and the annual Christmas Panto. He has also performed with Tralee Musical Society (TMS) and has played leading roles in their productions of Children of Eden (Young Cain) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Jeremy Potts). He has also performed as a chorus member and soloist in their annual That’s Entertainment Variety Shows. More recently he has joined the Light Opera Society of Tralee (LOST) and is currently rehearsing for their 2025 production of Jesus Christ Superstar in which he will play the role of Simon Zealotes and is the understudy for the role of Jesus.

Donagh Hennebry

Take Deep Breaths Daddy!

Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention After running away to sea at 17, Donagh returned to education in his mid 20’s, completing a B.SocSc and later a M.SocSc. Over the past twenty years Donagh has worked with the Traveller Community, young people involved in the criminal justice system, youth mental health and suicide prevention. He has also worked as a lecturer with Sacred Heart University. For the past five years Donagh has coordinated Connecting for Life for the HSE in Kerry. Connecting for Life is Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide. Donagh believes that everyone should try to look after their mental health just as we do our physical and dental health and he was one of the founders of the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest.

Donal O'Shea

Understanding Obesity

Qualified in medicine from University College Dublin in 1989 and then moved to Hammersmith Hospital in London. Completed research with Professor Sir Stephen Bloom on how the brain controls appetite. Moved to current position in 1999 establishing 2 hospital based multidisciplinary treatment teams for the management of adult obesity and gender dysphoria. Is a member of the Department of Health Policy group on obesity and chaired a group carrying out a health impact assessment on the potential benefits and harms of a tax on sugar sweetened drinks. Has presented the EU Ministers for Health and the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the importance of prevention of childhood obesity. Has specific research interests in obesity and gender and has published over 250 research papers. He is currently the National lead for management of Obesity with the Health Service Executive and advisor to WHO Europe on prevention and treatment of obesity.

Gerry Kelly

Prostate, Piddling and Passion

Gerry is a sexagenarian. He is retired gentleman who has two adult daughters and four grandchildren. He married his present wife in 1980. Regular health-checks eventually revealed that his PSA count was a concern. Further exploration identified the presence of cancer in his prostate. His chosen solution was a Robotic Prostatectomy. Following encouragement from friends and professionals he later documented his entire prostate cancer journey and published his account in a book entitled Prostate Piddling and Passion. This venture has led him towards men’s health advocacy. He is adamant that much more awareness is needed about prostate cancer side effects and access to products which make possible, a great social life and good mental health.

Joseph Romm

Storytelling Secrets from Shakespeare and Taylor Swift

Rolling Stone named Joe one of 100 "people who are reinventing America" in 2009. He's an MIT physics PhD, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, and a leading expert on climate solutions, communication, and storytelling. Time magazine called him "The Web's most influential climate-change blogger" and named him "Hero of the Environment″ for his work at the Climate Progress blog he founded in 2006. Over 12 years, Joe published over 2000 posts and wrote thousands of headlines. The real-time feedback he received on headline click-through rate, time on page, likes, shares, and tweets helped him test the best storytelling strategies to see which ones went viral. CNN host Van Jones has called Joe "the communicator's communicator." He is the author of 11 books, including "How to Go Viral and Reach Millions" and "Language Intelligence: Lessons on Persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga.

Kerry White

The Road Less Travelled to Motherhood

Kerry White is a Wellbeing Coach & Facilitator with two decades of experience inspiring people in the workplace to cultivate happiness, health, and resilience. Kerry began this work at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, where she worked for many years. It was here at WHO that Kerry developed a keen interest in the mind/body connection and led innovative wellbeing sessions to help staff stay well. Over the past 20 years, Kerry has expanded her expertise through training as a Shiatsu Therapist, Yoga Teacher, and Life & Executive Coach. Her diverse background equips her with a holistic understanding of wellness. Kerry knows firsthand the complexities of making tough life decisions - she gave birth to her daughter at 49, having made the challenging, but rewarding decision, to pursue solo motherhood, through double donation. Kerry will inspire you to have the courage to take the road less travelled, to find and follow their own truth in life, challenging as this may be.

Laura Daly

Without You (Dance Performance)

Award-winning choreographer Laura Daly began her dance journey at just five years old, igniting a passion that has fueled an impressive career both as a professional performer and educator. Laura has taught in a variety of stage schools and dance schools, along with various primary and secondary schools. She has completed various performer and teacher examinations, from the International Dance Teachers Association, to the Irish Board of Speech and Drama musical theatre branch. Laura’s career highlights include performing in numerous showcases across Ireland, and she has been chosen on many occasions to represent the power of dance in international festivals and campaigns, promoting the arts in Ireland. Her achievements also include winning multiple dance competitions as her time as a dancer and teacher, as well as training under a host of industry professionals. Most recently, Laura was honored to join award-winning choreographer Dane Bates' company for INSPIRO 5 in Liverpool.

Leonard Skinner

How Many True Loves Are Out There For You?

Leonard Skinner is an Irish author, speaker, and passionate advocate for off-grid and sustainable living. His most recent work, Love in a Self-Serving World, ties in with his doctoral research in the philosophy of love, exploring the depths of human connection and the essence of what it means to love. Leonard's work is a reflection of his journey—one that combines a love for life, philosophy, and the enduring search for meaning. Instagram: @leonardskinnerofficial YouTube: @LeonardSkinnerOfficial

Meta Osborne

Saving Our World with One Welfare Education

Saving the World with One Welfare Education Meta studied veterinary medicine and practised as an equine vet for 40 years. As a vet she was often asked about possible horse welfare issues. Not knowing much of anything about the subject, despite her training, she went back to college to study for a Masters in Animal Welfare, using Systems Thinking in her dissertation looking at broodmare welfare. A chance conversation with her cousin Colm, a tillage farmer, about the death of the land he was farming introduced her to the concept of One Welfare, which uses Systems Thinking to explore the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human wellbeing and environmental sustainability. This worldview is based on the Old Wisdom known to our ancestors and still understood by indigenous peoples today. Twitter: @metaos Linked In: @Meta Osborne Facebook: Meta Osborne Instagram: @meta.osborne

Miriam Moriarty Owens

Shh! Don't Tell!

Miriam was born in 1957 and was sent with my two older sisters to an Industrial school in Tralee with her two older sisters whom she spent her entire childhood At the age of thirteen years, Miriam was taken back by her parents. there. In 1979 Miriam left Ireland and went to London where she worked in various jobs Miriam met her husband a week after arriving In London and married him seven months later. Her first child was born in 1980. Miriam has three sons and three grandchildren. In 1999 she left her husband and returned to her hometown of Tralee and stayed in a refuge for three monthsIn 2005 Miriam went back to college and qualified as a beautician. In 2011 she wrote her autobiography "Shh Don't Tell. A true story of Survival. In 2017 Miriam along with her three friends made a short film on domestic Violence "Silence is Golden" from birth to death. An advocate for people who suffer from domestic abuse. Miriam has also graced the stage with her love of the arts and theatre

Pooja Paul

6 Reasons to be Optimistic about our Climate Future

Dr. Pooja Paul is a Cognitive Scientist-turned-Climate Entrepreneur on a mission to leverage her expertise on human behavior in the fight to curb a quickly warming planet. Dr. Paul received her PhD from Harvard University in 2018, and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford. She left the academy in late 2020 to use her scientific training to help accelerate the transition towards lower-impact lifestyles urgently needed to have a chance of meeting our 2030 Paris Agreement Goals. She is the Founder of Habitable Earth, a VC-backed company that uses the best insights on human behavior and motivation – borrowing both from academia and the world of gaming – to make planet-friendly lifestyle choices easy, fun, and rewarding for the new global majority of climate-conscious consumers. She sits on the advisory board of a UK non-profit and likes to spend her free time hiking in nature with her canine sidekick.

Rachel Curran

Listening to the Body's Wisdom: A New Path to Authentic Choices

Rachel is a master coach, facilitator, podcast host, and co-founder of The B.O.L.D. Method with over 7 years of experience. She spent the first decade of her career working within international Investment Banks and Wealth firms based across both London and New York, and now specialises in supporting high-achieving women helping them get out of their heads so they can make clear decisions, stop people-pleasing, trust their intuition and powerfully lead. Rachel integrates Somatic work, NLP, Human Psychology, Masculine & Feminine Dynamics, Breathwork and Mindfulness into her coaching for sustainable change. A regular contributor to CIO.com, Rachel has been featured on various podcasts and as a guest speaker at retreats across the US and Canada. Rachel believes that the more unapologetic you can show up in the workplace, relationships and life, the bigger the benefit for all. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelcurrancoaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrachelcurran/

Robert Kelly

Small Steps to Inspired Heart Health

Dr Robert Kelly is an Intervention Cardiologist and Lifestyle Medicine Physician who has combined these areas to deliver a holistic approach to heart health.His purpose is to prevent heart disease helping people to live a long and happy life. He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, a Senior Lecturer in Lifestyle Medicine. He teaches at Faculty of Positive Psychology at RCSI Dublin. He is a co-founder of the Irish Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a board member of The European Society of Lifestyle Medicine. He is a Fellow of Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, American College of Cardiology, Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, European Society of Cardiology. He has an MBA from Henley Business School. These programs have helped over 100 patients to release weight, improve exercise, lower stress, sleep better, stop smoking and find more energy and vitality to enjoy life and live longer. Several patients have been able to reduce their medications as well.

Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen

White People Need Animism

Rune is a Danish Historian of Religion. He uses current anthropology to outline how white people can draw inspiration from indigenous thinking to understand themselves and navigate environmental collapse in non-exploitative ways. Looking at parts of European heritage with fresh eyes, people can find the wisdom of nature within their own cultures. This will guide large populations towards less destructive ways of relating to the world around them. Rune has lived and worked in many cultures, and he tries to bring their perspective to his home in Scandinavia. Thinking of Nordic culture in the same way as an Amazonian healer or a vodou priestess understand theirs opens perspectives to cultural renewal. Rune is a public intellectual who popularizes his work on Nordic animism online, through public appearances and publications. YouTube: Nordic Animism @NordicAnimism Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nordicanimism/ insta: @nordic.animism X: @RuneRasmussen2 Tiktok: @nordic_animism

Sara Morrissey Tucker

Exhilaration: Is Happiness Worth the Risk?

Sara is passionate about people and she is driven by the exploration of experiences, communication and activities that make us thriving humans. This passion has taken her on a rollercoaster journey down through the study of human languages, around computing and linguistics, over yoga and movement education and up into the exploration of virtual worlds. All this culminated in a degree in Computational Linguistics, quickly followed by a PhD in Computing, then six yoga teaching qualifications! Following a decade of immersion in family life, she has reignited her joi de vivre with immersive technology and wants to bring you along for the ride. Fascinated by the capabilities of human bodies and minds, Sara now researches how technology can push our boundaries, expand our opportunities and enhance our lived experiences. Connect with Dr Sara Morrissey Tucker on: LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/saramorrissey Instagram: @nimblethimble42

Tanya O

Falling (Singer / Songwriter)

Tanya O' is an Irish born artist-songwriter with vast experience within the music industry. Her haunting voice and deep lyrics have saw her build up a steady following. She is an accomplished singer and pianist and has performed on the Irish and Canadian music circuit for over 10 years and has supported internationally acclaimed Acts throughout her years including Walking on Cars , JLS , The Riptide Movement, Britains Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse and many Acts in Toronto including Fin Fury. Tanya is known for writing songs laced with emotional lyrics based on her own personal experiences. She has worked with artists and record labels in Ireland, the U.K, United States and Canada over the past decade and has gained most of her compositional experience through her time spent in studios in Ireland, North America and the U.K. She has just released her second single of the year called ‘Let your fire burn’ and has more original music releases coming out later this year.