The strongest predictor of a child’s success might be how well the adults around them communicate. We’ve studied every factor in a child’s development—except the power of adult collaboration. My big idea is simple and certain: if we enable parents to coordinate their child’s care team so that teachers, doctors, and therapists communicate openly, we can transform outcomes. This isn’t guesswork; it’s the next step we need to take to unlock every child’s full potential.

One parent’s “I consent” can turn isolation into impact. A parent’s consent isn’t just a form — it’s a bridge. When parents say “I consent,” they give teachers, doctors, and therapists permission to collaborate instead of work in silos. That single act unlocks communication, transforms care, and builds the foundation for effective, timely early interventions. And early interventions don’t just change childhood — they shape remarkable adulthoods.

In this powerful talk, TEDxThirdWard speaker Gina L. Carroll uncovers why you must write your life stories and how to actually get them down — started and finished. Her talk has garnered the most views from our first cohort who took the stage in March of this year: 115,853 views as of today (Sept 30, 2025). She shares deep insights, inspiring stories, and surprising facts about why your voice is needed in the storytelling universe. Gina, an author, editor, and writing coach, believes every story has an audience and is an important thread in the fabric of history. Whether you’re just beginning or trying to finish a manuscript, her message is about urgency, focus, and motivation to finally tell your story. Poll Question: If you hadn't yet, what’s the biggest challenge keeping you from writing your own story?

Hey hey, I was wondering if I missed it in an email somewhere. How many semifinalists are there? I feel like I have read everything line by line, multiple times, and I don't think I saw that... Or the instructions for part two but I figured that's by design and we'd find out soon. 😁

What’s ahead: - Final Submission Deadline: Your revised three-minute video is due October 15. We'll reach out with the link you'll use to upload and the submission criteria. - Optional Virtual Q&A Sessions 9/30 and 10/2 both at 6P CST RSVP HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/hia/event/852304/ - Optional Bootcamp: The Virtual Speaker Bootcamp (Oct 2–9) is $197 and gives you daily lessons, evening talks from past TEDx speakers, and three live coaching options (Oct 4, 7, and 9). Seats are limited. Whether TEDxThirdWard or another event, you'll be better prepared to submit. https://www.skool.com/from-dream-to-speaker-stage-4093/classroom Important Note: Participation in the Bootcamp or Q&A sessions is optional and does not influence the speaker selection process. Finalists will be chosen by the selection team based solely on submitted videos. Stay connected: This digital community includes semifinalists, alumni, and volunteers. Use it to ask questions, swap ideas, and support each other as you work on your submissions beyond TEDxThirdWard!