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?

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.