TEDxFSU Conference Brings Ideas to Center Stage

What matters more? How the world sees you, or how you see the world? This year, TEDxFSU explores Impressions—how through every moment we live, no matter how fleeting, we shape the world, and it shapes us.

Join this year’s incredible lineup of speakers and performers as they interpret experiences, present new perspectives, and offer game-changing ideas from fields ranging from sustainable education to empowerment through art, and from personal finance to Plato. Then stay for a reception to meet and engage with speakers, performers, and other guests and connect over ideas and common interests.

TEDxFSU 2025 will take place:

Tuesday, April 15

5:30 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30 p.m.)

Richard G. Fallon Theatre

530 W. Call Street

On this year’s TEDxFSU stage:

Joseph Calhoun is a teaching professor and the director of the Gus A. Stavros Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Economic Education at Florida State University, where he teaches economics and personal finance classes and leads the financial wellness program Unconquered by Debt.

Eric Coleman is the Henderson Professor of Political Science within the College of Social Science and Public Policy.He studies public policy and environmental governance—how and why people act collectively to solve environmental problems.

Bhushan Dahal is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program in Anne’s College. He has more than a decade of experience in reconstructing educational infrastructure in Nepal's remote areas since 2015.

Michelle B. Griffin is a personal branding speaker, PR strategist, and LinkedIn visibility expert who helps high-achieving professionals elevate their presence and influence for business growth. A graduate of the College of Communication & Information, Michelle has more than 20 years in communications, with a rare blend of agency, corporate, and association leadership experience.

Max Harden is a third-year undergraduate from Tampa studying economics and philosophy. Max’s primary academic interests are in classical thought and economics policy. He is a member of both the Service Scholar and Social Science Scholars programs.

Suzanne Smith is a passionate advocate for improving the quality of life for people living with dementia. Through the Claude Pepper Center, she mentors students from diverse fields—including public health, law, psychology, and therapy—through an intergenerational art program that fosters empathy and connection.

Talethia O. Edwards is a dynamic community advocate, urban planner, and social impact strategist dedicated to placed-based work. Talethia is a graduate of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s master’s program, founder of the HAND Up Project, and director of community nonprofit Good News Outreach.

The conference will also feature musical performances by the Weatherboys, Mia Biton, and Jonathan Trujillo.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At TEDxFSU, speakers and performers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual licensed TEDx events, are self-organized. This year’s TEDxFSU conference is organized in partnership with the Center for Leadership & Service and College of Communication & Information and hosted by the School of Theatre.

Conference registration is always free to students. We ask that non-student guests purchase their tickets when they register at a cost of $40. To learn more or register, visit https://tedx.fsu.edu.