The Power of a TED Talk: From Homeless to CEO

A TEDx evening in NYC + How to tell a story + Reader giveaway.

Have you ever encountered a TED talk that stayed with you long after watching it? Think Brené Brown on vulnerability, Susan Cain on introversion, or Simon Sinek on the power of why (initially called How Great Leaders Inspire Action). What makes these talks so engaging isn't just their polished delivery but the authentic stories behind them.

This week, I attended a TEDx event hosted by

Joya Dass

, a veteran TV business anchor turned branding and speaking coach. As the night unfolded, between speakers, Joya shared her framework for a compelling TED talk built around three essential questions:

1. What's your key takeaway, what specific story will uniquely illustrate it?

2. What makes your message universal?

3. Why does this talk matter now, in this current cultural moment?

Among the powerful stories shared under the theme "Rethinking Failure," one grabbed my heart from its opening line. Katie Goar, President of Quadel, a national leader in developing affordable housing operations, began:

“My little brother's kindergarten teacher told the class to draw the house they lived in. He grabbed a green crayon and began to draw poles and fabric...”

What followed was a raw, honest account of childhood homelessness. At eleven years old, Katie cared for three younger siblings while their mother worked three jobs. They lived in a tent. But this wasn't a story of despair. It was about transformation, determination, and not letting your situation define your opportunities.

They moved from the tent when a kind woman offered what Katie calls a "hand up, not a handout," by opening her garage apartment to the family.

Katie Goar at TEDx Yorkville

Katie's talk masterfully addressed each element of Joya's framework:

- Her takeaway: Homelessness is a condition, not an identity.

- The universal truth: We've all faced situations that don't define us.

- The urgency: With 3.5 million children in homeless shelters today—a number predicted to triple in three years—this conversation is timely.

Katie's talk has the potential to reshape our understanding of homelessness. It reminds us that TED's real power lies not in polished presentations but in stories that bridge the gap between personal experience and universal truth. She’s moved on from that tent and is now the President of an affordable housing consultancy. Her work restores hope and stability to vulnerable populations and she’s driven by first-hand experience.

Joya’s framework can be applied to any storytelling moment—take a moment to think about what your TED story would be. If you’re interested in taking the TEDx stage,

What message do you believe the world needs to hear right now? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S. If you haven't seen them, you can find the top 25 TED talks here.

P.P.S. Katie’s talk is not yet on the TEDx website, but I’ll update this newsletter with the link when it is.

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Words of the Week

“Be curious, not judgemental.” —Ted Lasso

(The above quote was mentioned by one of the other speakers of the night, Victoria Kirk, a data scientist whose talk was about how to ask questions to get a better response.)

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Photo of the Week

Nature’s abstract art

Yesterday, I walked through the woods with my husband, Michael and our daughter, Carolina. We saw wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, mushrooms, colorful leaves, and fallen trees covered in moss. This one resembled nature’s version of an abstract painting, and I couldn't resist taking a photo.

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A Thank You for Being Here Giveaway

Dear readers,

I'm grateful for your continued support of this newsletter, and to show my gratitude, I'm excited to announce a special holiday giveaway.

Here's how to enter:

• Give any newsletter post a "like" between now and November 30th (one entry per like).

• Share the Fly Bravely newsletter or this link with friends who might enjoy the content. Two entries for a friend who subscribes through your referral. (NOTE: Just forward the email that landed in your inbox, Substack will tell me the new subscriber came from you.)

• Fellow Substack writers: Add Fly Bravely as a recommended publication for five bonus entries!

🎁 Click this link to see our exciting prize collection!

Winners will be announced in our December 1st newsletter and contacted directly via email to choose their prizes.

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