- Our Theme: This year’s theme explores the power of independence—what it means to think freely, act boldly, and rise above the status quo with a vision for something greater. Inspired Independence is rooted in strength, leadership, ingenuity, and bravery, celebrating the many paths people take to claim their freedom—whether through triumph, struggle, or a transformative moment.
- What We’re Looking For: We’re looking for individuals with unique and compelling ideas and outlooks related to our theme. As you consider pitching a talk idea, think of Inspired Independence. How do you see independence shaping ideas, actions, or change in the world around us? When you think about this theme, what stories, experiences, or perspectives come to mind? We are looking for speakers who can bring their own interpretation of independence to the stage and inspire others through it.
- Apply today to potentially join us as a TEDxMarshallU student pitcher and challenge our ideas about the world while helping us explore how “Inspired Independence” can be from financial freedom to personal growth, from the lessons of failure, defeat, and loss to the courage of quiet voices, we aim to ignite conversations that move us all toward a future shaped by more voices, more ideas and possibilities, and more Inspired Independence.
- TEDx talks focus on a singular idea and are not meant to just be great stories motivational speeches. Stories can and are encouraged to be a vehicle to your idea, but your idea must be the central theme. Please watch this video from TED’s Chris Anderson about the importance of ideas in TED talks before you craft your pitch: https://youtu.be/-FOCpMAww28
The live pitch event will take place on November 6, 2025,6pm-8pm, in Corbly Hall 105. The 10 students who are selected to present their ideas will have three minutes on stage on the signature red dot to pitch their ideas in front of a live audience.
The pitches (maximum 3 minutes) should include:
1. 30 seconds introducing yourself
2. 1 minute describing your idea
3. 1 minute sharing a story or experience that illustrates your idea
4. 30 seconds explaining how you think the world would look if everyone implemented your idea
Our TEDxMarshallU team will select up to ten ideas we think have the best chance of being selected as one of our 2026 finalists of speakers. To apply to pitch please provide the following information below by October 31, 2025.
IMPORTANT: If your primary motivation in giving a TEDx talk is to promote yourself or your business or brand, we ask you to reconsider submitting your idea, as we virtually never select speakers who approach us with that focus. Thank you for your understanding.
Ideas That Have Little (or no) Chance of Being Accepted:
- Focused on self-promotion and/or advancing the speaker’s business success
- Stories that are primarily the description of a personal journey
- Motivational speeches
- Predominantly present the work of someone else, and not the presenter
- Pseudo-science
If you have any questions please email Brian Kinghorn at Kinghorn@marshall.edu