Breaking Barriers in Vero Beach -- TEDx 2025 Challenges the Systems that Shape Us

By Ellen Contreras

TEDx Vero Beach returns to The Emerson Center on November 2 with the theme “Breaking Barriers: Systems That Challenge the Status Quo," asking us to ponder "What happens when we stop accepting the way things have always been done?"

This year’s event features 13 speakers who are rethinking the systems that shape our lives — from ultrarunning icon Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell and Bob Becker to AI innovators Jürgen Schwanitz and David Hartmann. Other speakers include Blanca E. Rodriguez, advocate for trauma-informed wellness, and Sandra Villines, record-setting endurance coach.

Each one of the speakers represents a different way of breaking barriers -- in technology, business, and the human spirit, said organizer Michael Strezinski. “They’re fearless thinkers who don’t just talk about innovation; they live it.”

The goal of TEDx is to spark ideas that inspire local innovation and global connection.

Tickets and details are available at tedxvero.com.

Speaker Lineup:

Jurgen Schwanitz

Francis Papineau

Amy Bukszpan

Sandra Villines

Bob Becker

Blanca E. Rodriguez

Mike Melton

Terri Graham

Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell

David Hartmann

Harvey Lewis

Lynda Sloan Allen, MEd, CPP

Alvaro Nunez