Laylah Baines is a country/folk singer-songwriter whose solo acoustic performances blend heartfelt storytelling with rich, expressive melodies. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and the world around her, she guides audiences through intimate emotional landscapes with authenticity and depth. Her original music invites listeners to pause, feel, and connect — one story at a time. At the age of 9, Laylah Baines developed a love for music while attending piano lessons alongside her two older brothers. ...

Good day everyone. >> Um I'm Pete and um yep, I've had the pleasure to write some children's books and play in a few bands and being able to get around to schools and just see kids enjoy the creative arts which is so important. My latest book is called Mudpoo and the Secret of the Rainforest. And the story talks about kids and animals rescuing a rainforest in Somatra. It involves palm oil trees and the desire for some of us oldies to make lots of money and we lose the flora and the fauna. I've been lucky en ...

That is a proverb I grew up with in Nepal, meaning eating green cucumbers in dying hours. It doesn't translate well, but in essence means that the outcome of an event is unlikely to change if you put effort in at the last minute. In other words, it's too late.The outcome is written. The window is sealed. The train has left the station.That was me. At the end of year 11, I had failed six out of seven subjects. Not because I didn't speak English.By then, I did, but because I was lazy. I didn't study. And I ha ...

[Applause] I want to tell you a story, but more importantly, you want to hear a story. I know this because I've been writing and researching stories for a long time, and I've come to the conclusion that stories are a fundamental part of who we are. Stories offer two things that the human brain desires.The first of these is empathy. We are social creatures. We want to know and understand each other. And stories give us this opportunity with characters that we can get to know and understand.But more than this ...

Main Argument - The central argument is that society is generally uncomfortable discussing death, despite its inevitability [1][2] - Encourages open conversations about end-of-life wishes to alleviate fear and ensure loved ones understand individual preferences [1][4] - Advocates for normalizing discussions about death alongside other life events, such as birth and marriage [2][12] Key Observations - Individuals who plan and discuss their end-of-life preferences tend to experience gentler deaths, minimizing scrambling for answers in their final moments [4][5] - Avoiding these conversations can lead to regret, guilt, and unfinished business for surviving family members [5] - Over 90% of Australians recognize the importance of discussing end-of-life care, but 56% have not documented their preferences [5] - Half of Australians have not documented their final care preferences with their loved ones [6] Call to Action - Advocates for using the word "death" directly in conversations, rather than euphemisms [9] - Encourages individuals to consider their wishes regarding who should speak for them if incapacitated, where they want to be, who they want by their side, and what they want done with their body [10] - Suggests initiating these discussions with loved ones and friends, emphasizing that being prepared is an act of love [11][12]

Everyone here has had a birthday right now. I don't know about you, but the best thing about a birthday for me is always the cake. A good one can really make your day.A bad one, it's a little disappointing. On my birthday a few years ago, I received an unexpected gift, a redundancy notice. Not quite the flavor of cake I had in mind.I was disappointed. The letter had landed. My role along with my teams was no longer required.And after a busy, stressful few years working and raising a young family, I decided ...

[Applause] Think back to when you were 14 years old. Who was the person that you looked up to the most. Who did you want to be like, the role model in your life.Take a moment and picture them. Was it your dad, your mom, someone famous. maybe a sports coach.That role model shaped who you wanted to become. And whether you knew it or not, they shaped part of who you are today. So, here's the question I asked myself.Would the boy I once was look up to the man I am today. Let me be very clear. This isn't a messa ...

Good boy. I'm Daniel and this is my guide dog, Quinland. When matching a guide dog to a handler, it is critical that the dog and person are as much alike as possible to ensure a successful partnership.So, naturally, it makes sense that he is smart, loyal, and really, really good-looking. We have an incredible partnership, but growing up, the idea of a guide dog wasn't even on my radar. At 16, I lost my sight.But losing my sight wasn't the hardest part. The hardest part was losing myself. Growing up in a sma ...

Your face is so ugly. That is what I used to say over and over to the innocent young girl in this picture. She would stare back at me from the mirror and say, "I know." Growing up in Taiwan, I often looked in the mirror and the thought I am ugly.I had the big lips, curly hair, and the tender skin. None of which matched the beauty standards around me. Some people called me octopus to make fun of me.I noticed women were judged more harshly, but men carried hidden pressures, too. to escape. I straightened my h ...

Have you ever felt the frustration of being left out of a decision that shaped your life. I can guarantee everyone in this audience has specific needs. You might want to adjust your posture, stretch your legs.You may take comfort in having your own seat, your own spot. You may even want to glance at someone nearby and share a comment. These are all natural impulses to move, to connect, to feel comfortable and secure.They can help give you a sense of belonging. I've been an educational researcher for almost ...