[applause] For years, I thought survival was the same thing as living. For most of my life, food was just fuel, something to keep me going, not something to enjoy. In the religious cult where I was raised, eating wasn't about joy.It was about obedience. Every meal was a duty and every bite a reminder that we had to stay in line. We ate to honor the Lord to keep our bodies working for his purpose and the rulebook for all 86,400 seconds of every day.The rulebook that shaped my childhood dictated everything fr ...

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Vincent Toad and welcome to my TEDex talk. I never thought I'd be up here, not as a military spouse giving a TEDex talk.I mean, when I first arrived to Okinawa, I was the new guy, the plus one, the tag along. My husband, he is a Marine, and like many military spouses, I move from base to base, picking up and starting all over again. But being a male military spouse in a female predominant space, I often felt like I was wearing the wrong uniform at the wrong event.I used t ...

I'm excited to share this next song with you. Um, I wrote this one a year and a half ago after I saw a news story about immigrants and how we need to be concerned with immigrants taking resources. And I was so struck by how stuck Americans are in the scarcity mindset.We're so worried about getting what's mine and taking what's mine and protecting what's mine instead of sharing what is ours with each other. Um, so I wrote this song, Strawberries, about the proverbial garden where we care for each other. Ever ...

[संगीत] [प्रशंसा] हे दैट गर्ल गाइड लुक्स इंटरेस्टिंग | आई रियली शुड गो टॉक टू हर | ओ माय गॉड इज़ दैट गर्ल वाकिंग टुवर्ड्स मी | इफ शी कैन आई टॉक टू मी | व्हाट विल आई से टू हर | हाई माय नेम इज निष्ठा | शुड आय शेक हैंड्स विथ हर | शुड आई नॉट | हाई आई एम साक्षी जी। इज दिस योर फर्स्ट टाइम अटेंडिंग अ टैडेक्स इवेंट. शी इज आस्किंग मी क्वेश्चन्स. शुड आई आस्क हर समथिंग टू.या, एंड युअर्स, हाउ आर यू लाइकिंग इट. आई एम लविंग इट। इट्स माय फर्स्ट टाइम टू। डू यू वांट मे बी ग्रैस सीट्स टुगेदर फॉर द नेक्स्ट स्टॉक. ah, आय एक्चुअ ...

Community Engagement - A small subset of users are valuable community members [1] - Projects should actively recruit these users to join their communities [1]

Concept and Philosophy - A Washington DC bar, Hush Harbor, implements a cell phone-free policy to encourage human connection and presence [1][2] - The bar aims to foster community, compassion, and empathy among patrons by removing digital distractions [2][3] - The bar's name is inspired by "hush harbors," secret gatherings of enslaved ancestors, symbolizing a safe and offline space [4] Operational Details - Patrons are required to check their cell phones upon entry, which are then locked away and returned to them [1][5] - A designated "phone zone" is available outside for those needing to use their phones [5] - The bar offers alternative entertainment options such as board games and books [6] - A landline is available for urgent calls, reminiscent of pre-cell phone era communication [6] Impact and Reception - Georgetown University professor Costine Kushlev notes that conversations with others, even strangers, can boost positive emotions [7] - The bar has been thriving since implementing the cell phone-free policy, with patrons reporting deeper conversations and improved concentration [8] - The owner hopes the bar provides a unique and smooth experience for patrons [9]

Mental Health Benefits of Theater - Theater fosters collaboration and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness, increasing happiness [2] - Theater provides escapism, allowing individuals to let go of pressing issues [4] - Theater allows audiences to step into the shoes of characters experiencing mental health challenges, fostering understanding and compassion [5][7] Social and Confidence Building - Theater builds community and social confidence through constant proximity to peers [10][11] - Theater builds confidence in necessary life skills, such as public speaking [12][13][14] Studies and Research - A study by the National Library of Medicine proves theater's positive correlation with mental health [3] - A 2014 study by the University of Leipzig indicates that theater can solve the problem of loneliness [9]

Community Building - A community builder event is being organized in Lagos [1] - The event aims to bring community members together [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 increased by 12% year-over-year to $24.6 million, driven by growth in member count and ARPU [15] - Gross profit rose by 16% to $21.3 million, with gross margin expanding to 86.7% from 84.5% in the previous year [15] - Annualized gross profit per employee increased to $814,000 from $695,000 in the prior year quarter [4][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core streaming business remains strong, with a focus on improving retention and member engagement [7] - The launch of the Ignaton brand contributed positively to performance, with significant interest noted at the Biohacking Conference [8][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total member count grew to 878,000, indicating a successful strategy in attracting high lifetime value members [4][15] - Free cash flow more than doubled quarter-over-quarter, reaching $1.6 million in Q2, up from $700,000 in the prior quarter [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to building a global conscious community, enhancing member engagement through deeper connections and shared experiences [11][12] - Plans to launch a Conscious AI Companion sourced from original content to enhance member journeys [12][13] - The focus remains on long-term sustainable growth driven by the core SVOD business and community engagement [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a cultural shift towards seeking purpose and connection, positioning Gaia to meet this demand [10] - The company expects continued revenue growth and positive free cash flow generation, with a price increase planned for March 2026 [19][25] Other Important Information - Ignaton raised $6 million in private equity financing, with Gaia holding a two-thirds ownership interest [5][17] - The cash balance at the end of June was $13.9 million, with a fully available $10 million line of credit [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key priorities for the next three to six months? - The CEO highlighted early tenure engagement, product improvements, better marketing targeting, and investments in AI and community [22] Question: How will AI be utilized? - AI will be used to enhance member experience and develop an AI companion for meaningful member engagement [24] Question: What pricing changes are expected in March? - A price increase of approximately $2 on monthly subscriptions is anticipated, with added value from AI solutions and new content [25][35] Question: What updates are available regarding Ignaton's go-to-market strategy? - The product received a strong response at the Biohacking Conference, and further launches are planned for after Labor Day [28][40] Question: How will the $6 million raised for Ignaton be spent? - Funds will be allocated for product launch, general operating expenses, and capital expenditures to support growth [48] Question: Is the company still on track for 12% revenue growth for the year? - Management confirmed that they expect to achieve the 12% revenue growth target for the year [49] Question: How is the Marketplace performing? - The Marketplace is viewed as a community-building tool, with strong demand for trips and new products being introduced [51][53]

Community Engagement - MSNBC is hosting a town hall event in New York City on October 11th, featuring various hosts and team members [1] - The event aims to connect with viewers, gather feedback, and discuss the story of "Morning Joe" [2] - MSNBC emphasizes building community and empowering women through these events [3] - The company highlights the importance of providing a space for people to connect with others who share their values, especially in challenging times [4] Event Details - Last year's event in Brooklyn attracted 4,000 people, and this year's event will be held in Manhattan [5] - The event is positioned as a destination for people from across the country, coinciding with a holiday weekend [5] - MSNBC aims to provide attendees with an informative and inspiring experience [5]