Core Message - Authenticity and embracing differences are not barriers but bridges to connection and belonging [1][6][7] - The world needs individual quirks and imperfections to build connections [7] - Personal differences can be both obstacles and opportunities [7] Story of Chunyang - Chunyang, a fictional character from a Korean tale, faced rejection and social isolation due to her low social class [4][10][11] - Despite her circumstances, Chunyang defied societal expectations and demonstrated dignity and respect [15] - Chunyang's story has become a social movement, building bridges across space, time, class, and gender [15][16] Personal Experience - The speaker's experience as a foreigner studying Korean music in Korea was not always easy, facing feelings of being an outsider [8][9] - Collaboration between Korean and foreign perspectives can bring fresh insights and broader understanding [17][18] - The speaker was accepted by the Korean academic and music world for their unique perspective [18]

Communication & Connection - Human capacity for honest conversations is a key strength for future generations to thrive [1][31] - Humans have communicated since the beginning through various means, enabling communication across divides [2] - The ability to communicate, collaborate, and innovate was crucial for survival [4] - Disconnection and division are increasing in society, impacting families, generations, and individuals [7][8] - Loneliness affects 15% of people, posing a significant global public health issue [8] - Social isolation is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and impacts longevity similarly to hypertension and obesity [9] Strategies for Better Conversations - Carve out time and space for conversations [20][21][22] - Lead with clear, safe honesty by sharing experiences and feelings [22][23][24] - Listen with genuine curiosity to learn and make others feel heard [25][26] - Ground conversations in action and accountability [27][28]

Have you ever been let down by someone who was there to lift you up. My teacher told me that I was fat. I grew up not too far from here and I was learning to write using an ink nib.I was overweight. I didn't have much confidence. didn't really believe in myself, but I was practicing.I was trying my very hardest to make that writing the best it could be. And the teacher asked me to come to the front of the class and he dictated a sentence for me to copy out. And he said, "Do it in your very, very best writin ...

Core Message - The core of the 12 steps is not self-removal but self-improvement, contrasting with the modern emphasis on building a personal brand and chasing titles [4][5] - True value lies in what one gives, and worth is measured by how quietly one serves, highlighting the radical nature of anonymity as an ego death [5] - Identifying with others, stripping away superficial identities, allows people to meet as equals, fostering human flourishing [7][8] Program & Impact - Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous operate in over 180 countries, with over 2 million people accessing the 12 steps, demonstrating the program's global reach and impact [9] - The program welcomes anyone regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, or religion, focusing on helping with their problem [10] - Healing and flourishing enable individuals to help others, emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer support [17] Daily Steps for Personal Growth - The speaker outlines 12 daily steps inspired by the program, including honesty, hope, surrender, courage, truth, willingness, humility, love, repair, reflection, stillness, and service [14][15][16] - These steps encourage individuals to admit they don't know, believe in change, let go of control, confront fears, share authentically, release habits, ask for help, show compassion, make amends, evaluate their day, practice silence, and seek opportunities to help others [14][15][16]

Core Insights - Disney is launching its first-ever "Global Belonging Week" from October 20 to 24, 2025, focusing on themes of belonging and inclusion, while avoiding the terms "diversity," "equity," and "DEI" due to political scrutiny [1][3][4] Event Details - The week will feature voluntary livestream talks aimed at empowering employees and celebrating Disney's rich culture [2][14] - Keynote speakers include high-ranking Disney executives and industry figures, with sessions designed to foster a sense of belonging and connection among employees [19] Shift in DEI Language - There has been a significant decline in the use of DEI-related language across companies, with a 72% year-over-year decrease in 2025, including a 98% drop in the phrase "DEI" [6] - Companies are increasingly opting for terms like "belonging" and "culture," which are perceived as less politically charged [4][5] Employee Sentiment - Some employees perceive Disney's DEI changes as "performative," indicating a disconnect between corporate initiatives and employee experiences [12]

Core Argument - The traditional American dream, which emphasizes individual effort as the primary determinant of wealth, is a myth, particularly for women and marginalized communities [1][11] - Belonging and community are as important as effort in achieving prosperity and wealth [1][5][46] - Systemic exclusion from wealth and opportunity leads to imposter syndrome and hinders the ability of women to sustain their best work [26] Key Pillars for Prosperity - Psychological safety, which is the number one indicator of success in a team or an individual, is crucial for taking risks [22] - Connection, especially economic connectedness (having connections across class lines), is a significant predictor of economic mobility [23][24] - Mentorship is essential for guidance, vision-holding, and providing "cheat codes" to navigate the path to success [24][25] Practical Strategies for Building Belonging - Seek out intentional spaces, particularly female-focused spaces for women, and structured environments for neurodivergent individuals or those with social anxiety [41][42] - Be flexible in finding online or in-person spaces that accommodate time constraints and caregiving responsibilities [42] - Focus on building small, supportive networks of individuals who uplift each other [43] Impact and Examples - The "Girl Boss" community in St Pete demonstrates the transformative impact of intentional community design on women's trajectories and wealth stories [18][34][35] - The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in India, representing 2 million women, shows how belonging can lead to economic independence on a global scale, with 300,000 women achieving economic independence [40]

[Applause] I'm 13, standing in front of a panel of judges, clutching a stack of notes. It's my first impromptu debate tournament, and my partner, a volleyball player, looks as nervous as I feel. Our assigned topic, why soccer is better than lacrosse. That might not sound hard unless you're me because I love love love lacrosse. I've played it for years. I know the rules, the plays, and the history. And here I am with 20 minutes to prepare. A volleyball player and a lacrosse player. So qualified to argue for ...

[Music] Bringing people together these days is a feat. Thousands of people coming joyfully together to create a mile long beautiful playful spectacle for themselves and their community is a wonder. Look at our Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade.Now, I've thrown like a hundred parades and I still get misty eyed every single time. I look out at parade lineup and I think I just get chills, you know, and I think, God, people are so wonderful. People are full of the loveliest surprises.God, I just I love people. ...

Good morning. Pasadena was not considered that nice in 1970 when my parents moved here. It was affordable, close to downtown LA, and they felt like it might be a good place to bring up a family.There were three of us then. Uh, and my second brother was born in 1972. I remember that day at age eight as one of the happiest days of my life.We all went to a racially and ethnically public school. We ran around barefoot in the streets, made forts and treasure maps of the Royal Seiko with all the neighborhood kids ...

I want to share something with you guys today. It's not something that came to me all at once. It took me years, years of change, years of tribulations.Here it is. Belonging isn't a place. It's something you carry.Now, how could this be true. Right. Because when people think of belonging, they think of a home. They think of a city. They think of a group of friends.They think of a community. But what if you never stayed in one place long enough to find those things. It's my story.I was 13 years old standing ...