The TEDx Talk I Almost Gave (and what I did instead)

“I am a different person because of losing them and loving them. I am more of who I’m meant to become because of it.”

Sara Bareilles shared this during a recent Rolling Stone interview promoting her forthcoming album, Good Grief.

If you’ve experienced grief, I’m sure you’ll also connect with the many wise musings she shares in this interview.

Losing my brother, Markham, less than 8 weeks ago, opened something up in me.

It gave me permission to be more of who I am, and speak about the things I truly believe in and truly MATTER (although, this is still a work in progress, tbh).

There’s a lot of pressure in this business of keynote speaking to corporatize your ideas.

Why would a CEO care about this?
What’s the problem keeping CEOs up at night that you’re gonna solve?
How are you going to help us with sustainable, profitable growth?

And I get it. But also, it’s so easy to lose our humanity and unique edge in the process.

I spent months crafting a TEDx talk that would lean into my new problem-oriented positioning to establish myself as an expert who can solve real business problems. Even though I was already solving real business problems, the “experts” told me I needed to market myself more through the lens of what’s wrong with the world.

After spending two weeks with Markham in hospice, I threw my entire TEDx talk in the trash.

And this new version is SO. MUCH. BETTER.

No corporate leadership lessons.
No boring buzzwords.
Real human sh*t.

10 minutes about the power of ripple effect moments, why legacy is already happening for all of us, and how recognizing that changes everything.

Including the way you see and appreciate your own significance.

And when we build teams and organizations and communities of people who wake up to their own significance, well, what CEO wouldn't want that?

What makes this the most special is that while he doesn’t know it, and won’t be there to see it, Markham's ripple effect caused the whole thing 🌊

I’m so honored to tell his story, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

The event is on August 22, 2026, after which point the video will be shared on YouTube.

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Chris Rollins is a keynote speaker helping leaders unlock the power of Ripple Effect Thinking. Inspiring leaders to act with intention in a world craving trustand connection. Specializing in leadership,teamwork and creating inclusive, human-centered workplaces. Start a ripplethat drives lasting impact today.