By Dr. Margaret Cochran

When I first considered giving a TEDx talk, I wasn’t chasing clout. I wasn’t looking to check a box or boost my brand. I simply had something to say, something I believed could help people.

I’m a transpersonal psychologist and licensed clinical social worker. I’ve been practicing for over 25 years. I’ve published, taught, and appeared on media outlets from the BBC to Newsweek. But despite that, stepping onto a TEDx stage felt… different. More vulnerable. More meaningful.

So Why Did I Pay Thousands for Help?

That’s the question, isn’t it?

TEDx isn’t a keynote. It’s not a casual panel. It’s a tightly constructed platform that demands clarity, structure, and presence. I knew I had the clinical background, but that didn’t mean I had the container to tell my story in a TEDx-appropriate way.

Thought Leader offered that container.

And yes, it was a financial commitment. But I’ve learned that sometimes the best investments are the ones that challenge you, stretch you, and call you into a version of yourself you haven’t yet fully met.

Was It Worth It?

If you’re thinking in dollars per click or viral metrics, this probably isn’t for you.

But if you’re a mission-driven person with something important to share—if you’ve spent years serving others and are now ready to shape that experience into a message that lives beyond your office, clinic, or company then yes.

It was worth every penny.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do isn’t to keep showing up for others.

It’s to stop, reflect, and say: This is what I’ve learned. And I think it can help.

The Process Was More Personal Than Promotional

This wasn’t a factory. It wasn’t one-size-fits-all.

The process started by forcing me to get clear: What do I believe the world needs to hear? Not what would make me sound smart. Not what would get applause. But what would serve.

Through coaching, weekly calls, peer sessions, and the most thorough message distillation I’ve ever done in my life, I uncovered the talk that was waiting for me.

And to be clear: They didn’t write my talk. They didn’t pitch TEDx organizers for me. What they did was show me a framework and hold me accountable to my own excellence.

What Happened After the Talk

When I delivered my TEDx talk—”Unspoken Truth”—it wasn’t just a moment. It was a declaration.

The response was bigger than I expected. People reached out with stories of their own trauma and healing. Colleagues invited me to contribute to new projects. And more than anything, I felt the alignment between my clinical work and my personal voice sharpen like never before.

I didn’t just give a talk. I grew into someone who could deliver it.