Hope Begins When We Stop Hiding the Darkness and Start Sharing It | Courtney Stasko | TEDxColumbiana

Courtney Stasko, founder of Starry is Hope, argues that healing does not always depend on finding answers. In this TEDxColumbiana talk she describes how hope can grow when people stop hiding their pain and speak honestly about it, moving from isolation toward connection. The talk draws on her experience after the loss of her husband when their daughter was nine months old. The talk includes content about suicide and domestic violence.

• Why healing may not depend on finding answers to painful questions
• Sharing pain honestly as a path from isolation to connection
• Personal experience after the loss of a husband when her daughter was nine months old
• Work of Starry is Hope with families grieving a military service member or first responder

NOTE FROM TED: This talk discusses suicide and domestic violence. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pd Not all pain can be explained—and trying to fix it can keep us stuck. In this talk, Courtney Stasko challenges the belief that healing comes from answers. Instead, she shows how hope is created when we stop hiding our pain and start telling the truth, turning isolation into connection and connection into something powerful. Courtney Stasko is a storyteller, speaker, and founder of Starry is Hope, a nonprofit supporting families navigating grief after the loss of a military service member or first responder. A scientist by training, she earned a BS from the University of Dayton and an MBA in Operations Management. She began her career in chemical manufacturing before becoming a recognized expert in healthcare supply chain sourcing. She also helped bring Yellow Brick Place to life and later served as Board President, supporting families facing cancer. After the loss of her husband when her daughter was just nine months old, Courtney faced questions no expertise could answer. Through her book Starry’s Journey and her work with families, she helps others find connection in the hardest moments. Her message is simple: when we stop hiding our pain, we create space for hope. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx