My 2026 TEDx Talk
"Death Was a Distraction"

"After losing his father, surviving two life-threatening cancer diagnoses, and witnessing the deaths of those closest to him, Bert Scholl came to see grief not as something to survive, but as one of the deepest expressions of love. In this deeply personal talk, he reflects on mortality, vulnerability, and the rituals that helped him transform heartbreak into a richer understanding of what it means to live fully. Drawing from his experiences as a cancer survivorship coach and advocate, Bert explores how embracing grief can reconnect us to our humanity rather than diminish us. This talk is a moving invitation to honor loss, welcome vulnerability, and listen for what death asks of us. Bert Scholl is a coach, podcast host, and advocate for people who are facing life-threatening illnesses. After navigating two separate cancer diagnoses, he became a Cancer Survivorship Coach then launched But Seriously: The Cancer Podcast, where he has interviewed over forty guests about their cancer journeys. Bert's work focuses on transforming struggle into strength and empowering people to face the unimaginable with clarity and courage. In addition to his private work, he supports individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis through his work at the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes in Ithaca, NY. He is committed to transforming how society relates to their mortality and the freedom doing so can provide."

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