Tempe Center for the Arts

DEBx: Real People. Real Stories. Real Change.
Theme: Mental Wellness

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, sometimes the clearest path forward is hearing how someone else found theirs. This year, DEBx takes the stage with a powerful new focus: mental wellness—a topic that touches every one of us, whether personally or through the people we love.

DEBx brings together ordinary people with extraordinary courage—individuals who’ve turned life’s toughest challenges into meaningful growth. These aren’t professional speakers. They’re parents, partners, coworkers, and neighbors—people who’ve walked through experiences like anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, and other life upheavals—and emerged with wisdom worth sharing. And when they do, you just might find pieces of your own story inside theirs.

In this first-ever themed DEBx event, each speaker will explore a different dimension of mental wellness—from surviving the breaking point, to building new resilience, to learning how to show up for yourself and others in a healthier way.

You’ll leave not only inspired, but with tangible tools, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of your own inner strength. Whether you're navigating your own mental wellness journey or supporting someone who is, this night will speak to the heart of what it means to be human—expanding hope, understanding, and connection.

Come for the stories. Leave transformed.