# Finding Purpose in the Small Things. | Dagny Jerles | TEDxMiami Country Day School Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N552H93zdI Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/8N552H93zdI Generated: 2026-02-10T18:01:10.243+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The speaker, Dagny Jerles, shares how baking chocolate chip cookies became her unexpected coping mechanism and purpose during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading her to found a pop-up bakery that raised over $10,000 for cancer research and treatment in honor of her aunt Stephanie. **Key Points:** - The speaker started baking chocolate chip cookies in sixth grade at her aunt Stephanie's bakery, Dagny's Cake, which she named after herself. - During the 2020 global pandemic lockdown, while missing friends and seeing others struggle, baking became a coping mechanism for the speaker. - The speaker's aunt Stephanie, who taught her to bake, passed away from cancer during this period, making the baking connection deeply personal. - The speaker founded a pop-up bakery to channel her grief, anger, and the love of baking shared with her aunt into something meaningful. - The pop-up bakery successfully raised over $10,000 for cancer research and treatment at the Sylvester Cancer Center. - The speaker emphasizes that purpose is found in small things and sharing, noting that even imperfect cookies can foster community and action. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The title slide for the TEDx event, 'TEDx Miami Country Day School,' appears briefly before the speaker takes the stage on the red circular mat.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-00-04.jpg) **Context:** This TEDx talk, delivered by Dagny Jerles at TEDxMiami Country Day School, centers on the transformative power of finding purpose through a simple activity—baking—during a time of profound personal loss and global isolation. The speaker details how the pandemic, coupled with the death of her Aunt Stephanie, channeled her grief into founding a community-focused baking initiative that supported cancer research. ## Detailed Analysis Dagny Jerles recounts how baking, which began as a hobby learned from her Aunt Stephanie at 'Dagny's Cake' when she was in sixth grade, became a vital coping mechanism during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of her Aunt Stephanie to cancer during this time amplified her need for purpose. She explains that the fundamental ingredients of a cookie—flour (structure), butter (warmth/comfort), and eggs (binding agent)—represent the foundational elements of life and community that seemed missing during lockdown. Realizing she couldn't cure cancer or solve global issues herself, she channeled her grief and love for baking into a tangible action: starting a pop-up bakery. This endeavor, which she considered more than just selling desserts, fostered conversations and connections, turning into a fundraiser. With the help of her community, the bakery raised over $10,000 for cancer research and treatment at the Sylvester Cancer Center. The speaker concludes that purpose is often found in small, shared actions, even if the resulting cookies are slightly flat, emphasizing that the act of sharing and connecting is what truly matters. ### Baking Origins and Context - Speaker started baking chocolate chip cookies in sixth grade at Aunt Stephanie's bakery, 'Dagny's Cake' - The speaker considers herself a good baker, but notes that even imperfect cookies can be meaningful. ### Pandemic and Loss - The speaker experienced isolation during the global pandemic while missing friends and witnessing suffering worldwide - She lost her Aunt Stephanie, who taught her to bake, to cancer during this time. ### Finding Purpose Through Action - Baking became the speaker's coping mechanism, transforming grief and anger into action - She founded a pop-up bakery to channel this energy and create connection. ### Impact and Outcome - The bakery fostered conversations and connections, turning into a successful fundraiser - Over $10,000 was raised for cancer research and treatment at the Sylvester Cancer Center. ### Conclusion - Purpose is found in small things and sharing, not just major achievements - The speaker encourages the audience to share their own passions to change their community. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The title slide for the TEDx event, 'TEDx Miami Country Day School,' appears briefly before the speaker takes the stage on the red circular mat.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:17: The speaker, Dagny Jerles, actively engaging the audience with hand gestures while discussing the basic components of a cookie recipe.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-00-17.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:57: A wide shot showing the speaker on the red circle stage, with the large 'TEDx Miami Country Day School' branding visible on the stage backdrop.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-00-57.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:06: A medium shot focusing on audience members bathed in blue stage light, attentively watching the speaker.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-02-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 05:57: The speaker smiling and concluding her presentation after receiving applause.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8N552H93zdI/00-05-57.jpg)