By intentionally controlling our thumbs, toes, and tongue, which often serve as everyday instruments of distraction, stagnation, and disconnection, we can overcome presenteeism and reclaim purposeful presence in every area of life.
KENNETH ALLEN BASHAM III
Kenneth Allen Basham III is an Integrative Wellness Strategist and the originator of The Eight Layers to Welcoming Wellness framework. His work illuminates the pervasive impact of presenteeism, defined as the condition of being physically present while emotionally, socially, or civically disengaged, and explores how it quietly erodes the quality of our personal lives, our workplaces, and our communities.
In this TEDx Talk, Kenneth introduces a striking, body-based blueprint: Control your thumbs. Control your toes. Control your tongue. This memorable triad offers audiences a tangible and restorative practice to counter emotional withdrawal, digital overwhelm, and civic disconnection, ultimately calling individuals worldwide to reclaim their presence through intentional, everyday actions.
He is the founder of several mission-driven initiatives, including F.A.C.E. – Fathers Advocating Civic Engagement™ and We Will Welcome™, each devoted to advancing wellness, equity, and engagement across civic, environmental, and inclusion-focused domains.
Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kenneth mobilizes individuals and institutions to cultivate clarity, connection, and leadership rooted in identification, restoration, and the embodiment of intentional presence. He lives and leads by a guiding principle: “Wellness is always welcome,” a philosophy he embodies in service to both his community and the world.