Let’s Talk About 7 TED Talks
TED Conference LLC is a non-profit where world experts around the world talk in front of a live audience to spread their knowledge on things like Technology, Entertainment, and Design - hence TED.
I enjoy watching these videos so much! I’m always looking to feel inspired and learn new things about the world. They make me think critically and look at certain topics from a different perspective. So I created a list of 7 TED talks that I’m always going back to…
1. Sarah Kay: If I Should Have A Daughter…
Sarah is a great poet! In this TED talk she performs two of her poems, “B” and “Hiroshima”. Slam poetry is a type of art performance where you get to share your poems with an audience. You get to be expressive and be in community. Sarah explains how we can all create poems if we are engaged and open to everything around us. If we create a list of 10 things we know to be true, then we can use that to create a poem and share our stories with the world. Once we do, we can’t stop there. As we evolve and change, so do our poems.
I met Sarah once and she was so kind! She showed us this list technique and I was able to create a poem from what I knew to be true. Words are so powerful and as someone who is always feeling but can never express it I love when others can express themselves through words. I am so fascinated by slam poetry. It’s one of my favorite things to watch in person! Please support Sarah by checking out what she’s doing at http://kaysarahsera.com/about/
2. Michael Green: How We Can Make the World a Better Place by 2030
Michael Green talks about the 17 global goals we are trying to achieve by 2030. But to get there we need to change our business strategies. It comes down to three pillars, 1. basic human needs, 2. foundations of wellbeing and 3. opportunity. GDP doesn't help social progress as much as we think. It takes effort from everyone to grow all three pillars. Let's stay optimistic and hold people in power accountable for that change.
I tend to fall in the path of pessimism when all I hear on the internet or the news is just one problem after another. Climate change, poverty, racism, the pandemic, women's rights, etc. It seems like the problems are too big for us to solve. But listening to people like Michael Green gives me hope for the future. We can't give up now! We have to hold the people in power accountable, and volunteer, vote, educate ourselves. One person can't do it, but we as a society CAN!
What do you think is our biggest challenge? And can we get there by 2030?
3. Guy Kawasaki: The Art of Innovation
Ah innovation. How do we explore and create innovation? Guy Kawasaki explains a 10 step process on how he thinks innovation is made and examples of companies who do that. From having meaning in what you're doing, to creating value, and pitching your idea.
In college I was in this entrepreneurship class where we had to create a product and make a pitch deck. Our first step was to find a pain point. We focused on one specific person and their pain (NOT ours). Then we did market research and had to pivot because we learned there was a different pain point for our target demographic. It was a teachable moment. Innovation is not for the faint of heart but when you find that meaning it can be really rewarding!
How can you be innovative or creative in your daily life?
4. Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
Brene Brown shares her message in a funny and simple way. In this TED talk she talks about vulnerability and human connection. To create connection we need to let go of shame and fear. Feeling worthy is important and having the courage to be vulnerable will get you there.
Vulnerability has always been difficult for me. I don't like uncertainty or judgment so I try to avoid any emotions in front of others. The struggle is real! But once I started therapy I opened up a lot more! It felt good whenever I shared my human experience, like a weight had been lifted off my chest. It feels good to cry and laugh and share. I feel seen. I feel love. I feel free.
What do you think about when you are up at 3am alone?
5. Justin Baldoni: Why I’m Done Trying To Be “Man Enough”
Justin Baldoni is a beautiful human. He's an actor that has struggled with his masculinity like many other men. He talks about how being a man is not about being tough all the time, being fit, or never crying. He wants the script of masculinity to end. Balance is so important because it's not men vs women. It's just human. If we all create a safe space for men to open up, the world would be a better place.
I also hate the script that society has given us. I've always been intrigued about this topic. Possibly because of the machismo that Mexican culture has. A lot of the men are "tough" and never show their emotions, besides anger. It is like this in many cultures. Women are scared of men. Many don't understand this and I wish they did. After seeing this TED talk please support Justin by reading his book at, https://manenough.com/man-enough-undefining-my-masculinity/
6. Yubing Zhang: Life Begins At The End if Your Comfort Zone
In this TED talk, Yubing Zhang talks about how important it is to get out of your comfort zone. She bungee jumped and it turned out ok. She wants others to embrace it because she has and it has led to many great things. Accept fear and step forward regardless!
Comfort is a drug that I overdose on sometimes. I have fear about a lot of things in life but I still try to push myself every once in a while. Talking on a podcast was definitely one of those things and I think it turned out pretty well!
What is something you’ve never done but always wanted to do?
7. Johann Hari: This Could Be Why You’re Depressed or Anxious
Journalist Johann Hari shares why we might have depression and anxiety when we should be living our best lives. Biology is a small part of the issue. Lifestyle is the biggest culprit. We live in this machine day in and day out where we aren't being seen, not connecting to our tribe or to our purpose. We are not crazy, just have unmet needs!
That is so true! Capitalism and just being in an individualistic culture is hard. Covid didn't make it any easier. Having a career is good to have but you also need to find your tribe. It's important to find people that are kind and are willing to share their time and stories with each other. We are social creatures that need quality time and connection.
"We are the sum of all people we have ever met; you change the tribe and the tribe changes you."
— Dirk Wittenborn.