10 of My Favorite
TED Talks
BY WOMEN
What began as a conference in 1984 has grown into the non-profit we now recognize as TED, a platform devoted to the sharing of ideas across all topics, primarily in the form of short talks, twenty minutes or less. From athletes to entrepreneurs, from entertainment to global issues, there are talks representing every idea under the sun. And women across all platforms have some great things to contribute!
TED and all of its offshoots are a great place to discover different perspectives and hear new ideas, all in a the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. So grab yourself a morning pick-me-up and watch one of these compelling talks by impressive women in honor of Women’s History Month. These are ten of my favorites.
1. The Danger of a Single Story
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie, an author, discusses how holding only a single story about a people, a culture, or even a country creates disconnection and may lead us to view one group of people as greater than another.
Favorite quote: The single story creates stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.
2. Where Joy Hides & How to Find It
by Ingrid Fetell Lee
Lee’s book, The Aesthetics of Joy, is insightful and charming. This talk from the soft-spoken author is equally worth your time. She discusses the idea that joy is, in fact, something we can intentionally create in our physical world, and explains the science behind how this is possible.
Favorite quote: I realized that though the feeling of joy is mysterious and elusive, we can access it through tangible, physical attributes.
3. The Opportunity of Adversity
by Aimee Mullins
Mullins was born with a medical condition that resulted in the amputation of both of her lower legs at the age of one. She wasn’t expected to ever walk. She went on to become an accomplished scholar, an award-winning athlete, a model, actress and a popular speaker.
She discusses how our language around the word ‘disability’ is outdated, and that the biggest disability anyone faces is instead the perceptions of others on the limits of our human potential.
Favorite quote: Adversity isn’t an obstacle that we need to get around in order to resume living our life. It’s part of our life.
4. Never, Ever Give Up
by Diana Nyad
Nyad was the first person to swim across the Gulf of Mexico from Cuba to Florida, over 100 miles…without a shark cage. At the age of 64. On her fifth attempt. She has a thing or two to say about not giving up.
Favorite quote: What a tremendous build of character and spirit that you lay down; what a foundation you lay down in reaching for (your) horizions.
5. How to Make Stress Your Friend
by Kelly McGonigal
We have been taught that stress is a killer. McGonigal wants us to start thinking of stress differently. She explains how we think about stress and how we respond to stress can transform our experience of stress.
Favorite quote: One thing we know for certain is that chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort.
6. 3 Questions to Ask Yourself about Everything You Do
by Stacey Abrams
Abrams, the first Black woman in the history of the United States to be nominated by a major political party for governor, discusses how navigating our setbacks defines our character.
Favorite quote: Understand your mistakes. But also understand their mistakes.
7. The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage
by Susan David
David is a Harvard Medical School psychologist. Here she clarifies how emotions are not good or bad, but necessary to engage in a full life. She explains the dangers of denial and shares how our emotions can guide us to making more values-based decisions.
Favorite quote: Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life.
8. Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
by Amy Cuddy
We know that our minds change our bodies, but is it also true that our bodies change our minds? Cuddy explains how even while our non-verbal behavior is communicating with others, it is also communicating with a second audience: ourselves.
Favorite quote: Tiny tweaks can lead to big changes.
9. 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation
by Celeste Headlee
Headlee is a radio host and she has spent decades having great conversations with everyone from plumbers to heads of state. Here she gives ten brilliant rules for having better conversations in everyday life that she uses in her interviews.
Favorite quote: You need to enter every conversation assuming that you have something to learn.
10. The Power of Vulnerability
by Brené Brown
Brown has spent years researching shame and vulnerability. Here she talks about what is required for us to truly find the connection that we all long for in this life. Oh, and she is hilarious.
Favorite quote: In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen.
There are so many inspiring women out there…I encourage you to visit TED.com and explore what they have to share for yourself. And see below for more ways to celebrate Women’s History Month!
