We’ve shared 30 talks already. Time is flying! The talks for this week came from the “surprise me” section of the TED website. Click watch, then surprise me, then a length of time and topic. I chose courageous.

Want to be an activist? Start with your toys.
McKenna Pope
TED Youth 2013 New Orleans Louisiana, November 2013
At age 13, this firecracker started a campaign petitioning Hasbro to change it’s marketing strategy for the Easy Bake Oven. And it worked! Why did she do it? Because she loved her brother. Love in Action!! May your tribe increase.

The Danger of Silence
Clint Smith
TED@NYC New York City, July 2014
Stunningly beautiful and powerful. I see myself in his confession. I hear what my voice can become if I follow his courageous example.  

The Bridge Between Suicide and Life
Kevin Briggs
TED 2014 Vancouver BC, March 2014
A thoughtful, authentic discussion of a police officer’s experience helping persons who are considering suicide via jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge

How I Learned to Communicate my Inner Life with Asperger’s
Alix Generous
TED Women 2015 Monterey California, May 2015
A brilliant and funny young woman shares her difficult and courageous experience with Asperger’s and the new technology she’s creating to help others with the same condition.

My Story from Gangland Daughter to Star Teacher
Pearl Arredondo
TED Talks Education New York City, April 2013
“Everyone has a story, everyone has a struggle, and everyone needs help along the way. And I am going to be their help along the way.”

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I’m trying an experiment in 2016. Maybe you’d like to try it with me.

Here’s where I am
I’m tired of the spin. I’m tired of ideas, news, and entertainment really being one long sales pitch for profit or power.

I’m longing for creativity, curiosity, and inspiration. I’m in search of passionate people willing to speak to the truth and complexity of living with a heart of hope. I want to hear from authentic humans who are in the trenches working for the greater good.

I think I’ve found them in the TED community.

“TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long.”

TED’s been around for 30 years. I’ve heard about them and even watched a couple of talks, but I’ve never spent any concentrated time mining the good stuff. So….

Here’s the plan
Watch 5 enthusiastic, inspiring TED Talk presenters a week for a year.
Apply and share the goodness.