My top 3 TED conversations during this pandemic. And one more podcast.
This past year I’ve found inspiration in three insightful TED conversations that I’d love to share with you. And in one extra podcast. Because maybe, just maybe, you will feel more inspired too.
This year has been challenging both on a personal and collective level. It has challenged our resilience, our patience, our hope, our relationships, our understanding, our freedom, and our health. And it has added more stress, grief, financial insecurity and uncertainty, among others. We’ve been traveling less, hugging less and kissing less. And many of us feel inspired less.
During this time, I’ve been actively seeking inspiration in the small things of everyday life. Somedays, it’s helping my speakers shape their brilliant ideas. That immediately boosts my belief that we’re destined for greater things and restores my faith in humanity. Other days it’s books, talks and podcasts that help the most.
In a very emotional TED virtual conversation at the beginning of the pandemic, author Elizabeth Gilbert talked with Chris Anderson, Head of TED, on why it’s OK to feel overwhelmed and what to do next. I was in tears while watching it, most likely as many others. Resilience is our shared genetic inheritance, Elizabeth said. That phrase has been with me for a year, especially in moments of sadness, uncertainty and anger. I kept on reminding myself that we can do this, I can do this and that resilience is, indeed, in our DNA. You can watch the full conversation here.
The second conversation that inspired me is one between psychotherapist Esther Perel with Helen Walters, Head of Curation at TED. The reason behind the constant exhaustion we feel? It’s the loss of boundaries that are so very grounding to us. And that is so true. We are not working from home, we are working with home. Our homes have been transformed into these multi-spaces that serve as homes, offices, gyms and schools at the same time. Esther believes that it’s extremely important to carve out a special sacred space, a physical space to delineate the separations. She shares some wonderful ideas on how we’ll be able to welcome surprise and mystery into our post-pandemic life.
The third conversation that moved me is one that I attended virtually via my TED membership (if you haven’t heard about the TED Membership, you can find more about it here). This time TED’s Chris Anderson sat down with leadership expert Simon Sinek. There’s never been a time I didn’t feel inspired after listening to Simon or after reading his books, like The Infinite Game and Start With Why. At the beginning of the pandemic, he and his friends decided to never cry alone. So, whenever he or one of his friends felt depressed, they’d call each other and cry. Naturally, the conversation evolved around leadership and resilience, during and beyond the pandemic. If there’s one takeaway it’s that leadership is the responsibility to let those around us rise. The live conversation was posted on LinkedIn, and it will soon be published on TED.com.
Since I mention Simon Sinek, well, it’s really worth listening to the episode of his “A bit of optimism” podcast in which he hosts Brené Brown, author and TED speaker. A delightful debate between two bright minds about politics, leadership, storytelling, vulnerability, persuasion, infinite games, parenting and spirituality. A highly recommended thought provoking conversation.
I hope you enjoy listening and deep diving in these, as much as I did.
Katerina
