NPR/TED Staff

Diversity advocate Vernā Myers makes a powerful case for acknowledging our subconscious biases and assumptions about others.

Melissa Fleming, chief spokesperson for the UNHCR, tells the story of a young refugee who miraculously survived four days on a child's life ring after her boat was capsized in 2014.

Photojournalist Kitra Cahana describes how her father dealt with a stroke that left his body completely paralyzed, and how his experience opened a world of opportunities for him.

Physician Ken Kamler describes his experience as a doctor on Mount Everest during one of its deadliest days in its history.

Motivational speaker Matt Weinstein shares the lessons he learned after losing his life's savings to Bernie Madoff, a man who ran one of biggest investment scams in U.S. history.

Activist Nancy Lublin explains how Crisis Text Line, the first 24/7 text line of its kind, has helped millions of people by providing direct support as well as anonymous data about people in crisis.

As a boy, Andrés Ruzo heard stories of a mythical boiling river. Years later, as a geoscientist, he recounts his journey deep into the Amazon to see if the river actually exists.

Computer scientist Abe Davis explains how you can turn a plant or a bag of chips into a microphone, and capturing the hidden sound vibrations on a high-speed camera.

Science writer Ed Yong delves into the hidden world of parasites. He describes how parasites, once inside a host's body, become masters in the craft of manipulation.

Sarah Parcak is a pioneer in space archaeology. She describes her method of using satellite images to locate lost ancient sites.

Ocean explorer Robert Ballard makes the case for exploring the deep oceans, where he is discovering new species, resources and mountain ranges.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates stresses our dire need for a system that can take on the challenges of the next global health epidemic.

Entrepreneur and blogger Seth Godin describes how the marketing of ideas has changed since the invention of sliced bread, as well as the type of ideas that stick in consumer's minds.

Historian Yuval Harari explains how human imagination powered the growth and spread of homo sapiens around the world.

Neuroscientist Sophie Scott studies laughter, specifically its effect on our body and brain. She discusses laughter's contagious nature, as well as its role in maintaining social bonds.

Physician and social scientist Nicholas Christakis explains how face-to-face social networks and their structures influence behaviors and phenomena in human society and the natural living world.

Explorer Ben Saunders is the first person to finish the perilous trek from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. He describes what he had to endure in order to survive the journey.

Following the White House sex scandal of the 1990s, Monica Lewinsky endured public shame and trauma. Now, she is speaking out about it as a way to help others in similar circumstances.

Astronomer and cosmologist Lord Martin Rees asks whether our species will endure despite the many existential threats we face.

Humanitarian Zainab Salbi explains how life continues in the midst of war — and how the ones who "keep life going" are women.