photo credit: Bindaas Madhavi

I have been very inspired by TED Talks lately. You can also check out my previous article on 10 TED Talks for Renewal. TED Talks are presentations from passionate, brilliant and innovative individuals in a variety of fields.  You can read more about this non-profit organization and their mission to spread ideas by exhibiting powerful, engaging presentations.  Each presentation is 18 minutes or less, and well worth the investment. Here is a compilation of my top 10 favorite TED Talks for parents. Some are funny, some are informative, and all are inspiring.

10. Nancy Frates: Meet the mom who started the bucket challenge

Meet the inspirational mom who started the ice bucket challenge to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — and how this mission impacted her and her family.

9. Jennifer Senior: For parents, happiness is a very high bar

Jennifer Senior discusses the significant changes in our roles as parents and the ways in which our expectations of happiness in our children is a difficult aspiration.

8. Colin Stokes: How movies teach manhood

Colin Stokes, shares his thoughts on how cinema provides role models for both boys and girls and the ways in which we should consider male and female roles in movies and their effect on our children.

7. Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman: Let’s talk parenting taboos

Husband-and-wife team, and publishers of Babble.com, offer a forthright and humorous look at parenting taboos as well as parenting expectations.

6. Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter

Poet, Sarah Kay, through her unique style, shares what lessons she would share with her future daughter. 

5. Julia Sweeney: It’s time for “The Talk”

A hilarious talk about the “birds and the bees” inspired by Julia Sweeney’s 8-year-old daughter. You won’t want to miss this one.

4. Kevin Breel: Confessions of a depressed comic

Comic, Kevin Breel, offers a serious glimpse into his life when he first realized he had depression as a high school student.

3. Adora Svitak: What adults learn from kids

Author and child prodigy, Adora Svitak encourages adults to be empowered by children – and to ask children some powerful questions. An advocate for “reciprocal learning”, she encourages us all to consider what children can teach adults.

2. Steven Addis: A father-daughter bond, one photo at a time

Photographer and writer, Steven Addis, shares his experience taking the same photo with his daughter throughout her childhood and the power of creating memories.

1. Bruce Feiler: The council of dads

In this moving talk, Bruce Feiler, an accomplished writer shares his vision of enlisting “A council of dads” after his diagnosis of cancer to impart their wisdom to his daughters as they grow up.

There are many ways to get TED Talks. Click here if you would like to browse the TED archives for other topics. It is also easy to follow TED Talks via apps and social media. My favorite way to view TED Talks is via the free app for iPhone, where I can bookmark or download my favorites. The app is interactive, so I can even specify how much time I can commit at the moment and request a certain topic to watch.

TED Talks videos, logos and visuals highlighted here are untouched and unedited. All video and images of TED Talks are copyrighted by TED and are used here under the Creative Commons license.

Did any of these TED Talks resonate with you as a parent? Which one is your favorite?

A few of my favorite YouTube videos:

My Little Ponies, Friendship is Magic is amazing in and of itself but when you make them sing Les Miserables? They really are magic. Here they are singing Do you hear the people sing? (and yes, I am always singing along and yes, there are more)

Sad Cat Diary. Every time I watched this, I laughter leaks out my eyes. There is a dog version as well.

You’ve probably heard of Shane Koyczan and his anti-bullying “To This Day Project” spoken-word poem, but I love his poem on his grandfather fighting off his night terrors. (cursing)

I mostly read Pleated-Jeans.com for their Tumblr Gets Deep series, but the looks-like-your-brother-made-them-quality youtube videos are pretty good if only because we all need 10 Not-So-Useful Life Hacks particular since I use 3 of these quite often.

Now it’s time to pick up the kids. Or get more snow. Either way, I hope you learned something like YouTube has a lot of videos.

Before you go, what are your favorite YouTube videos? 

photo credit: Kelly Teague

Recently, I have been reflecting on renewal and self-care and have particularly appreciated several TED Talks that inspire me. TED Talks are presentations from passionate, brilliant and innovative individuals in a variety of fields.  You can read more about this non-profit organization and their mission to spread ideas by exhibiting powerful, engaging presentations.  Each presentation is 18 minutes or less, and well worth the investment. Here is a compilation of my top 10 favorite TED Talks to foster renewal and self-care. Some are humorous, some are gripping, and others are truly fascinating.

10. Benjamin Zander: The transformative power of classical music

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, makes it seem as if he is in your home having an insightful and entertaining conversation with you about a vision for classical music for all. Whether you currently appreciate classical music – or not – this is a must see.

9. Neil Pasricha: The 3 A’s of awesome

Neil Pasricha, author, discusses how his blog grew to become an international sensation – and his growth as a person in the process of finding awesomeness in every day life.

8. Pico Iyer: The art of stillness

World renowned travel writer, Pico Iyer moves beyond his standard travel writing by proposing that one can release ourselves from distractions and focus on travel as it relates to stillness and mindfulness.

7. Andy Puddicombe: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes

Former Buddhist Monk, Andy Puddicombe shares how being mindful for just 10 minutes per day can help your outlook.

6. Emily Balcetis: Why some people find exercise harder than others

Emily Balcetis shares information about different people’s vision of themselves, and how changing your mindset can help change your success of exercising.

5. Arianna Huffington: How to succeed? Get more sleep

Journalist Arianna Huffington shares her story on the power of sleep and sleep’s association with success.

4. David Griffin: How photography connects us

David Griffin, photo director for National Geographic, showcases the power of visual storytelling.

3. Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

Social Psychologist, Amy Cuddy shares critical information on “power posing” and how this can encourage success, even if you aren’t feeling successful.

2. Mark Bezos: A life lesson from a volunteer firefighter

Mark Bezos shares his experience making a difference in someone’s life in an unlikely way.

1. Phil Hansen: Embrace the shake

Phil Hansen learned a new way to create when he let go of his physical limitations. Seeking a renewed way of seeing and representing art, he visually documents working through the creative process and redefining barriers. 

There are many ways to get TED Talks. Click here if you would like to browse the TED archives for other topics. It is also easy to follow TED Talks via apps and social media. My favorite way to view TED Talks is via the free app for iPhone, where I can bookmark or download my favorites. The app is interactive, so I can even specify how much time I can commit at the moment and request a certain topic to watch.

TED Talks videos, logos and visuals highlighted here are untouched and unedited. All video and images of TED Talks are copyrighted by TED and are used here under the Creative Commons license.

Did any of these TED talks encourage you to focus on yourself, wellness or renewal? Which ones resonated with you?

photo credit: Tom Hart

Yep.

Here’s your daily sentimental ad from Dove, but it’s not for women this time.

It’s for dads.

Grab a tissue, have a look.

Happy Father’s Day.

(ps. If you can’t see the video below on your mobile device, the link is here.)

Take 3:28 of your day and watch this video:

About Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.