Ever since I was young, I loved stories. Being told stories, being read them, telling them, reading them. I have always thought there was something special about hearing someone else’s personal experience. Ted Talks are based on the concept of there being “ideas worth sharing”; so while not all of these are traditional stories, they are definitely all worth listening to.
“My Son was a Columbine Shooter. This is My Story”
This is the story of a middle aged woman whose son shot up Columbine High School in 1999. She was as blindsided as the rest of the world, and has spent most of her life trying to comprehend the atrocious tragedy her son committed. Her story in trying to be in touch with impacts her son has caused while handling her own grief is told here.
“My Descent into America’s Neo-Nazi Movement”
An extremely interesting story of a boy and how he became an extremely influential Neo Nazi. Combining his passion and beliefs, he made Neo Nazi music, and then made a career of selling Neo Nazi out of a record store that people traveled across the country to visit and buy music from. Find out his story, why he got out of the gig, and where he went from there.
“I Grew Up in a Cult. It was Heaven– and Hell”
Lilia Tarawa family was the at the head of this Pacific cult, the idea position to have in a cult. She was raised midwife growing up, and loved it; she had a huge family and a community of close friends, and love it. Listen to her story of why she chose to leave this ‘utopia’ and how she realized her life was not as great as she thought it was growing up.
“What Facing 200 Years in Prison Taught Me About Happiness”
Prior ecstasy smotherer who ended up reading over 1000 books in six years taught himself what he felt he needed to know about life. Find out his life lessons he’s prioritized after sharing a cell with a killer.
“What If There’s Nothing Wrong With You”
The title alone is something you need to hear. This psychologist shares her story and how she stumbled upon this idea. Find out why she told a patient to go home and stop trying to quit and to “go smoke your cigarettes.” Her radically thinking has changed the lives of many people, and may change yours, even in a small way.
“Leaving the Cult of Happiness”
We all partake is “The Cult of Happiness” somehow, the idea that everyone around us is living a happy life, and we are too, as says our Instagrams. Keely Herron talks about how she tried to be perfect to push past her trauma, until she learned to push through. Welcome to “The Cult of Compassion.”
“Why I Stopped Trying to Predict the Future”
This one was actually filmed at Saint Michael’s College this past fall. Allyson Kristofik is an alumni from SMC as well. After dealing with mental health struggles during her life, Allyson Kristofik tells her story of the year she decided not to worry about the future. The year changed her life, and she was able to share her crazy and incredible story here.
Take a ten or twenty minute break from your day, or maybe use the time that you would usually use to scroll through Instagram for the millionth time to listen to one of these. I promise, it will be time well spent, and Instagram will always be there after.
Happy listening!