Since the start of TEDx, I’ve been involved actively in the organization of 50+ events, have visited numerous TEDx and Global TED events and off course watched loads of talks. I often get the question if I can name some favourite TED & TEDx talks. That’s why I’ve filled this page with some of my favourites. Will regularly update it with new ones!

  • Joe Smith – How to use a paper towel – One of the TED talks I just love because of the simplicity. Short but funny talk
  • Bono – The good news on poverty – A talk full of mind-blowing numbers about Africa by the lead singer of U2.
  • Vik Muniz – Makes art with wire sugar – One of the most amazing documentaries I’ve seen. The talk is giving a short summary.
  • Jason Fried – Why work isn’t happening at work – Interesting theory about work and why it’s just not happening in the office. From work days to work moments
  • Eli Parisier – Beware the online filter bubbles – Tons of startups are busy, filtering the web. Eli is arguing that this is a very dangerous movement, since weg don’t get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview
  • Seth Godin – On sliced bread -This “demigod on the Web” and marketing guru, who is according to Forbed “uniquely respected for his understanding of the Internet” is giving a very interesting talk marketing in the new age.
  • Rives – On 4AM – One of the TED Active presenters already gave a couple funny TED talks. Think this is his best one, about a particular point of time
  • Amy Cuddy – Your body language shapes who you are –  Very interesting talk, which I’m using a lot when training speakers. Also, one of the best viewed TED talks ever.
  • Nigel Marsh – How to make your work-life balance work – With more and more people complaining about the work-life balancing being outbalanced, Nigel is giving some practical advice to make it work
  • Lisa Kristine – Modern slavery – Photographer who travelled for 2 years around the world, illustrating the reality of modern slavery
  • Richard St. Johns – The 8 secrets to success – Richard spent 10 years researching 500 extraordinary people, looking for ways that lead to success. Only 3 minutes, but a boost of energy
  • Jamie Oliver – About Food – The famous chef is giving a very powerfull talk about our ignorance of food.
  • Peter van Uhm – Why I choose a gun – Our former Dutch Chief of Defense, giving an amazing talk at TEDxAmsterdam about the reasons why he is preferring a gun in stead of a pencil in order to achieve peace.
  • Christien Meindertsma – Pig 05049 – A Dutch lady on the international TED stage! Christien wrote an interesting book (Pig-05049) about the 185 products, being made from 1 single pig.
  • Tony Robbins – Why we do what we do – Famous life coach about the invisible forces, determining what we do. After his talk he’s high-fiving with Al Gore in the front row 🙂
  • Matt Ridley – When ideas have sex – Apparently, the human progress has been accomplished by ideas, mating with each other.
  • Pamela Meyer – How to spot a liar – Very interesting talk about spotting liars!
  • Candy Chang – Before I die – Love this project (Beforeidie.cc) by Candy Chang. Should have one in Maastricht as well 😉
  • Paul Nicklen – Tales of ice bound – Famous Polar photographer, sharing amazing pics of the polar wonderlands and it’s inhabitants.
  • Susan Cain – The power of introverts – In a world that can’t stop talking, focused on extraverts, Susan Cain talks about the great capabilities of introverts
  • Philip Zimbardo – On the psychology of evil – A expert witness at Abu Ghraib, who is studying the nature of heroism
  • Dan Pink – On motivation – Famous TED talk about the mismatch between traditional rewards and motivation
  • Ruby Wax – what’s so funny about mental illness – Haven’t seen someone talking so enthusiastic about mental illness. Have watched it live at TED Global and was impressed
  • Rory Sutherland – Life lessons from an ad-man – In this funny talk, this “advertarian” is giving some interesting thoughts about why the human aspect in marketing is so extremely imporatnt.
  • Rene Brown – On vulnerability – One of the most watched TEDx talks on TED. Rene is giving a powerful but funny talk about vulnerability
  • Derek Sivers – how to start a movement – Derek spoke already three times at TED, but his most famous talk is about ‘how to start a movement’, looking at the Youtube movie that went viral
  • Malcolm Gladwell – on spaghetti sauce – Already loved his book ‘The Tipping Point’, his talk is also a must watch.
  • Andrew McAfee – what will future jobs look like – With the present discussion in The Netherlands about ‘machines taking over human jobs’, this talk is quite interesting to see the differences over time and prospects for the upcoming years.
  • Cesar Harada – a novel idea for cleaning up oceans – Besides the project of Dutchman Boyan Slat (The Ocean Cleanup), TED Fellow Cesar introduced an interesting idea about cleaning up oil spills at the TEDx Summit in Doha
  • Carolyn Steel – how food shapes our cities – This architext / food urbanist is describing the daily miracle of feeding cities.
  • Byran Stevenson – we need to talk about injustice – One of the most powerfull talks I’ve ever seen. Wow.
  • Benjamin Zanders – on music and passion – Just a great talk from this famous conductor about the power of classical music
  • Barry Schwartz – the paradox of choice – Beautiful talk about the freedom of choice.
  • Sheryl Sandberg – why we have to few women leaders – The COO of Facebook is giving a powerful talk about the reasons why only a few woman reach the board room
  • Bart Knols – now we don’t listen anymore – Bart gave 2 powerful talks at TEDxMaastricht. This one is about a very topical subject. Watch, listen and learn 😉
  • Simon Sinek – why good leaders make you feel safe – One of the most famous TED speakers gave a new talk about ‘Why good leaders make you feel save’
  • Bart Knols – Cheese, dogs and pills to end malaria – After this talk, Bart got a huge funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation for his research. This is just a brilliant talk about a potential solution for the malaria problem.
  • Dan Ariely – are we in control about our own decisions – Heard Dan speaking at TEDxAmsterdam and love his ideas about the way how we make our decisions.
  • Ron Finley – let’s plant shit! – Watched this talk at TED in 2013 and loved it. Not just the way how Ron presented, also his thoughts, since several of these type of plans are currently being executed in my neighbourhood.
  • David Eagleman – can we create new senses for humans – This is one of my favorite talks of TED 2015. When I saw it live, I was just blown away by this new technology…
  • Monica Lewinsky – the price of shame – Was sitting with her in the same plane to TED (Vancouver) and think this was the best talk of the event.Both the fact that she actually came on stage and her story are both impressive
  • Joe Landolina – this gel make you stop bleading instantly – This is just amazing. Joe developed a gel that can instantly stop traumatic bleeding without the need to apply pressure.
  • Zak Ebrahim – I’m the son of a terrorist – With so many terrorist attacks, this talk by the son of a terrorist is just very interesting and worthwhile watching.
  • Meg Jay – why 30 is not the new 20 – This talk is so extremely relevant for all my friends who just graduated. Saw this talk live at TED in California and think that Meg is discussing a very interesting and serious problem.
  • Arianna Huffington – How to succeed? Get more sleep! – The maker of the beautiful news site is talking about something I really started to do more myself; sleep :-). Used to sleep only 6 hours/night, increased it to 8 and can totally see/feel the amazing difference.
  • Terry Moore – how to tie your shoes – All these years I was wrong…
  • Dan Paliotta – the way how we think about charity is dead wrong – One of my favorite talks! Being involved in several charities, this talk is highlighting a very interesting but sensitive discussion
  • Jimmy Nelson – Gorgeous portraits of the worlds’ vanishing people – Proud of this TEDxAmsterdam speaker on the global TED stage. Got his book which is so extremely nice. Lots of pictures can be found on Google Images, but the book is deffinately worthwhile buying!
  • Seth Godin – on the tribes we lead – Read most of his books. A succesfull entrepreneur, great speaker and according to Forbes: “the demigod on the Web”
  • Marc Goodman – a vision of future crimes – Have seen this talk live in Schotland and used it a lot in presentations… Marc showed us at that time the first 3D printed gun
  • Nicole Avena – how sugar affects the brain – How does sugar affects the brain? Interesting TED Ed lesson
  • Amanda Palmer – the art of asking – The lady who raised over a million dollars via Kickstarter to record an album, talks about why recorded music is the digital equivalent of street performing
  • Mikko Hypponen – fighting the viruses – Gave already several great TED talks on the dangers of the internet. This talk is about virusses on the web and how to stop them.
  • Anders Fjelberg – Two nameless bodies washed up on the beach – This was deffinately my favorite talk at TED Global London. Must see!
  • Damiaan Denys – relationship angst & freedom – Heard from a lot of visitors that this one of their favorite TEDxAmsterdam 2015 talks
  • Leo Kouwenhoven – can we make quantum computing work? – Great talk on quantum technology
  • Steven Jobs – how to live before you die – No TED talk, but a must see for all entrepreneurs 🙂
  • Al Gore – The case for optimism on climate change – great talk by the old vice-president of the USA. Astonishing numbers and update about the ‘worst global crisis’ at the moment
  • Tim Urban – inside the mind of a master procrastinator – hilarious talk on setting targets
  • Adam Grant – the suprising habit of original thinkers – great talk for all creative people!