Looking for some inspiration that caters to storytellers? Here are a few of my favorite TED Talks to watch as a writer, author, and editor—you’ll thank me later.
I have always loved TED Talks. Consuming content that is deep, intentional, and well-presented brings me much satisfaction and inspires me to continue pursuing growth, excellence, and change. I watch TED Talks to find inspiration for all sorts of things. Sometimes I need to better understand how to run a small business. Other days I’m looking to improve the way I interact with youth as part of my nonprofit work. During writing sessions, I need to know how to reach my audience and generate the reactions I’m looking for. And when I can’t sleep, sometimes I just look for the words of others to help me dissect my own perspectives.
It is this constant thirst for learning and insight that has driven me to watch hundreds upon hundreds of TED Talks, and I had the thought that others might be thirsting for it, too. I’ve gone back through my lists of favorites to curate this post for you: TED Talks for the writers, the editors, the authors, the storytellers. Let me know what new things you discover.
This TED talk presented by a mental health therapist uses editorial structure to teach the audience how we can infuse our stories and perspectives with power. Dr. Gottlieb reflects on her experiences reading and responding to thousands of personal letters from individuals who view their lives through one point of view, and helps us to better understand how we can “edit” the perspective to expand our understanding.
2. The magical science of storytelling | David JP Phillips | TEDxStockholm
This presentation by David Phillips offers very intriguing insights on how our bodies chemically react to different kinds of stories, whether they are invigorating, heartbreaking, humorous, or scary. How do our chemical responses affect our own creativity? Our moods and motivation? Is this an untapped tool that writers can use to improve upon their craft? It might just be the one that helps your book to find its readers.
3. The mystery of storytelling: Julian Friedmann at TEDxEaling
From the mind of a publishing agent comes an extremely insightful presentation unraveling the mysteries behind what makes a good story. Julian Friedmann talks about what he considers his “holy trinity” in publishing: the writer, the characters, and the audience. He asks the question, “What is it that compels people to tell stories?” He also explores the idea of the three-act structure and whether there is, in fact, a proven formula for good storytelling or not.
“It takes an incredible amount of courage to put your soul on paper and have people who are probably much less talented than you—certainly much less creative than you—trample all over it.”Julian Friedmann
4. How the story transforms the teller | Donald Davis | TEDxCharlottesville
There is always more than one way to tell a story—so how can we harness our stories in a way that will be most impactful? Donald Davis is not only a very pleasant speaker to listen to, but also a professional storyteller. He shares a tragic experience from his father’s childhood, and the valuable lesson of sharing stories in a way that changes our perspective.
5. Seven Keys to Good Storytelling | Josh Campbell | TEDxMemphis
This short TED Talk packs a punch from professional storyteller Josh Campbell, sharing a few specific tools from notable authors that can help us frame our stories in meaningful ways. Some of his tips include being prepared but not too prepared, giving power to names, and starting at the beginning of your story and ending at the end.
If you found these TED Talks valuable and would like more recommendations, please reach out and let us know. I’ll likely continue doing more resource curation articles. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all of these and more.
Hannah L. Ackerman
Hannah L. Ackerman Portfolio 
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