Do You Have an Idea That Changes Everything?

I’ve met people who’ve never heard of TED Talks, and people who zealously watch two-three TED Talk videos every single day. Founded in 1984, TED Talks have become a singular force in the world for education, enlightenment, and information not only about technology, entertainment and design (which is what the letters, TED stand for), but on the arts, humanities, science, health care, and climate change to name just a few.

 In case you’ve never seen one, TED Talks are 10-to-20-minute verbal and visual explanations of ideas that are “worth spreading” and which can “change everything,” delivered live and in-person on camera by acknowledged experts standing on a 2.5-meter-wide red circular carpet in the middle of a stage.

TED Talk topics range wildly, from the demonstration of the first Apple computer, to how schools can kill creativity, and why shaking your hands over the sink 12 times before drying them with one paper towel can make a measurable difference in climate change. As of this April 2025, there are over 7,088 published TED Talk videos. The goal of each is to spark conversation and inspire action.

In 2009, embracing the notion that perhaps even relative unknowns can have powerful, useful ideas worth sharing, TED leadership created the “TEDx” concept, licensing the name, format and purpose of the organization to like-minded “curators,” people committed to producing annual TEDx events, usually featuring locals, in cities, communities and universities around the world. Today, over 3,000 are held each year, resulting in over 90,000 videos available to anyone on their YouTube channel.

A few months ago, TEDxSanDiego invited me to give my talk, “Confessions of an Accidental Killer” on the red circle. It was an honor to be asked, very hard work, and an extraordinary experience. And even though I never thought I would ever have the courage to share my deep personal tragedy in public, the producers believed that my talk was definitely an idea worth sharing, one that could change everything. They were wholly supportive and wonderfully encouraging. I’m so glad I did it.

If you have an idea that you believe will change the world, there is no better way to put it out there than through a TED Conferences or TEDx Talk. To get started, click here.

Gregg Ward is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Respectful Leadership.