A Moment of Gratitude — from TED to You

Ideas matter. They have the power to change, well, everything.

At TED, we believe that powerful ideas, powerfully presented, move us — to feel deeply, think differently, and take action. That’s why we do what we do: Bring together curious minds and visionary ideas to uncover what’s possible. And in this month of gratitude we want to take a moment to say thank you.?

As a nonprofit, we’re honored to make factual, inspiring information freely accessible worldwide. Watching a talk, liking a post, or joining a conversation helps amplify these ideas, and donating to TED takes it further—ensuring that these ideas can continue to reach people across the globe, creating lasting change. And we are so grateful to everyone who has supported us in 2024.

Thanks to you, over the past 40 years TED has:

1. Shared our archive of over 225,000 free TED Talks, generating over 3 billion views from viewers around the world.
2. Reached 460M+ audio listeners globally through TED’s podcasts.?
3. Empowered local TEDx organizers, who have gathered over 20,000 communities worldwide to learn and collaborate.?
4. Amplified diverse voices and big ideas through initiatives like TED Fellows, with 500+ changemakers reaching 200M+ people in over 100 countries.
5. Expanded access to TED-Ed’s 1,700 free animated lessons, amounting to over 1 billion views.

As a thank you, we’ve pulled together this list of TED Talks focused on deepening relationships and building meaningful connections that we hope you will enjoy and share with the people in your life:

1. Why friendship can be just as meaningful as romantic love, Rhaina Cohen

Rhaina Cohen introduces us to people redefining relationships by prioritizing friendships as lifelong commitments, challenging conventional norms and expanding how we view love and partnership.

2. You don't actually know what your future self wants, Shankar Vedantam??

This thought-provoking talk dives into how time influences our decisions and relationships. Shankar Vedantam explores how being mindful of our shared humanity can strengthen bonds.

3. 3 steps to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings, Priya Parker ?

Priya Parker shares practical advice on designing meaningful connections through intentional hosting. Her talk redefines how we gather, emphasizing that it's not about perfection, but purpose.

4. The lies our culture tells us about what matters – and a better way to live, David Brooks?

David Brooks dismantles the myths of individualism and self-sufficiency, advocating instead for connection, commitment and belonging as the keys to a fulfilled life.

5. You are not alone in your loneliness, Jonny Sun

Writer and artist Jonny Sun shares a heartfelt exploration of loneliness, showing how opening up about feelings of isolation can help create connections, build community and reveal light in the darkest moments.

You’re invited to join our community

Everything we do is thanks to the support we get from people around the world. The easiest? way to support TED’s mission is through TED Membership. Not only will you help us continue to share world-changing ideas for free on the internet, but you will get exclusive access to Member-only events with world-class speakers, digital passes to sessions at TED conferences like TED2025 and so much more.

Join by December 4 to secure your invitation to our next special event with psychologist Guy Winch , where he will share practical ways to boost resilience and well-being, help you deepen your connections this holiday season and answer questions directly from you.

Learn more about TED Membership here.

Tell us in the comments: What is something in your life you are grateful for right now?