Since we’re talking about building a better life this month, it only makes sense that we consult our friends at TED. If you’ve been living under a rock, then TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design and lives under the catchphrase of “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Essentially, experts from a large variety of fields, from street art and modeling to brain research and science, can speak at one of TED’s global conferences and share their unique projects, messages, and stories. Today, I am bringing you eight of my favorite TED talks that have powerful messages for your daily life. I also love that their speakers tend to utilize storytelling, making their speeches a lot more relatable and interesting than what you might imagine. Check them out and I hope they touch you just as much.

1. Use Art to Turn the World Inside Out by JR

JR’s project is insanely awesome. But I’ve noticed that when friends watch it, they tend to feel less confident in making a difference because what JR did is so dramatic. My best advice is to just tap into your own ideas, plan them out with as many small steps as you can, and just go for them! If we spend too much time thinking that someone else being awesome means we therefore have to be less awesome, then we’ll never make the difference we seek. Be your own awesome. In any case, you should watch this video because JR is a boss.

2. The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown

Brene is really hilarious! I also think her topic and research on vulnerability is really important for us to consider for our own lives.

3. The Amazing Intelligence of Crows by Joshua Klein

I think most people are crow haters and because I like animals (and because Joshua reminds us why crows are freaking amazing) I had to share this video! Crows are really smart and I love Joshua’s solutions to making them part of our society the way they make us part of theirs.

4. How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek

A really interesting talk that also lends well to good marketing.

5. Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson

This video was pretty much my mantra in college. I thought about it all the time! It’s also illustrated so it never gets boring and Sir Ken Robinson’s voice is sweet like butta. But fo’ real you should watch this video because it literally illustrates how the education system needs to change.

6. How It Feels To Have A Stroke by Jill Bolte Taylor

Definitely one of my favorite talks! I love learning about different feelings that I may never get to experience – like a fish that can talk to a human about what it feels like to walk. Really interesting stuff.

7. Your Elusive Creative Genius by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, talks about how instead of being a creative genius (I mean, how many of us are that anyways??), we have a creative genius. Interesting and motivating talk.

8. Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m A Model by Cameron Russell

I stumbled on this one by chance. The beginning is a little unpolished, but keep watching…it gets better! I think in the last two minutes she brings up a few things that really got me thinking. There weren’t necessarily answers in her speech, but maybe the answers don’t exist yet. Anyway, her speech about beauty and modeling definitely sparked something in me.