A practicing surgeon for three decades, Sherwin Nuland witnessed life and death in every variety. Then he turned to writing, exploring what there is to people beyond just anatomy.

Stuart Brown's research shows play is not just joyful and energizing -- it's deeply involved with human development and intelligence. Through the National Institute for Play, he's working to better understand its significance.

A writer and stand-up comedian, Aparna Nancherla is one of the most exciting new voices to hit the comedy scene.

By building psychosocial care into the primary health care system in Afghanistan, Inge Missmahl offers hope to a society traumatized by decades of conflict and insecurity.

As a neuroscientist specializing in the brain mechanisms of attention, Amishi Jha researches mindfulness techniques to optimize focus, even under high stress.

Essam Doad provides first response mental health interventions to refugees and displaced populations.

Bob Langert consults, writes and speaks about corporate sustainability, showing how companies can successfully navigate and manage today’s controversial societal issues, become better corporate citizens and make their businesses stronger, more relevant and more profitable.

As the first woman in the UK to be ordained in the Jewish faith, Rabbi Jackie Tabick has forged a path of inclusiveness from her work’s beginning.

Max Tegmark is driven by curiosity, both about how our universe works and about how we can use the science and technology we discover to help humanity flourish rather than flounder.

Courtney E. Martin’s work has two obsessions at its core: storytelling and solutions.

In "Bad Feminist," her 2014 book of essays, Roxane Gay laid out a wise, funny and deeply empathetic vision of modern feminism, acceptance and identity -- flaws and all.

About this event: SALUS means "Well-Being" in Latin. We'll be emphasizing how we could improve our well-being by having 4 live speakers from different perspectives.

Ingrid Fetell Lee studies joy and reveals how we can find more of it in the world around us.

Humorist, writer and trickster Emily Levine riffs on science and the human condition.

Sometimes controversial, always practical ethicist Peter Singer stirs public debate about morality, from animal welfare to global poverty.

At MIT's Media Lab, Tod Machover creates boundary-breaking new music, often using new instruments and music technologies he has invented.

Magnus Larsson hopes to build new structures in the desert -- by using bacteria to turn shifting sand into a solid mass.

TED Senior Fellow Andrew Pelling uses novel materials for next-generation medical innovations and speculative living technologies of the future.

Poet Ali has crafted a unique brand of impact and connection-driven, entertainment arts. The experience feels like a nonjudgmental conversation with a talented friend full of laughter, tears and steeped in some deep truth.

About this event: Our mental health can hold us back or help us live out our best selves. Fortunately, conversations around the well being of our minds are beginning to open up in our community. At our next salon, we want to further explore ways we can nurture our mental well being and provide a safe space to share our stories openly and boldly.

Kathy Nicholson Hull founded the first freestanding pediatric palliative care center in the US.

About this event: You are cordially invited to the next TEDxTheHague salon! Our April edition — themed Designing Well-being — is curated by TEDxTheHague regular Dorcas de Koning and generously hosted by Gallerie Lily's. Dorcas writes: "First-world countries are suffering from a new definition of 'poverty' in the health care domain. The way we choose to tackle...

Joe Lassiter focuses on one of the world’s most pressing problems: developing clean, secure and carbon-neutral supplies of reliable, low-cost energy all around the world.

Sergey Brin is half of the team that founded Google.

In "The Spirit Level," Richard Wilkinson charts data that proves societies that are more equal are healthier, happier societies.

A pioneer in the field of neuroeconomics, Paul Zak is uncovering how the hormone oxytocin promotes trust, and proving that love is good for business.

Don Tapscott, Executive Chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute, is one of the world’s leading authorities on the impact of technology in business and society. He has authored 16 books, including "Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything," which has been translated into over 25 languages

Pepper spray, Tasers, tear gas, rubber bullets -- these "non-lethal" weapons are being used by more and more local police forces, as well as military forces brought in to control civilian crowds and other situations. Despite their name, non-lethal weapons have been known to cause deaths ... and as Stephen Coleman suggests, there are other, more ...

Kelly McGonigal translates academic research into practical strategies for health, happiness and personal success.

Sauti Sol blends warm resonant pop with traditional Kenyan influences. Their mélange of energetic rhythms has promoted the group to become one of Africa’s most celebrated.