In her book "The Power of Meaning," Emily Esfahani Smith rounds up the latest research — and the stories of fascinating people she interviewed — to argue that the search for meaning is far more fulfilling than the pursuit of personal happiness.

Why you should listen

Emily Esfahani Smith is a writer in Washington, DC. In her writing, she draws on psychology, philosophy, and literature to write about the human experience -- why we are the way we are and how we can find grace and meaning in a world that is full of suffering. Her book The Power of Meaning, an international bestseller, was published by Crown and has been translated into 16 different languages. 

The former managing editor of The New Criterion, Smith's articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and other publications. 

Smith studied philosophy at Dartmouth College. She received her master's degree in positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Catholic University. She was born in Zurich, Switzerland.

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It’s personal: The talks of Session 9 of TED2017

April 28, 2017

For the ninth session of TED2017, hosted by TED’s Editorial Director Helen Walters and Curation Director Kelly Stoetzel, we look into ourselves with seven speakers who take on subjects ranging from parenting to social interaction and heartbreak, revealing nuggets of wisdom that just might help you lead a better, more fulfilled life. The longest-running study […]

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