These talks drive home the many different ways to get better at what you care about.

Mastering any physical skill takes practice. Practice is the repetition of an action with the goal of improvement, and it helps us perform with more ease, speed, and confidence. But what does practice actually do to make us better at things? Annie Bosler and Don Greene explain how practice affects the inner workings of our brains. [Directed by M...

These talks can help you fine tune your composure in the face of frustration.

Handy TED Talks for when you (or a loved one) need help recovering from an emotional hit.

Learning another language? A collection of TED Talks to indulge in your linguistic desires. (Pro tip: Select subtitles in your preferred language to read along, too.)

Sexting, like anything that's fun, runs its risks -- but a serious violation of privacy shouldn't be one of them. Amy Adele Hasinoff looks at problematic responses to sexting in mass media, law and education, offering practical solutions for how individuals and tech companies can protect sensitive (and, ahem, potentially scandalous) digital files.

Forgiveness sounds so easy, and yet it's tough to muster in practice. These talks may help.

What does it mean to be civil? Journalist Steven Petrow looks for answers in the original meaning of the word, showing why civility shouldn't be dismissed as conversation-stifling political correctness or censorship. Learn three ways we can each work to be more civil -- and start talking about our differences with respect.

Here's a question we all have to answer sooner or later: What do you want to happen to your body when you die? Funeral director Caitlin Doughty explores new ways to prepare us for inevitable mortality. In this thoughtful talk, learn more about ideas for burial (like "recomposting" and "conservation burial") that return our bodies back to the ear...

We'll go to the doctor when we feel flu-ish or a nagging pain. So why don't we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain: guilt, loss, loneliness? Too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, says Guy Winch. But we don't have to. He makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene — taking care of our ...

The improper handling of waste is the third largest source of methane emissions in the world, says Aline Sousa, but waste pickers like her help reduce this environmental impact. She dives into the monumental effort of the often-overlooked people making sure recyclables, compostables and trash end up in the right places — and calls for better rec...

In our busy, technologically-driven world, we need empathy more than ever. It's, as social entrepreneur Gwen Yi Wong puts it, "the capacity to see parts of yourself in everybody else." And it all starts with showing up for the people in our lives and really listening to them.

The path to wellness -- and equality -- begins with you. Enjoy these illuminating talks at the intersection of justice and personal health to get motivated in creating a better society for everyone.

Have you ever sat in a doctor's office for hours, despite having an appointment? Has a hotel turned down your reservation because it's full? Have you been bumped off a flight that you paid for? These are all symptoms of overbooking, a practice where businesses sell or book more than their capacity. So why do they do it? Nina Klietsch explains th...

Ever since Florence Nightingale revolutionized healthcare during the Crimean War by pointing out that infection was killing as many soldiers as bullets, nurses have pushed the envelope of medical practice. But why, asks nurse entrepreneur Rebecca Love, are they rarely involved in the design of healthcare products and workflows? In this passionat...

Related or not, living under the same roof can be tough.

These talks examine where (and how) relationships and love factor into our technologically-driven world.

Open office plans. Learning styles. 10,000 hours of practice. "Freakonomics" host Stephen Dubner joins Adam Grant for a live conversation to reveal why some popular workplace fads might be bogus -- and what to do instead.

Nothing hurts quite like a broken heart. Wallow, process and heal with the help of these clever talks.

One person's trash is -- a century later -- another's historical artifact. In this talk, author Lara Maiklem introduces "mudlarking" -- the practice of scavenging river banks for hidden treasure -- and tells of the physical history lurking under the miles of mud along the Thames.

Democracy thrives on civil debate, Michael Sandel says -- but we're shamefully out of practice. He leads a fun refresher, with TEDsters sparring over a recent Supreme Court case (PGA Tour Inc. v. Martin) whose outcome reveals the critical ingredient in justice.

Anthropologist Wade Davis muses on the worldwide web of belief and ritual that makes us human. He shares breathtaking photos and stories of the Elder Brothers, a group of Sierra Nevada indians whose spiritual practice holds the world in balance.

Insightful TED Talks to help guide you on your journey to healthier, stronger relationships with others — and yourself.

Karim Abouelnaga is a TED Fellow and founder and CEO of Practice Makes Perfect, a summer school opportunity that helps narrow the education gap for low-income children. Through his work, Karim shows how small business owners can have a big impact.

Sometimes, relating to other people doesn't come naturally. These talks offer new insights into how to connect ... and celebrate the ways we are more alike than you think.

Are you "too nice" at work? Social psychologist Tessa West shares her research on how people attempt to mask anxiety with overly polite feedback — a practice that's more harmful than helpful — and gives three tips to swap generic, unhelpful observations with clear, consistent feedback, even when you feel awkward.

Every doctor makes mistakes. But, says physician Brian Goldman, medicine's culture of denial (and shame) keeps doctors from ever talking about those mistakes, or using them to learn and improve. Telling stories from his own long practice, he calls on doctors to start talking about being wrong.

These talks can help guide you in nurturing close, meaningful bonds with a long-distance partner, family, a new acquaintance or anyone in between.

Critical care doctor Peter Weinstock shows how surgical teams are using a blend of Hollywood special effects and 3D printing to create amazingly lifelike reproductions of real patients -- so they can practice risky surgeries ahead of time. Think: "Operate twice, cut once." Glimpse the future of surgery in this forward-thinking talk.

Being at peace with yourself can be hard. Start with these helpful talks that can guide you in embracing who you are, both in and out.