TED@PMI

Difficult emotions are like the spikes of a cactus: they can get under your skin if you're not careful. In this empowering talk, performance psychologist Jessica Garza shares four mood-regulating strategies to help you gain self-awareness of your feelings, avoid catching other people's emotions and perform at your peak -- whatever the prickly situation may be.

After his son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Billy Samuel Mwape realized that his project management skills might be put to use to support his child's special needs. In this inspiring, personal talk, he describes how project management -- the process of leading a team's work to achieve goals on a tight timeline -- can help you tackle life's biggest challenges.

Standing up to discrimination and hate should be everyone's business, says community activist Wale Elegbede. In this vital talk, he shares how his community in La Crosse, Wisconsin came together to form an interfaith group in response to Islamophobia and racism -- and shows why a mentality of caring for your neighbors can make life better for everyone.

Here's a talk about tears -- and why crying isn't something to be afraid or ashamed of. Exploring the science behind the mood-boosting power of crying, childbirth and lactation educator Kathy Mendias shows how tears can enhance your physical and mental well-being and deepen your relationship to yourself and others.

After losing her mother in a house fire when she was just six years old, Danielle Torley saw two paths before her: a life full of fear, or one that promised healing and recovery. In this inspiring talk, she describes how she turned her grief into beauty in a most unexpected way -- by dancing with fire.

Sexual assault is never the victim's fault, says advocate Kristin Jones. In this courageous talk, she tells her story of overcoming the shame that followed sexual abuse as a teenager -- and shares how parents can foster an open conversation about abuse to empower kids and encourage them to ask for help. (This talk contains mature content)

Do you need some help? It's OK to ask, says YeYoon Kim, a former kindergarten teacher who learned from her students how powerful and courageous it can be to reach out for support. Sharing the story of one of the most difficult periods in her life, Kim explores the happiness and joy that can come from leaning on those you love in times of need -- and encourages the rest of us to start asking for help more often.

How can leaders create more engaged and self-driven teams? Chiwuike Amaechi reflects on valuable lessons he learned while working offshore as a subsea engineer, showing how leaders use stories to create a sense of unity and purpose -- and drive positive change not just from the top down, but also from the bottom up.

There's a lot we can learn from Mongolian nomads about how to survive in the years to come, says environmental activist Khulan Batkhuyag. Taking us on a journey through the country's stunning rural landscape, she shows how Mongolian nomads have survived in remote areas for thousands of years by virtue of some truly incredible, earth-friendly, zero-waste innovations. There's wisdom here for all of us on how to live more minimally, sustainably and in harmony with Mother Nature.

Author and social change advocate Dinae Knox offers a process for grappling with and ultimately thriving from the difficult moments that life throws your way. Learn the mindset shift needed to develop and maintain a healthy ego, become more emotionally intelligent -- and either take action to change, or stay the same. (This talk contains mature language.)

In this moving talk, social justice advocate Mounina Tounkara shares how we can adopt the African philosophy of Ubuntu -- a perspective of interconnectedness -- to change the way we see one another and eradicate the cruel and unforgiving ways people treat each other based on their origins or appearance. "We are all interconnected," she says. "Racism and discrimination against one person hurts every person."

Recorded on electric instruments, violin-cello duo ARKAI (made up of Jonathan Miron and Philip Sheegog) perform "Letters from COVID" -- an original piece that reflects a period of hardship, yet also contains moments of beauty and hope within.

In this heartfelt performance, musician Allison Russell performs "Kathy," a prayer song for her mother and anyone trapped in an abusive relationship.