What we’re about
Tired of small talk and craving conversations that actually matter?
The Bethesda TED Talk Discussion Group is a welcoming community for curious minds who want to grow, learn, and connect. Each session, we watch a short TED Talk on personal growth, learning, or big ideas about how we live and work. Then, we dive into thoughtful conversation, sharing perspectives, asking meaningful questions, and exploring how these ideas can shape our lives.
Our mission is to create a sense of community where ideas spark connection, and conversations leave you feeling inspired and fulfilled.
If you’re looking for a place to meet thoughtful people and stretch your mind, join us. Let’s explore personal growth, one conversation at a time.
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To ensure a positive experience for all participants, we have three ground rules for TED talk discussion events:
- Step up and step back: If you've been talking a lot, step back and listen; if you've been quiet, step up and share your perspective or ask questions.
- Listen to understand, not to respond.
- Show respect for others and embrace diverse viewpoints.
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If you have a ted-talk video in mind that you’d like to discuss or host, feel free to message me. Here is a great Ted Talk list to choose from:
https://www.youtube.com/@TED/videos
Notes: This discussion club will always be free and will never accept any fundraising, sponsorship, or advertising.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- The Power of RepairTrue Food Kitchen, Bethesda, MD
Location: We will meet at True Food Kitchen (Bethesda) (7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815)
Everyone loses their temper from time to time — but the stakes are dizzyingly high when the focus of your fury is your own child. Clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Becky Kennedy is here to help. Not only does she have practical advice to help parents manage the guilt and shame of their not-so-great moments but she also models the types of conversations you can have to be a better parent. (Hint: this works in all other relationships too.) Bottom line? It's never too late to reconnect.
Please watch this 14-min video before joining the discussion:
https://youtu.be/PHpPtdk9rco?si=wSMayyG8bBPzVuPbIf more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into separate groups.
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1. Repair is a radical act of relational courage. It’s not a fallback for mistakes, but a practice that deepens trust. How can we shift our mindset from fearing relational ruptures to embracing them as openings for greater honesty and trust?
2. Self-compassion is the foundation of repair, allowing us to face hard truths without collapsing into shame. What practices can we put in place to cultivate a grounded inner voice, especially when we fall short of who we want to be?
3. A true repair doesn’t aim to restore comfort, but to restore dignity for both ourselves and the other person. How can we move beyond formulaic apologies and learn to communicate in a way that dignifies the emotional reality of both sides?
4. When we don’t repair, others often carry the emotional cost in silence, especially those with less power. What steps can we take to recognize when someone might be quietly internalizing blame, and how can we intervene with care and responsibility?
5. Repair is not about erasing the past, but about editing its meaning, and thereby reshaping the future. How can we become more intentional about revisiting difficult moments in our relationships to offer a new ending, rather than letting the first draft stand?
6. Even a 15-second repair can undo hours of silent suffering. The key is presence, not perfection. How can we train ourselves to act in those small, critical moments when a few grounded words could shift the emotional trajectory of a relationship?
7. It is never too late. Repair is not about revisiting the past, but about reclaiming integrity in the present. What would change in our lives if we believed that even the hardest conversations can still carry healing, no matter how long it’s been?-------------------------------------
To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events:
- Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question)
- Listen to understand, not to respond.
- Be open-minded and value differences.
- The Let Them TheoryTrue Food Kitchen, Bethesda, MD
Location: We will meet at True Food Kitchen (Bethesda) (7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815)
The "Let Them Theory" is so simple, you’re going to get it immediately. In this episode, you will hear some great stories and examples to explain this theory, as well as the three very different ways you can use it. Bottom line: When you "Let Them" do whatever it is that they want to do, it creates more control and emotional peace for you and a better relationship with the people in your life.
Please watch any 15-min of this 50-min video before joining the discussion:
https://youtu.be/d4z5C8G32AY?si=eSYNi3Fiw_HAWXCYIf more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into separate groups.
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The Let Them Theory teaches us to release control and accept that others will make choices we may not agree with.
How can we identify situations in our daily lives where letting go would create more peace and free up our mental energy? -
Controlling others often comes from anxiety or a belief that pushing and micromanaging is a form of love.
What steps can we take to replace controlling behaviors with supportive actions that respect others’ independence? -
The “drop the oars” analogy reminds us that resisting reality is exhausting, while going with the flow creates ease.
How can we train ourselves to recognize when we are “paddling upstream” and consciously choose to release resistance? -
Many relationships are built on who we wish someone could be rather than who they truly are.
How can we evaluate whether we are relating to people as they are, and make choices that align with reality instead of the ideal? -
The Let Them Theory can be used in three ways: detachment, allowing others to fail and grow, and letting them be themselves.
How can we apply each of these three approaches to create healthy boundaries in our personal and professional relationships? -
There are exceptions when “letting them” is not appropriate, such as situations involving danger, discrimination, or the need to advocate for ourselves.
How can we develop clear criteria to decide when to step in versus when to step back? -
Staying in our own business shifts energy away from trying to control others toward improving our own actions and mindset.
What specific habits can we adopt to keep our focus on our own business instead of becoming entangled in others’ choices? -
Letting people have their emotions without trying to change them builds trust and reduces conflict.
How can we practice listening to others’ feelings without taking responsibility for fixing or managing their emotional state?
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To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events:
- Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question)
- Listen to understand, not to respond.
- Be open-minded and value differences.
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