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 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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- Emotional Education by Alain de BottonTrue Food Kitchen, Bethesda, MD
Location: We will meet at True Food Kitchen (Bethesda) (7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815)
Emotional Education is at the core of what we need to lead a fulfilled life - and is what The School of Life teaches online and in physical branches around the world. In this film, founder of The School, Alain de Botton discusses what emotional education is - and why we so badly need it.
Please watch this 22-min video before joining the discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YOLzshVBvsIf more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into separate groups.
------------------------------------- We often assume that discovering the truth is enough, but truths can remain powerless if they don’t change behavior. How can we balance the pursuit of truth with the responsibility to make it effective in the world?
- The talk challenges the myth of the “lone genius.” What could collaboration look like if we saw creativity as a collective act rather than an individual one?
- We often set standards for ourselves and others so high that failure and dishonesty become inevitable. How can we create cultures that accept imperfection while still encouraging growth?
- Beyond formal lessons, society constantly teaches us what to value through culture, peers, and media. What hidden lessons are we absorbing today, and how might we rewrite them to serve deeper needs?
- Consolation is often seen as a weakness in intellectual or cultural spaces. What would it mean to take consolation seriously as a central human need rather than a secondary luxury?
- The pursuit of fulfilling love and meaningful work comes with constant fear of failure. How can we reframe these dreams so they inspire growth rather than anxiety?
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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.
