STORYTELLING: SOMETHING JUST OUT OF SIGHT

PigPen Theatre Company has captured the imagination of critics and audiences alike since they were introduced to the New York stage in 2010 as undergraduate students from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.  Since then, the group has gone on to become the first company in history to win the New York City International Fringe Festival's highest honor for a play two years running (2010 and 2011).  PigPen Theatre Company has also produced several original plays off-Broadway, earning them critic's picks from The New York Times, Time Out New York, and New York Magazine, which ranked them in the top ten theatrical events of both 2011 and 2012.

INSIDE THE MIND OF A MASTER PROCRASTINATOR

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

HOW TO SPEAK SO THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN

Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Here's Julian Treasure to help. In this useful talk, the sound expert demonstrates the how-to's of powerful speaking — from some handy vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. A talk that might help the world sound more beautiful.

EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP

We have all changed someone's life -- usually without even realizing it. In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives.

DON'T EAT THE MARSHMALLOW

In this short talk from TED U, Joachim de Posada shares a landmark experiment on delayed gratification -- and how it can predict future success. With priceless video of kids trying their hardest not to eat the marshmallow.

GRIT: THE POWER OF PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE

Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success.

THE POWER OF INTROVERTS

In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

HOW TO TIE YOUR SHOES

Terry Moore found out he'd been tying his shoes the wrong way his whole life. In the spirit of TED, he takes the stage to share a better way.