8 mind-expanding TED Talks to watch if you have 20 minutes to spare

"Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian-born novelist, said in her talk.

Adichie's most recent work, "Americanah" explores the experiences of a Nigerian immigrant to the US, and the differences and the common threads that bind us all together. In her talk, Adichie highlights the power of storytelling, and how we must seek diverse stories and opinions to truly understand a place.

If we only hear a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding, Adichie said. 

Duration: 18:42

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor experienced something very few neuroscientists have: A life-threatening stroke.

It gave her a unique opportunity to actually see and feel the things she dedicated her life to researching. As she watched her brain functions shut down, including her speech, motion, and finally self-awareness, she came away with profound insights into how our brains work, and what it means to be a human being.

Duration: 18:33

Tim Urban, the author the popular Wait But Why blog, is a master procrastinator. 

In this humorous talk, Urban takes us through his process for accomplishing difficult tasks — like writing a long-form article — with some excellent illustrations. 

Urban wants us to think deeply about why we're procrastinating. Don't let the "Panic Monster" get to you. 

Duration: 14:02 

Megan Phelps-Roper's conversion from a card-carrying member of the extremist Westboro Baptist Church to leaving the church and becoming an activist is a rare testament to the power of social media in building bridges across ideological divides.

In her powerful talk, she discusses what it was like to grow up under the sway of the church — and how she was ultimately stirred into converting by a man sharing Israeli desserts while she was holding a "God Hates Jews" sign in New Orleans. 

Duration: 15:17

This is one of the more unique talks on the list — and it's also one of the toughest to watch. Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger are an unlikely pair. As an 18-year old exchange student, Stanger admitted to raping Elva, then only 16-years old. 

After disconnecting for years, the two got in touch. And the story they bring to the TED stage is one of reconciliation, without hiding from blame.

It's especially pertinent now in light of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements about shame, sexual violence, and a restored faith in humanity.

Duration: 19:06

Sir Ken Robinson, an author and university professor, wants us to think about school a little differently. Instead of rote memorization, Robinson thinks the education system should nurture curiosity, and put less emphasis on standardized testing.

Robinson criticizes American schools for encouraging conformity rather than creativity, starting from a very young age. Robinson's talk is one of the most-viewed TED talks of all time, with over 50 million views.

Duration: 19:22

Zeynep Tufekci, a professor at the University of North Carolina and a New York Times writer, is one of the most prominent voices holding big tech companies — the Facebooks, Googles, and Amazons of the world — accountable for their actions.

In this illuminating talk, Tufekci warns that the algorithms powering the big search and social-network companies' advertising businesses can be co-opted by malicious actors to organize the information you see.

It's worth a watch.

Duration: 22:56