Susan notes: I've copied and pasted this biographical information and talk unabashedly from the TED website.

Jacqueline Novogratz tells a moving story of an encounter in a Nairobi slum with Jane, a former prostitute, whose dreams of escaping poverty, of becoming a doctor and of getting married were fulfilled in an unexpected way.

Novogratz founded and leads Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. In her new book, The Blue Sweater, she tells stories from the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.

Susan notes: I've copied and pasted this biographical information and talk unabashedly from the TED website.

Jacqueline Novogratz shares stories of how "patient capital" can bring sustainable jobs, goods, services -- and dignity -- to the world's poorest.

Novogratz founded and leads Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. In her new book, The Blue Sweater, she tells stories from the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.

Susan notes: I've copied and pasted this biographical information and talk unabashedly from the TED website.

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Gilbert faced down a premidlife crisis by doing what we all secretly dream of – running off for a year. Her travels through Italy, India and Indonesia resulted in the megabestselling and deeply beloved memoir Eat, Pray, Love, about her process of finding herself by leaving home.

Susan notes: I've copied and pasted this biographical information and talk unabashedly from the TED website. Thanks to Giorgio Ungani ofTEDx Dubai for leading me to this talk. Register for the October 10, 2009, TEDx Dubai event here.

Jacqueline Novogratz applauds the world's heightened interest in Africa and poverty, but argues persuasively for a new approach.

Novogratz founded and leads Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. In her new book, The Blue Sweater, she tells stories from the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.

Some things (and some people) just make you go WOW !

So it is with Upwake and Natasha Tsakos.

In this TED Talk, playwright and performer Tsakos demonstrates her brand of amazing theatre and performs excerpts from her “one-woman” show Upwake, which she says is a collaboration between “19 most-talented artists.”