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How to Live with Your Biggest Regret | Gregg Ward | TED

Author Gregg Ward spent decades grappling with guilt from a personal tragedy before recognizing a different path forward — where purpose replaced self-punishment. What he learned about transforming regret into positive change might make you rethink your own mistakes. (Recorded at TEDxSanDiego on February 20, 2025) Join us in person at a TED conference: Become…

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Author Gregg Ward spent decades grappling with guilt from a personal tragedy before recognizing a different path forward — where purpose replaced self-punishment. What he learned about transforming regret into positive change might make you rethink your own mistakes. (Recorded at TEDxSanDiego on February 20, 2025)

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58 Comments

58 Comments

  1. @rajeshsahoo-c7h

    August 4, 2026 at 11:05 am

    Hello sir

  2. @x-raycat323

    August 4, 2026 at 11:12 am

    Her head came off and you’re the victim ?? 😵

    • @underscorejojo

      August 4, 2026 at 11:36 am

      I bet you have big regrets and that you are lashing out against him because of your own inner hate toward yourself. 🥀

    • @DemureDelight8055

      August 4, 2026 at 12:12 pm

      @x-raycat323 he never said anything that even remotely implied that

  3. @Bikucc-b2n

    August 4, 2026 at 11:27 am

    Heyy guise from 🇳🇵🇳🇵

  4. @fksctynlysis

    August 4, 2026 at 11:31 am

    Interesting.

  5. @fksctynlysis

    August 4, 2026 at 11:31 am

    💯✊️

  6. @fksctynlysis

    August 4, 2026 at 11:31 am

    Oaky

  7. @fksctynlysis

    August 4, 2026 at 11:35 am

    👍

  8. @QuietLife1234

    August 4, 2026 at 11:46 am

    Powerful!

  9. @rosalinark-aarmateam8056

    August 4, 2026 at 11:54 am

    Thank you ❤❤

  10. @AssafatIslamNuhad

    August 4, 2026 at 11:58 am

    ❤❤❤

  11. @SkinnyDevilMusicLab

    August 4, 2026 at 12:20 pm

    Hmmm….not entirely sure how I feel about this. The message is a good one (re: making positive change), but the constant use of the word “accidental” sounds like minimization.

    Or perhaps I’m reading something that’s not there.

    I’ll have to ponder this more.

    Either way, thanks for sharing this.

    • @woyblank751

      August 4, 2026 at 4:25 pm

      So what is it if it’s not an accident? That’s what accident means: you don’t mean to do it. Smh

    • @SkinnyDevilMusicLab

      August 4, 2026 at 9:45 pm

      ​@woyblank751note I said “…the constant use of the word ‘accident’…”.

      I am not asserting it was intentional. I see no reason to think the story was anything other than what he said. And I’m sure he’s sincere.

      What I am pointing to is what feels a little like minimization or deflection(the psychological use of the term). I’m not suggesting it was anything other than an accident. But accident or not, one does have culpability.

    • @devastatoes

      August 4, 2026 at 10:33 pm

      @SkinnyDevilMusicLab it being an accident does not erase culpability and I don’t think the word does at all

  12. @snowflake7309

    August 4, 2026 at 12:35 pm

    Thank you

  13. @FMFvideos

    August 4, 2026 at 1:17 pm

    Most unintentional killing comes from irresponsibility. That doesn’t mean innocence. Also ask Matthew Broderick how much guilt he felt for killing 2 in a car accident.

  14. @RedNocturne

    August 4, 2026 at 2:27 pm

    Very personal and vulnerable talk. Not everyone will agree with the message, and that’s okay.

  15. @commoneuropeanstarling

    August 4, 2026 at 3:38 pm

    Regrets? I’ve had quite a few!!! In every aspect of my life.

  16. @ExistentialWolf

    August 4, 2026 at 3:49 pm

    When the sun shines too bright , sometimes the shadows that remain only cloak peril not offering sanctuary – in our mind?? 😀 📌🐝🎀

  17. @AmyAndThePup

    August 4, 2026 at 4:17 pm

    This was so vulnerable. I didn’t expect him to fight tears like that. I respect and appreciaqte the openness of admitting what happened, how it’s shaped him, and how it continues to shape him still.

  18. @robertmoss8598

    August 4, 2026 at 5:30 pm

    Definitely on the path to redemption.. it’s not always clear why these things happen, but we must take responsibility for our actions. All compassion to you. 💙💜💙

  19. @pattycakes5

    August 4, 2026 at 5:30 pm

    Sir, your high school sweetheart would not have wanted you to beat yourself up about it the rest of your life. She loved you and she would have wanted the best for you. Always.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:26 pm

      You are correct, she would not have wanted me to beat myself up. As we all know, that’s easier said than done. I believe she would have wanted me to do what I’ve been doing, making a positive difference in the world in the way that honors her legacy. Thank you.

  20. @useradldkk

    August 4, 2026 at 7:03 pm

    Please tell James Simons:
    🆘 Money traffic was to choose people, there will be new money. Cancer, khaos, all the strength that we lost was because of alien attack. Eurovision 2026 has the colors. The chosen people are help.
    2.02

  21. @ChristianWackers

    August 4, 2026 at 9:18 pm

    Unintentionally.. but you knew you need to pay attention to the road.. you didn’t have the discipline to act responsible over impulsive. And the talk doesn’t address that.

    • @SkinnyDevilMusicLab

      August 4, 2026 at 9:47 pm

      Well said. Exactly what I was getting at, but I seem to have worded it poorly in my comments.

    • @devastatoes

      August 4, 2026 at 10:36 pm

      Did you ever have a moment where you didn’t pay attention to the road when you were young?

      Because it literally happens to everyone who drives at one time or another.

      This is very much a ‘there but for the grace of god go I’ moments.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:51 pm

      @devastatoesI think you said it well.

  22. @devastatoes

    August 4, 2026 at 10:47 pm

    Could tell this talk was hard for him to so. Heartbreaking story

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:22 pm

      @devastatoes thank you. After many years of thinking it through I felt it was most important to do it no matter how hard.

  23. @keinuser

    August 5, 2026 at 2:28 am

    I wish this kind of regrets would be in prime time tv or at least when you do your driver license

  24. @Feel_the_ASI

    August 5, 2026 at 5:22 am

    The Hyacinth Fellowship carpark is probably the safest road on earth.

  25. @AnAn-wb2ms

    August 5, 2026 at 5:59 am

    misleading title

  26. @slowenglishpodcasttv

    August 5, 2026 at 7:05 am

    Deeply moving and raw. Powerful talk!

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:26 pm

      Thank you

  27. @JosephMoreno22

    August 5, 2026 at 9:12 am

    The Lost Money Code by Elliot Crane is one of those books where you find yourself going back to certain chapters because they really make you think.

    • @NathanCalloway-k7c

      August 5, 2026 at 9:31 am

      great book

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks I’ll give it a read!

  28. @RodanaSaize

    August 5, 2026 at 9:24 am

    Profound🥹🔥

  29. @posysdogovych2065

    August 5, 2026 at 1:17 pm

    I’m not sure that Sinatra regretted hanging out with shady mafiosos. They helped elevate his career and added to his mystique.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:34 pm

      That’s entirely possible! There are other things in his life that I’m sure he had regrets about.

  30. @jefrycampos9013

    August 5, 2026 at 6:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing . We all have regrets and we learn from them . ❤

  31. @MaximillianVictorMeredithKorob

    August 6, 2026 at 12:49 am

    Had to watch, but good ob him

  32. @lisamuir8850

    August 6, 2026 at 2:09 am

    I’m calling this the “power punch” speech. Begins with a pull in, unexpected middle, and powerful end. This was a very explicite and deep presentation in a short time. Really expressed with giving us a real feel experience to share with greatly appreciated mention to places are available for support.❤

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:33 pm

      Thank you. Due to the subject, we worked very carefully on the structure.

  33. @mzh99

    August 6, 2026 at 9:12 am

    Kudos for even discussing this. Your ability to be vulnerable and discuss such a tragic accident is to be commended. Just understand that we are all human and therefore, imperfect. The incident could have happened to anyone. I’m sure Michelle loved you and would want you to live your life without the guilt and the pain. Good-luck, sir.

  34. @NCPhotography

    August 6, 2026 at 10:32 am

    Thank you for this. It’s been almost 4 years since my wife died and this is the best I’ve heard. She died of Covid and I have felt so guilty for being alive and watching our daughters grow up.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:28 pm

      As my kids say “I feel you.” I believe she would want you to do the best you can, and I’m sure you are.

  35. @LuisDurante-g3c

    August 6, 2026 at 10:39 am

    Building a better future is the highest form of self-forgiveness. Building a better future is a way to forgive oneself.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:58 pm

      Wow, I truly appreciate that insight.

  36. @Sositine

    August 6, 2026 at 1:17 pm

    When I was loosing it; scrolling to find relief and words to give me a solid mentality 💗TEDx pops in; Thank you.

  37. @Sositine

    August 6, 2026 at 1:19 pm

    Since 2018; I have lived a life full of regrets, it’s difficult to overcome regrets mostly in teen ages.
    I carry hope for one day light to shine and I see relief.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 1:56 pm

      As my kids say “I feel you.” For me, it’s been a lifelong process, and I’ve come to realize that working on making a positive difference in a way that honors the legacy of those hurt has helped me. I hope you find that light and peace.

    • @Sositine

      August 6, 2026 at 2:37 pm

      @orlandoward64
      Thank you for the courage;
      The pain is always beyond imagination, emotional, physical..
      Every day I try designing a photo of me smiling but still fails.
      Maybe achieving my set goals through education may relieve me.

    • @Sositine

      August 6, 2026 at 2:50 pm

      @orlandoward64
      If you know any psychologist therapists, kindly connect me.. it would be my joy to have sessions.

    • @orlandoward64

      August 6, 2026 at 6:55 pm

      @Sositinepsychologists are only recently coming to understand that CADI’s (those Causing Accidental Death or Injury) and those with deep regrets may be in need of different kinds of treatment than others with severe trauma. But I recommend you seek a therapist who at least has experience with those who have PTSD.

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