Treasure Hunting: Finding Joy and Wonder in the Ordinary | Katya Davydova | TEDxHuntingtonBeach

TEDxHuntingtonBeach was executive produced, curated, and hosted by Dr. Izdihar Jamil, Ph.D., a Visibility Expert, #1 International Bestselling Author, a TV show host, and a TEDx speaker herself.

Much of today’s public conversation is eaten up by zero-sum battles between divided groups. But the world doesn’t have to be zero-sum. At TEDxHuntingtonBeach we will explore together a strange and beautiful space called the adjacent possible.

The speakers at TEDxHuntingtonBeach use the power of imagination to make the world bigger, better, more thrilling, more hopeful. And the incredible thing is, their visions may inspire us to actually make that possible world real.

At a time of great challenges, this is the antidote we need. Come dream with us!

Research and citations

Negativity bias: Rozin, P., & Royzman, E. B. (2001). Negativity bias, negativity dominance, and contagion. Personality and social psychology review, 5(4), 296-320.

Oracle Happiness Report: Global report: 45% of people have not felt true happiness for more than two years. Oracle. (2022, June 15). https://www.oracle.com/news/announcem...

Joy innoculates us against stress: Pauly, T., Drewelies, J., Kolodziejczak, K., Katzorreck, M., Lücke, A. J., Schilling, O. K., ... & Hoppmann, C. A. (2021). Positive and negative affect are associated with salivary cortisol in the everyday life of older adults: A quantitative synthesis of four aging studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 133, 105403.

Joy builds resilience in teams: Hartmann, S., Weiss, M., Hoegl, M., & Carmeli, A. (2021). How does an emotional culture of joy cultivate team resilience? A sociocognitive perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(3), 313-331.


Joy helps us live longer: Steptoe, A., & Wardle, J. (2011). Positive affect measured using ecological momentary assessment and survival in older men and women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(45), 18244-18248.

Experiencing wonder and awe decreases pain and increases well-being: Monroy, M., Uğurlu, Ö., Zerwas, F., Corona, R., Keltner, D., Eagle, J., & Amster, M. (2023).

The influences of daily experiences of awe on stress, somatic health, and well-being: a longitudinal study during COVID-19. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 9336.
Selective attention: Johnston, W. A., & Dark, V. J. (1986). Selective attention. Annual review of psychology, 37(1), 43-75.

Ross Gay's book: Gay, R. (2019). The book of delights: Essays. Algonquin Books. Katya Davydova's mission is to create a more joyful world. She is an organizational and leadership development expert, igniting workplaces where humans can flourish. Katya is also the author of Joy in Plain Sight, which celebrates wonder in the ordinary of our noisy, busy world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx