(TED’s in the final two days of its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’ve been posting playlists from the TEDTalks archive.)

Let it be heard: TED fans have spoken! Over the past two weeks, each new TEDTalks playlist posted here has sparked debate, discussion and recommendations among our Facebook fans and via email. Our final two playlists are collections of fan favorites, curated into two themes: “Pages from My Book,” collecting personal stories, and “The Wider World,” about technology, society, our planet.

Today’s playlist shares stories of hardship, loss, confusion, discovery and success. First, Steve Jobs gives some critical advice to aspiring leaders everywhere: Stay hungry, stay foolish.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc]

Elizabeth Gilbert explores the creative process … and introduces her daemon:

[ted id=453]

Julia Sweeney tries to wrap her mind around a great big question mark: religion:

[ted id=86]

Aimee Mullins redefines the word “disabled” — and shows how adversity can open the door for human potential:

[ted id=769]

For more, watch these other fan favorites:

John Wooden on true success
Tony Robbins asks why we do what we do
Jill Bolte Taylor’s stroke of insight

We’d love to hear more fan favorites. Add your suggestions to the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: FAN. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)

And look for fresh TEDTalks starting August 16.

Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias