TED Radio Hour - podcast cover

TED Radio Hour

Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers. Host Manoush Zomorodi inspires us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves.

Get more brainy miscellany with TED Radio Hour+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/ted

Episodes

How AI is using your data to influence you

Your data is used to manipulate you—and AI makes it easier than ever before. But is that so bad? Sandra Matz explains the state of psychological targeting today and how you can protect your privacy. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted Learn more about sponsor messag...

May 30, 202550 min

Secrets to successful teamwork

We all work in teams, from families, to companies, and everything in between. So what's the secret to doing it better? This hour, TED speakers share surprising strategies for successful teamwork. Guests include activist Hajer Sharief, social psychologist Amy Edmondson and private equity investor Pete Stavros. Original broadcast date: September 20, 2024. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers....

May 23, 202550 min

How we experience time

Why does one hour drag by, but a year can pass in a flash? And how does our relationship with time influence our behavior? This hour, TED speakers share ideas on making the most of the time we have. Guests include artist Katie Paterson, cognitive neuroscientist Irena Arslanova, music director Robert Franz and the late-psychologist Philip Zimbardo. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plu...

May 16, 202550 min

The day the dinosaurs died

What happened in the days, even hours, after an asteroid set off the fifth extinction? A New Jersey quarry, and site of a new museum founded by paleontologist Ken Lacovara, sheds light on the mystery. Original broadcast date: August 16, 2024 Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 09, 202551 min

The hidden forces shaping your choices

Every day, we make countless choices—but are these decisions guided by desire or design? This hour, TED speakers on what shapes the food we eat, how we power our homes, and how we communicate. Guests include food systems expert Sarah Lake, infrastructure engineer Deb Chachra, cross-cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand, urban planner Jeff Speck, and Tempe resident Ignacio Delgadillo. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the ...

May 02, 202550 min

Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing

This TED Radio Hour episode explores the nature of awkwardness and how to embrace it. Guests share personal stories and insights, discussing the science behind social awkwardness, how art can help navigate uncomfortable moments, and the importance of open conversations about traditionally awkward topics like sex. The episode emphasizes that awkwardness can be a source of strength and connection.

Apr 25, 202550 min

Biotech is about to change your world

The latest innovations in biotech are upending our approach to disease, longevity and climate change. Are we ready? This hour, TED speakers share ideas at the forefront of this new wave. Guests include co-founder of the Human Cell Atlas Aviv Regev, physical chemist Brad Ringeisen and immunoengineer Aaron Morris. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen ...

Apr 18, 202550 min

Addiction, motherhood, and Jesus with writer Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott shares wisdom gleaned from her life and writing career, discussing topics such as overcoming addiction, finding faith, and navigating motherhood. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in writing, surrendering control, and finding grace in life's challenges. Lamott also reflects on themes of love, death, and forgiveness, offering insights into how to live a meaningful life.

Apr 11, 202550 min

How you see yourself

What's the image you present to the world? And do you see yourself the same way? This hour, TED speakers add new dimensions to the idea of self perception. Guests include portrait photographer David Suh, social psychologist Dolly Chugh, journalist Elise Hu and science writer Anil Ananthaswamy. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes...

Apr 04, 202550 min

How the brain interprets pain — and new ways to manage it

This episode of TED Radio Hour explores new understandings of how the brain interprets pain and innovative strategies for managing it. Featuring guests like Kat Naud, Dr. Amy Baxter, and Cammie Wolf Rice, the conversation delves into the complexities of pain, the dangers of opioid reliance, and alternative methods for finding relief and reclaiming control. The episode highlights the importance of reframing pain, understanding its impact on the brain, and empowering individuals with various tools and support systems.

Mar 28, 202551 min

Curious stories of coexistence

Can otters be city dwellers? Are aliens real? Do we have to experience misery to understand happiness? On this episode, we investigate how strange bedfellows can lead to radical realizations. Guests include evolutionary biologist Philip Johns, astrophysicist Avi Loeb and author Laurel Braitman. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episode...

Mar 21, 202550 min

Decoding the secret messages of data, biology and music

This episode of the TED Radio Hour explores the power of translation in various fields. It features Gregory Hayworth discussing the use of multispectral imaging to recover lost texts, Ralph Chami advocating for valuing nature through economic models, and Fatima Al-Zahra Al-Atrakji decoding bacterial communication for early disease diagnosis. Lydia Makova shares insights on how to effectively and enjoyably learn new languages, revealing methods used by polyglots.

Mar 14, 202550 min

A neuroscientist's guide to managing our emotions

Emotions sometimes feel overwhelming and debilitating—but science-backed tools can help us wrangle them. This hour, neuroscientist Ethan Kross shares research from his Emotion and Self-Control Lab. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted . Learn more about sponsor messa...

Mar 07, 202550 min

The birds and the bees

"The birds and the bees" may be a euphemism for human reproduction, but procreation of actual winged animals is far wilder. This hour, TED speakers explore how birds, bees and bugs multiply. Guests include beekeeper Noah Wilson-Rich, biologist Carin Bondar, behavioral ecologist Marlene Zuk and comedian Julia Sweeney. Original broadcast date: July 15, 2022. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our produce...

Feb 28, 202550 min

Soundtracks of our lives

This episode explores how sound shapes our lives, featuring insights from a songwriter on emotional techniques in music, an AI CEO on AI-generated music's potential and copyright challenges, and a voice expert on our relationship with our own voice. It also includes a musician who connects with nature through sound.

Feb 21, 202550 min

Retracing the steps of their ancestors

To move forward, the United States must confront its history of racial inequality. This hour, three perspectives on looking to the past to build a better future for Black Americans. Guests include author Joseph McGill Jr., Code Switch co-host B.A. Parker and opinion columnist Charles Blow. Original broadcast date: February 23, 2024. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription ...

Feb 14, 202550 min

Who counts as a significant other?

Finding "the one" can seem like life's ultimate goal—but should it be? This hour, TED speakers expand the definition of life partnership, whether it's with a friend, a spouse, a pet, or no one at all. Guest include journalist Rhaina Cohen, marriage and family therapist Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile, social psychologist Bella DePaulo and photographer Elias Weiss Friedman of "The Dogist." TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the s...

Feb 07, 202550 min

The shocking power of tiny things

Original broadcast date: February 24, 2023. You don't need to be big and boisterous to pack a punch. This hour, TED speakers explore the surprising strength of all things minuscule and fleeting. Guests include microbiologist Anne Madden, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky, former educator YeYoon Kim and former industrial engineer and Zen Buddhist monk Bart Weetjens. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with ...

Jan 31, 202550 min

The future of our memories

From creating "synthetic" memories to reviving ruined monuments, tech no longer simply stores the past—it can enhance it. This hour, we explore new ways to capture, share and even recreate our past. Guests include technologist Pau Aleikum Garcia, cartoonist Amy Kurzweil and digital archaeologist Chance Coughenour. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you liste...

Jan 24, 202550 min

Your brain is the next tech frontier

We're entering a new era of brain monitoring and enhancement, but what are the ethical implications? This hour, TED speakers explore the potential and pitfalls of merging our minds with machines. Guests include legal scholar and AI ethicist Nita Farahany, neurotechnologist and entrepreneur Conor Russomanno, neuroscientist and physician Sergiu Pașca and sous chef Kate Faulkner. Original broadcast date: January 26, 2024. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas...

Jan 17, 202550 min

Navigating uncertainty in 2025

In unpredictable times, how can we stay calm, grounded, and on course? This hour, TED speakers lead us through uncertainty. Guests include former medical clown Matt Wilson, psychologist Jamil Zaki, writer and filmmaker Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir and human rights activist Yifat Susskind. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this...

Jan 10, 202550 min

Learning from what others leave behind

For millennia, humans have created artifacts of their lives — from art, to books, to music. This hour, we explore ideas about capturing the ephemeral human experience for future generations to find. Guests include paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, museum curator Ariana Curtis, music curator Alexis Charpentier and artist Katie Paterson. Original broadcast date: November 4, 2022. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind...

Jan 03, 202550 min

Searching for paradise

We often view paradise as a place of safety, beauty, tranquility. It's an ideal we long for, but one we can rarely find. This hour, TED speakers search for utopia and come to terms with reality. Guests include wildfire expert George Whitesides, author Pico Iyer, physicist Ramón Méndez Galain, and tech entrepreneur Ramona Pierson. We also hear from two residents of Paradise, California, Richard and Zetta Gore. Original broadcast date: November 10, 2023 TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access t...

Dec 27, 202452 min

New year, new habits: How to start writing with author Kelly Corrigan

Writing can help you process thoughts, preserve memories, chronicle the stories of you and your loved ones. But that's only if you can get past the blank page. In this bonus episode, best-selling memoirist Kelly Corrigan offers advice for putting pen to paper. Corrigan has written four New York Times-bestselling books about her life and family in the last decade, including Tell Me More and The Middle Place . She was featured in the episode, " A guide to being brave in relationships ." To get acc...

Dec 25, 202412 min

What one founder's past says about AI's future

To understand AI, you need to hear Mustafa Suleyman's story. From youth hotline founder to DeepMind creator and Microsoft AI chief, his journey explains AI's evolution and his plans for its future. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted . Correction: This story incorre...

Dec 20, 202452 min

New year, new habits: Fixing time management mistakes in 2025

A new year is a fresh opportunity to take control of our time, but a lot of hacks don't actually help us prioritize and focus. In this special bonus episode, time management expert Laura Vanderkam shares her best strategies for making decisions with more intention—so you have time for the things that truly matter. Laura Vanderkam was featured in the episode "Flip the Script." To get access to more bonus episodes like this one and hear the show sponsor-free, sign up for TED Radio Hour+. That's be...

Dec 18, 202415 min

We resist change and surprises—but shock can shift our lives for the better

Being jolted out of the everyday can be a good thing. From an elaborate farce, to benign naughtiness, to a life-altering event—this hour, TED speakers explain the productive side of the provocative. Guests include bird truther Peter McIndoe, psychologist Paul Bloom and cognitive scientist Maya Shankar. Original broadcast date: December 8, 2023 TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus su...

Dec 13, 202452 min

The great food rescue

The average American household throws away $200 of food each month. How can we get more food onto plates and less into landfills? This hour, changing the food system, from the farm to your kitchen. Guests include food waste expert Dana Gunders, social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe-Houston, chef and sustainability activist Anthony Myint and behavioral scientist Jiaying Zhao. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look w...

Dec 06, 202452 min

Living Longer ... And Better

In some pockets of the world, people have a higher chance of living longer. So how do they do it? This hour, TED speaker Dan Buettner takes us to Blue Zones to learn how to live a long, happy life. Original broadcast date: December 22, 2023. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus....

Nov 29, 202452 min

Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing

Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa Dahl and sex and relationship counselor Erin Chen. Original broadcast date: April 19, 2024. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look wi...

Nov 22, 202450 min
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