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

DIY

When problems arise, it's tempting to wait for someone else to address it. But sometimes, the only person who can fix it... is you. This hour, TED speakers share ideas on how to do it yourself. Guests include physicist and engineer Kate Stone, humanitarian programmer Tiffani Ashley Bell, builder and youth educator Emily Pilloton-Lam and videographer Jack Corbett. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our ...

May 05, 202351 minEp. 528

Friction

Original broadcast date: October 7, 2022. We encounter friction every day — in all its forms — as we brush our teeth, go for a jog, argue with a friend. This hour, TED speakers explore how this force can be dialed up or down to improve our lives. Guests include tribologist Jennifer Vail, democracy activist and whistleblower Yaël Eisenstat, Sierra Leone's Minister of Education David Moinina Sengeh and TV producer Elan Gale. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more i...

Apr 28, 202350 minEp. 527

The Birds and The Bees

Original broadcast date: July 15, 2022. "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. 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...

Apr 21, 202350 minEp. 526

Artist in Exile

Shirin Neshat is seen as a powerful voice for Iranian women...but her art has never been shown in Iran. She speaks on life in exile and how her acclaimed and controversial art is shaped by politics. You can watch a version of this interview on YouTube here . 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 ads. Sign-...

Apr 14, 202351 minEp. 525

Reshaping Evolution

Original broadcast date: January 7, 2022. New innovations in gene and stem cell technology have the power to shape ecosystems and even change humanity. This hour, TED speakers share the breakthroughs heralding the next scientific revolution. Guests include biochemist Jennifer Doudna, physicist and biotech entrepreneur Nabiha Saklayen and conservation innovator and biotech entrepreneur Ryan Phelan. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and...

Apr 07, 202350 minEp. 524

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 3

When times get tough, how do we keep our spirits up? In part 3 of our series Mind, Body, Spirit, TED speakers tell stories of salvaging the human psyche and rekindling a zest for life. Guests include author Tania Luna, artist JR and tech entrepreneur Artur Sychov. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Mar 31, 202351 minEp. 523

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 2

We know it's important to listen to our bodies and trust how we feel — but it's not always easy. In part 2 of our series Mind, Body, Spirit, TED speakers explore ideas about movement, pleasure and rest. Guests include choreographer Ryan Heffington, news anchor Lee Thomas, aerialist and educator Adie Delaney and therapist KC Davis. 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 al...

Mar 24, 202351 minEp. 521

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 1

For millennia, humans have debated the mind, body, spirit connection. But today, the phrase sounds trite — a hallmark of the #selfcare industry. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate fresh perspectives on how we think, move, and feel. This hour: the mind. Guests include animal behaviorist and autism activist Temple Grandin, podcast host and meditation advocate Dan Harris, neurointerventionist and entrepreneur Tom Oxley and poet Sarah Kay Starting Wednesday, March 22, TED Ra...

Mar 17, 202351 minEp. 520

Why We're Living Longer

Original broadcast date: March 22, 2022. In the last century, human life expectancy has doubled. This hour, we talk with writer Steven Johnson on the many breakthroughs that made this possible — and where we go from here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Mar 10, 202350 minEp. 519

Humor Us

Original broadcast date: June 3, 2022. Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include comedian Marcia Belsky, computer scientist Vinith Misra, behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker, corporate strategist Naomi Bagdonas and science comedian Kasha Patel. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 03, 202350 minEp. 518

Small But Mighty

You don't need to be big and boisterous to pack a punch. This hour, TED speakers explore the surprising strength of all things miniscule and fleeting. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Feb 24, 202350 minEp. 517

Bucking the System (2021)

Original broadcast date: November 12, 2021. We hear calls for systemic change, but what does that look like? This hour, TED speakers share stories of taking on institutions — from schools, to medicine, to policing — so they work for everyone. Guests include economist Emily Oster, lawyer Priti Krishtel and social psychologist Phillip Atiba Goff. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 17, 202350 minEp. 516

New Family Values

There are an infinite number of ways to be a happy family, and just as many ways to be an unhappy one, says Andrew Solomon. This hour, the author and psychologist discusses modern family dynamics — and how families can find joy even when life gets complicated. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Feb 10, 202350 minEp. 515

The Forgotten Mothers of Civil Rights History (2022)

Original broadcast date: May 6, 2022. MLK Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin are household names, but what about their mothers? This hour, author Anna Malaika Tubbs explores how these three women shaped American history. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Feb 03, 202350 minEp. 514

For All Eternity

Information feels more accessible than ever, but the ways we store data are surprisingly fragile. Can we save anything forever? This hour, TED speakers explore preserving our past, present and future. Guests include artist CM Ralph, digital librarian Brewster Kahle, molecular biologist Dina Zielinski and archaeologist Chris Fisher. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 27, 202350 minEp. 513

Take Care

Original broadcast date: April 8, 2022. Giving and receiving care—it's a natural part of life. But how do we offer the best possible support for our loved ones? This hour, TED speakers share ideas on reimagining caregiving. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 20, 202350 minEp. 512

Stay Resolved

Resolutions are easy to make, even easier to break. But what if a story or idea can motivate us in a whole new way? This hour, TED speakers offer different perspectives on our most common resolutions. Guests include neuroscientists Wendy Suzuki and Sandra Aamodt, science journalist Catherine Price, behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa, and authors Pico Iyer and A.J. Jacobs. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 13, 202350 minEp. 511

Repair, Repurpose, Reimagine (2022)

Original broadcast date: Friday, May 20, 2022. "Reduce, reuse, recycle." We've heard that for decades - but does it work? This hour, TED speakers reimagine the well-known slogan and reconsider how we think about what we consume and throw away. Guests include right-to-repair advocate Gay Gordon-Byrne, materials scientist Andrew Dent, technologist Jamie Beard and animal scientist Ermias Kebreab. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 06, 202350 minEp. 510

The Language Of Harmony (2022)

Original broadcast date: June 17, 2022. Musician Jacob Collier is known for his electrifying performances and thoughtful views on art and humanity. This hour, Jacob joins us for a conversation on the sparks that fuel his creative process. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 30, 202251 minEp. 509

Bonus: ReThinking with Adam Grant

As a special bonus, we're sharing an episode from a new TED podcast, ReThinking with Adam Grant. Adam joins neuroscientist Chantel Prat, who dispels what you thought you knew about your brain. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 28, 202247 minEp. 508

Memory And The Brain

Our brains are magnificently complex - and highly fallible. This hour, neuroscientist and novelist Lisa Genova explains how to keep our brains healthy and what to do when something goes wrong. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 23, 202250 minEp. 507

The Gratitude Chain (2021)

Original broadcast date: February 19, 2021. When A.J. Jacobs set out to thank everyone who made his morning cup of coffee, he realized the chain of thank-you's was endless. This hour, Jacobs shares ideas on gratitude—and how to make it count. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 16, 202250 minEp. 506

What's In A Face

We think our faces are our own. But technology can use them to identify, influence and mimic us. This week, TED speakers explore the promise and peril of turning the human face into a digital tool. Guests include super recognizer Yenny Seo, Bloomberg columnist Parmy Olson, visual researcher Mike Seymour and investigative journalist Alison Killing. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 09, 202250 minEp. 505

An SOS From The Ocean

Original broadcast date: June 25, 2021. For centuries, humans have relied on the oceans for resources and food... but even the deepest sea has its limits. This hour, TED speakers discuss how we can save our seas to save our planet. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 02, 202251 minEp. 504

A Love Letter To The Ocean (2021)

Original broadcast date: June 11, 2021. Oceans cover nearly 75% of the Earth. While they seem vast and frightening, they're also enchanting and whimsical. This hour, TED speakers dive into stories of connection — and even love — in the sea. Guests include adventurer Catherine Mohr, marine biologists Marah Hardt and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and venom scientist Mandë Holford. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 25, 202250 minEp. 503

Late Bloomers

Many of us feel pressure to hit big life milestones on a timeline. But what if age is an asset, not a liability? This hour, TED speakers examine the benefits and drawbacks of being a late bloomer. Guests include writer Doree Shafrir, network scientist Albert-László Barabási, anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite and retired educator Riley Moynes. Listeners also share stories. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 18, 202250 minEp. 502

Life Stages Of The Brain (2021)

Original broadcast date: March 5, 2021. In each stage of life, our brains morph and change. This hour, TED speakers explore pivotal chapters where the brain can either flourish or decline – and what control we might have over brain health. Guests include neuroscientists Kimberly Noble, Adriana Galván, Sandrine Thuret, and Lisa Mosconi. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 11, 202250 minEp. 501

Leaving A Mark

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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 04, 202250 minEp. 500

How To Be A Citizen

Original broadcast date: December 4, 2020. The 2020 election saw historic voter turnout. But in a divided democracy, how else can we commit to our civic duties? This hour, Baratunde Thurston joins Manoush with ideas on how to citizen. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 28, 202250 minEp. 499

Crimes in the Wild

True crime mysteries can be dark and thrilling. But what if humans can't crack the case? What if the suspect ... isn't human? This hour, TED Radio Hour investigates crimes with a wild twist. Guests include forensic scientist Lauren Pharr Parks, author Mary Roach, dog trainer and conservationist Megan Parker, wildlife intelligence analyst Sarah Stoner. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 21, 202250 minEp. 498
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