TED Talks Daily - podcast cover

TED Talks Daily

Want TED Talks on the go? Everyday, this feed brings you our latest talks in audio format. Hear thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable – from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between – given by the world's leading thinkers and doers. This collection of talks, given at TED and TEDx conferences around the globe, is also available in video format.

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Episodes

Why love is harder in a second language | Magdalena Hoeller

Saying “I love you” often feels more meaningful in your first language than in any other language you learn later in life, explains linguist and polyglot Magdalena Hoeller. Unpacking the hidden challenges of intercultural relationships — from language barriers and humor gaps to subtle power dynamics — she shares how couples can turn these struggles into opportunities to grow closer. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

May 22, 202517 min

This is what the future of media looks like | Hamish McKenzie

What if the polarizing mess of social media, clickbait headlines and addictive algorithms isn't a breakdown of media but a transition to something better? Substack cofounder Hamish McKenzie explores how independent creators are growing a new media "garden," where trust beats engagement metrics and audiences matter more than ads. Learn why clicking “subscribe” doesn’t just signal support; it gives you power. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See ...

May 21, 202513 min

The catastrophic risks of AI — and a safer path | Yoshua Bengio

Yoshua Bengio — the world's most-cited computer scientist and a "godfather" of artificial intelligence — is deadly concerned about the current trajectory of the technology. As AI models race toward full-blown agency, Bengio warns that they've already learned to deceive, cheat, self-preserve and slip out of our control. Drawing on his groundbreaking research, he reveals a bold plan to keep AI safe and ensure that human flourishing, not machines with unchecked power and autonomy, defines our futur...

May 20, 202515 min

How to make climate stories impossible to ignore | Katherine Dunn

In environmental reporting, “it's not always about the big climate story,” says journalist Katherine Dunn. She challenges newsrooms to rethink how they cover climate change, connecting to the things readers love — whether that’s jobs, football or even a good mango — with three actionable tips for making overlooked stories irresistible. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 19, 202512 min

TED Talks Daily Book Club: Start With Why, 15th Anniversary Edition | Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is an inspirational speaker and author of the bestselling book, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.” In this TED Talks Daily Book Club interview, with host Elise Hu, Simon reflects on his message 15 years later and explains why it’s important to stay true to your why, both in the short- and long-term. He also tells us how to identify purpose-driven leaders and shares actionable steps you can take to find your own why. The TED Talks Daily Book Club seri...

May 18, 202536 min

The economic opportunity hidden in the climate transition | Marielle Remillard

The energy grid of the future demands a massive amount of materials: billions of solar panels, millions of wind turbines and more. Climate strategist Marielle Remillard reveals why there may be critical shortages ahead — and breaks down how this could also be the biggest business opportunity since the Industrial Revolution. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 17, 202514 min

What if the climate movement felt like a house party? | Matthew Phillips

You’re invited into a bold new vision for the climate movement — a space of trust and honesty, where artists inspire action and everyone has a role to play. Social impact leader Matthew Phillips explores how shared purpose and imagination can revive the fragmented approach to climate action and unlock the power of collective momentum. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 16, 202510 min

The AI revolution is underhyped | Eric Schmidt

The arrival of non-human intelligence is a very big deal, says former Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt. In a wide-ranging interview with technologist Bilawal Sidhu, Schmidt makes the case that AI is wildly underhyped, as near-constant breakthroughs give rise to systems capable of doing even the most complex tasks on their own. He explores the staggering opportunities, sobering challenges and urgent risks of AI, showing why everyone will need to engage with this technology in order to remain ...

May 15, 202527 min

The delicious potential of rescuing wasted food | Jasmine Crowe-Houston

What if solving hunger isn't about growing more food but wasting less of it? Social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe-Houston has made that idea her mission with Goodr, a platform that reroutes surplus food to people in need. In conversation with journalist and "TED Radio Hour" host Manoush Zomorodi, she shares how a viral moment led to a nationwide effort to fix the food waste problem. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

May 14, 202515 min

Are we cooked? How social media shapes your language | Adam Aleksic

Gen Z slang is rife with new words like "unalive," "skibidi" and "rizz." Where do these words come from — and how do they get popular so fast? Linguist Adam Aleksic explores how the forces of social media algorithms are reshaping the way people talk and view their very own identities. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 13, 202515 min

How I make vegan food sexy | Pinky Cole

At the plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole is flipping the script on vegan food with bold style. In conversation with host of "TED Radio Hour" Manoush Zomorodi, she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, from her roots in Baltimore to the grease fire that took her first storefront in Harlem. Learn more about the authenticity, resilience and community that went into building a multimillion-dollar vegan food empire. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fil...

May 12, 202520 min

Sunday Pick: The poetry of Nepal's bridges | Far Flung

To get to school, work, or another town in Nepal, it helps if you don't have a fear of heights. That's because this mountainous terrain (it's home to Mount Everest after all) is connected via THOUSANDS of bridges. Whether permanent or seasonal, made of bamboo and rope or pulleys and wire, suspended above incredible mountains or rapid waters, the Nepalese have networked their country through amazing, unique, and exhilarating engineering. Find out how building and re-building bridges became a part...

May 11, 202529 min

The poetry of family | Duncan Keegan (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Duncan Keegan doesn't consider himself a poet, but this deeply beautiful talk shows otherwise. With simple grace and quiet eloquence, he celebrates family, connection and togetherness, often most called for at the hardest of times. This is episode seven of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily , where author, podcaster and past TED speaker Kelly Corrigan — and her six TED2025 speakers — explore the question: In the world of artificial intelligence, what is a parent for? To hear...

May 10, 202529 min

Can AI help with the chaos of family life? | Avni Patel Thompson (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Tech innovator Avni Patel Thompson designed an app to shield busy parents from the chaos of scheduling school pickups, coordinating playdates, planning birthday parties and more — but as the product developed, something felt off. What might we lose when AI smooths over the friction of everyday family life? Patel Thompson explores her surprising discovery and how you can leverage AI to connect more deeply with the ones you love. This is episode six of a seven-part series airing this week on TED T...

May 09, 202527 min

A parent's guide to raising kids after loss | Andy Laats (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Kelly Corrigan introduces Andy Laats, who shares his experiences as a single parent after the loss of his wife, Liz, and how it transformed his understanding of parenting. Andy emphasizes the importance of deep, empathetic connections with children, highlighting experiences beyond routine tasks. The conversation explores lessons for current parents and technologists, advocating for valuing and integrating the often-overlooked perspectives of mothers and caregivers in AI development.

May 08, 202528 min

You are the bridge to the next generation | Ndinini Kimesera Sikar (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

"Do you know what you want to preserve for the next generation?" asks community leader Ndinini Kimesera Sikar. Drawing on her experience growing up in a family of 38 in a traditional Maasai village in Tanzania — where every chore was shared, every story was sung and belonging meant survival — she explores how we can blend the old with the new to build the life we want, encouraging us all to ponder our list of "must-haves" for the future. This is episode four of a seven-part series airing this we...

May 07, 202528 min

Are we still human if robots help raise our babies? | Sarah Blaffer Hrdy (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

AI is transforming the way we work — could it also reshape what makes us human? In this quick and insightful talk, evolutionary anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy explores how the human brain was shaped by millions of years of shared childcare and mutually supportive communities, asking a provocative question: If robots help raise the next generation, will we lose the empathy that defines us? This is episode three of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily , where author, podcaste...

May 06, 202525 min

The mental health AI chatbot made for real life | Alison Darcy (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Who do you turn to when panic strikes in the middle of the night — and can AI help? Psychologist Alison Darcy shares the vision behind Woebot, a mental health chatbot designed to support people in tough moments, especially when no one else is around. In conversation with author and podcaster Kelly Corrigan, Darcy explores what we should expect and demand from ethically designed, psychological AIs. This is episode two of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily , where author, podc...

May 05, 202531 min

What role will AI play in family life? | Kelly Corrigan’s TED Talks Daily takeover

Kelly Corrigan, host of the podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders , is taking over TED Talks Daily for the week leading up to Mother’s Day! As a guest curator for TED 2025, Corrigan asks big questions about the role of parents in the growing age of AI, how AI will change family life, and if it should play a role in the first place. In this episode, she’ll guide you through conversations she had with technologists, community leaders, evolutionary anthropologists, and physicians on whether technology lim...

May 04, 202532 min

Star Wars changed visual effects — AI is doing it again | Rob Bredow

Rob Bredow explores the evolution of visual effects, highlighting the blending of old and new technologies at Industrial Light & Magic. He discusses key innovations in films like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones, and the use of virtual production in The Mandalorian. Bredow expresses optimism about AI empowering artists rather than replacing them, showcasing a short film created with generative AI tools.

May 03, 202515 min

How art helped me grapple with grief | Navied Mahdavian

With just a few lines, cartoons can say so much with so little. In a moving talk, cartoonist Navied Mahdavian shares his process for distilling huge concepts into drawings on the page — and shows how his work helped him grieve the death of his beloved grandmother, flaws and all. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 02, 20259 min

Beyond the Talk: Tristan Harris in conversation with TED Talks Daily

“AI is already demonstrating deceptive, self-preserving behaviors that we thought only existed in science-fiction movies,” says technology ethicist Tristan Harris. Following his talk at TED2025, Harris is in conversation with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to explore an “adaptation crisis” — where laws and regulations lag behind the speed of technology. He warns against seeing all innovation as progress, advocating for technology that is aligned with preserving the social life of humans...

May 01, 202522 min

Why AI is our ultimate test and greatest invitation | Tristan Harris

Technologist Tristan Harris has an urgent question: What if the way we’re deploying the world’s most powerful technology — artificial intelligence — isn’t inevitable, but a choice? In this eye-opening talk, he calls on us to learn from the mistakes of social media’s catastrophic rollout and confront the predictable dangers of reckless AI development, offering a “narrow path” where power is matched with responsibility, foresight and wisdom. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out o...

May 01, 202517 min

Where in the world is Trump taking us? | TED Explains the World with Ian Bremmer

It’s been an eventful first 100 days for the second Trump administration, which has featured tariff turmoil, shifting foreign policy and the upheaval of prior geopolitical relationships. In this discussion, political scientist Ian Bremmer separates signal from noise in the biggest stories of the day, evaluating the global economy, US-China relations, the future of Ukraine and Europe, immigration and more. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on April 29, 2025.) &nbsp...

Apr 30, 202556 min

A new vision of healthy masculinity | Davonte Green

What does it actually mean to be a "real man" these days? In a personal talk packed with actionable advice, youth advocate Davonte Green challenges age-old stereotypes about masculinity, showing that emotional intelligence and self-control — not aggression — are the keys to moving through the world with confidence and strength. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 29, 202513 min

Feeling stressed? The answer isn’t to “just relax” | Aditi Nerurkar

Stress isn’t all bad. In fact, the right kind can fuel growth instead of burnout. In this actionable discussion, physician and author Aditi Nerurkar shares tips for managing your stress, boosting your confidence and increasing your resilience. Discover how to spot your stress signals before they spiral — and turn pressure into progress. (This live conversation was hosted by TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers and was part of a TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to support TED today and ...

Apr 28, 202559 min

Sunday Pick: How poetry builds teenagers' confidence (w/ Youth Poet Laureate Naisha Randhar) | How to Be a Better Human

In honor of National Poetry Month, Chris is speaking with Naisha Randhar. Naisha is the Youth Poet Laureate of Dallas, the author of Roses of Arma, and the youngest guest Chris has ever interviewed — she’s a high school sophomore. Chris and Naisha talk about the inspiring work of teaching teenagers poetry and how to balance self-awareness with self-confidence. Naisha also encourages listeners to be witnesses more than interpreters and how it’s equally important to witness yourself and your prese...

Apr 27, 202541 min

The climate movement needs new stories — here's mine | Fenton Lutunatabua

"We are not drowning. We are fighting," says storyteller Fenton Lutunatabua, echoing the mantra of the climate activists he works with across the Pacific. He shares stories of the people and communities at the front lines of the climate crisis, proving they're not waiting to be saved — they're demanding action and putting up a fierce fight for the future. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 26, 20259 min

How to speak up — even when you don’t want to | Sarah Crawford-Bohl

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most? Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 25, 202513 min

The AI arsenal that could stop World War III | Palmer Luckey

AI in warfare is no longer hypothetical; it's inevitable, says Palmer Luckey, an inventor and founder of the defense technology company Anduril Industries. He takes us inside the high-tech arms race to build AI-powered weapons, "killer robots" and autonomous fighter jets at scale — and makes the counterintuitive case for why this may be the surest path to deterrence and lasting peace. (Followed by Q&A with technologist Bilawal Sidhu) Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our...

Apr 24, 202516 min
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