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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

How to disagree with respect — not hate | Spencer J. Cox

Spencer J. Cox, Republican governor of the state of Utah in the United States, says that even in these deeply polarized times, it's still possible to disagree without hate or contempt. He shows how this idea sparked a viral campaign ad he co-created with his Democratic political opponent back in 2020 — and shares four practical things every one of us can do to heal the divides in our nations and neighborhoods. (TED is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and does not participate or i...

Aug 06, 202414 min

The unsung heroes putting climate solutions into practice | Aline Sousa

The improper handling of waste is the third largest source of methane emissions in the world, says Aline Sousa, but waste pickers like her help reduce this environmental impact. She dives into the monumental effort of the often-overlooked people making sure recyclables, compostables and trash end up in the right places — and calls for better recognition of these key players on the frontline of fighting climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 05, 20248 min

Sunday Pick: How free solo climber Alex Honnold faces fear

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Today we're sharing a special episode of ReThinking with Adam Grant, a podcast about what makes the greatest minds tick. In 2017, Alex Honnold did what even the world’s best rock climbers thought was impossible. He climbed to the top of El Capitan -- a granite rock mountain more than 3,000 feet high -- without a rope, harness, or net. His audacious feat was the subject of the Oscar-winning docu...

Aug 04, 202444 min

The ancient origins of the Olympics | Armand D'Angour

Thousands of years in the making, the Olympics began as part of a religious festival honoring the Greek god Zeus in the rural Greek town of Olympia. But how did it become the greatest show of sporting excellence on earth? Educator Armand D'Angour explains the evolution of the Olympics. (Directed by Diogo Viegas, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Cem Misirlioglu and Brooks Ball) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 03, 20244 min

How to break through fear and become a leader | Valerie Montgomery Rice

Vigilance. Grit. Resilience. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, shares where she learned these key qualities of successful leadership, offering three lessons for anyone who wants to overcome their fears, stand up for what’s right and build opportunity for all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 02, 202415 min

Why isn't the climate movement voting? | Nathaniel Stinnett

Millions of people say they care deeply about climate change ... yet they're not showing up at elections to turn their concern into political power, says environmental voting advocate Nathaniel Stinnett. He explains why increasing voter participation is essential to advancing the climate movement and shows how his team is mobilizing millions of new environmental voters — without talking about climate change at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Aug 01, 202413 min

The secret to finding your ideal workplace | Marion Campan

What's the most important thing to look for when applying for a new job? Entrepreneur Marion Campan advocates for a focus on company culture above all else. She offers practical strategies for evaluating companies before accepting a new position — including how to ask the right questions about values, feedback and expectations — to help job seekers find positions where they can thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 31, 202416 min

A firework ladder to the sky — and the magic of explosive art | Cai Guo-Qiang

From a boy setting off small explosions in his living room to the creator of world-famous pyrotechnic events, multidisciplinary artist Cai Guo-Qiang has always been drawn to gunpowder. He gives a stunning tour of his work — including his fireworks spectacle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, his "sky ladder" of fire reaching to the clouds and new work created with AI — and shows how his art probes the line between destruction and construction, control and freedom, violence and beauty. (This talk was ...

Jul 30, 202414 min

The secret force for limitless energy? Lasers | Tammy Ma

In 2022, physicist Tammy Ma and her team achieved a scientific breakthrough decades in the making: fusion ignition, or the combining of two atoms to generate more energy out of a reaction than was put in — recreating on Earth the same process that powers the Sun. She explains how they used a giant laser (way, way bigger than you're thinking) to catalyze this reaction and shares a vision for how this technology could change the world by creating limitless clean energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast....

Jul 29, 202415 min

TED Talks Daily Book Club: Come Together | Emily Nagoski

This is our second installment of the TED Talks Daily Summer Book Club series. Join Elise as she interviews TED speakers about their books and their ideas beyond the page. As a sex educator and author, Emily Nagoski is renowned for dismantling the sexual myths that surround us, and replacing them with healthy ideas, backed by science. And then…her own sex life fell apart. Her latest book, “Come Together, the Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections,” is Emily’s attempt to resear...

Jul 28, 202432 min

How buildings can improve life — inside and out | Doris Sung

Architect and building tech innovator Doris Sung presents a compelling vision for reimagining building facades as active contributors to urban life and public health. Showcasing innovative technologies — like buildings that filter particulates out of the air and facades that react to heat — Sung demonstrates how modern architecture can evolve beyond aesthetics to address critical issues like pollution, energy efficiency and urban heat islands, offering a glimpse into a future where architecture ...

Jul 27, 202412 min

War journalism should be rooted in empathy — not violence | Bel Trew

We need journalism that moves beyond a constant focus on violence and honestly depicts the full impact of war, in and out of the trenches, says conflict journalist Bel Trew. She makes a passionate call for war reporting to be rooted in compassion and truth, sharing stories that illuminate the human toll of conflict with the hope of healing our fractured world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 26, 202416 min

The problem with food and climate — and how to fix it | Jonathan Foley

Global food production — from meat to grains — accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, says sustainability scientist Jonathan Foley. He presents a portfolio of data-backed solutions to build a better food system world-wide, starting with four key steps to cut emissions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 25, 202413 min

The satellite helping slow climate change — right now | Millie Chu Baird

Meet MethaneSAT: the satellite circling Earth right now to track global emissions from methane: a highly potent, short-term greenhouse gas. Environmental advocate Millie Chu Baird details the heat-trapping side effects of a planet full of methane — and explains why understanding where it comes from and taking steps to reduce it is the single most important thing we can do to affect climate change in our lifetimes. (MethaneSAT is part of the Audacious Project, TED's initiative to inspire and fund...

Jul 24, 20249 min

What to do when you offend someone | Lambers Fisher

Misunderstandings between you and your loved ones will happen — it's what you do next that matters most, says marriage and family therapist Lambers Fisher. Drawing on his work helping couples and relatives work through communication issues, he shares four principles to accept the inevitability of offending someone close to you — and how to use these moments to build trust and empathy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 23, 202413 min

What's possible when the arts belong to everybody | Lear deBessonet with Brian Stokes Mitchell

With huge, city-wide casts from an array of communities, theater director Lear deBessonet's productions illuminate the unique power of the arts to transform our lives through collective expression. She explores the power of spectacle to inspire awe, connect individuals and heal loneliness with tangible, life-changing results. In a dramatic moment, deBessonet's message comes to life when Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell takes the stage for a dazzling performance of "The Impossible Dream (The Q...

Jul 22, 202417 min

Sunday Pick: How much water do you actually need a day?

Glowing skin, increased energy, higher mental function and weight loss: These are just a few of the benefits we have been promised for the low cost of 8 glasses of water a day. But can this magical elixir really do all that it claims? Dr. Jen Gunter takes us behind the fascinating (and scandalous) history of hydration pseudoscience, unpacks the investigative report that ROCKED the beverage industry, and sits down with a nephrologist who tells us what's fact and what's fiction about our kidneys. ...

Jul 21, 202434 min

How to claim your leadership power | Michael Timms

When faced with challenges, do you often seek someone else to blame? Leadership expert Michael Timms shows why this instinct is counterproductive, highlighting three effective habits of self-accountability that will empower you and others to make positive change — whether at home or at work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 20, 202413 min

Bravery, brilliance and RuPaul Charles | On the Spot

In the debut of TED's new "On the Spot" rapid-fire Q&A format, Emmy-winning television superstar and drag icon RuPaul Charles answers questions about bravery, brilliance and more — all with his signature wit and wisdom. Get a glimpse inside RuPaul's head and hear his thoughts on the power of drag, the best way to slay, the most important personality trait -- and the best advice he's ever been given. (Featuring an equally rapid-fire Q&A with TED's Helen Walters.) Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Jul 19, 202410 min

Why young people are worse off than their parents — and what to do about it | Scott Galloway and Chris Anderson

In this special conversation, NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway and head of TED Chris Anderson dive deeper into Galloway’s explosive recent TED Talk, which has been seen by millions and ignited conversations about what he calls “the great intergenerational theft,” or how older generations are stealing prosperity from the young. With razor-sharp insights on the skyrocketing cost of housing, the mental health crisis created by social media, reckless government spending and more, Galloway expl...

Jul 18, 202456 min

Quantum computers aren’t what you think — they’re cooler | Hartmut Neven

Quantum computers obtain superpowers by tapping into parallel universes, says Hartmut Neven, the founder and lead of Google Quantum AI. He explains how this emerging tech can far surpass traditional computers by relying on quantum physics rather than binary logic, and shares a roadmap to build the ultimate quantum computer. Learn how this fascinating and powerful tech can help humanity take on seemingly unsolvable problems in medicine, sustainable energy, AI, neuroscience and more. Hosted on Aca...

Jul 17, 202411 min

Can America come together after the Trump assassination attempt? | Ian Bremmer

In this urgent conversation, president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media Ian Bremmer joins TED’s Helen Walters to discuss the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and its profound implications for American politics and democracy. Listen for the latest on the shooting’s political ramifications, the heightened polarization and disinformation in the US electoral cycle and answers to broader questions about leadership and unity in a divided nation. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Jul 16, 202437 min

My search for proof aliens exist | Avi Loeb

Why have we not yet found proof of alien life? According to astrophysicist Avi Loeb, we simply haven't dedicated the proper resources. Diving into unidentified phenomena such as the Oumuamua asteroid, he explores his scientific search for extraterrestrial technology, envisioning a future where a higher interstellar intelligence helps us improve life here on Earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 15, 202417 min

Sunday Pick: Mexico City

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Today we're sharing a special episode of Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala. Harnessing the creativity of a megalopolis isn't easy, but Mexico City shows us how it's done. Follow a real-life superhero who dons a luchador mask and cape to protect his fellow residents from speeding cars, learn how citizens are hacking their way to a better public transport system, and see what it takes to crowd-sou...

Jul 14, 202422 min

How farmworkers are fighting extreme heat | Jon Esformes and Gerardo Reyes Chávez

Farm labor is hot, backbreaking and dangerous work. To protect workers from extreme heat and workplace exploitation, farmworker Gerardo Reyes Chávez has teamed up with farm manager Jon Esformes for a unique partnership. Learn how their collaborative model is keeping farmworkers safe and creating a blueprint for more modern, humane working conditions for the world's laborers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 13, 202416 min

3 ideas for communicating across the political divide | Isaac Saul

How does language shape our politics? Journalist Isaac Saul explores how subtle word choices can inhibit productive dialogue about significant issues — and shows how small (but important) changes can help us all have better conversations with people who think differently than us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 202413 min

The alchemy of pop | Kesha

"You can write a song and you can not tell the truth, but your song will suck," says pop star Kesha. So what's the secret to making a great pop song? She explains the special alchemy of her own hits like "TiK ToK" and "Praying" and gives a stunning debut performance of her new song, "Cathedral." (Note: This talk contains mature language.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 11, 202414 min

The fight over minerals for green energy — and a better way forward | Saleem Ali

To transition to clean energy and green technology like electric cars, the world needs massive amounts of essential minerals. Environmental peacemaker Saleem Ali explains the conflicts already arising between countries rushing to mine and extract these precious minerals — and shows how the world can find a way to cooperate rather than fight resource wars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 10, 202412 min

AI that connects the digital and physical worlds | Anima Anandkumar

“While language models may help generate new ideas, they cannot attack the hard part of science, which is simulating the necessary physics,” says AI professor Anima Anandkumar. She explains how her team developed neural operators — AI trained on the finest details of the real world — to bridge this gap, sharing recent projects ranging from improved weather forecasting to cutting-edge medical device design that demonstrate the power of AI with universal physical understanding. Hosted on Acast. Se...

Jul 09, 202411 min

Lessons from my father’s final days | Laurel Braitman

"Life is an endless sushi conveyor belt of things that are going to test you and teach you at the same time," says writer Laurel Braitman. Exploring the relationship between bravery and fear, she shares hard-won wisdom on love, loss, self-forgiveness and how to embrace the full spectrum of human emotions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 08, 202414 min