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

What does poverty look like on a plate? | Huiyi Lin

TED Fellow and economic policy researcher Huiyi Lin is cocreator of "The Poverty Line," an art project examining poverty through the lens of food. By photographing the daily food choices of people living at the poverty line in 38 countries and territories around the world, Lin shines a light on the problem of poverty in a way no policy report ever could. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jan 03, 202516 min

How to reclaim your life from work | Simone Stolzoff

Where do you draw the line between work and life? Writer Simone Stolzoff explores the problem with defining yourself by your job — and shows what it takes to reclaim your time and sense of meaning beyond the office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 02, 202510 min

The 1-minute secret to forming a new habit | Christine Carter

You know how resolutions often go: you set a goal and start strong ... then the motivation runs out and feelings of frustration and shame creep in. The struggle is real — but what if it doesn't have to be? Sociologist Christine Carter shares a simple step to shift your mindset and keep you on track to achieving your grandest ambitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jan 01, 202512 min

12 truths I learned from life and writing | Anne Lamott

A few days before she turned 61, writer Anne Lamott decided to write down everything she knew for sure. She dives into the nuances of being a human who lives in a confusing, beautiful, emotional world, offering her characteristic life-affirming wisdom and humor on family, writing, the meaning of God, death and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 31, 202416 min

Why you should start thinking about death | How to Be a Better Human

There’s a saying about two things that are inevitable in this world, and Alua Arthur wants to help you think about one of them with less fear. No, she’s not a tax professional – she’s a death doula, a person who supports dying people and their loved ones. On this episode of How to Be a Better Human, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, Alua shares what we can all learn when we purposefully think about the end of life, whether that is our own or someone else’s. From finding joy in our e...

Dec 30, 202436 min

Sunday Pick: How to be productive without burning out with Cal Newport | ReThinking

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This is an episode of ReThinking with Adam Grant. Cal Newport knows a thing or two about productivity: when he’s not teaching computer science at Georgetown, he’s writing for The New Yorker, hosting a podcast, or authoring New York Times bestsellers like “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism.” In his new book, “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout”, Cal proposes that ...

Dec 29, 202443 min

Why you should make a spectacle out of life with Lear deBessonet | How to Be a Better Human

When was the last time something you watched struck you? Award-winning theater director Lear deBessonet is deeply passionate about spectacle – and thinks you should be too. She shares the unexpected connections, wonder, and creativity that come from finding the unusual, notable, or entertaining; in common everyday experiences — and why you should look for more ways to create spectacle in your own life. Plus, learn why Lear has been rejected by ‘the San Diego chicken’ multiple times.  Hosted...

Dec 28, 202438 min

Break the bad news bubble (Part 2) | Angus Hervey

It's time for our periodic update of good news from Angus Hervey, founder of Fix the News, an independent publication that reports stories of global progress. In a quick talk, he shares three major updates of recent human progress on eradicating ancient diseases, establishing massive new ocean sanctuaries and transforming children's rights. (This conversation was recorded on December 2, 2024.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 27, 202410 min

The mind-reading potential of AI | Chin-Teng Lin

Scientists are getting closer to giving humans the power to communicate with their thoughts alone. In a live demo, researcher Chin-Teng Lin shows how brain-computer interfaces can translate a person's neural signals into text on a computer, potentially opening up a new realm of communication that turns silent thought into words. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 26, 202413 min

Why do we kiss under mistletoe? | Carlos Reif

The sight of mistletoe may either send you scurrying or, if you have your eye on someone, awaiting an opportunity beneath its snow-white berries. But how did the festive tradition of kissing under mistletoe come about? Carlos Reif explains how this long-lived custom intertwines the mythology and biology of this intriguing plant. [Directed by Bálint Gelley, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Gergely Buttinger]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 25, 20246 min

Can AI master the art of humor? | Bob Mankoff

Can artificial intelligence be funny, or is comedy a uniquely human trait? In this witty and insightful talk, cartoonist Bob Mankoff explores the art of humor, the evolution of AI and what happens when the two collide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 24, 202413 min

How to protect your emotional health during the holidays | Guy Winch

The end of the year is often a time to reflect and spend time with family — activities that may seem joyful or anxiety-inducing, depending on your circumstances. Psychologist Guy Winch offers actionable advice on how to manage your emotions with confidence during the holidays, from setting boundaries to healing heartache — above all reminding you that emotional health is possible, as long as you're informed and willing to do the work. (This live conversation was hosted by TED's Whitney Penningto...

Dec 23, 202457 min

Sunday Pick: Friction 101: How to make the right things easier and wrong things harder | Fixable

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. Do you feel like you’re hitting a wall at work? This week, Anne and Frances are joined by Master Fixers Bob Sutton and Huggy Rao. Bob and Huggy are professors at Stanford University and authors of “The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder”. Together, the four dis...

Dec 22, 202437 min

The greatest show on Earth — for kids who need it most | Sahba Aminikia

TED Fellow and composer Sahba Aminikia brings the healing power of dance, storytelling, music and performance to some of the most dangerous places on Earth. By celebrating children and their communities with beauty and joy, he shows how to cultivate hope, connection and love — even in conflict zones. "The ultimate power is in unity," Aminikia says. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 20, 202420 min

3 reasons to take risks like a teenager | Adriana Galván

Is embracing your inner teenager the key to thriving in adulthood? Neuroscientist Adriana Galván shares three powerful lessons from decades of research into adolescent brain development, exploring what teens can teach us about embracing uncertainty, challenging the status quo and taking strategic risks — all tools for a bold, brave life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 19, 20249 min

The absurd inequality of climate work — and how to fix it | Joshua Amponsem

When it comes to tackling the climate crisis, the majority of the workforce in Africa believes their role is in the labor-intensive, low-income work — not in the strategic, analytical or leadership-based spaces, says climate visionary and entrepreneur Joshua Amponsem. He advocates for a shift in climate funding that fosters local talent and leadership, envisioning a future where African youth are key innovators in the climate movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 18, 202411 min

Can you love your body — and still want to change it? | Gabriella Lascano

Gabriella Lascano rose to prominence as a plus-size influencer, advocating for respect at any size with her natural blend of confidence and self-love. She shares how a friend's death led to a candid reassessment of her own health and sparked a viral conversation about the complex intersection of body image, community and personal growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 17, 202410 min

How to make big decisions in challenging circumstances | Jonathan Reimer

When making a big decision, should you trust your gut or follow the data? Emergency manager Jonathan Reimer draws on his experience responding to some of Canada's largest wildfires to share advice on high-stakes decision-making that you can take to your boardroom, kitchen table or anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 16, 202415 min

Sunday Pick: Humanity’s first AI election with WIRED's Vittoria Elliott | The TED AI Show

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Today, an episode of The TED AI Show. 2024 was the biggest election year in modern history, with over 50 countries going out to the polls across the globe. And artificial intelligence has fully seeped into global politics – from deepfakes to AI bots that can ingest thousands and thousands of documents to make policy decisions. The TED AI Show host Bilawal Sidhu talks with journalist Vittoria El...

Dec 15, 202440 min

Unions for climate action! | Payton M. Wilkins

In the long term, shutting down a coal mine means cleaner air and a healthier environment — but in the short term, it can devastate a community or family that relied on the mine's paychecks to make ends meet. Environmental justice advocate Payton M. Wilkins thinks we can protect both workers and the planet with an age-old solution: unions. He digs into the economic fallout of ditching fossil fuels and shows why unions are well-positioned to push the transition to clean energy and green jobs. Hos...

Dec 14, 202410 min

Want to give a great presentation? Use ugly sketches | Martin J. Eppler

Looking to level up your presentations? It might only take a poorly-drawn sketch, says professor Martin J. Eppler. He offers three tips to use visualizations at work, laying out how these simple tricks can boost creativity and communication, improve decision-making and lead to better collaboration among colleagues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 13, 202412 min

4 steps to unlock your kid’s math potential | Shalinee Sharma

Math isn't just for "math kids" — it's for everyone, says learning expert Shalinee Sharma. She outlines four simple steps to transform your approach to math, creating an environment where any kid can develop a strong mathematical mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 202413 min

Why your body fights weight loss | Katherine Saunders

Why does losing weight often feel like an uphill battle? Physician Katherine Saunders unpacks how our bodies are wired to store fat, revealing that obesity isn’t simply a lack of willpower — it’s a complex, chronic disease rooted in evolutionary biology. She shares the science behind the latest breakthroughs in treatment, from lifestyle interventions to powerful new medications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 11, 202413 min

This refrigerator is saving lives | Norah Magero

TED Fellow and renewable energy expert Norah Magero envisions an Africa that pioneers its own technological future, shifting the narrative from dependence and consumption to self-reliance and innovation. She shares how she developed VacciBox — a solar-powered refrigeration system made in Kenya to keep vaccines cold in off-grid areas — and highlights the power of homegrown solutions to transform health care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 10, 202416 min

How your childhood toys tell your life story | Chris Byrne

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? Your answer might reveal more about you than you expect, says toy historian Chris Byrne. From Matchbox cars and Barbie to Rubik's Cube and Squishmallows, he explores how playthings reflect cultural values and influence who you become as an adult. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 09, 202412 min

Sunday Pick: A Healthier You: A 5-step guide to better doctor visits | TED Health

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This week on TED Health, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider is taking you on a special journey to embrace your healthiest self. Join her and experts from across the healthcare space for our “A Healthier You” series, where we dive deeper into ideas and knowledge that could change the way you think about health — from your heart to your brain to your gut. Up first: how to advocate for yourself. The doctor’...

Dec 08, 202412 min

The trick to powerful public speaking | Lawrence Bernstein

Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 07, 202416 min

How a deepfake almost ruined my political career | Cara Hunter

A nightmare scenario happened to politician Cara Hunter: just weeks before her election, she became the victim of a deepfake scam that threatened to upend her life and career. In a fearless talk, she explores AI's potential to undermine truth and democracy — and offers a path forward to harness this powerful technology as a force for good. (This talk contains mature language.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 06, 202415 min

The real-world danger of online myths | Vidhya Ramalingam

How do we protect ourselves from being misled online? Counter-terrorism expert Vidhya Ramalingam reveals how disinformation is being weaponized to justify violence — increasingly against climate scientists — and introduces a powerful tool called "prebunking": a proactive approach that empowers people to recognize and reject manipulative messages before they take root. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 05, 202416 min