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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"You are constantly becoming a new person," says journalist Shankar Vedantam. In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, he explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" -- the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves -- and shows how we can more proactively craft the people we are to become. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis — from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York's Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project VOICE — and gives two breathtaking performances of "B" and "Hiroshima." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To get out of the mess we're in, we need a new story that explains the present and guides the future, says author George Monbiot. Drawing on findings from psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology, he offers a new vision for society built around our fundamental capacity for altruism and cooperation. This contagiously optimistic talk will make you rethink the possibilities for our shared future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Racism makes our economy worse — and not just in ways that harm people of color, says public policy expert Heather C. McGhee. From her research and travels across the US, McGhee shares startling insights into how racism fuels bad policymaking and drains our economic potential -- and offers a crucial rethink on what we can do to create a more prosperous nation for all. "Our fates are linked," she says. "It costs us so much to remain divided." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stories help you make sense of your life — but when these narratives are incomplete or misleading, they can keep you stuck instead of providing clarity. In an actionable talk, psychotherapist and advice columnist Lori Gottlieb shows how to break free from the stories you've been telling yourself by becoming your own editor and rewriting your narrative from a different point of view. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal. But does it have to be? Relationship therapist Esther Perel examines why people cheat, and unpacks why affairs are so traumatic: because they threaten our emotional security. In infidelity, she sees something unexpected — an expression of longing and loss. A must-watch for anyone who has ever cheated or been cheated on, or who simply wants a new framework for understanding relationships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
"The hardest part of my cancer experience began once the cancer was gone," says author Suleika Jaouad. In this fierce, funny, wisdom-packed talk, she challenges us to think beyond the divide between "sick" and "well," asking: How do you begin again and find meaning after life is interrupted? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when following the “right” path leads you to the “wrong” place? Kickstarter cofounder Yancey Strickler and scientist Jenny Du discuss how they’ve made careers out of rethinking old systems and imagining new ones. They dive into the spark that led to their success — and show why it’s important to love your own “weird ways” of being. (This conversation is part of "TED Intersections," a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our wo...
Languages drift, adapt and evolve much like living species. In this wide-ranging conversation, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and linguist John McWhorter trace the parallels between biology and speech, from random mutations to cultural selection. They show how both genes and words change, survive and connect us — illuminating the deep patterns that shape life and language alike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Parenting an eye-rolling teenager glued to a gaming system is not a simple feat, but what if you could turn screen time into an opportunity for connection? Hannah Boquet shares how she decided to play video games with her kids and discovered the power of esports to foster trust, communication and essential life skills. Dive deeper into how you can strengthen family bonds, support your child’s development — and maybe even be considered “cool” by your kid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
In 1992, something unprecedented happened in Los Angeles: rival gang members negotiated a historic peace treaty, significantly reducing violence across the city. Aqeela Sherrills, one of the key negotiators of that treaty, continues to bring his vision of community-led peace programs to cities across the US. He shares how the new initiative Scaling Safety is empowering trusted local leaders to redefine public safety and create lasting change from the inside out. (This ambitious idea is part of T...
Amy Barnes highlights insurance as a vital economic tool now threatened by climate change, making home coverage unaffordable in many regions and risking widespread financial instability through devalued assets and loan defaults. She proposes that insurance, by pricing risk, can incentivize crucial investments in adaptation and resilience, including preventative measures and innovative parametric insurance, to transform it into a key solution for future stability.
When was the last time you really connected with someone who disagrees with you? Or saw a post on social media that challenged your views? Or listened to a newscast from across the political aisle? Modern life places us in all kinds of echo chambers – so what happens when these divides stop us from actually seeing and understanding one another? Today's Sunday Pick is from How to be a Better Human, another podcast from TED. Host Chris Duffy speaks with journalist Mónica Guzmán, the daughter of Me...
Should you be polite to robots? Political strategist Bradley Tusk and roboticist Ali Kashani explore how new technology is poised to make your life easier — from voting on your phone to having a robot deliver your lunch. They discuss the best ways to use technology to meet people where they are and the challenges that come with disrupting the status quo. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shap...
What if we could get a heads-up about serious health issues before they begin, from the moment a baby is born? In this groundbreaking talk, geneticist and physician Robert C. Green shares how his team became the first in the world to comprehensively sequence and analyze the DNA of healthy newborns, revealing hidden risks for treatable conditions. The future of medicine isn’t just about curing illness, he says — it's about predicting and preventing it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
What if every dollar you spend today could save you 10 dollars tomorrow? Development expert Harjeet Singh reveals how climate solutions like floating farms and “sponge cities” that absorb floodwater aren’t just clever adaptations — they’re smart economics. He explains why wealthy nations must fund the adaptation efforts of developing countries and shows how anybody can build resilience to climate change no matter where they are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
It’s not enough to do important work — we need to know it truly matters, says journalist Jennifer Wallace. Drawing on her research into firefighters, caregivers and more, she shows how simple acts of acknowledgment and connection can fuel our sense of purpose in a world that too often undervalues recognition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As "beauty filters" proliferate on social media platforms like TikTok, journalist Elise Hu says we've entered the era of the technological gaze, where the digital world shapes real-world beauty standards. She explains how to navigate this new reality in all its forms — and why you should reject the idea that your appearance dictates your worth. This episode originally aired on January 27, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Physician-scientist David Fajgenbaum was dying from a rare disease that didn't have a cure — until he discovered a lifesaving drug that wasn't originally intended for his condition. In an astonishing talk, he shares how his near-death experience led him to cofound the nonprofit Every Cure, which is using AI to uncover hidden treatments and save many other people's lives. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.) Hosted on Acast. S...
In a conversation about the intersection of art and AI, spoken word poet Salome Agbaroji and musician Samora Pinderhughes sit down with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to talk about their practices, the importance of community art programs and the impact of technology on human creativity. The two discuss why the influence of technology isn't something you can simply turn off and turn on again — and explore how to avoid compromising humanity for the sake of technological advancement. "The huma...
How will AI and new technology change art? Visual effects artist Rob Bredow, known for his work on Star Wars, and curator Nora Atkinson, who brought Burning Man to the Smithsonian, dive deep into the future of creativity, trading behind-the-scenes stories that show how to blend stop‑motion, LED walls and algorithms in art — while still keeping the soul in the work. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the...
Factory farming is the greatest moral crisis we ignore, says farm animal welfare champion Lewis Bollard. He exposes the truth behind the "all natural" labels on your groceries and shows how technology and public pressure can uncover the unseen struggle of animals, drive the industry to reform and harness our collective capacity for moral progress. (Note: This talk contains graphic images.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
The number of forcibly displaced people across the world is on the rise. While aid systems often focus on providing basic necessities like food and shelter, Julienne Oyler and her team at the nonprofit Inkomoko have a more ambitious plan: invest in refugee entrepreneurs in order to help them build their businesses, uplift their communities and gain access to financial services. She describes how displaced people are already driving local economies — and shows what it will take to bring their inn...
Energy expert Sebastián Kind helped Argentina go from virtually no renewable energy to generating nearly 40 percent of its electricity from wind and solar in just six years, despite economic crises and skepticism. How did the country's transition off fossil fuels happen so quickly? He shows why the key breakthrough didn't hinge on technology or resources — and explains how other countries can follow the same path. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Far-right parties are gaining popularity worldwide. Why is that? Political researcher Daphne Halikiopoulou reveals how rising leaders tap into people’s economic insecurities and distrust of institutions in order to cleverly rebrand their right-wing policies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future. This episode originally aired on May 23, 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Author Sarah Jaffe explores the emotional toll of modern work, arguing that devotion to jobs often leads to exploitation, exhaustion, and isolation. Drawing from her books, "Work Won't Love You Back" and "From the Ashes," she connects personal grief to broader societal losses, like community decline and climate change. Jaffe highlights the importance of collective action and community support in navigating both individual suffering and the challenges of a world on fire, encouraging listeners to re-evaluate their relationship to work and advocate for the public good.
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. This episode originally aired in 2006. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
