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.

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Episodes

The award for best comedy wildlife photo goes to... | Tom Sullam

Where's the best free comedy show in town? Tom Sullam, cofounder of the annual Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, shares hilarious animal photos that dissolve the distance between humans and nature. The result? A joyful case for caring about what we're at risk of losing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 202615 min

What would your "deathbed self" tell you today? | Lauren Deeley

Private wealth advisor Lauren Deeley discusses how envisioning your future "deathbed self" can profoundly transform decision-making regarding money, career, and life choices. She shares personal anecdotes and client stories, illustrating how this perspective fosters a deeper connection to core values, leading to more fulfilling and intentional lives.

Mar 10, 20268 min

Do you talk to yourself? Here’s how to harness your inner voice | Ethan Kross (re-release)

Your inner voice is a powerful tool for self-reflection and planning, but it can also trap you in negative thought loops — “chatter,” as psychologist and neuroscientist Ethan Kross calls it. He shares tips for quieting the less helpful aspects of the voice inside your head as well as how to harness chatter to overcome doubt, enhance your focus and transform your well-being. This episode was originally published in February 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 09, 202615 min

Sunday Pick: Interview: Aging, menopause, and rethinking fashion for comfort in midlife with Stacy London | from TED Health

“My lens around style doesn’t have anything to do with style anymore — it’s about physicality,” says stylist and fashion consultant Stacy London. “What do I want to be able to do? How do I keep myself strong?” Stacy’s message has resonated for many women, and for this episode, she joins Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, host of TED Health, at TED2025 for a special live conversation about why women are so embarrassed to talk about aging. For Stacy, aging became a chance to reassess her relationship to he...

Mar 08, 202654 min

Love, intimacy and connection in the age of AI | Bryony Cole

Relationships were never meant to be efficient, says sextech expert Bryony Cole, and yet AI companions are increasingly designed to be exactly that. As intimate relationships between humans and AI become more common, Cole challenges us to think more deliberately about how we shape our connections to machines — and with each other. (This conversation, hosted by TED's Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage wit...

Mar 07, 202646 min

Conservation: a love story | Elsaphan Njora

What if the key to saving nature isn't just about science or policy, but love? Love for the land, for the people who depend on it, for the world we leave behind. Artist Elsaphan Njora has journeyed across Kenya witnessing ecosystems vanish, from Indigenous forests to sacred lakes. But he's also seen communities breathing life back into rivers, forests and coasts in creative, unexpected ways — showing that conservation can flourish alongside livelihoods, and that even the most threatened landscap...

Mar 06, 202611 min

Fight for justice — even if you don't live to see it | Golriz Lucina (re-release)

Storyteller Golriz Lucina recounts how the historic sacrifice of Iranian 19th-century poet and mystic Táhirih planted the seeds for the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests today, offering an inspiring lesson in the value of acting with conviction — even if we don't live to see the results. (This talk was originally published on January 2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 05, 202612 min

4 relationship traps that lead to burnout | Eric Quintane

Eric Quintane introduces the concept of workplace network structures (cohesive and open) and their surprising negative impacts, specifically linking them to burnout. Drawing on extensive research, he details four hidden relational traps: strong norms, emotional contagion, uncontrollable interdependencies, and excessive demands. The episode concludes with practical advice, including a relationship health check and actionable strategies to identify and mitigate these burnout risks.

Mar 04, 202618 min

My year living with a robot | Emily Kate Genatowski

Imagine a robot moving into your home. How would it change your daily life? Historian Emily Kate Genatowski shares five eye-opening lessons from a year living with her AI-powered robot roommate, from the quirky and chaotic to the surprisingly mundane. Her experiences show that the future of robots isn’t science fiction — it’s practical, messy and already here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 03, 202616 min

The attack on Iran — why now? | Ian Bremmer

On the morning of February 28, 2026, the US and Israel bombed several parts of Iran, including the Tehran compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Geopolitical expert and Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer breaks down why US President Donald Trump made the decision to strike, what it means for hopes of “regime change” and the key details you need to know about this perilous moment in global history. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on February 28, 2026.) Hosted on Acas...

Mar 02, 202647 min

Sunday Pick: Matt Damon on solving one of the planet’s biggest problems, in partnership with Gary White | from ReThinking with Adam Grant

Matt Damon is best known as the Hollywood icon from movies like Good Will Hunting and The Martian, but he has another passion offscreen: ensuring access to clean, safe water around the world. When he met social entrepreneur Gary White in 2008, they realized they could combine their efforts to reach more people and created water.org , which Gary leads as CEO. In this episode, Adam sits down with Matt and Gary at the World Economic Forum in Davos to talk about their innovative approach to problem-...

Mar 01, 202630 min

What to do when you’re told there’s nothing left to try | David Fajgenbaum and Kiah Williams

What do you do when the world declares something impossible? When physician-scientist David Fajgenbaum was dying from a rare disease and social entrepreneur Kiah Williams was confronting the realities of economic hardship, they began asking a different question: What can I do today? In this conversation, they discuss how turning hope into action can drive meaningful change — one step at a time. (This conversation is hosted by The Audacious Project’s Alexandra Tillmann) Hosted on Acast. See acast...

Feb 28, 202630 min

The tiny organisms transforming farming | Karsten Temme

What if the solution to feeding humanity has been hiding in the soil for millions of years? Bioengineer Karsten Temme discovered a remarkable answer to this question: for eons, crops relied on soil microbes to convert atmospheric nitrogen into food — until modern farming severed that ancient partnership. He shows how we can reawaken those dormant microbes using gene editing, creating “living fertilizer” that delivers nutrients to crops in real time and transforms farms around the world. Hosted o...

Feb 27, 202611 min

Jermaine Dupri on the art of making a hit | On the Spot

Legendary music producer Jermaine Dupri pulls back the curtain on how hit songs really get made in TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format, “On the Spot.” Answering a stream of unexpected questions, he covers what makes a good hook, why he doesn’t chase “cool,” how he helped build Atlanta’s sound and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 202613 min

The story you're not hearing about AI data centers | Ayșe Coskun

The race to build smarter AI is crashing into a physical limitation: the power grid simply can't keep up with the energy demands of data centers. Computer scientist Ayșe Coskun shows how we could turn this problem on its head, transforming AI facilities into virtual batteries that help stabilize the grid and accelerate clean energy. Learn why the technology causing this crisis might be the only thing smart enough to fix it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 25, 202614 min

The controversial climate tool funding real change | Sandeep Roy Choudhury

If a company plants trees to offset its pollution, is that climate progress — or is it greenwashing? Critics of carbon markets say it’s the latter. But Sandeep Roy Choudhury, who’s spent two decades financing climate projects from rural cookstoves to coastal forests, says the real failure is discouraging companies from even trying. Hear his case for why we shouldn’t let perfection block meaningful action on climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 24, 202610 min

A surprisingly effective way to fight misinformation | Dave Jorgenson

What if the best defense against misinformation isn’t panic, but a punchline? Journalist and comedian Dave Jorgenson explores how misinformation has proliferated throughout history — from the age of Plato to the era of viral TikToks. With his own short, absurdist sketches that explain the news, he shows how humor can cut through fear, spark curiosity and explore nuanced truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 23, 202616 min

Sunday Pick: The science of raising kids (Part 2): How to raise healthy kids with Dr. Shari Barkin | from TED Health

From negotiating food choices to limiting screen time, raising healthy kids is complicated—but it doesn’t have to be, says pediatrician Dr. Shari Barkin. Dr. Barkin joins Shoshana to talk about the ways caregivers can carve out 10 minutes of their day to model a healthy lifestyle and help everyone in the family thrive. Talk featured: Inside the mind of a newborn baby - Claudia Passos Ferreira Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 22, 202642 min

Why pursuing happiness makes you ... less happy | Emily Esfahani Smith

Drawing on clinical research and psychological studies, writer and psychologist Emily Esfahani Smith shows why pursuing meaning — the experience of connecting to something beyond yourself — creates a deeper sense of well-being than comes from chasing happiness. Learn about the steps you can take to move from feeling stuck to living with intention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 202639 min

How to turn off work thoughts during your free time | Guy Winch (re-release)

Feeling burned out? You may be spending too much time ruminating about your job, says psychologist Guy Winch. Learn how to stop worrying about tomorrow’s tasks or stewing over office tensions with three simple techniques aimed at helping you truly relax and recharge after work. This episode originally aired on December 9, 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 20, 202614 min

How to be a great listener | Maegan Stephens, Nicole Lowenbraun

Have you ever left a meeting thinking: everyone talked, but nothing was achieved? Chances are that people were listening to each other, just not in the same way. Listening experts Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 19, 202613 min

What you know that AI doesn’t | Priyanka Vergadia

AI is good at seeing patterns, but it’s humans who figure out what to do next, says technologist Priyanka Vergadia. She shares three stories of human excellence sparked by AI insights and offers a pathway to identify and cultivate your irreplaceable qualities, turning the AI revolution from a threat into an opportunity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 18, 202611 min

Why I want to bring lions back to my village | Seif Hamisi

As a child in rural Kenya, conservationist Seif Hamisi fell asleep to the sound of lions outside his village. Today, the lions are gone, mirroring a continent-wide trend: African wildlife populations have plummeted in recent decades, despite billions spent to protect nature. Drawing on examples of successful conservation efforts from the grasslands of South Africa to the woodlands of Kenya, he shows how we've been attempting to solve the wrong problem — and makes the case that conservation works...

Feb 17, 202611 min

The new science of eyewitness memory | John Wixted

We've built a legal system that distrusts eyewitness memory — backed by cautionary science and high-profile exonerations. John Wixted, a leading psychology researcher, challenges this conventional wisdom with a counterintuitive finding: the problem might not be memory itself but how (and when) courts test it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 202619 min

Sunday Pick: How to find true love (w/ Francesca Hogi) | from How to Be a Better Human

Love coach Francesca Hogi is dedicated to helping daters find “lasting love in the midst of a broken dating culture.” In this episode, Francesca shares her approach to analyzing romantic patterns and feeling more empowered in your love life. From discussing romantic manifestations to reflecting on bell hooks’ claim that humans are unskilled at love, Chris and Francesca talk about the ways you can be more open to finding love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 15, 202639 min

The AI-generated intimacy crisis | Bryony Cole

Tonight, millions of people will go to bed and whisper to an AI companion. But what are we giving up when we fall in love with machines? Sextech expert Bryony Cole offers three questions to ask yourself if you’re already intimate with AI, laying out a playbook for synthetic companionship that doesn’t hide you from the messiness of human life — but prepares you for it instead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 14, 202616 min

The doctor on a mission to build a healthier South Sudan | Yohanis Riek

Yohanis Riek went from herding cattle and fighting as a child soldier to becoming the first doctor in his community in South Sudan. He shares his journey to found a nonprofit bringing health care to remote communities — empowering locals to take charge of their own health, as the world's newest country finds its place in the world. (Following the talk, Lily James Olds, director of the TED Fellows program, interviews Riek on the effect of USAID withdrawal in South Sudan and why he’s choosing to s...

Feb 13, 202629 min

The pressure that makes Olympians perform worse | Dominique Condo

Why do we celebrate appearance over ability in sports? Performance scientist Dominique Condo explores why so many elite female athletes — women with Olympic medals, world records and championship trophies — report body image concerns that end up hindering their performance. She offers a series of subtle shifts we can make to help any athlete stay focused on building strength, resilience and confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 12, 202614 min

How competition is stifling AI breakthroughs | Llion Jones

Llion Jones cowrote "Attention Is All You Need," the seminal paper that introduced the transformer — the architecture that launched the generative AI revolution. Now he warns that the industry that grew out of this breakthrough is stifling the next one. Learn why the current corporate arms race is killing true innovation and how we can get back to bold exploration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 202616 min

The 6 essential ingredients of loving relationships | Sara Nasserzadeh

How do you build a lifetime of love? After analyzing 450 couples across more than 40 countries, relational psychotherapist Sara Nasserzadeh discovered six essential ingredients for successful relationships (hint: it's not just about sexual chemistry). Learn more about "emergent love" — a new, evidence-based model for fostering the love you desire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 202611 min
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