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

A lens on Georgia's survival in the shadow of a superpower | Daro Sulakauri

"Georgia is not heard or seen in the world, and many don't even know the location of the country," says TED Fellow and photographer Daro Sulakauri. Through her striking photographs of life in the shadows of Russian occupation, she uses her camera to create a living archive of her home country and defend against the erasure of its borders, culture and history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 28, 202413 min

Sunday Pick: How to be an adult — and how to raise one | How to Be a Better Human

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Whether it’s grades and test scores, cushy jobs or big salaries, our ideas of “success” tend to be incredibly narrow and often start incredibly early. Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford, and she is dedicated to helping people reconsider what really makes a happy, “successful” adult. In this episode of How to Be a Better Human, ano...

Oct 27, 202435 min

Why don’t vampires cast reflections? | Eric Nuzum

Exploring the history and evolution of vampire lore, author Eric Nuzum traces the origins of these spooky stories, from misunderstandings of death to the sparkly pop culture icons we know today. Beyond the fangs and garlic, he digs into the deeper, everyday fears that vampires reflect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 26, 202412 min

Networking doesn't have to feel gross | Daniel Hallak

Networking doesn’t always have to feel like a self-serving transaction, says executive coach Daniel Hallak. Highlighting the importance of focusing on giving rather than taking when it comes to making connections, he outlines a mindset shift to help you build better relationships — in a way that doesn't feel gross. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 25, 202416 min

Your empty wine bottle could help rebuild coastlines | Franziska Trautmann

What if you could take something as tiny as a grain of sand — and as common as a glass bottle — and use it to tackle the climate crisis? Waste alchemist Franziska Trautmann shares how the spark of an idea turned into a large-scale operation helping restore the eroded shores of Louisiana and beyond. (Created in collaboration with Ignite Talks) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 24, 202410 min

How a worm could save humanity from bad AI | Ramin Hasani

What if AI could think and adapt like a real brain? TED Fellow and AI scientist Ramin Hasani shares how liquid neural networks — a new, more flexible AI technology inspired by physics and living brains — could transform how we solve complex problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 23, 202413 min

A food system that fights climate change — instead of causing it | Gonzalo Muñoz

Here's a wild stat: nearly one-third of the world's food production goes to waste each year, a major contributor to the climate crisis. Farmer and UN climate champion Gonzalo Muñoz sheds light on the international negotiations aimed at turning the food system into a climate solution, rather than part of the problem — and shows the progress already underway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 22, 202410 min

Could we replace data centers with … plant DNA? | Cliff Kapono and Keolu Fox

Is it possible to meet the world's seemingly infinite demand for data storage while also caring for the natural environment? Biomedical researcher Keolu Fox and professional surfer and scientist Cliff Kapono believe that Indigenous knowledge combined with the science of genetics may offer such a solution: using the DNA of plant cells (like those found in sugar cane) as mini data warehouses. Learn more about the incredible potential of this technology — and how it could help foster ecosystem resi...

Oct 21, 202412 min

Sunday Pick: The secret to success isn’t power – it’s status

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Many people believe that success depends on gaining power, but it turns out that status is a more sustainable path to accomplishment and impact. In this episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, Adam is joined by Survivor star Parvati Shallow, organizational psychologist and author Alison Fragale, and Chynna Clayton — former special assistant to Michell...

Oct 20, 202434 min

Why creativity thrives on challenges | Jon M. Chu

Filmmaker Jon M. Chu has enjoyed an incredible run of success, directing films like "Crazy Rich Asians," "In the Heights" and the highly anticipated adaptation of "Wicked" in theaters soon. But he wasn't always sure he'd make it big. In a wide-ranging conversation, Chu gives his thoughts on nurturing creativity, embracing failure and finding inspiration in your upbringing — as well as some key leadership lessons from his new memoir, "Viewfinder." (This live conversation was hosted by TED's Whitn...

Oct 19, 202458 min

Will the end of economic growth come by design — or disaster? | Gaya Herrington

What if solving poverty, caring for nature and fostering well-being were the ultimate goals of the economy, instead of growth for its own sake? Environmentalist and economist Gaya Herrington proposes a shift in thinking from "never enough" to "enough for each," asking us to contemplate whether the end of exponential growth on a finite planet will come by design — or disaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 18, 202413 min

A sonic journey through the universe | Felipe Sánchez Luna

In an astounding sonic experience, creative director Felipe Sánchez Luna takes you on a journey through the universe as told in sound. Take a deep breath, listen closely and discover the power of sound to provide you with a new emotional understanding of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 17, 202411 min

What long COVID taught me about life (and data) | Giorgia Lupi

Data isn't just about numbers or trends — it's about capturing the stories that shape our lives, says information designer Giorgia Lupi. Following a long COVID diagnosis, she tracked her symptoms meticulously over four years, the data culminating in a visual "New York Times" narrative that resonated deeply with many others suffering from chronic illness. Lupi invites us to consider data not as a rigid or objective truth, but as a living language used to better understand ourselves, offering a su...

Oct 16, 202412 min

A medical mythbuster's mission to improve health care | Joel Bervell

Joel Bervell was one of the only Black students in his medical school program. After noticing how misconceptions about race were embedded in health care, he turned to social media to raise awareness about the harmful impact of biases in medicine. He unpacks the long history of race-based health care disparities — and shows what the medical field can do to better serve all patients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 15, 202420 min

Harris vs. Trump — and what’s at stake for the world | Ian Bremmer

The result of the 2024 US presidential election will be critical for Americans and the world. In a fascinating conversation, geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer digs into proposed policies from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and explores how they think about everything from foreign policy to immigration and the economy. Discover unexpected similarities and crucial differences between the candidates — and get ready for what's to come. (This live conversation, recorded October 10, 2024, was hosted by ...

Oct 14, 202455 min

Sunday Pick: Unsolicited Advice: Why is Amazon dragging its employees back into the office?

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. The evidence is clear that hybrid work is good for both people and organizations. So why are companies as big as Amazon now asking employees to come into the office all five days of the work week? In this special "Unsolicited Advice" episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, Fixable hosts Anne Morriss and Frances Frei debate what Amazon’s new return-to-office mandate me...

Oct 13, 202431 min

Is someone you love suffering in silence? Here's what to do | Gus Worland

Lots of people talk about the need to be physically fit, but mentally fit? Not as much. In a powerful talk, mental health advocate Gus Worland shares how an experience of deep grief from his own life sparked his mission to advocate for suicide prevention -- and shows why "looking after your own village" can be as simple as sending a text message, right now, to the person you cannot imagine living without. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 12, 202413 min

How to fight (and win) an information war | Peter Pomerantsev

How do you reach people trapped in a reality shaped by propaganda? Exploring the dark psychology of disinformation, author and academic Peter Pomerantsev draws on lessons from a forgotten World War II operation to suggest strategies for cutting through misinformation and rebuilding trust in facts today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 11, 202418 min

How regenerative agriculture brings life back to the land | Gabe Brown

Over his decades of farming and ranching, Gabe Brown has noticed a troubling trend: the conventional farming techniques he used were degrading the soil and ruining crops. He shares how his family farm turned things around by adopting regenerative agricultural practices — and shows how the wider food system can use these same methods to improve food quality and revitalize the land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 10, 202416 min

The magical, mesmerizing migration of monarch butterflies | Jaime Rojo

When monarch butterflies migrate, they produce one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles in the world — and provide us with an important indicator of ecological health, says photographer Jaime Rojo. Telling a story about our relationship to the natural world, he shares his experience photographing these mesmerizing insects deep in their remote mountain habitats in Mexico, diving into the latest research into the mysteries of their multi-thousand-mile journey and sharing how each of us can join ...

Oct 09, 202412 min

The probe on a mission to touch the Sun | Nour E. Rawafi

From its life-sustaining energy to its explosive geomagnetic storms, the Sun has many mysteries, says astrophysicist Nour E. Rawafi. He sheds light on NASA's latest endeavor to better understand our fiery neighbor and its impact on the future of society: sending the cutting-edge Parker Solar Probe deep into the Sun's atmosphere in humanity's closest-ever approach to a star. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 08, 202423 min

What’s next for immersive storytelling? | Mark Grimmer

"New possibilities for storytelling are emerging faster than at any other time in history," says film producer Mark Grimmer. With an immersive approach to art exhibitions, he shares several multidisciplinary projects — including a kaleidoscopic exhibit of David Bowie's world-changing career and a luminous, interactive show that brings visitors inside the paintings of David Hockney — and shows what's possible when ideas collide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 07, 202414 min

Sunday Pick: An Indigenous Mixtape from Lima, Peru

Meet Liberato Kani, a hip hop artist in Lima, Peru—or as he says, “the Andean Bronx”. At his concerts, a typical call and response you hear is "Quechua es resistencia": Quechua is resistance. Though Quechua is spoken by nearly ten million people, Peru's native language is at risk of dying off because of anti-indigenous prejudice. Liberato and other musicians like Renata Flores are here to save it—and restore a country's pride while they're at it. Want to talk more about the show? Share your favo...

Oct 06, 202445 min

The otters of Singapore — and other unexpected wildlife thriving in cities | Philip Johns

Animal behavior expert Philip Johns introduces us to the vibrant urban environments of Singapore, where city dwellers and skyscrapers coexist with a rich array of other species, including otters, hornbills and lizards — prompting the question: Can we design cities to be wildlife refuges? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 05, 202414 min

The hidden forces behind your food choices | Sarah Lake

What we eat is less about what we choose and more about what’s offered to us, says food and climate expert Sarah Lake. Unpacking how governments and companies have driven up meat consumption in the US through extensive marketing, she explains how we could employ these same forces to incentivize plant-based eating — for the sake of the planet, public health and global food security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 04, 202410 min

The power of personalization in the age of AI | Mark Abraham

With all that spam clogging your inbox, a more personalized experience with the brands you interact with would be a refreshing change of pace. Sharing insights from his research into what brands can do to improve the experience of the people they want to reach, personalization pioneer Mark Abraham highlights a key mindset that can help companies boost their growth (and delight their customers) in the era of AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 03, 202414 min

Everything is improvisation — including this TED Talk | Reggie Watts

In this ode to improvisation, musician and comedian Reggie Watts beatboxes, raps, loops his own rhythms and reflects upon the everyday power of turning the mundane into magic. After all, he says, we're all just making it up as we go along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 02, 202411 min

How to come together in a meaningful way | Priya Parker

Looking to infuse more connection into your time with friends and family? Facilitator Priya Parker urges us to approach gathering with intention and creativity. Diving into the evolving significance of coming together both in-person and virtually, she demystifies the role of a host, outlines mistakes we should avoid and shares the potential of thoughtfully designed get-togethers to bring lasting change to communities, workplaces and personal relationships. (This conversation was hosted by TED's ...

Oct 01, 202436 min

How quadratic funding could finance your dreams | Kevin Owocki

What if your $1 donation could result in a $100 contribution to a cause you believe in? That's the promise of quadratic funding: a new kind of crowdfunding model that uses math to distribute funds based on the number of contributors, rather than the amount given. Gitcoin founder Kevin Owocki dives into the principles and pitfalls of this approach to philanthropy, where "many small donors are more powerful than one large donor." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 30, 202412 min

Sunday Pick: The UN is speaking up about AI — here's what they're saying

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. AI is shaping every aspect of our lives — but only a handful of tech giants have a say in what this technology can do. So what's going on with world governments? Bilawal Sidhu, host of The TED AI Show, sits down with geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer to unpack the UN's just-released plan for "Governing AI for Humanity," a report that focuses on the urgent need to guide AI towards helping everyone...

Sep 29, 202455 min