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 handle grief at work and beyond | Meredith Wilson Parfet

What happens when personal grief collides with your professional life? Drawing on her experience as the CEO of a crisis management firm and a hospice chaplain, Meredith Wilson Parfet breaks down the reality of grief — at work and beyond — and shares practical tools for navigating chaos, without toxic positivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 04, 202513 min

Why smell matters more than you think | Paule Joseph

TED Fellow and chemosensory researcher Paule Joseph unveils the hidden power of a sense that's too often overlooked: smell. She delves into the science behind smell — from how it evokes memory and emotion to its potential for early disease detection — and advocates for the creation of a baseline test for taste and smell that could open the door to more comprehensive health care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 03, 202515 min

Sunday Pick: Cancelling cancel culture with Loretta Ross | ReThinking with Adam Grant

As a public intellectual, activist and professor at Smith College, Loretta Ross is no stranger to confrontation and debate. But years of working to change the minds of others have led her to rethink her own ideas about approaching difficult conversations. Loretta and Adam discuss why shaming rarely changes behavior and her powerful alternative to cancel culture. They also reflect on personal moments of confrontation and explore strategies for talking others out of hate.  Available transcrip...

Mar 02, 202538 min

Will AI make us the last generation to read and write? | Victor Riparbelli

Technology is changing our world — and how we communicate — at an astonishing rate. So much so that entrepreneur Victor Riparbelli predicts that artificial intelligence will drive audio and video to replace text as our primary form of communication by the end of this decade. He imagines a world where anyone can create a Hollywood film, receive personalized education or communicate via hyper-realistic avatars — all in the time it takes to read a book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Mar 01, 202517 min

Where DEI falls short — and how to rethink it | Y-Vonne Hutchinson

Tired of “privilege walks” and black squares on social media that feel hollow? Workplace inclusion expert Y-Vonne Hutchinson peels back the superficial layer of performative DEI to reveal a fresh approach that meets people’s real-life anxieties — from climate chaos to political instability — and helps us connect with compassion and respect. It’s a spark of optimism for anyone looking to replace empty gestures with thoughtful, practical solutions that actually make a difference. Hosted on Acast. ...

Feb 28, 20257 min

Trump, Europe, Ukraine and the uncertain world order | Ian Bremmer

Headlines have been swirling as President Trump enters his second month back in office and his policies come into focus. In this urgent, fast-paced conversation, political scientist Ian Bremmer defines what we should pay attention to, digging into a newly fractured US-Europe relationship, the potential future of Ukraine and moves in Gaza, China and within the United States itself. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on February 24, 2025.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Feb 27, 20251 hr 1 min

Lessons from history for a better future | Roman Krznaric

How can the lessons of the past help us navigate the turbulence of the present and future? Social philosopher Roman Krznaric explores why history isn’t just a record of what’s gone wrong — it’s also full of solutions, resilience and radical hope. From Edo Japan’s circular economy to the peaceful coexistence of cultures in medieval Spain, he reveals why looking backward can actually help us move forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 26, 202514 min

How to tame your advice monster | Michael Bungay Stanier

It lurks within, emerging in conversation to share ineffective, premature suggestions … it’s your advice monster, and we all have one, says writer and teacher Michael Bungay Stanier. He shares how giving advice can easily go astray, from solving the wrong problem to disempowering the very person you’re trying to help, and offers a simple question to help you stay curious, strengthen your relationships — and tame that monster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 25, 202515 min

Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam

You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and explains why it may be the missing key to living a longer and happier life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 24, 202511 min

Sunday Pick: How to find connection – and love – in everyday life (w/ Barbara Fredrickson) | How to Be a Better Human

Romantic love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – at least that’s one way positive psychologist Barbara Fredrickson puts it. Barbara’s decades of research suggest that emotions outside of our narrow definition of love are just as important to our well-being. In this episode, Barbara shares what to look for when we want to broaden our experience of positive emotions, and suggests ways to build the consistent connection and care at the heart of our best relationships. For the full text transcript, v...

Feb 23, 202533 min

TED Explores: Food for the Future | TED Countdown

Food is culture, food is life — it’s part of who we are and the magic that binds us together. But here’s the twist: the way we eat is pushing the climate to the brink, with a third of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from the way we grow, process and waste food. Through TED Talks and conversations with chefs, scientists, activists and more, this film explores a recipe for change — and how shifting to plant-rich diets, embracing innovations like lab-grown meat and reimagining farming's rege...

Feb 22, 202524 min

Feeling stuck on climate change? Here’s what to do | Kris De Meyer

To spark action on climate change, the conventional wisdom says that awareness must precede action — but neuroscientist Kris De Meyer suggests the opposite is true: actions drive beliefs. He digs into the science behind decision-making and shows how you can rewire your brain to get unstuck on big challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 21, 202514 min

The food that fertilizes itself | Giles E.D. Oldroyd

Could the key to a sustainable food system already be growing in the world’s farms? Plant scientist Giles E.D. Oldroyd explores how a special quirk of soybean plants allows them to naturally partner with networks of fungi and bacteria to access essential nutrients in the air and soil — eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers. He shows how harnessing these microscopic powerhouses could help scientists rewire crops to make their own fertilizer, reducing pollution, increasing yields and impr...

Feb 20, 202512 min

A fresh approach to international development | Faisal Saeed Al Mutar

Money for international development rarely makes it to the people it intends to help, says Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, the founder of Ideas Beyond Borders. Highlighting the inefficiencies of the current system, he proposes a new model for aid that functions like business investments, empowering local entrepreneurs with money to build their communities and create jobs at a fraction of traditional costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 19, 20256 min

Collagen's dirty secret — and its clean future | Fei Luo

From cosmetics to nutrition, collagen is seemingly everywhere — but we don't often discuss its ethically questionable sources, says chemical engineer Fei Luo. She delves into the groundbreaking technology that uses genetically modified yeast to brew animal-free collagen, a process that could pave the way for a functional, tasty and harm-free future for this crucial protein. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 18, 20258 min

What if AI could spot your lies? | Riccardo Loconte

Humans are terrible at detecting lies, says psychologist Riccardo Loconte ... but what if we had an AI-powered tool to help? He introduces his team’s work successfully training an AI to recognize falsehoods in certain contexts, laying the groundwork for a world where everything from national security to social media is a little bit safer — and a bit more ethically complicated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 17, 202516 min

A bold new chapter for TED | Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson, head of TED, has some big news to share: after 25 years of leading the organization, he's issuing an open invitation to pass on its stewardship to someone new. It could be anyone. Maybe you? In conversation with Jay Herratti (CEO of TED) and Anna Verghese (executive director of The Audacious Project), Anderson shares the big idea that's driven this decision — and why he's convinced it will open the door to a truly exciting future for TED. (Reach out to us at NextChapter@TED.com t...

Feb 16, 202559 min

How little experiments can lead to big success | Emmanuel Acho and David Epstein

Are your goals and resolutions actually holding you back from becoming your best self? Emmanuel Acho — a former NFL player, now an author and TV sports analyst — sits down with investigative reporter David Epstein to explore why goal-setting often backfires. They dive into how letting go of rigid goals and embracing flexibility can spark meaningful growth and help you discover what really drives you forward. (This live conversation was part of a TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to ...

Feb 15, 202554 min

How to divorce as allies, not enemies | Allison O'Brien

Ending a marriage doesn’t have to mean ending a family, says communication expert Allison O'Brien, who navigated her own divorce without lawyers or mediators. She introduces a framework for ensuring a divorce remains peaceful, supports children and creates a new family dynamic that nurtures everyone involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 14, 202511 min

How AI will answer questions we haven't thought to ask | Aravind Srinivas

Human potential will only accelerate with AI answering questions better and faster than ever before, says Aravind Srinivas, cofounder and CEO of conversational search engine Perplexity. He examines the trends driving new AI-powered tools that nourish curiosity and creativity — and how they might usher in a new era of intellectual growth and discovery. "Knowledge does not really care about who you are, where you're from or who you have access to. Rather, what matters is the next question you're g...

Feb 13, 202513 min

Why joy is a serious way to take action | Pattie Gonia

While doom and gloom may wake people up, joy keeps them in the fight, says drag queen and environmentalist Pattie Gonia. With humor, creativity and a dress made of thrifted shower curtains and upcycled pink flamingo pool floaties, Pattie shows why embracing fun might be the key to building a stronger, more inclusive climate movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 12, 202511 min

The power shift US politics needs | Anathea Chino

As the cofounder of Advance Native Political Leadership, Anathea Chino creates space for Native American leaders to thrive in an often unwelcoming political system. Alongside comedian and filmmaker Negin Farsad, she discusses the power of diverse identities in politics, how her organization prepares Indigenous people to lead politically and why even "an average white guy" should support their work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 11, 202510 min

Embrace your main character energy with Natasha Rothwell | On the Spot

Actor and writer Natasha Rothwell takes the stage for “On the Spot,” TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format. Answering a stream of unexpected questions, she dishes on everything from creativity and representation in TV to love, the first “pinch me” moment of her career and a discovery that recently blew her mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 10, 202513 min

Sunday Pick: A Healthier You: A cardiologist's guide to protecting your heart | TED Health

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This is a special episode of the "A Healthier You" mini series on the TED Health podcast. Join host Shoshana Ungerleider as she guides you on a special journey to embrace your healthiest self. Join her and experts from across the healthcare space as they dive deeper into ideas and knowledge that could change the way you think about health – from your heart to your brain to your gut. This is the...

Feb 09, 202524 min

Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume

Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural light part of your daily routine — and shows why stepping outside might be the simplest, most impactful change you can make to get better rest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 08, 202510 min

The unique love between humans and dogs | Elias Weiss Friedman

What makes the bond between people and dogs so special? Elias Weiss Friedman, creator of The Dogist, has captured millions of hearts by documenting this unique connection through his journalistic style of dog portraits, which reveal each precious pup's unique personality. In this photographic tour of his work, he reflects on his global travels documenting humanity's four-legged best friends — and reminds us of the magical ways dogs make life better. (This conversation was hosted by TED’s Cloe Sh...

Feb 07, 202512 min

Love, trust and marketing in the age of AI | Amaryllis Liampoti

As AI chatbots become more personal and proactive, the line between tool and companion is beginning to blur, with some users even professing love for their digital aides, says business consultant Amaryllis Liampoti. She presents three foundational principles for how brands can harness AI to build deeper emotional connections with consumers while prioritizing well-being, transparency and autonomy — ensuring AI enhances lives without undermining human agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Feb 06, 202511 min

Is perfectionism just procrastination in disguise? | Jon Youshaei

What separates struggling artists from successful ones? Looking to creative geniuses like Mozart, Edison and Monet, video creator Jon Youshaei explains why aiming to be prolific — despite flops and failures along the way — is the key to unlocking your creative success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 05, 202515 min

Do you talk to yourself? Here’s how to harness your inner voice | Ethan Kross

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

Feb 04, 202514 min

Why do some bodies respond differently to disease? | Erika Moore

TED Fellow and equity bioengineer Erika Moore investigates how cells controlling inflammation behave differently depending on a patient's background. By focusing on the "who" behind the disease, Moore is uncovering why certain diseases disproportionately affect certain ethnicities, paving the way for more inclusive and effective health care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 03, 202516 min