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.

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Episodes

A new lifeline for the world's coral reefs | Theresa Fyffe

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet and the lifeblood of a thriving ocean. Yet without action, 90 percent of coral reefs could die by 2050. Fortunately, reef guardian Theresa Fyffe has a plan. Learn how her team at the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is rolling out a targeted approach to large-scale coral restoration by combining breakthrough science with Indigenous wisdom and global collaboration — giving coral reefs (and our planet) a fighting chance. (This ambitious idea...

Jun 05, 202510 min

Why Ukraine's drone attack on Russia changes war forever | Ian Bremmer

Ukraine’s surprise drone strike deep inside Russia damaged billions of dollars’ worth of irreplaceable military aircraft and marks a major milestone in the ongoing conflict. Political scientist Ian Bremmer breaks down how the Ukrainians pulled off the astonishing attack, the risk of nuclear retaliation from Putin and why “asymmetric warfare” is here to stay. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on June 2, 2025.) Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our s...

Jun 04, 202547 min

Beyond the Talk: Lei Cheng in conversation with TED Talks Daily

“ I marvel at every little freedom that we have. Because for three years and two months, it was all brutally taken away from me,” says Australian journalist Lei Cheng. In 2020, Lei was wrongfully detained in China after being falsely accused of leaking state secrets. Several years after her release, she took the stage at TED2025 to share her perspective on the meaning and value of freedom. Following her talk, Lei sat down for a special conversation with TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu to discuss h...

Jun 03, 202521 min

What I learned about freedom in a secret Chinese prison | Lei Cheng

Accused of leaking state secrets, journalist Lei Cheng was imprisoned in China for more than three years, where she was detained in tight quarters and kept under constant supervision. “Freedom is wasted on the free,” she says, recounting how she and fellow inmates found joy in the smallest of moments: the smell of rain, a poem delivered in secrecy, kindness where it seemed undeserved. She distills the unexpected lessons that confinement taught her — and challenges us to rethink what freedom real...

Jun 03, 202512 min

Can AI help us speak with wolves? | Jeffrey T. Reed

Why do wolves howl? With the help of AI, we're getting closer to an answer. Linguist and software engineer Jeffrey T. Reed shares his research on wolf sounds in the wild, revealing the surprisingly complex range of vocalizations — barks, yelps, whimpers, even teeth clacking — these creatures make for different social functions. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasear...

Jun 02, 202512 min

Sunday Pick: How do you approach gender as a parent? (with LB Hannahs) | How to Be a Better Human

Thinking and talking about gender is complex for anyone, and for some people it’s a frequent conversation–especially for parents. In today’s episode, LB Hannahs, a genderqueer parent, shares their experience of parenting and discusses why they try to center authenticity and gender expansive thinking in the way they live their lives–both in how they interact with their kids, and how they work and show up in their community. Plus, from rethinking the gifts we give children to embracing the spectru...

Jun 01, 202537 min

How do you take the right risks? A photographer and brand builder answer | David Suh and Molly Graham

How do you find the courage to take risks — and succeed? Portrait photographer David Suh and brand builder Molly Graham explore the challenges of building confidence, navigating setbacks and learning to embrace the real "you." (This conversation is part of "TED Intersections," a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our world.) Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou...

May 31, 202529 min

Beyond the Talk: Ariel Ekblaw in conversation with TED Talks Daily

"We should be protecting the Earth — and we can use space technology to do that," says aerospace architect Ariel Ekblaw. Following her talk at TED2025, Ekblaw sat down for a special conversation with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to discuss how space-based technology can improve daily life on Earth. From creating artificial retinas in zero gravity to installing solar panels above the atmosphere to capture sunlight, Ekblaw discusses the different technological advancements that help humanity...

May 30, 202522 min

How to build in space for life on Earth | Ariel Ekblaw

Is space the “final frontier” — or the perfect place to revolutionize life on Earth? Space architect Ariel Ekblaw reveals how self-assembling structures could build orbiting real estate in space dedicated to solving humanity’s greatest dilemmas on Earth, leading to scientific and medical breakthroughs only possible in zero gravity. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/idea...

May 30, 202512 min

Let your ambition light you up, not burn you out | Tarveen Forrester

Burnout shouldn’t be the price of success, but setting boundaries at work is easier said than done. Tarveen Forrester, who oversees workplace culture at Kickstarter, shares practical strategies for protecting your time and cultivating “sustainable ambition,” so you can crush your goals — without letting them crush you. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch Hosted...

May 29, 20259 min

Why does uncertainty bother us so much? | Adam Kucharski

Why do we find it easier to trust some concepts and ideas over others? Mathematician Adam Kucharski explores the science of uncertainty, revealing how the very human need for explanation shapes trust in science, fear of technology and belief in conspiracy theories. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 28, 202513 min

The future isn't just coded — it's built | Lauren Dunford

Look around — almost everything you see was manufactured, from baby formula to AI data centers and beyond. Yet we rarely think about how it’s all made. Factory fixer Lauren Dunford pulls back the curtain on modern manufacturing, revealing just how thrilling and world-shaping this unsung engine of progress can be. Discover how reinventing this overlooked industry could be one of the most important opportunities of our time — and why we all have a role to play. Want to help shape TED’s shows going...

May 27, 202512 min

Let your garden grow wild | Rebecca McMackin

Many gardeners work hard to maintain clean, tidy environments ... which is the exact opposite of what wildlife wants, says ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin. She shows the beauty of letting your garden run wild, surveying the success she's had increasing biodiversity even in the middle of New York City — and offers tips for cultivating a garden that can be home to birds, bees, butterflies and more. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED ...

May 26, 202514 min

Sunday Pick: How to say no | WorkLife with Adam Grant

In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” He highlights strategies for setting boundaries with others to create space for yourself—and healthier relationships with those around you. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more ab...

May 25, 202537 min

A comedian's take on how to save democracy | Jordan Klepper

Conversation is a battlefield with only one winner. Or is it? Comedian and author Jordan Klepper believes we can get better at talking to each other (and perhaps save democracy) by learning how to lose. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 24, 202510 min

Is this the time of monsters — or miracles? | Angus Hervey

Headlines warn of a world in collapse, but solutions journalist Angus Hervey finds the overlooked triumphs that never make the news — from the rollout of malaria vaccines to the recovery of sea turtles. With hard data and stories from the frontlines, he reveals the hidden progress that perseveres even as it feels like the world is falling apart, and challenges us to decide which future we'll help write. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next...

May 23, 202512 min

Why love is harder in a second language | Magdalena Hoeller

Saying “I love you” often feels more meaningful in your first language than in any other language you learn later in life, explains linguist and polyglot Magdalena Hoeller. Unpacking the hidden challenges of intercultural relationships — from language barriers and humor gaps to subtle power dynamics — she shares how couples can turn these struggles into opportunities to grow closer. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou...

May 22, 202517 min

This is what the future of media looks like | Hamish McKenzie

What if the polarizing mess of social media, clickbait headlines and addictive algorithms isn't a breakdown of media but a transition to something better? Substack cofounder Hamish McKenzie explores how independent creators are growing a new media "garden," where trust beats engagement metrics and audiences matter more than ads. Learn why clicking “subscribe” doesn’t just signal support; it gives you power. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED ...

May 21, 202513 min

The catastrophic risks of AI — and a safer path | Yoshua Bengio

Yoshua Bengio — the world's most-cited computer scientist and a "godfather" of artificial intelligence — is deadly concerned about the current trajectory of the technology. As AI models race toward full-blown agency, Bengio warns that they've already learned to deceive, cheat, self-preserve and slip out of our control. Drawing on his groundbreaking research, he reveals a bold plan to keep AI safe and ensure that human flourishing, not machines with unchecked power and autonomy, defines our futur...

May 20, 202515 min

How to make climate stories impossible to ignore | Katherine Dunn

In environmental reporting, “it's not always about the big climate story,” says journalist Katherine Dunn. She challenges newsrooms to rethink how they cover climate change, connecting to the things readers love — whether that’s jobs, football or even a good mango — with three actionable tips for making overlooked stories irresistible. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/...

May 19, 202512 min

TED Talks Daily Book Club: Start With Why, 15th Anniversary Edition | Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is an inspirational speaker and author of the bestselling book, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.” In this TED Talks Daily Book Club interview, with host Elise Hu, Simon reflects on his message 15 years later and explains why it’s important to stay true to your why, both in the short- and long-term. He also tells us how to identify purpose-driven leaders and shares actionable steps you can take to find your own why. The TED Talks Daily Book Club seri...

May 18, 202536 min

The economic opportunity hidden in the climate transition | Marielle Remillard

The energy grid of the future demands a massive amount of materials: billions of solar panels, millions of wind turbines and more. Climate strategist Marielle Remillard reveals why there may be critical shortages ahead — and breaks down how this could also be the biggest business opportunity since the Industrial Revolution. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch H...

May 17, 202514 min

What if the climate movement felt like a house party? | Matthew Phillips

You’re invited into a bold new vision for the climate movement — a space of trust and honesty, where artists inspire action and everyone has a role to play. Social impact leader Matthew Phillips explores how shared purpose and imagination can revive the fragmented approach to climate action and unlock the power of collective momentum. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/i...

May 16, 202510 min

The AI revolution is underhyped | Eric Schmidt

The arrival of non-human intelligence is a very big deal, says former Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt. In a wide-ranging interview with technologist Bilawal Sidhu, Schmidt makes the case that AI is wildly underhyped, as near-constant breakthroughs give rise to systems capable of doing even the most complex tasks on their own. He explores the staggering opportunities, sobering challenges and urgent risks of AI, showing why everyone will need to engage with this technology in order to remain ...

May 15, 202527 min

The delicious potential of rescuing wasted food | Jasmine Crowe-Houston

What if solving hunger isn't about growing more food but wasting less of it? Social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe-Houston has made that idea her mission with Goodr, a platform that reroutes surplus food to people in need. In conversation with journalist and "TED Radio Hour" host Manoush Zomorodi, she shares how a viral moment led to a nationwide effort to fix the food waste problem. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou Fo...

May 14, 202515 min

Are we cooked? How social media shapes your language | Adam Aleksic

Gen Z slang is rife with new words like "unalive," "skibidi" and "rizz." Where do these words come from — and how do they get popular so fast? Linguist Adam Aleksic explores how the forces of social media algorithms are reshaping the way people talk and view their very own identities. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

May 13, 202515 min

How I make vegan food sexy | Pinky Cole

At the plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole is flipping the script on vegan food with bold style. In conversation with host of "TED Radio Hour" Manoush Zomorodi, she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, from her roots in Baltimore to the grease fire that took her first storefront in Harlem. Learn more about the authenticity, resilience and community that went into building a multimillion-dollar vegan food empire. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fil...

May 12, 202520 min

Sunday Pick: The poetry of Nepal's bridges | Far Flung

To get to school, work, or another town in Nepal, it helps if you don't have a fear of heights. That's because this mountainous terrain (it's home to Mount Everest after all) is connected via THOUSANDS of bridges. Whether permanent or seasonal, made of bamboo and rope or pulleys and wire, suspended above incredible mountains or rapid waters, the Nepalese have networked their country through amazing, unique, and exhilarating engineering. Find out how building and re-building bridges became a part...

May 11, 202529 min

The poetry of family | Duncan Keegan (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Duncan Keegan doesn't consider himself a poet, but this deeply beautiful talk shows otherwise. With simple grace and quiet eloquence, he celebrates family, connection and togetherness, often most called for at the hardest of times. This is episode seven of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily , where author, podcaster and past TED speaker Kelly Corrigan — and her six TED2025 speakers — explore the question: In the world of artificial intelligence, what is a parent for? To hear...

May 10, 202529 min

Can AI help with the chaos of family life? | Avni Patel Thompson (Kelly Corrigan takeover)

Tech innovator Avni Patel Thompson designed an app to shield busy parents from the chaos of scheduling school pickups, coordinating playdates, planning birthday parties and more — but as the product developed, something felt off. What might we lose when AI smooths over the friction of everyday family life? Patel Thompson explores her surprising discovery and how you can leverage AI to connect more deeply with the ones you love. This is episode six of a seven-part series airing this week on TED T...

May 09, 202527 min
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