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

Sunday Pick: Kristen Bell on delivering honesty with empathy | from ReThinking with Adam Grant

On today's "Sunday Pick" on TED Talks Daily, we're bring you an episode from the TED Podcast ReThinking with Adam Grant . You probably know Kristen Bell as the star behind characters like Veronica Mars, Princess Anna from Frozen , and Eleanor from The Good Place . In this episode, Adam sits down with Kristen live at BetterUp’s Uplift leadership summit to examine how she’s learning to overcome her people pleasing tendencies and stop internalizing other people’s emotions. Kristen gets in character...

May 31, 202643 min

The counterintuitive secret of leadership | Jessica Kriegel

Control is an illusion — and the leaders who chase it are holding their teams back. Workplace culture expert Jessica Kriegel explores the tactic that leaders who want to achieve extraordinary results should try instead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 30, 202614 min

How screens stole childhood — and how to get it back | Jonathan Haidt

Humans aren't just social — we're ultrasocial, wired like bees and ants for deep connection. So what happens when smartphones take over childhood, tablets replace textbooks and AI companies infiltrate our kids’ lives? Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out three principles of technoskepticism — and explains why, two years after sounding the alarm in “The Anxious Generation,” he's more concerned (and hopeful) than ever before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 29, 202621 min

The invisible infrastructure in the sky | Adam Bry

Drones aren't just weapons of war; they're becoming first responders, infrastructure inspectors and guardians of the grid. Adam Bry, who leads the top drone manufacturer in the US, shows how autonomous drones are transforming emergency response and public safety — from detecting faulty power lines and preventing wildfires to catching crime in real time. During his talk, he demos the technology live from the TED stage, piloting a drone in Tokyo from his laptop in Vancouver. Hosted on Acast. See a...

May 28, 202612 min

My $60 million science experiment | Mark Rober

Mark Rober spent years trying to land a rover on Mars. Now, the former NASA engineer turned science YouTuber with millions of subscribers is launching a new mission: to teach the next generation of big problem solvers. That's why he's spending 60 million dollars to build a STEM curriculum kids actually want. With squirrel obstacle courses, giant lasers and elephant toothpaste explosions, who wouldn't want to learn from YouTube's top engineer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

May 27, 202615 min

The missing ingredient in every peace deal | Hiba Qasas

What if the path to peace starts with self-interest? After four decades inside some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones, mediator Hiba Qasas has learned that most peacebuilding efforts get it wrong from the start. She makes a provocative case that conciliation shouldn't begin with empathy — and reveals how leading with shared incentives brought hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian leaders into active collaboration, even in the midst of war. (Following her talk, Elise Hu, host of TED Talk...

May 26, 202634 min

How to set the right goals and stay motivated | Ayelet Fishbach (re-release)

You can't just "find" motivation, says scientist Ayelet Fishbach — you have to learn how to motivate yourself. She shares a handful of tips backed by 20 years of motivation research, offering surprisingly simple wisdom on how to optimize your goals, set yourself up for success and avoid the tempting calls of procrastination. (This episode originally aired in 2024.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 25, 202619 min

How to prevent burnout (w/ Master Fixer Guy Winch) | from Fixable

In this episode, Dr. Guy Winch, author of "Mind Over Grind," explains the insidious ways work infiltrates our personal lives, leading to burnout even for passionate professionals. He outlines warning signs like autopilot behavior and emotional numbness, distinguishing between mere rest and true restorative recovery. Winch provides practical strategies including creating daily and weekly transition rituals, optimizing vacations for real rest, and leveraging calendar "brain hacks" to prioritize self-care. He also addresses leaders, advocating for a win-win approach that prioritizes employee well-being for increased productivity and loyalty, and urges a collective effort to challenge unhealthy workplace norms.

May 24, 202635 min

How to be smarter about the news | Ian Bremmer

Political scientist Ian Bremmer has access to the rooms, conversations and world leaders who make the news of the day. So how does he stay on top of everything that’s going on? In conversation with TED’s Helen Walters, Bremmer opens up about how he thinks about sources, how he avoids getting spun — and what we can all do to think more clearly about the news. (This interview was recorded on May 20, 2026.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 23, 202653 min

How to stand out in the ocean of AI slop | Mick Mahler

AI artist Mick Mahler has a counterintuitive take: the more powerful the machines get, the less the technology actually matters. Showing delightful examples of his own art, from jazz-playing spiders to a Kafka-inspired beetle film, he explains how creators can use new technology to serve their vision (not replace it). The real question — the one that separates meaningful work from AI slop — is the one only you can answer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 22, 202610 min

How I set myself free | Keke Palmer

Multihyphenate entertainer Keke Palmer has mastered the art of performing — on stage and off. But she realized the skills that carried her family out of poverty might be the very thing keeping her trapped. In this powerful talk, she unpacks the hidden cost of hyper-functioning and what it really means to stop acting and start living. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 202618 min

The problem with streaming — and the case for physical media | Tom Rizzuto

Streaming media gives us access to everything instantly, but at what cost? Music professor Tom Rizzuto traces the history of physical media — from CDs and vinyl to bone music (Soviet-era records pressed onto discarded X-rays) and the near-loss of "Nosferatu" — making the case that art shouldn't just live in the cloud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 20, 202610 min

The simple habit for a happier social life | Nicholas Epley

We are wired for connection, and yet many of us spend most of our lives avoiding it, says behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley. Drawing on decades of research into happiness, loneliness and well-being, he reveals why we consistently underestimate how receptive others are to connecting — and invites us to seize the small moments that lead to a more social life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 202616 min

Life lessons from the DJ booth | ELEW

Welcome to Club Reality, where no matter what life throws at you, the music never stops. In this talk and performance, musician ELEW shares his path from jazz pianist to DJ — and the unexpected philosophy he finds in both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 18, 20269 min

Sunday Pick: What are allergies — and how to get rid of them with Dr. Zachary Rubin | from TED Health

On today's "Sunday Pick" on TED Talks Daily, we bring you an episode from TED Podcast TEDHealth. Does eating local honey help reduce your allergies through microexposure to local pollen? How effective is at-home allergies test? And why do so many Olympic athletes have asthma? These are some of the questions raised in today’s conversation with host Shoshana Ungerleider and her guest, immunologist Dr. Zachary Rubin. From cat dander to pollen to peanuts, Dr. Rubin discusses how having minor to seve...

May 17, 202632 min

Why I love my bad days | Alexi Pappas

One month before the Rio Olympics, runner Alexi Pappas couldn't hit her splits in practice. She was begging her watch to change its mind. Then her coach told her to take it off — and shared the best advice she's ever received. That single piece of wisdom led her to break a national record and changed how she chases her goals, carrying her through ultramarathons, a memoir and three films. Bad days aren't a detour, she says — they mean you're right on track. Following the talk, host Elise Hu caugh...

May 16, 202633 min

How to give feedback that lands | Dr Renee St Jacques

Most managers give feedback. Few give feedback that actually works. Drawing on her background in psychology and executive coaching, Renee St Jacques breaks down what so many well-intentioned leaders get wrong — and introduces a three-part framework to help teams rebuild trust and perform at their best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 15, 202614 min

Why humans should merge with AI | D Scott Phoenix

Deep tech entrepreneur D. Scott Phoenix spent years building AI — now, he believes we're on the cusp of a profound merger between humans and machines. Reframing the AI debate through the lens of evolutionary biology, he shifts the question from whether we should fear or embrace AI to whether we understand what's at stake if we get it wrong. Hear his provocative case for why we need to "eat the AI." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 14, 202614 min

A simple solution to fix workplace miscommunication | Melissa M. Mikus

Melissa M. Mikus uncovers the hidden costs of workplace miscommunication, revealing how it leads to wasted effort, frustration, and significant financial losses for businesses. She introduces a surprisingly simple, no-cost solution: a "communication style tag." This tag helps individuals specify their preferred communication methods and optimal working conditions, fostering clearer interactions, building trust, and creating more effective teams by making communication styles visible and actionable.

May 13, 202612 min

The wildlife sanctuary you can visit from anywhere | Maya Higa

Maya Higa shares her journey from zookeeper to pioneering a unique online animal sanctuary, Alveus. She explains how livestreaming rehabilitated animals like Bean the Hawk led to a viral moment, enabling her to fund and build a sanctuary where animals are protected while reaching millions globally with conservation education, inspiring young audiences to become active environmentalists.

May 12, 202611 min

Waymo's case for a driverless future | Tekedra Mawakana, Sal Khan

What if we could solve the problem of fatal car accidents? Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana joins TED's Sal Khan to explore why fully autonomous vehicles (where you never have to touch the wheel) are more than a tech novelty — they could help end the dangerous status quo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 11, 202621 min

Sunday Pick: How Adam Grant uses data and intuition to make life decisions | from WorkLife with Molly Graham

Most of us assume data-driven people make data-driven decisions. Not quite. Adam Grant has built a career helping others think more clearly — but when it comes to his own career, the most important calls he’s made didn’t have clear data behind them. So how did he decide? In this first episode of WorkLife with Molly Graham, Adam joins Molly to talk about how he actually navigates uncertainty — the four questions he asks before committing to any big project, what he calls “deliberate then dive”, a...

May 10, 202645 min

Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks | Molly Graham (re-release and interview)

Success in your career looks different for everyone — but no matter your industry, you'll need to take risks. Company and community builder Molly Graham took to the TED stage two years ago to share three key skills to learn before jumping off a metaphorical cliff, outlining a path off the corporate ladder and into true professional and personal growth -- and these key skills are more relevant today than ever. Today, Molly has returned to TED as the new host of the podcast, WorkLife . WorkLife is...

May 09, 202648 min

All it takes is 10 mindful minutes | Andy Puddicombe (re-release)

In this re-released TED Talk, former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe shares his journey and insights into the practice of mindfulness. He highlights how our increasingly distracted lives lead to stress and unhappiness, advocating for a simple 10-minute daily meditation practice. Puddicombe demystifies meditation, explaining it's not about stopping thoughts but about cultivating a balanced, focused mind to experience life more fully.

May 08, 202612 min

What really won the trillion-dollar Supreme Court case | Neal Kumar Katyal

Supreme Court litigator Neal Katyal reveals the behind-the-scenes strategy that led to his landmark victory against presidential tariffs, a case many deemed impossible. He describes how four "teachers" - a sports coach for mindset, an improv coach for real-time connection, a meditation coach for stillness, and a secret AI system for predictive foresight - were instrumental. Katyal emphasizes that while AI provides invaluable analysis, it's the uniquely human capacity for connection and persuasion that ultimately secures victory, offering crucial lessons for navigating an AI-driven future.

May 07, 202620 min

How moms shape the world | Anna Malaika Tubbs (re-release)

Mothers undeniably impact and shape history -- but their stories are often left out or misrepresented, says sociologist and author Anna Malaika Tubbs. This erasure limits policies to support mothers and their essential roles in society. Citing the remarkable lives of Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin (the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin, respectively), Tubbs emphasizes the need to shift the perspective on motherhood at a cultural level -- to better ref...

May 06, 202615 min

Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam (re-release)

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. This episode originally aired in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 05, 202612 min

The rising cost of dissent in America | Miles Taylor

Former senior US national security official Miles Taylor shares a personal account that raises a broader civic concern: the growing cost of dissent in American public life. Drawing on his experience inside government and living the consequences of speaking openly, he says that the real threat to US democracy isn't the politicians or hard-liners — it's the two-thirds of Americans who don’t speak up. (This talk contains mature language.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 04, 202621 min

Sunday Pick: Are you feeling emotionally stuck? Here’s How to get past it (w/ Yowei Shaw) | from How to Be a Better Human

What if your hardest emotional challenges could be solved by talking to a stranger? A person who has gone through the exact same situation or something very similar. That’s the premise of Proxy, a podcast that investigates your niche emotional conundrums with host Yowei Shaw. In this episode, Yowei and Chris talk about the power of knowing you’re not the only person going through something, however specific. Whether it’s losing your job, a friend breakup, or an alternate version of your life tha...

May 03, 202643 min

How to invite creativity into your life | Rose B. Simpson, Debbie Millman

What do you hear when you sit in silence? For artist Rose B. Simpson, that question is the beginning of all art. She comes from a line of ceramic artists stretching back generations and, as part of her multidisciplinary work, she also builds custom lowrider cars. (If that sounds like a contradiction, that's kind of the point.) In conversation with "Design Matters" podcast host Debbie Millman, Simpson invites you to find your own aesthetic — not by searching, but by listening. Hosted on Acast. Se...

May 02, 202620 min
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