The Power of Family Stories
Host Shankar Vedantam first speaks with psychologist Robin Fyvush about how family stories shape children's memories, emotional development, identity, and resilience. They discuss research on parent-child reminiscing, different styles of family storytelling, and why knowing intergenerational stories predicts better well-being. In the second part, philosopher Massimo Pagliucci answers listener questions about stoicism, clarifying common misconceptions and showing how stoic ideas can help people handle anxiety, grief, relationships, and large-scale problems like climate change.
Quantum Refuge
Radiolab host Lulu speaks with 28-year-old Gazan physicist Qasem Walid about how quantum physics has become both a language and an inner refuge for him while living through war, displacement, and loss in Gaza. Over months of conversations, he describes daily life under bombardment, the deaths of his professor and relatives, and his experience of feeling like Schrödinger's cat-trapped in a box where his survival is uncertain and unseen by the outside world. He uses concepts like superposition, quantum tunneling, and harmonic oscillators to make sense of his own existence and to plead for the world to "open the box" and truly look at what is happening in Gaza.
How to Move On When You Still Miss Your Ex (4 Hard Truths That Will FINALLY Set You Free)
Jay Shetty explores why breakups can feel so difficult to move on from, connecting the pain of missing an ex to brain chemistry, identity, and emotional needs rather than to the person themselves. He debunks common myths about time and closure, reframes what we actually miss in a relationship, and offers specific practices to stop romanticizing the past, rebuild structure, and focus on self-worth and personal growth. He closes by normalizing setbacks in healing and encouraging listeners to see heartbreak as a meaningful chapter that can humanize and strengthen them rather than define them.
Two US governors - a Democrat and a Republican - on why there's hope for democracy | Matt Meyer and J. Kevin Stitt
Democratic Governor of Delaware Matt Meyer and Republican Governor of Oklahoma J. Kevin Stitt interview each other on stage at TED Next 2025 about the health and future of American democracy. They discuss restoring trust in government through effective service delivery and federalism, navigating polarized information ecosystems, leveraging AI and apprenticeships in education, and preserving the American dream through integrity-driven, bipartisan leadership. The conversation emphasizes shared values, personal rapport, and practical reforms over partisan point-scoring.
Short Stuff: Third Man Syndrome
Josh and Chuck discuss "third man syndrome," a phenomenon where people in extreme, often life-threatening situations report sensing a distinct, guiding presence that feels like another person with them. They explore classic accounts from Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition, mountaineers like Frank Smythe and Joe Simpson, and survivors of the 9/11 attacks, then consider possible explanations ranging from an innate survival mechanism to the bicameral mind hypothesis. The conversation stays grounded in reported experiences while acknowledging that science has no definitive explanation yet.
From Medal of Honor: Showing Up On Veterans Day
Host J.R. Martinez reflects on Veterans Day, encouraging listeners to move beyond a simple "thank you" by having real conversations with veterans and allowing them to share as much or as little as they wish. He recounts his own journey from enlisting after 9/11, surviving a devastating combat injury, and losing his identities as both soldier and young man, to rediscovering purpose through serving fellow patients, vulnerability, and storytelling. Martinez connects these experiences to the themes of the Medal of Honor podcast, emphasizing the power of simply showing up, the humanity behind acts of heroism, and the importance of veterans telling their stories in their own way.
Sunday Pick: Tech Solutions (#1): The affordable tech that will revolutionize farming (with Samir Ibrahim and Josephine Waweru)
This episode of TED Tech, part of a special mini-series recorded at the TED Countdown Climate Summit in Nairobi, explores how affordable solar-powered water pumps are transforming smallholder farming. Host Cheryl Dorsey speaks with Sun Culture CEO Samir Ibrahim about building a farmer-centered business that has driven down the cost of solar irrigation through both engineering and business model innovation, while navigating investors and climate-related priorities. Coffee farmer Josephine Waweru then shares how installing a solar pump on her Kenyan farm solved her water challenges, enabled her to expand her crops and income, and inspired her to encourage other farmers and young people to see farming as a viable, growth-oriented business.
My identity is a superpower - not an obstacle | America Ferrera (re-release)
In this re-released 2019 TED Talk, actor and activist America Ferreira recounts her journey from a nine-year-old dreaming of being an actress to confronting the systemic stereotypes and limitations placed on her as a brown, poor, fat Latina in Hollywood. She explains how her breakout roles in Real Women Have Curves and Ugly Betty revealed the power of authentic representation, both for audiences and for her own sense of worth. Ferreira argues that her identity is not an obstacle but a superpower, and calls for individuals and systems to stop resisting what the world actually looks like and to align their values and actions with genuine inclusion.
Feeling Lazy or Unmotivated? (Do THIS 5-Minute Rule to Build Discipline & Take Action NOW!)
The host shares a structured approach to overcoming feelings of laziness and lack of motivation by focusing on small, easy actions that build momentum and self-belief over time. He explains how to lower the activation barrier, build rituals instead of relying on willpower, reset dopamine sensitivity, and design your environment to support focus. The episode culminates in practical tools like the 5-minute rule, accountability that "hurts," and a nightly 3-minute review to reinforce progress and consistency.
Sunday Pick: How to use your muscles - or risk losing them | How to Be a Better Human
Host Chris Duffy talks with journalist and author Bonnie Tsui about what muscles really are, why they matter, and how strength training can transform health and identity across a lifetime. They discuss age-related muscle loss, the importance of lifting "heavy" for everyone, and how muscle functions as both mechanical mover and endocrine tissue that communicates with the brain. The conversation also explores gendered body norms, strong women in sport, Bonnie's upbringing with a martial-artist father, surfing as a metaphor for presence, and how interoception and muscle memory help us navigate injury, aging, and joy in movement.
How to build your confidence - and spark it in others | Brittany Packnett Cunningham (re-release)
Host Elise Hu introduces a 2019 TED Talk by educator and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham on the nature and power of confidence. Drawing on stories from her childhood, her classroom, women rangers in Kenya, and her own career, Brittany argues that confidence is a critical engine for turning ideas into action and pursuing justice. She outlines three elements that "crack the code" of what she calls revolutionary confidence: permission, community, and curiosity.
How to empower the next generation of pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba
Airline and helicopter pilot and educator Refilwe Ledwaba shares her journey from flight attendant to becoming the first Black woman helicopter pilot in South Africa, highlighting how a supportive instructor redesigned training around her background and learning needs. She explains how those experiences inspired her to found Girls Fly Africa, which prepares young people-especially girls from rural and traditional communities-for careers in aviation and aerospace through information, skills training, financial support, networks, and long‑term mentorship. In a follow‑up conversation, she and TED Fellows Program Director Lily Jameson Olds discuss systemic barriers for women in aviation, the importance of community and role models, and her vision of normalizing women's presence in high‑level aviation roles.
7 Micro Habits That Will INSTANTLY Reset Your Mind & Boost Energy (Without Changing Your Whole Routine!)
The host shares seven small, immediately usable habits designed to reset your mind, regulate stress, and boost energy without overhauling your entire routine. He explains when to use each habit, how to practice it in under a few minutes, and why it works psychologically and biologically. Throughout, he emphasizes using micro-habits to create emotional regulation, presence, and better decision-making in everyday situations.
How satellites are supporting farmers across Africa | Catherine Nakalembe
Satellite food security specialist Catherine Nakalembe explains how she uses satellite imagery and machine learning to map and monitor crops across African countries, and why many existing models fail when applied to smallholder farms. In a follow-up conversation with TED Fellows Program Director Lily James-Olds, she describes the gap between powerful data systems and farmers' realities, the importance of ground-based data and local context, and her efforts to build practical, human-centered ways to turn drought and flood information into action. She also shares a grassroots project to establish soil moisture calibration stations in Africa and reflects on the institutional and financial barriers, as well as the sources of hope that keep her pursuing this work.
Constantly Overthinking or Doubting Yourself? (Do THIS 5-Minute Reset to Break Your Negative Spiral!)
Jay Shetty delivers a solo episode about how to interrupt negative self-talk and the inner critic that sabotages progress. He explains why self-criticism feels like control but actually undermines performance, how shame differs from guilt, why our brains focus on mistakes, and why progress and healing are non-linear. Through research references, practical reframes, and examples, he offers seven mindset shifts to replace self-beating with self-compassion, accountability, gratitude, and strategic rest.
TED Talks Daily Book Club: Why change is so scary - and how to unlock its potential | Maya Shankar (re-release)
Host Elise Hu introduces a live virtual book club around Oliver Berkman's book "Meditations for Mortals" and frames a replay of cognitive scientist Maya Shankar's 2023 TED talk about navigating unexpected change. In her talk, Shankar shares her own story of losing her dream of becoming a concert violinist, along with the experiences of others, to illustrate how change can be frightening because of uncertainty and loss but can also expand our capabilities, values, and identities. She offers three guiding questions to reframe disruptive events and describes how she is using them in her own current struggle with pregnancy losses and uncertainty about becoming a mother.
Introduction: The Ramsey Show
A caller named Katie from Dallas, Texas shares that she is $27,000 in credit card debt and had only $10 left on payday, prompting urgent financial guidance. The hosts emphasize the need for radical behavioral change, intentionality, and discipline to escape the cycle of fear, debt payments, and living paycheck to paycheck. Throughout the segment, they frame their mission as giving listeners hope, learning, enlightenment, confidence, and a sense of power over their financial situation.
You're Manifesting Wrong! Follow THIS 3-Step Alignment Formula That Actually Works (This is Life Changing!)
Jay Shetty breaks down common myths about manifestation and reframes it as a process of clarity, belief, and aligned, consistent action rather than magical thinking. He walks through seven specific misconceptions-about magic, positivity, journaling, wanting, a smooth path, passivity, and material goals-using research, analogies, and personal stories. The episode emphasizes building systems, taking concrete steps, and aligning goals with deeper values and purpose.
MALALA: The Story The World Hasn't Heard Until Now
Jay Shetty interviews Malala about her journey from a mischievous schoolgirl in Pakistan to a globally recognized girls' education activist after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt at age 15. She describes the loss of her old life, the pressure of being turned into a global symbol, her struggles with loneliness, PTSD, and therapy, and the long process of reclaiming her own identity, humor, and desires. Malala also explains her ongoing work through Malala Fund, the situation of girls in places like Afghanistan, and how she navigated love, self-image, and marriage while staying committed to girls' education.
How to raise confident kids in an age of anxiety | Lenore Skenazy
Journalist and free-range parenting advocate Lenore Skenazy discusses why children's independence has dramatically shrunk over recent decades and how this shift is linked to rising anxiety and depression among kids. She explains the cultural and media forces that fueled overprotective parenting, outlines concrete steps for parents, schools, and communities to safely restore age-appropriate freedom, and describes legal reforms like the Reasonable Childhood Independence Law. The conversation emphasizes how letting kids do things on their own builds competence, confidence, and resilience while revitalizing neighborhoods and preparing young people for adult life and work.
Feel Behind in Your Career, Relationship or Life? THIS Is the Episode You Need To Stop Comparing Yourself
Jay Shetty delivers a solo episode about what to do when you feel behind in your career, relationships, or life. Drawing on psychological research, parables, and stories of public figures, he explains how social comparison, comfort, and misunderstood timelines create a false sense of lateness. He offers six key reminders to reframe progress, embrace struggle, and recognize the invisible skills and foundations you are building over time.
CARDI B: Overcoming Depression, Blocking Out the Hate & Owning Your Power
Jay Shetty interviews Cardi B about her inner world, from the quiet, imaginative child planning her future to the global star navigating fame, motherhood, and relentless public scrutiny. She opens up in detail about growing up in the Bronx, her determination to escape poverty and be financially independent before having kids, and the hustle it took to build her music career. Cardi also shares candidly about severe depression linked to marital struggles, the toll of online hate on her creativity, her tough-love parenting style, deep faith in God, and the inspiration behind her new album "Am I the Drama".
RWH061: How To Thrive No Matter What w/ Arnold Van Den Berg
Host William interviews investor Arnold Vandenberg about his decades-long exploration of the subconscious mind, one-pointed attention, and flow states, drawing on examples from yogic practices, neuroscience, and extreme situations like concentration camps. Arnold explains how he has used focus, breathwork, self-hypnosis, affirmations, and character development to transform his health, athletic performance, investing career, and resilience in the face of adversity. He also shares his current investment positioning in an overvalued market, emphasizing commodities and capital preservation, and concludes with reflections on happiness, love, and overcoming selfishness.
Jay's Must-Listens: Are You Still Holding Onto Childhood Trauma? (Follow 3 Steps & FINALLY Heal) Ft. Gabor Mate & Oprah Winfrey
This episode is a curated collection of conversations about trauma, grief, and healing, featuring insights from Dr. Gabor Mate, John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Anita. Jay Shetty explores how trauma can be loud or subtle, why it often hides behind overachievement or people-pleasing, and how reframing the question from "What's wrong with me?" to "What happened to me?" opens the door to compassion and recovery. The guests share personal stories and frameworks on authenticity, grief, intergenerational wounds, and learning to live fully while carrying past pain.
The Auralyn with Blair Braverman
Survival correspondent Blair Braverman tells Sarah the little-known true story of Maurice and Marilyn Bailey, a British couple whose yacht Auralyn was sunk by a sperm whale in 1973, leaving them adrift on a liferaft for 118 days. Blair walks through their improvised survival strategies, the couple's contrasting mindsets, and how Marilyn's optimism, ingenuity, and traditionally "feminine" tasks became central to their endurance. Together, Blair and Sarah reflect on gender norms in survival narratives, the role of hope and realism, and what this story reveals about relationships, depression, and everyday forms of resilience.
TED Talks Daily Book Club: How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life's Hidden Prisons | Shaka Senghor
Host Elise Hu interviews Shaka Senghor about his new book "How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life's Hidden Prisons," which draws on his journey from childhood trauma and 19 years of incarceration to personal transformation. Senghor explains his concepts of "hidden prisons" like grief, shame, guilt, anger, and unworthiness, and shares practices such as gratitude, forgiveness, journaling, vulnerability, and presence as keys to freedom. He also discusses masculinity, mentoring young men, his work with incarcerated people, and how embracing joy and hope coexist with accountability for past harm.
Forget the corporate ladder - winners take risks | Molly Graham (re-release)
Molly Graham challenges the traditional idea of a linear career "staircase" and argues that great careers are built by taking risks she calls "jumping off cliffs." She illustrates this with her own transition from a secure HR role at Facebook to a risky new project where she initially struggled, then grew into a far more capable version of herself. She outlines three skills needed for successful cliff jumps-learning to actually jump, surviving the emotional fall, and becoming a "professional idiot"-and urges people to question narrow definitions of success and dare to trade the known for the unknown.
How do you turn hope into action? A doctor and a public health expert answer | David Fajgenbaum and Celina de Sola
Host Elise Hu introduces a TED Intersections conversation between public health expert Selena De Sola and immunology researcher David Fagenbaum on how they turn hope into concrete action in their respective fields. Fagenbaum shares how surviving Castleman disease led him to repurpose existing drugs and build the nonprofit EveryCure, now using AI to match old medicines to new diseases, while De Sola explains how her organization, founded in El Salvador, works to create trauma-informed public systems across schools, healthcare, and law enforcement. Together they discuss holding hope and grief simultaneously, navigating setbacks, scaling systemic change, and the leadership, teamwork, and vision required to sustain impact.
Passion vs. Paycheck
Host Shankar Vedantam speaks with organizational scholar Jennifer Tostekaris about the idea of work as a "calling" and how this concept has evolved from its religious roots to a modern secular ideal. They explore compelling examples like Paul Gauguin, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey to illustrate how callings can inspire extraordinary dedication, creativity, and impact. The conversation also examines the psychological and economic downsides of callings, including distorted self-assessment, vulnerability to exploitation, burnout, and the collateral damage to families and other life domains, and concludes with a more tempered view of meaningful work that does not require everyone to have a grand vocation.
(#10) Elise's Top Ten: What almost dying taught me about living | Suleika Jaouad
Host Elise Hu introduces a talk by writer, teacher, and activist Suleika Jaouad, who recounts being diagnosed with leukemia at 22 and spending four years in treatment as "patient number 5624." She explains that surviving cancer did not end her struggle; instead, the hardest part was reentering life afterward, dealing with physical limitations, grief, PTSD, and the myth of the heroic, ever-grateful survivor. Jaouad describes a 15,000-mile road trip to visit readers who had written to her, and shares what she learned about meaning, hope, and living in the in‑between space between sickness and health.
How do you rethink how the world works? An entrepreneur and an engineer answer | Yancey Strickler and Jenny Du
Host Elise Hu introduces a conversation between writer and former Kickstarter CEO Yancey Strickler and engineer-chemist Jenny Du about how feeling like an outsider can shape unconventional careers and systems-level innovations. Strickler reflects on lifelong feelings of not belonging, how that pushed him to question institutions, and how his thinking about punk labels and the Royal Society led to his artist corporation idea. Du describes how a shocking statistic about global food waste set her on a mission to extend the life of healthy foods, and together they discuss resilience, working within entrenched systems, and staying optimistic and truth-focused in a world that often feels "doomy."