American Originals Holiday Special w/ Mike Rowe
Theo Von hosts a holiday special focused on American-made products, joined in-studio by Mike Rowe as they highlight small U.S. makers and talk about what it means to support American manufacturing. Throughout the episode they share stories from entrepreneurs and craftspeople behind items like gloves, cherries, hot sauce, cutting boards, pottery, and more, emphasizing resilience, ingenuity, and the "American dream" in action. The conversation closes with reflections on America as something citizens must actively maintain through everyday choices, including where they spend their money.
"Benedict Cumberbatch"
Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes talk with Benedict Cumberbatch about fatherhood, his upbringing as the only child of two working actors, and how that shaped his path into acting. They cover his experiences at British boarding schools, a formative gap year teaching in a Tibetan community near Darjeeling, and his early TV and film work, before diving into his approach to roles, working with major directors and actors, and navigating fan expectations around iconic characters. Benedict also discusses learning to surf in his 40s, dealing with a serious shoulder injury, and his producing work on a new film adaptation of Max Porter's grief-focused novella "Grief is the Thing with Feathers," as well as his long-gestating adaptation of the novel "Rogue Male."
Our Common Nature: West Virginia Coal
Radiolab introduces a special episode from the series "Our Common Nature" in which host Ana Gonzalez and cellist Yo-Yo Ma explore West Virginia's coal country to understand how coal, music, race, and nature shape people's lives. Through stories from miners like Chris Saunders and his mother Zora, poet-activist Crystal Good, musician Kathy Matea, and others, the episode examines the pride, danger, and environmental harm tied to coal, as well as the resilience and community that persist in Appalachia. The journey weaves together mine history, the Upper Big Branch disaster, iconic songs, rafting on the New River, and intimate moments of grief and connection.
The thrill of not knowing all the answers | Harini Bhat
On TED Talks Daily, scientist and storyteller Harini Bhatt describes how embracing not knowing transformed her from a self-described "wannabe know-it-all" into the creator of the YouTube channel Today I Learned Science. She shares how following her curiosity about the Teotihuacan pyramids led to her first viral video and a mission to translate rigorous scientific research into captivating stories for everyone. Through striking examples-from a brain turned to glass, to new ideas about the origins of life, to watching an embryo implant in real time-she argues that science belongs to anyone willing to stay gloriously curious and keep asking why.
Wicked's costume designer on how to tell stories with clothes | Paul Tazewell
Host Elise Hu introduces Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, who explains how clothing functions as a subconscious storytelling language that shapes our perceptions of heroes, villains, and marginalized people. Drawing on his work in Hamilton, West Side Story, and Wicked, he shows how design choices around color, silhouette, and texture can reinforce or challenge cultural narratives about power, identity, and "wickedness." A brief Q&A touches on how costumes will continue to evolve in the sequel Wicked for Good and hints at his future work on Broadway and film.
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.
How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams
Andrew Huberman interviews communication expert Matt Abrahams from Stanford Graduate School of Business about how to improve speaking and communication in public, online, and one-on-one contexts. They discuss why public speaking anxiety is so common, how to communicate more authentically, how to prepare and structure messages, and how to practice spontaneous speaking without memorizing scripts. The conversation includes specific tools for managing anxiety, reducing filler words, handling interruptions, using stories effectively, engaging different audiences, and building long-term communication skills through reflection and feedback.
The Exact Words You Need to Hear Today If It Feels Like Nothing's Working
Mel Robbins speaks with poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo, joined by her husband Chris Robbins, about reconnecting to life, opening the heart, and finding meaning through love, suffering, and everyday ritual. Mark shares stories behind his seminal book "The Book of Awakening," his cancer journey, and his new work on creativity in the second half of life. Together they explore practical ways to honor your gifts, practice self-love, cultivate resilience, and participate more fully in the present moment.
I Did Nothing For 2 Weeks. It Made Me Better At Everything.
Two co-hosts catch up after one has a new baby and the other returns from his grandfather's funeral, leading into honest reflections on paternity leave, men's emotional experience with newborns, and how much time off is actually useful. They explore Aristotle's concept of flourishing, the value of leisure and dedicated thinking time, and how engineered rest and movement can produce creative breakthroughs, tying into one host's project to write concise "one-hour" books and the discipline required for deep work. The conversation then shifts to Paul Graham's framework for procrastination, the transformative power of a parent or grandparent instilling belief in a child, immigrant family stories, the modern scarcity of belonging versus information abundance, and a fast-growing group travel company that builds community and reduces loneliness.
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.
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.
I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson
The host and Andrew Wilkinson play a "tier list" game ranking different business models by their median successful outcome, lifestyle impact, upside, and difficulty, drawing heavily on Andrew's two decades of experience running agencies, buying companies, and managing capital. They discuss models such as MLMs, freelancing, agencies, SaaS, marketplaces, restaurants, content creation, real estate, hedge funds, angel investing, and buying local "sweaty" businesses, while also unpacking how Tiny was built and why its stock chart can be misleading. In the second half, they shift to psychological themes like the courage to be disliked, identity boxes, contrarian thinking, and designing a career around work you enjoy doing thousands of times rather than chasing labels or external approval.
#622 - Miles Teller
Theo Von sits down with actor Miles Teller for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, and new film "Eternity." They talk about growing up in Florida and moving frequently as a kid, his family background and early injuries, and how experiences with illness and loss in his family shaped his empathy and outlook. They also dive into the themes of love, mortality, and the afterlife in "Eternity," discuss military service and veterans' mental health, and reflect on prioritizing relationships and normal life over constant work.
#484 - Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming
Lex Fridman speaks with game writer and Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser about his creative process, influences, and the design of story-driven open world games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. Dan explains how films, literature, and war stories shaped his approach to world-building and character creation, including the tragic arcs of Niko Bellic, John Marston, and Arthur Morgan. He also discusses his new company Absurd Ventures, its universes such as A Better Paradise and American Caper, his views on AI and large language models, and reflects on mortality, family, and advice for young people.
What if you could talk to your favorite character in a movie? | Christoph Lassner
AI engineer Christoph Lassner introduces a taxonomy of digital content he calls Content 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, and explains how generative AI is enabling the next phase. He describes Content 3.0 as media that is dynamically generated with and for each individual viewer, allowing them to co-create stories, interact with characters, and explore worlds without preset narrative boundaries. He also discusses the technical underpinnings, creative possibilities, and economic implications of this shift for storytellers and the entertainment industry.
Introducing: The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall
Host Sarah Marshall introduces her mini-series "The Devil You Know," exploring the 1980s satanic panic through individual stories and sociological context. This first episode focuses on "Diane," a pseudonymous photographer who became the target of satanism rumors while teaching photography in rural Kentucky, and on how a Hollywood film shoot involving black dresses in Hazard, Kentucky was misread as evidence of devil worship. With commentary from sociologist Mary de Young and local resident Patrick Balch, the episode shows how small, unusual events were amplified by anxiety, rumor, and self-appointed experts into a nationwide moral panic.
Oz Pearlman (Mentalist): This Small Mistake Makes People Dislike You! They Do This, They're Lying!
Mentalist Oze Perlman explains that he cannot literally read minds but has spent decades learning to read people through observation, suggestion, and influence. He shares how overcoming fear of rejection, making interactions about others, systematically taking notes, and improving memory have driven his success on stage and in business. The conversation covers practical techniques for persuasion, confidence, goal setting, habit formation, storytelling, and maintaining childlike wonder while navigating ambition, fame, and mortality.
#831: Frank Miller, Comic Book Legend - Creative Process, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300, and Much More
Tim Ferriss interviews legendary comics creator Frank Miller about his life, creative process, and the evolution of his work from Daredevil and Elektra to Ronin, Sin City, and The Dark Knight Returns. Miller discusses technical aspects of drawing and storytelling, his influences from European and Japanese comics, and his collaborations with figures like Neil Adams, Alan Moore, and Robert Rodriguez. He also reflects on professional failure, Hollywood adaptations, alcoholism and sobriety, and offers advice to aspiring cartoonists and storytellers.
Magnolia: Chip & Joanna Gaines. From House Flipping to Household Name
Guy Raz interviews Chip and Joanna Gaines about how they built Magnolia from a small Waco, Texas home goods shop and house-flipping operation into a large lifestyle brand. They trace their journeys from childhood and early scrappy businesses through near-bankruptcy during the housing crisis, the rise of Fixer Upper, and the creation of Magnolia Market at the Silos and their media ventures. They also describe hard decisions like closing Joanna's first shop and ending Fixer Upper, how their faith and partnership guided them, and how they're thinking about the next decade of their lives and business.
"Edgar Wright"
The hosts talk with filmmaker Edgar Wright about his lifelong obsession with movies, from sneaking into age-restricted screenings as a kid and making Super 8 and video projects, to creating the TV series "Spaced" and the films in the so‑called Cornetto trilogy. Wright discusses his visual and musical style, his early DIY feature "A Fistful of Fingers," long‑time collaborations with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and the development of "Baby Driver." He also breaks down his new adaptation of Stephen King's "The Running Man," his writing process, formative British comedy influences, and his core philosophy of making the films he himself would want to see.
#617 - Aziz Ansari
Theo Von talks with Aziz Ansari about his new film "Good Fortune," the challenges of writing, directing, and acting in a feature, and how movie production differs from stand-up comedy. Aziz shares personal stories from growing up as the only Indian kid in a small South Carolina town, including the death of his younger sister and the kindness of the women who helped raise him. They also discuss burnout, avoiding ego, living abroad in London, and the importance of early gatekeepers and mentors in their stand-up careers.
"RE-RELEASE: Paul Thomas Anderson"
Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson joins the hosts to talk about his upbringing as the son of a legendary ABC promo voice, his early obsession with movies, and how he learned to write and direct by making a short mockumentary about Dirk Diggler that later evolved into Boogie Nights. He discusses his collaborative process with production designer Jack Fisk and composer Jonny Greenwood, his views on theatrical exhibition versus streaming, and his work in film preservation alongside Martin Scorsese. The conversation also covers his love of comedy, how he met Maya Rudolph at Saturday Night Live, what he saw in Adam Sandler, and how he balances a demanding career with being a father of four.
#2390 - Jack Carr
Jack Carr discusses his new novel set in 1968 Vietnam, explaining the extensive historical research and immersive process he used to authentically capture the era and the experience of soldiers on the ground. He and Joe Rogan explore the Vietnam War, media influence on public perception, the decline of reading, the rise of AI in creative work, and the realities of Hollywood adaptations of his books like "The Terminal List" and "Dark Wolf." They also range into topics like stunt work, physical training, security concerns, political polarization, immigration, and the disturbing public reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
#615 - Ken Burns
Filmmaker Ken Burns discusses his career in historical documentary filmmaking, including the origin of the "Ken Burns effect" and how the early loss of his mother shaped his lifelong drive to "wake the dead" and keep the past alive. He dives deeply into his new six-part, 12-hour series "The American Revolution," arguing that the Revolution is the most important event since the birth of Christ, unpacking its ideas about equality, citizenship, virtue, and the pursuit of happiness, and correcting common myths about key events and figures. The conversation broadens into a reflection on American identity, media and social media, polarization, public institutions like PBS and the national parks, and the ongoing need for self-examination and civic responsibility to keep the American experiment from "dying by suicide."
#2389 - Sal Vulcano
Joe Rogan and Sal Vulcano talk about getting older, becoming parents, and reworking their lifestyles around health, training, and stand-up touring. They swap stories about humiliating youth sports experiences, dangerous stunts and punishments from Sal's show, brushes with possible ghosts, and the terror of the ocean and tsunamis. The conversation also ranges into archery and bowhunting, modern art and alleged CIA influence, UFO-like drone swarms, AI tools, and how energy, mindset, and the people you spend time with shape your life.
This TED Talk is full of bad ideas | Gabe Whaley
Host Elise Hume introduces a TED Talk by artist and mischief maker Gabe Whaley, founder of the New York art collective Mischief, about the surprising power of pursuing ideas that initially seem bad or impractical. Whaley walks through several of Mischief's projects, including a microscopic handbag, a robot dog with a paintball gun, the viral Big Red Boots, an ATM that publicly ranks users by bank balance, novelty objects, and a car shared via 5,000 keys, to show how the real artwork often becomes the interactions and communities that form around these experiments. He closes by encouraging people to give themselves permission to explore ideas that make them uncomfortable because they can evolve into something unexpected and meaningful.
How Dolly Parton led me to an epiphany | Jad Abumrad (re-release)
Host Elise Hume introduces a TED 2020 talk by Radiolab creator Jad Abumrad, in which he reflects on his evolution as a storyteller and journalist. Abumrad describes moving from science-driven stories that end in wonder, to conflict-driven narratives centered on struggle, and finally to seeking "revelation" by holding opposing truths together. Through his podcast series about Dolly Parton and a visit to her Tennessee mountain home, he discovers unexpected connections to his Lebanese immigrant heritage and embraces a new storytelling goal he calls finding "the third"-a shared space that emerges when differences are truly recognized.
Most Replayed Moment: Captivate A Room Even If You're Shy! - Vinh Giang
The conversation explores the concept of a "vocal image" and how it shapes the way others form beliefs about us beyond our visual appearance. Vinh Giang walks the host through live exercises on melody, rate of speech, volume, and emotional tonality, using famous movie monologues to demonstrate how vocal variety changes how messages are felt and remembered. They also discuss how facial expressions and nonverbal cues during listening can convey engagement or unintentionally signal impatience.
Inside WWE's storytelling machine | Paul "Triple H" Levesque
Paul "Triple H" Levesque discusses how WWE blends athleticism, storytelling, and character to create a unique form of entertainment that emotionally engages a massive global audience. In conversation with Patrick Talty, he explains WWE's creative process, media partnerships, and the importance of family, presence, and health, including his work on the President's Fitness Council. He also reflects on his own journey from childhood fan to performer to chief content officer, and how WWE's stories can inspire resilience and connection for fans around the world.
(#5) Elise's Top Ten: The new political story that could change everything | George Monbiot
Host Elise Hu introduces a 2019 TED Summit talk by journalist George Monbiot, part of her 'Top 10' playlist, about the political stories that shape our societies. Monbiot argues that neoliberalism persists not because it works, but because it has not yet been replaced by a more compelling 'restoration story', and he explains how narrative structures drive political change. He proposes a new politics of belonging centered on human altruism, cooperation, the commons, and participatory democracy to counter atomization and authoritarian tendencies.