TED Talks Daily

Why fun is the secret to a healthier life | Catherine Price

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you had your daily dose of fun? It’s not just enjoyable, it’s also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine...

How hip-hop can make climate action cool | Samir Ibrahim, MyVerse and Kristen Warren

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Music can amplify social issues and inspire people to care about new (and sometimes unexpected) topics. But can it take something as dire as climate c...

A 3-part plan to take on extreme heat waves | Eleni Myrivili

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The deadliest severe weather phenomenon is something you might not realize: extreme heat. Eleni Myrivili, chief heat officer of the city of Athens, Gr...

How to write less but say more | Jim VandeHei

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the saying goes, less is more. The same goes for words. Listen as Politico and Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei shares what he's learned leading two m...

The profound power of gratitude and "living eulogies" | Andrea Driessen

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we often wait so long to recognize each other's gifts? Why are the truest compliments for the people we love often said only after they're no l...

Where on Earth will people live in the future? | Parag Khanna

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From the return of nomadic living to a climate-disrupted world, author and global strategist Parag Khanna has some predictions for humanity. Get a fas...

The eco-creators helping the climate through social media | Zahra Biabani

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Climate doom-ism," or a pessimistic outlook on the future of the planet, rivals climate denialism in holding up the fight against climate change, say...

How we could solve the dark matter mystery | Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The universe that we know, with its luminous stars and orbiting planets, is largely made up of elements we can’t actually see -- like dark energy an...

My 105 days in Taliban prison -- and a call to aid Afghanistan | Safi Rauf

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sharing his experience of being held captive in a Taliban prison for 105 days, humanitarian Safi Rauf talks about his life's mission to get food, medi...

How ethics can help you make better decisions | Michael Schur

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What would Immanuel Kant say about a fender bender? In a surprisingly funny trip through the teachings of some of history’s great philosophers, TV w...

The rise of boring architecture -- and the case for radically human buildings | Thomas Heatherwick

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Where did all the lumps and bumps on buildings go? When did city architecture become so ... dull? Here to talk about why cities need inspiring archite...

How to alter the perception of mental health care in Russia | Olga Kitaina

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

During the Soviet Union era, therapy was often used as a tool of political oppression. Since then, Russia has seen major reforms in mental health care...

The blind spots of the green energy transition | Olivia Lazard

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The world needs clean power, but decarbonization calls for a massive increase in the mining and extraction of minerals like lithium, graphite and coba...

Caracas' magic bus | Far Flung

03 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that information is power, but what if you live in a country without a free press or regular access to the internet? You have to be creati...

How data-driven journalism illuminates patterns of injustice | Alison Killing

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A blank spot on a digital map can signal much more than a gap in data -- it can mean something is being intentionally hidden. Sharing the remarkable d...

The humans at the center of the US immigration debate | Ali Noorani

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How does a nation reconcile when its identity is at odds with its policies? Ali Noorani traces the arc of the US immigration debate to show a safer an...

Why healthy soil matters now more than ever | Jane Zelikova

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From nourishing our foods to storing massive amounts of carbon, soil is teeming with diverse microbial life that could slow global warming. Climate ch...

An invitation to reexamine your familiar world | Gillian Tett

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before entering the world of financial journalism, Gillian Tett was a cultural anthropologist who studied how the past influences our present thoughts...

Why art is a tool for hope (with JR) | How to Be a Better Human

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Art can move us in deep, meaningful ways. A beautiful song, a good book, or a great film can change our perspectives and attitudes toward ideas, and s...

Africa’s great carbon valley -- and how to end energy poverty | James Irungu Mwangi

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our lives depend on curbing climate change, but so many priorities seem to be in competition. What’s the most urgent thing humanity can do right now...

SpaceX's supersized Starship rocket -- and the future of galactic exploration | Jennifer Heldmann

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SpaceX's Starship launch vehicle has the potential to explore the solar system in a bold, new -- and super-sized -- way. Planetary scientist Jennifer ...

What happens to people's donated eggs and sperm after they die? | Ellen Trachman

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, there are many ways to conceive a child, thanks to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and egg-freezing. But the law lags behind these ...

How to find joy in climate action | Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We can all play a role in the climate movement by tapping into our skills, resources and networks in ways that bring us satisfaction, says climate lea...

The mission to safeguard Black history in the US | Julieanna L. Richardson

19 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Black history in the US is rich, profound -- and at risk of being lost forever, if not for the monumental efforts of Julieanna L. Richardson. As the f...

The actual cost of preventing climate breakdown | Yuval Noah Harari

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody really knows how much it would cost to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Yet historian Yuval Noah Harari’s analysis, based on the wo...

The link between sex and imagination | Gina Gutierrez

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sex is as much mental as it is physical -- and imagination is the most powerful tool we have to expand our personal agency and capacity for pleasure, ...

5 ethical principles for digitizing humanitarian aid | Aarathi Krishnan

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last decade, humanitarian organizations have digitized many of their systems, from registering refugees with biometric IDs to transporting ca...

How Black girls can reclaim their voice in music | Kyra Gaunt

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How does music shape us? Digital ethnomusicologist and TED Fellow Kyra Gaunt studies how Black girls can preserve the integrity of their own voices wh...

Esports and the new era of play | James Hodge

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the line between the physical and digital worlds blur, so does the line between real-world and virtual sports. Reframing our understanding of compe...

A sci-fi story of climate optimism | Vandana Singh

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"The world is a living tapestry ... As the weave of life is torn apart in one place, the threads unravel in another," says author and physics professo...

The brain science (and benefits) of ASMR | Craig Richard

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A curious, quiet revolution of sound has taken over the internet. Physiologist Craig Richard explains the soothing brain science of Autonomous Sensory...

How to preserve your private life in the age of social media | Bryce Dallas Howard

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up in the public eye, multi-hyphenate creator Bryce Dallas Howard experienced the familiar pressure to share her life with the world on social...

Why bittersweet emotions underscore life's beauty | Susan Cain

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Life is a constant state of both joy and sorrow, dark and light, bitter and sweet. In a meditative conversation, author Susan Cain explores how being ...

Build your own metaverse -- and share it! | Agnes Larsson

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the multitude of metaverses that exist there are infinite possibilities for inclusivity and creativity. Inviting us to craft our own digital univer...

How to master a life transition | Bruce Feiler

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you navigate life's growing number of transitions with meaning, purpose and skill? Writer Bruce Feiler offers a powerful way to handle uncertai...

A brain implant that turns your thoughts into text | Tom Oxley

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could control digital devices using just the power of thought? That’s the incredible promise behind the Stentrode -- an implantable brai...

How innovation and technology can fight global hunger | Bernhard Kowatsch

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Social entrepreneur Bernhard Kowatsch shares real-life examples of how a business approach focused on accelerating tech (like a blockchain-supported w...

Wikipedia's enduring, nuanced perspective on truth | Katherine Maher

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Even with public trust at an all-time low, Wikipedia continues to maintain people's confidence. How do they do it? Former CEO of Wikimedia Foundation ...

How to manage your stress like an ER doctor | Darria Long

29 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do doctors in the emergency room stay calm and focused amidst the chaos? Drawing on years of experience, ER doctor Darria Long shares a straightfo...

Our longing for cosmic truth and poetic beauty | Maria Popova

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Linking together the histories of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Edwin Hubble and Tracy K. Smith, poet and thinker Maria Popova crafts an astonishing story o...

The future of US reproductive rights after Roe v. Wade | Mary Ziegler, Loretta J. Ross, Erika Bachiochi, Joshua Prager

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The recent leak of the US Supreme Court’s draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade -- the nearly 50-year-old ruling to legalize abortion nationwide -- ...

A flavorful field guide to foraging | Alexis Nikole Nelson

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it’s dandelions blooming in your backyard or purslane sprouting from the sidewalk, vegan forager Alexis Nikole Nelson is on a mission to sho...

3 ways to make flying more climate-friendly | Ryah Whalen

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Air travel opens our eyes to the world, but it also comes at a high cost to the environment. Piloting us into a future of green aviation, innovator Ry...

How is your city tackling the climate crisis? | Marvin Rees

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“If we can unlock the full potential of our cities, we can minimize the price the planet pays for hosting us in our growing numbers,” says Marvin ...

How labor unions shape society | Margaret Levi

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The weekend. Social security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They're all thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political eco...

Breaking up with perfectionism | WorkLife with Adam Grant

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Perfectionism is on the rise -- and not just in job interviews when people claim it's their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not al...

The real reason you feel so busy (and what to do about it) | Dorie Clark

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

These days, almost all of us feel pressed for time. Leadership expert Dorie Clark shares three hidden reasons people fall into an endless loop of feel...

How to discover your authentic self -- at any age | Bevy Smith

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a talk packed with wry wisdom, pop culture queen Bevy Smith shares hard-earned lessons about authenticity, confidence, mature success and why, if y...

How great leaders innovate -- responsibly | Ken Chenault

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In times of uncertainty, leaders have a responsibility to inspire hope. Sharing hard-won wisdom, business leader Ken Chenault talks about what it take...

The workplace, redefined by women of color | Deepa Purushothaman

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalu...

A creator-led internet, built on blockchain | Adam Mosseri

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs become more mainstream, design thinker and head of Instagram Adam Mosseri believes that creators are un...

The local guardians protecting African lions | Resson Kantai Duff

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Conservation efforts in Africa have typically been led by “parachute conservationists” -- outsiders who drop in thinking they have all the answers...

Listen now: Season 2 | Body Stuff with Jen Gunter

15 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can you really boost your metabolism? Is blue light actually ruining your sleep? How much vaginal yeast is healthy, and when is it ... too much? Body ...

The future of the food ecosystem -- and the power of your plate | Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people across the world don't have access to healthy food -- while in other places tons of food go to waste. Social entrepreneur Ndidi Okonkwo Nw...

The crime-fighting power of cross-border investigative journalism | Bektour Iskender

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Organized crime operates across national borders -- to keep up, investigative journalists need to do the same. TED Fellow Bektour Iskender gives the i...

How to stop banks from investing in dirty energy | Lucie Pinson

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Money is pollution's biggest driving force -- particularly, the cash invested in dirty energy projects, says financial responsibility campaigner Lucie...

My long walk across India for women's freedom | Srishti Bakshi

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are 600 million women in India -- yet they are rarely seen outdoors after sunset because of safety concerns like harassment and catcalls. On a m...

The most powerful untapped resource in health care | Shahed Alam and Edith Elliott

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether we're rushing a child to the emergency room after a fall or making chicken soup for a feverish spouse, love inspires us to act when a family m...

A bold plan for transforming access to the US social safety net | Amanda Renteria

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Digital public servant Amanda Renteria has seen that the millions of people who rely on government welfare services are often discouraged from seeking...

A transparent, easy way for smallholder farmers to save | Anushka Ratnayake

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A safe space to save money is life-changing -- especially for the 60 million smallholder farmers in West Africa (the majority being women) who often l...

An election redesign to restore trust in US democracy | Tiana Epps-Johnson

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Election infrastructure in the United States is crumbling, says technologist Tiana Epps-Johnson, and, even worse, election officials are increasingly ...

Mental health care that disrupts cycles of violence | Celina de Sola

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Latin American countries like El Salvador, where local changemaker Celina de Sola lives, homicide rates are alarmingly high due to a vicious cycle ...

How ancient Arctic carbon threatens everyone on the planet | Sue Natali

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What will happen to the planet if climate change melts what's left of Arctic permafrost? Shedding light on this overlooked threat, Arctic geologist Su...

Why Indigenous forest guardianship is crucial to climate action | Nonette Royo

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Indigenous communities have looked after their ancestral forests for millennia, cultivating immense amounts of knowledge on how to protect, nourish an...

A safe pathway to resettlement for migrants and refugees | Becca Heller

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Human migration is both inevitable and growing. What are we as a global community doing to address it?” asks human rights lawyer Becca Heller, wh...

Why people and AI make good business partners | Shervin Khodabandeh

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the data-driven capabilities of AI are combined with human creativity and ingenuity? Shining a light on the opportunities this futur...

The restorative power of medical tattoos | Becky Barker

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tattoos can transform and empower people, with some seeking them out to reconnect with their bodies due to scarring, physical abnormalities or the aft...

The breakthrough science of mRNA medicine | Melissa J. Moore

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The secret behind medicines that use messenger RNA (or mRNA) is that they "teach" our bodies how to fight diseases on their own, leading to groundbrea...

The funding gap in start-up investing | Temie Giwa-Tubosun

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“It is time to close the funding gap for Black female-led start-ups the world over,” says entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun, whose company LifeBank ...

A future worth getting excited about | Elon Musk

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What's on Elon Musk's mind? In conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, Musk details how the radical new innovations he's working on -- Tesla's i...

We can make COVID-19 the last pandemic | Bill Gates

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Building a pandemic-free future won’t be easy, but Bill Gates believes that we have the tools and strategies to make it possible -- now we just have...

A new economic model for protecting tropical forests | Nat Keohane

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To solve the climate crisis, we need to make tropical forests worth more alive than dead, says environmental economist Nat Keohane. Highlighting the u...

An Olympic champion's unwavering advocacy for mothers in sports |

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Getting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the "kiss of death" -- a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entr...

A vision for sustainable energy in Africa | Chibeze Ezekiel

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Africa needs new energy sources to fuel its development, but the continent should invest in renewable energy instead of cheap, polluting alternatives ...

Elon Musk talks Twitter, Tesla and the future — live at TED2022

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this unedited conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, Elon Musk digs into the recent news around his bid to purchase Twitter and gets honest ...

Ukraine's fight to keep educating its children | Zoya Lytvyn

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destroyed so much -- including hundreds of schools, where the country's children were forging their futures -- but...

The likability dilemma for women leaders | Robin Hauser

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When women lead, bias often follows. Documentarian Robin Hauser dives into the dilemma between competence and likeability faced by women leaders, deta...

Stand with Ukraine in the fight against evil | Garry Kasparov

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ukraine is on the front line of a war between freedom and tyranny, says chess grandmaster and human rights advocate Garry Kasparov. In this blistering...

We could kickstart life on another planet. Should we? | Betül Kaçar

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Life makes our planet an incredibly exotic place compared to the rest of the known universe," says astrobiologist Betül Kaçar, whose research uses ...

Listen now: Season 5 | WorkLife with Adam Grant

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

WorkLife with Adam Grant, a TED Audio Collective podcast, is back for a fifth season! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant knows that you spend a qu...

The rhythm and rhyme of memory, solitude and community | Rosanne Cash

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Music can unlock a frozen memory that melts into the seeds of our creativity," says musician Rosanne Cash. Reflecting on the power of memory, solitud...

NFTs, the metaverse and the future of digital art | Elizabeth Strickler

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In need of a brief yet illuminating lesson on the obsession with NFTs? Elizabeth Strickler breaks down the acronym and explains the fundamentals of no...

5 promising factors propelling climate action | Gabriel Kra

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Given the scale of the challenge, the conversation around climate change is often tinged with doom and gloom. But climate tech investor Gabriel Kra th...

The deep sea's medicinal secrets | Sam Afoullouss

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Under the sea, untold wonders await in the form of untapped medicinal potential. Chemist Sam Afoullouss dives into the science behind natural remedies...

Live drawings of the human experience | Jarrett J. Krosoczka

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this live drawing performance and poignant autobiographical journey, author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka sketches some life-shaping moments...

What it's like to be a war refugee | Zarlasht Halaimzai

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Living under the constant threat of violence has a lasting effect -- even after you escape from danger, says writer and refugee advocate Zarlasht Hala...

The 100 tampons NASA (almost) sent to space -- and other absurd songs | Marcia Belsky

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Performing two original songs, stand-up comedian, writer and musician Marcia Belsky shares comical commentary on some peculiar aspects of our culture ...

What my gender transition taught me about womanhood | Paula Stone Williams

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After leading a well-established life as a pastor, father and husband, Paula Stone Williams could no longer deny her truth and transitioned. In this c...

How webtoons are changing movies and TV | Hyeonmi Kim

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pop culture is changing thanks to a different kind of storytelling, says digital strategist Hyeonmi Kim. They’re called webtoons: comic-like illustr...

3 ways to find hope in hopeless times | Wajahat Ali

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It can be hard to remain hopeful during seemingly hopeless times. Sharing hard-won wisdom on how to not give up when the going gets tough, writer Waja...

Goats, blockchain and the future of money | Fariel Salahuddin

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What if smallholder farmers could use their produce and livestock to pay for goods and services? TED Fellow and alternative currency enthusiast Fariel...

How science fiction can shape our reality | Your Undivided Attention

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The meta-crisis is so vast: climate change, exponential technology, addiction, polarization and more. How do we grasp it, let alone take steps to addr...

The creativity and community behind fanfiction | Cecilia Aragon

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The wildly diverse, thoughtful and hilarious world of fanfiction -- where writers reimagine favorite stories like "Harry Potter," "Pokémon," "My Litt...

Why all melodies should be free for musicians to use | Damien Riehl

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Evoke a familiar tune in a song and get slapped with a lawsuit ... it's a tale almost as old as copyright itself. Lawyer and technologist Damien Riehl...

The African swamp protecting Earth's environment | Vera Songwe

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The peatlands of Africa's Congo Basin are a vast expanse of swamp and greenery that act as one of the world's most effective carbon sinks -- and they'...

3 reasons for optimism in difficult times | Kevin Kelly

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Every great and difficult thing has required a strong sense of optimism," says editor and author Kevin Kelly, who believes that we have a moral oblig...

The hidden power of sad songs and rainy days | Susan Cain and Min Kym

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why you like sad music? Do you find comfort or inspiration in rainy days? In this profound, poetic talk, author Susan Cain invi...

Powerful photos that honor the lives of overlooked women | Smita Sharma

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In some parts of the world, girls are as likely to be married off or trafficked as they are to be educated. Photojournalist and TED Fellow Smita Sharm...

The counterintuitive psychology of insurance | Orit Tykocinski

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The real reason you buy insurance may have as much to do with pleasing your psyche as it does protecting your wallet. Behavioral psychologist Orit Tyk...

The real hotbed of innovation (hint: it’s not big cities) | Xiaowei R. Wang

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“To see and understand the countryside is a crucial part of moving towards a more livable future for everyone,” says coder, artist and organizer X...