Ted Talks Daily

First impressions matter, so how do you make yours count? Communication consultant Rebecca Okamoto outlines five simple ways to introduce yourself in 20 words or fewer, setting up any interview or conversation for those three crucial words: "Tell me more." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026 is a tipping point year, says Ian Bremmer, founder of Eurasia Group. Highlighting the top risks that await the world, he breaks down the US military extraction of Venezuela leader Nicolás Maduro and explains why US President Donald Trump’s embrace of the “Donroe doctrine” kicks off the most uncertain geopolitical environment in decades. With stark insights on what’s to come in Europe, Russia and China, this is a can’t-miss look at the volatile world order. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on January 5, 2026.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've heard that too much time online is bad for your mental health, but what is it doing to your body? In this energizing talk, journalist and author Manoush Zomorodi explains how tech habits (including sitting all day) affect your physical health, from making you feel exhausted to raising rates of chronic illness. With early results from a 20,000-person experiment, she shares a practical solution to go from "wired and tired" to feeling healthier and more productive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a blogger and executive coach, James Clear spent years studying how to form and change habits. His research culminated in the book "Atomic Habits”, which has sold more than 15 million copies and been translated into over 50 languages. James speaks with Adam about changing our systems for achieving goals, building habits around identities as well as actions, and accumulating small wins that add up to big change. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attention isn't just about what we focus on -- it's also about what our brains filter out. By investigating patterns in the brain as people try to focus, computational neuroscientist Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar hopes to build computer models that can be used to treat ADHD and help those who have lost the ability to communicate. Hear more about this exciting science in this brief, fascinating talk. After the talk, Shoshana speaks with psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani on transforming healthcare for patients and families with ADHD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes for a meaningful life? Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery explores three ideas tied to the experience of meaning and shows why simply pursuing personal achievements isn't the best way to find it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is a force, delivering iconic performances both on stage and screen. But she didn't always know if she'd make it big. In a lively talk sparkling with actionable advice, she shares how her struggles taught her what it takes to believe in herself -- and how we can all find the self-confidence to keep moving forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you had to explain to a newborn -- or an alien -- what it means to be a human being living on Earth in the 21st century, what would you say? Visual artist Oliver Jeffers put his answer in a letter to his son, sharing pearls of wisdom on existence and the diversity of life. He shares observations of the "beautiful, fragile drama of human civilization" in this poetic talk paired with his original illustrations and animations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The end of the year is a time to reflect and think ahead. What hopes did you have for 2025, and what might be different for 2026? In this special episode, learn from three TED-Ed lessons on how to overcome your mistakes, make smarter decisions and get motivated even when you don’t feel like it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily Yeh calls herself a barefoot artist: she travels the world with a suitcase full of art supplies, working with whoever wants to join her. In an inspiring talk, she shares the fruits of her collaborative art projects that bring color, community and beauty to public spaces often seen as “broken." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember those fun high school superlatives like the “Class Clown” or the “Biggest Flirt”? In this special How to Be a Better Human season finale, you will be hearing from our previous guest Dallas Youth Poet Laureate Naisha Randhar and our team of editors, marketers, producers, fact-checkers and more on their favorite episodes this year. How to Be a Better Human 2025 SuperlativesMost Likely to Make You Rethink Your Place in the WorldMost Inspiring StoryMost Likely to Make You Feel Your FeelsBest Motivator Most Likely to Improve Your Life TomorrowBiggest Perspective ShifterMost Shared Tidbit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regret is one of our most powerful emotions -- and also one of the most misunderstood. Over the past two years, author Daniel H. Pink has collected a trove of more than 16,000 regrets from people in 105 countries in an effort to better understand this mysterious emotion. He shares the key patterns that emerged (it all boils down to the same four core regrets, he says) and explains how to transform your own regrets in order to create the life you've always wanted to live. (This talk and conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To truly savor life, pursue "powerful first experiences," says storyteller and nonprofit founder Kenneth Chabert. Learn more about how to create these meaningful moments, where mundane routine is broken by novel experiences in small but significant ways -- no matter how old you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As cascading climate challenges reshape our world, the most resilient systems are ones we often overlook. Ecological futurist Tariq Al-Olaimy has seen this firsthand in disaster-stricken communities, where church basements, mosque yards and temple networks form a "spiritual infrastructure" that sustains people long before formal aid arrives. Drawing on a decade of work with global faith coalitions, Al-Olaimy explores why spiritual traditions are uniquely equipped to navigate moments of collapse — and how aligning our inner values, economies and ecosystems may be essential to restoring life on a changing planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Studies show that women negotiate just as frequently as men — so why do they succeed half as often? With wit and humor, business consultant Kathryn Valentine unpacks the gender expectations of workplace negotiations, offering a clear equation for anyone to make a successful ask and get what they want.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a billion mobile phone users and a median population age of 19, Africa isn't catching up to the AI revolution — it's writing an entirely different playbook, says business leader Hardy Pemhiwa. He shows how a generation of entrepreneurs is using AI to teach classes, triage patients and boost farm yields through the power of local compute, local data and local languages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As AI races into classrooms, we risk confusing quick and easy answers with true learning, says AI education entrepreneur Priya Lakhani. She explains why being challenged is essential for making knowledge stick — and how AI can be designed to strengthen (not weaken) learning, teaching and thinking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech! Elise Hu, Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey got together to share the biggest ideas dominating their industry and the lesser-known insights they wished garnered more attention. From pushing back against AI advances to sharing the TED Talks that inspired them, Elise, Manoush, Modupe, and Sherrell reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026.Conversations MentionedTED Radio HourRay Kurzweil, "Could AI extend your life indefinitely? Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks so" Victor Riparbelli, “Will AI avatars eventually teach our kids?” Philip Johns, “Singapore's otters are butting heads with their human neighbors. Can they coexist?” Restoring trust in government, "Move fast...and fix democracy?" TED TalksSitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz "A

In a time when loneliness is becoming a public health crisis, author Rhaina Cohen says friendships aren't just nice to have — they’re essential to your health and happiness. She challenges the assumption that biological and romantic relationships matter most, exploring how close platonic bonds (when given real intention and commitment) can profoundly strengthen your life. (This conversation, hosted by TED's Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage with the big ideas you love from TED. To learn more, visit ted.com/membership.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a now-famous Go match against a human in 2016, AI made Move 37 — a seemingly nonsensical play that baffled every expert but ultimately won it the match. Amen Ra Mashariki, director of AI at the Bezos Earth Fund, thinks we need AI to make that same kind of creative leap for climate solutions. In conversation with TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi, he shares a vision for new AI solutions to environmental problems that human experts haven't yet dreamed up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.