Original broadcast date: March 22, 2022. In the last century, human life expectancy has doubled. This hour, we talk with writer Steven Johnson on the many breakthroughs that made this possible — and where we go from here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: June 3, 2022. Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include comedian Marcia Belsky, computer scientist Vinith Misra, behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker, corporate strategist Naomi Bagdonas and science comedian Kasha Patel.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: November 12, 2021. We hear calls for systemic change, but what does that look like? This hour, TED speakers share stories of taking on institutions — from schools, to medicine, to policing — so they work for everyone. Guests include economist Emily Oster, lawyer Priti Krishtel and social psychologist Phillip Atiba Goff.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There are an infinite number of ways to be a happy family, and just as many ways to be an unhappy one, says Andrew Solomon. This hour, the author and psychologist discusses modern family dynamics — and how families can find joy even when life gets complicated.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: May 6, 2022. MLK Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin are household names, but what about their mothers? This hour, author Anna Malaika Tubbs explores how these three women shaped American history.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: Friday, May 20, 2022. "Reduce, reuse, recycle." We've heard that for decades - but does it work? This hour, TED speakers reimagine the well-known slogan and reconsider how we think about what we consume and throw away. Guests include right-to-repair advocate Gay Gordon-Byrne, materials scientist Andrew Dent, technologist Jamie Beard and animal scientist Ermias Kebreab.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: June 17, 2022. Musician Jacob Collier is known for his electrifying performances and thoughtful views on art and humanity. This hour, Jacob joins us for a conversation on the sparks that fuel his creative process.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As a special bonus, we're sharing an episode from a new TED podcast, ReThinking with Adam Grant. Adam joins neuroscientist Chantel Prat, who dispels what you thought you knew about your brain.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: February 19, 2021. When A.J. Jacobs set out to thank everyone who made his morning cup of coffee, he realized the chain of thank-you's was endless. This hour, Jacobs shares ideas on gratitude—and how to make it count.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We think our faces are our own. But technology can use them to identify, influence and mimic us. This week, TED speakers explore the promise and peril of turning the human face into a digital tool. Guests include super recognizer Yenny Seo, Bloomberg columnist Parmy Olson, visual researcher Mike Seymour and investigative journalist Alison Killing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: June 25, 2021. For centuries, humans have relied on the oceans for resources and food... but even the deepest sea has its limits. This hour, TED speakers discuss how we can save our seas to save our planet.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: June 11, 2021. Oceans cover nearly 75% of the Earth. While they seem vast and frightening, they're also enchanting and whimsical. This hour, TED speakers dive into stories of connection — and even love — in the sea. Guests include adventurer Catherine Mohr, marine biologists Marah Hardt and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and venom scientist Mandë Holford.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: March 5, 2021. In each stage of life, our brains morph and change. This hour, TED speakers explore pivotal chapters where the brain can either flourish or decline – and what control we might have over brain health. Guests include neuroscientists Kimberly Noble, Adriana Galván, Sandrine Thuret, and Lisa Mosconi.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: December 4, 2020. The 2020 election saw historic voter turnout. But in a divided democracy, how else can we commit to our civic duties? This hour, Baratunde Thurston joins Manoush with ideas on how to citizen.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original Broadcast Date: September 4, 2020. Conflict is a part of life. But in a polarized world, reaching a resolution is harder than ever. This hour, TED speakers explore creative and extraordinary ways of approaching conflict. Guests on the show include authors Shaka Senghor and Ebony Roberts, zoologist Lucy King, and radio journalist Jad Abumrad.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: October 29, 2021. What does it take to deliver a message, precious cargo, or vaccines — meant for exactly the right place in our bodies? This hour, TED speakers explore the often perilous journey of crucial deliveries. Guests include theater director Amir Nizar Zuabi, astrophysicist Erika Hamden, chemical engineer Kathryn Whitehead, and entrepreneur Keller Rinaudo.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: Friday, December 3, 2021. Admitting we're wrong is painful--even seen as a sign of weakness. But what if we take a more flexible approach? This hour: how rethinking ideas can be good for our brains and our relationships. Guests include former GOP congressman Bob Inglis, organizational psychologist Adam Grant, and civil rights activist Loretta J. Ross.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: July 23, 2021. How can we create public places that feel welcoming and safe for everyone? This hour, TED speakers examine our physical and digital spaces—how they run, who they serve, and how to make them better. Guests include community organizer Shari Davis, researcher Eli Pariser, Wikipedia Library founder Jake Orlowitz, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, and artist Matthew Mazzotta.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: February 19, 2022. Rest is so much more than just a good night's sleep. From human hibernation to ASMR to the science of dreams, we explore how to nourish our minds and bodies with different forms of rest. Guests include physiologist Craig Richard, psychologist Dylan Selterman, hibernation researcher Matteo Cerri, and journalist Celeste Headlee.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: February 11, 2022. As kids, play comes naturally. But over time, it gets replaced with work. This hour, TED speakers explore how to reconnect with play—to spark creativity, combat despair, and find our way in the world. Guests include musician Jacob Collier, human rights activist Yana Buhrer Tavanier, and web developer Stuart Duncan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: February 4, 2022. The past few years have shaken the fundamental ways we live. It's... disorienting. But it's also an opportunity to reexamine how we spend our time. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate evolving notions of what it means to pay our bills, feel joy in play, and rest our minds and bodies. This hour: Work. Guests include labor organizer Jess Kutch, social entrepreneur Irma Olguin, and tech reporter Kevin Roose.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For decades, Rosanne Cash has soared through the ranks of music with her powerhouse poetic skills and wistful reflections on her past. This hour, we explore Rosanne's life and legacy through her music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: December 11, 2020. Recessions, depressions, bubbles, and blue skies — our economy has a history of soaring and plummeting. This hour, TED speakers look to the past for lessons on building a more stable financial future. Guests include journalist Kathleen Day, financial advisor Tammy Lally, writer Elizabeth White, and filmmaker Abigail Disney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"The birds and the bees" may be a emphamism for human reproduction, but procreation of actual winged animals is far wilder. This hour, TED speakers explore how birds, bees and bugs multiply. Guests include beekeeper Noah Wilson-Rich, biologist Carin Bondar, behavioral ecologist Marlene Zuk and comedian Julia Sweeney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Are we alone in the universe? Are we one of a crowd? This hour, we travel the cosmos with TED science curator David Biello, exploring where we are in the search for alien life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: April 9, 2021. During exhausting times, how can we bring what's been dormant back to life? This hour, TED speakers explore ways to revitalize our minds, bodies, buildings—and even populations. Guests include psychologist Guy Winch, visual artist Amanda Williams, biophysicist Andrew Pelling, and writer Wajahat Ali.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: July 30, 2021. This hour, journalist Saleem Reshamwala gives us a tour of surprising people and places — Lima, Nairobi, and prehistoric New Jersey — to inspire new perspectives on travel and cultures.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Musician Jacob Collier is known for his electrifying performances and thoughtful views on art and humanity. This hour, Jacob joins us for a conversation on the sparks that fuel his creative process. Want to share feedback with our team? NPR is conducting a survey to better understand how listeners like you spend time with podcasts. Help us out by completing a short, anonymous survey at npr.org/podcastsurvey - and thanks!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: October 1, 2021. When stress, fear or sadness weigh on us, our hearts can suffer — even break. But there are ways to mend our broken hearts. This hour, TED speakers share stories and ideas about soothing heartache. Guests include cardiologist Sandeep Jauhar, law professor Jeannie Suk Gersen, pediatric nurse Hui-wen Sato, and climate activist Knut Ivar Bjørlykhaug. Want to give us feedback? You can take a short, anonymous survey at npr.org/podcastsurvey. Tell us what you like, and how we can improve. Thanks!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: February 5, 2021. We live in an era of instant gratification. But some things--to reach their full potential--simply cannot be rushed. This hour, TED speakers explore what we can learn from ideas ... that take time. Guests include zoologist Lucy Cooke, neuroscientist Matthew Walker, architect Julia Watson, and NASA engineer Nagin Cox.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Reduce, reuse, recycle." We've heard that for decades - but does it work? This hour, TED speakers reimagine the well-known slogan and reconsider how we think about what we consume and throw away. Guests include right-to-repair advocate Gay Gordon-Byrne, materials scientist Andrew Dent, technologist Jamie Beard and animal scientist Ermias Kebreab.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: Friday, October 16, 2020. Sound surrounds us, from cacophony even to silence. But depending on how we hear, the world can be a different auditory experience for each of us. This hour, TED speakers explore the science of sound. Guests on the show include NPR All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly, neuroscientist Jim Hudspeth, writer Rebecca Knill, and sound designer Dallas Taylor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

MLK Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin are household names, but what about their mothers? This hour, author Anna Malaika Tubbs explores how these three women shaped American history.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: July 24, 2020. How do spaces shape the human experience? In what ways do our rooms, homes, and buildings give us meaning and purpose? This hour, TED speakers explore the power of the spaces we make and inhabit.Guests include architect Michael Murphy, musician David Byrne, artist Es Devlin, and architect Siamak Hariri.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: May 8, 2020. Many of us were taught biological sex is a question of female or male, XX or XY... but it's far more complicated. This hour, TED speakers explore what determines our sex. Guests on the show include artist Emily Quinn, journalist Molly Webster, neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi, and structural biologist Karissa Sanbonmatsu.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: September 3, 2021. Food is one of life's greatest pleasures, yet many of our food systems are flawed. This hour, TED speakers look to the past to reconnect with what we eat, and the present to reimagine our food future. Guests include forager Alexis Nikole Nelson, chef Sean Sherman, social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe, and environmental journalist Amanda Little.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the last century, human life expectancy has doubled. This hour, we talk with writer Steven Johnson on the many breakthroughs that made this possible — and where we go from here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: October 30, 2020. False information on the internet makes it harder and harder to know what's true, and the consequences have been devastating. This hour, TED speakers explore ideas around technology and deception. Guests include law professor Danielle Citron, journalist Andrew Marantz, and computer scientist Joy Buolamwini.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: April 30, 2021. Migration is a part of everyone's history. This hour, TED speakers explore ideas about places we call home — and how these experiences continue to reshape our culture, countries, and species. Guests include bioarchaeologist Carolyn Freiwald, journalist Isabel Wilkerson, comedian Maeve Higgins, and ecologist Sonia Altizer.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: September 17, 2021. Jason Reynolds is an award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. This hour, Jason speaks with Manoush about reaching kids through stories that let them feel understood.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Rest is so much more than just a good night's sleep. From human hibernation to ASMR to the science of dreams, we explore how to nourish our minds and bodies with different forms of rest. Guests include physiologist Craig Richard, psychologist Dylan Selterman, hibernation researcher Matteo Cerri, and journalist Celeste Headlee.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As kids, play comes naturally. But over time, it gets replaced with work. This hour, TED speakers explore how to reconnect with play—to spark creativity, combat despair, and find our way in the world. Guests include musician Jacob Collier, human rights activist Yana Buhrer Tavanier, and web developer Stuart Duncan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The past few years have shaken the fundamental ways we live. It's... disorienting. But it's also an opportunity to reexamine how we spend our time. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate evolving notions of what it means to pay our bills, feel joy in play, and rest our minds and bodies. This hour: Work. Guests include labor organizer Jess Kutch, social entrepreneur Irma Olguin, and tech reporter Kevin Roose.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: November 15, 2020. Cities are never static; they can transform in months, years, or centuries. This hour, TED speakers explore how today's cities are informed by the past, and how they'll need to evolve for the future. Guests include archaeologist Alyssa Loorya, architects Marwa Al-Sabouni and Rahul Mehrotra, and landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fiction can serve as a window into multiple realities—to imagine different futures or understand our own past. This hour, author and TED speaker Dave Eggers talks technology, education, and the healing power of writing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: Friday, March 19, 2021. Our senses can only take us so far in understanding the world. But with the right tools, we can dig deeper. This hour, TED speakers take us through the looking glass, where we explore new frontiers. Guests include astrophysicist Emily Levesque, wildlife filmmaker Ariel Waldman, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist Rick Doblin, and science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: June 25, 2021. For centuries, humans have relied on the oceans for resources and food... but even the deepest sea has its limits. This hour, TED speakers discuss how we can save our seas to save our planet.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As part of our series about oceans, we're featuring a special bonus episode from our friends at Gimlet's How to Save a Planet. Hosts Alex Blumberg and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explore how seaweed and giant kelp can help us address climate change and how fisherman Bren Smith has become kelp's unlikely evangelist. Listen to more episodes of How to Save a Planet on Spotify, including part II of Bren Smith's story. Follow How to Save a Planet and host Alex Blumberg and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Twitter. (Warning: This episode contains some explicit language).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy