TED Talks Daily (SD video)
1,456 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 21 hours ago - ★★★★ - 1.7K ratingsTED is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. On this video feed, you'll find TED Talks to inspire, intrigue and stir the imagination from some of the world's leading thinkers and doers, speaking from the stage at TED conferences, TEDx events and partner events around the world. This podcast is also available in high-def video and audio-only formats.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Dear fellow refugees, here's how I found resilience | Chantale Zuzi Leader
March 18, 2024 14:41 - 11 minutes VideoChantale Zuzi Leader is one of the millions of displaced people around the world. In a deeply moving talk, she reflects on losing her family, home and sense of safety — only to break through and ultimately find community and hope. It's an astounding story of resilience that speaks to today's refugee crisis.
The miracle of organ donation — and a breakthrough for the future | Abbas Ardehali
March 15, 2024 14:36 - 10 minutes VideoOrgan transplants save lives, but they come with challenges: every minute a healthy donated organ is on ice increases risk. And even if things go perfectly, rejection of the organ is still possible. Cardiothoracic surgeon Abbas Ardehali introduces cutting-edge medical advances in machine perfusion — a portable platform that keeps organs alive outside of the body — that could help put time back on the patient's side.
Meet mini-grids — the clean energy solution bringing power to millions | Tombo Banda
March 14, 2024 14:50 - 10 minutes VideoHundreds of millions of people lack access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, relying on highly polluting diesel and firewood for power and light. Working to brighten the future in her home country of Malawi and beyond, energy access innovator Tombo Banda makes the case for mini-grids — localized energy systems powered by solar energy that are quick and cheap to deploy — and shares ideas for making them more profitable and scalable.
How a sanctuary for self-expression can change lives | Reed J. Williams and Lindsay Morris
March 13, 2024 14:58 - 15 minutes VideoAfter bringing her son to a summer camp for gender-nonconforming children, photographer Lindsay Morris launched a project to share the campers' stories with the world. One of them, Reed J. Williams, is now a powerful advocate for transgender youth. Together, Morris and Williams reveal two sides to the LGBTQ+ experience — one as a mother, one as a trans woman — and offer insight into the power of community.
A path to social safety for migrant workers | Ashif Shaikh
March 12, 2024 14:45 - 7 minutes VideoHundreds of millions of migrant workers travel within their countries to seek out means of survival — often leaving behind all they know for months or even years. Many face poverty and exploitation, and they need a robust social safety net to protect them, says migrant advocate and 2023 Audacious Project grantee Ashif Shaikh. He shares how his grassroots organization Migrants Resilience Collaborative is making life-changing benefits like social security and health care accessible to ...
3 mysteries of the universe — and a new force that might explain them | Alex Keshavarzi
March 11, 2024 14:33 - 13 minutes VideoWe're still in the dark about what 95 percent of our universe is made of — and the standard model for understanding particle physics has hit a limit. What's the next step forward? Particle physicist Alex Keshavarzi digs into the first results of the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab in Chicago, which found compelling evidence of new particles or forces existing in our universe — a finding that could act as a window into the subatomic world and deepen our understanding of the fabric of ...
Why are women still taken less seriously than men? | Mary Ann Sieghart
March 08, 2024 15:46 - 12 minutes VideoWomen are routinely underestimated, overlooked, interrupted, talked over or mistaken for someone more junior at the workplace. Author Mary Ann Sieghart calls this the "authority gap" — all the ways women are (still) taken less seriously than men, despite proven competence and expertise. She explains how we can close this pernicious gap and why everyone wins when we do so.
The unsung heroes fighting malnutrition | Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju
March 07, 2024 15:48 - 12 minutes VideoThe pastoralists in Africa sustainably produce meat and milk to help feed the continent. But their way of life — and work — is under threat. Food systems advocate Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju explains how best to preserve these vital communities and why they're key to solving the nutritional challenges of Africa's children.
How to lead with radical candor | Kim Scott
March 06, 2024 16:06 - 15 minutes Video"How can you say what you mean without being mean?" asks CEO coach and author Kim Scott. Delving into the delicate balance between caring and challenging when leading in the workplace, she introduces "radical candor" as the way to give constructive criticism, compassionately.
How to find creativity and purpose in the face of adversity | Suleika Jaouad
March 06, 2024 15:54 - 39 minutes VideoHow can you find strength during life's most difficult moments? Author Suleika Jaouad's experience detailed in the documentary "American Symphony," an intimate portrait of her life as she grapples with illness, is a testament to finding a pathway to healing through artistic expression. In this sweeping conversation with TED's Susan Zimmerman, Jaouad reveals how following curiosity can lead to inspiration — even when it feels like there is none to be found. (Visit ted.com/membership t...
How to bridge political divides — from two friends on opposing sides | Samar Ali and Clint Brewer
March 05, 2024 15:53 - 16 minutes VideoOn paper, law professor Samar Ali and public affairs strategist Clint Brewer seem to come from very different — and perhaps opposing — backgrounds. But their friendship shows why political polarization in the US isn't as intractable as we might think. In an enlightening conversation, they talk about how to address deepening divides in the US and around the globe — and show the value in discarding the "scare script" by which we demonize others. (This conversation is hosted by TED cura...
How business can improve the world, not just the bottom line | Esha Chhabra
March 04, 2024 15:42 - 11 minutes Video"Sustainability has become more marketing than action," says environmental business journalist Esha Chhabra. Challenging conventional business models solely focused on profit, she shares how regenerative companies that embed purpose into every facet of their operations can drive real change — and make things better for people and the planet.
How AI and democracy can fix each other | Divya Siddarth
March 01, 2024 15:57 - 10 minutes VideoWe don't have to sacrifice our freedom for the sake of technological progress, says social technologist Divya Siddarth. She shares how a group of people helped retrain one of the world's most powerful AI models on a constitution they wrote — and offers a vision of technology that aligns with the principles of democracy, rather than conflicting with them.
The drumline meets the danceline | Mahogany-N-Motion
March 01, 2024 15:54 - 3 minutes VideoMahogany-N-Motion, a student-run women's dance group from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, delivers a drumline-infused performance that brings the crowd to its feet.
The billion-dollar problem in education | Tanishia Lavette Williams
February 29, 2024 15:44 - 15 minutes VideoStandardized testing is deeply woven into the fabric of US education, but does it foster genuine learning? Educator Tanishia Lavette Williams sheds light on the racial biases, financial costs and limited effectiveness of this kind of testing — calling for a fundamental shift to prioritize teacher-led instruction and empower students.
A meditation on Rumi and the power of poetry | Leili Anvar
February 29, 2024 15:39 - 9 minutes VideoIn an ode to the Persian language, author Leili Anvar unfurls the work of 13th-century mystic poet Rumi and reflects on how poetry gives meaning to our lives.
What's the point of digital fashion? | Karinna Grant
February 28, 2024 15:47 - 11 minutes VideoWhat if you could own more clothes without crowding your closet or growing your carbon footprint? Introducing the dematerialized future of your wardrobe, digital fashion entrepreneur Karinna Grant talks about the brands selling pixelated clothes via NFTs and augmented reality — and explores the creative and sustainable potential of fashion that transcends physical constraints.
How poop turns into forests | Ludmila Rattis
February 27, 2024 15:48 - 7 minutes VideoDid you know the world's largest tropical forest is partly formed by seeds emerging from poop? Ecologist Ludmila Rattis reveals the surprisingly fruitful benefits of letting nature take care of its own business, sharing how the digestive habits of tapirs — pig-like creatures that roam Amazonia — spread seeds that help regenerate the forest and promote climate resilience worldwide. (Even nature's waste is put to good use!)
How clicking a single link can cost millions | Ryan Pullen
February 26, 2024 15:47 - 14 minutes VideoIs cybercrime getting easier? Cybersecurity expert Ryan Pullen dives into his work investigating massive digital breaches and testing security blindspots — which led to him gaining access to the software controls of a well-known building in London. Learn more about how cybercriminals exploit human vulnerabilities and hear the latest on how to recognize and protect yourself from scams.
The 5 tenets of turning pain into power | Christine Schuler Deschryver
February 23, 2024 15:58 - 11 minutes VideoA supportive community is the key to cultivating resilience and unlocking healing. Sharing the story of a transformative recovery program for survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, human rights activist Christine Schuler Deschryver details how her team at City of Joy empowers people to reclaim their lives after trauma and turn their pain into power. (This talk contains a graphic story. Discretion is advised.)
TED is 40 — here's how it all started | Chris Anderson and Richard Saul Wurman
February 23, 2024 15:10 - 53 minutes VideoTo celebrate TED's 40th anniversary, Head of TED Chris Anderson and TED's founder Richard Saul Wurman reflect on the conference's transformative journey — from its inception as a daring experiment blending technology, entertainment and design to its expansion into a global platform for world-changing ideas. Get a glimpse into the minds behind a movement that has sparked innovation, redefined the art of storytelling and fostered community worldwide in a conversation brimming with unhe...
Can nanoparticles help fight hunger? | Christy L. Haynes
February 22, 2024 15:47 - 11 minutes VideoA game-changing solution to the global food crisis could come from something so tiny you can't see it with the naked eye. Nanomaterials chemist Christy Haynes describes her team's work designing nanoparticles that could protect plants from disease and crop loss, helping farmers reap abundant harvests and grow food that will make its way to markets and dinner tables.
Is climate change slowing down the ocean? | Susan Lozier
February 21, 2024 15:52 - 11 minutes VideoOcean waters are constantly on the move, traveling far distances in complex currents that regulate Earth's climate and weather patterns. How might climate change impact this critical system? Oceanographer Susan Lozier dives into the data, which suggests that ocean overturning may slow as our climate warms — and takes us on board the international effort to track these changes and set us on the right course while we still have time.
Why ocean currents are slowing — and what it means for you | Susan Lozier
February 21, 2024 15:52 - 11 minutes VideoOcean waters are constantly on the move, traveling far distances in complex currents that regulate Earth's climate and weather patterns. How might climate change impact this critical system? Oceanographer Susan Lozier dives into the data, which suggests that ocean overturning is slowing down as waters gradually warm — and takes us on board the international effort to track these changes and set us on the right course while we still have time.
How to design for dignity during times of war | Slava Balbek
February 20, 2024 15:52 - 12 minutes VideoWhat happens when architecture meets empathy? Through the challenges of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, architect and humanitarian Slava Balbek, who volunteers part-time on the front lines, highlights the importance of designing for dignity when building temporary housing for the people of Ukraine who have lost their homes. A stirring reminder of the healing power of the built environment — and how it can provide comfort amidst chaos.
The Herds, a vast act of theater to spark climate action | Amir Nizar Zuabi
February 16, 2024 15:45 - 9 minutes VideoTheater has the power to transform the most pressing issues of our time from news stories into human stories, says director and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi. Recounting his work on the journey of Little Amal — a 13-foot puppet symbolizing the refugee experience — Zuabi unveils his newest project: "The Herds," a vast theatrical production of animal puppets that will "migrate" from West Africa to Norway in 2025, aimed at sparking climate change awareness.
What the world can learn from Ukraine's fight for democracy | Olesya Khromeychuk
February 16, 2024 15:30 - 10 minutes Video"A flourishing democracy next door is a scary thing for an autocrat," says Ukrainian historian Olesya Khromeychuk. Detailing the history of Ukraine's long struggle for sovereignty and freedom — against Russian tsars, communist dictators and now the Kremlin's army — she shares three lessons anybody can use to join the global fight for democracy.
When you inform women, you transform lives | Paige Alexander
February 15, 2024 15:48 - 9 minutes VideoAccess to information is the key to unlocking human rights for all, says equality champion Paige Alexander. From educating female entrepreneurs on how to launch life-sustaining businesses to murals, billboards and other creative ways of sharing vital resources, Alexander shares how she and her team at the Carter Center connect people to the information they need — when they need it the most.
An Israeli and a Palestinian talk peace, dignity and safety | Ali Abu Awwad and Ami Dar
February 14, 2024 15:12 - 43 minutes VideoIsrael and Palestine have grappled with enduring territorial disputes and complex geopolitical tensions across generations. In this profound TED Membership conversation, Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad and Israeli founder of Idealist.org Ami Dar envision a future built on mutual respect, recognition and nonviolent activism, where both identities coexist harmoniously. Listen for a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the belief that, despite entrenched conflict...
How sci-fi informs our climate future — and what to do next | Zainab Usman
February 13, 2024 16:02 - 10 minutes VideoScience fiction authors have warned us for decades: division among global leaders can quickly create dystopia. Political economist Zainab Usman thinks present-day power struggles may seriously hinder the world's ability to fight climate change, with similarly disastrous results. She highlights three areas of particular economic concern, urging scholars, business leaders and policymakers to do more to align against the growing threat. (Contains spoilers for "The Three-Body Problem" by...
Life's an obstacle course — here's how to navigate it | Maryam Banikarim
February 12, 2024 15:37 - 11 minutes Video"Instead of seeing life's challenges as obstacles, I see them as an obstacle course — a fascinating array of tests that I'm curious to see if I can pass," says community builder Maryam Banikarim. Telling the story of her experience emigrating from Iran as a child, Banikarim shares how her search for belonging led her to realize that community can help each of us overcome life's hurdles.
"Atalanta" | The Merian Ensemble
February 09, 2024 15:45 - 6 minutes VideoChamber music group The Merian Ensemble delight with an evocative, transporting performance of Nicole Chamberlain's "Atalanta" for flute, oboe, bass clarinet, harp and viola.
The climate solutions worth funding — now | Jonathan Foley
February 08, 2024 15:54 - 10 minutes VideoWhen it comes to climate solutions, "now is better than new, and time is more important than tech," says scientist Jonathan Foley. He presents a six-part framework to more efficiently address climate change, from better aligning capital with carbon to utilizing affordable solutions that are ready to go now. Learn more about what the data says to do — and how the solutions might be cheaper than we think.
6 tips on being a successful entrepreneur | John Mullins
February 07, 2024 15:45 - 15 minutes VideoSometimes, you need to break the rules to innovate — but which ones? Entrepreneurship professor John Mullins shares six counter-conventional mindsets for entrepreneurs looking to think strategically, navigate challenges and change the world.
What makes someone vote against their political party? | Sarah Longwell
February 06, 2024 15:41 - 11 minutes VideoOur brains are hardwired to crave community and belonging — a tribal instinct that drives politics in the United States, says political strategist Sarah Longwell. She shares what she learned trying to convince people to vote against their political party in a recent election and shows why telling a better story about democracy is key to bridging the ideological divide.
Wild, intricate sculptures — made out of my hair | Laetitia Ky
February 05, 2024 16:00 - 8 minutes VideoArtist Laetitia Ky has a unique medium: using the hair on her head (and some wire), she creates incredible sculptures of objects, animals, people and more, promoting messages of bodily autonomy and self-acceptance. She shares how she came to create these surprisingly intricate forms and offers a joyful message of creative perseverance.
How babies think about danger | Shari Liu
February 02, 2024 15:50 - 10 minutes VideoAre babies oblivious to danger? It's not that simple, says cognitive scientist Shari Liu. Sharing surprising insights (and plenty of baby videos) from studies of early human development, Liu highlights the unexpected ways babies perceive and respond to risky situations — and what these findings could unravel about the inner workings of our minds.
Lessons from the past on adapting to climate change | Laprisha Berry Daniels
February 01, 2024 15:39 - 8 minutes VideoLaprisha Berry Daniels' grandparents left the Southern United States and migrated north to Detroit in the 1950s — a move that could be considered a big "climate change." Now, as a public health social worker, Berry Daniels mines the survival strategies of her grandparents to think about how we can all learn from the past to better prepare for current and future environmental climate change.
Leadership in the age of AI | Paul Hudson and Lindsay Levin
January 31, 2024 15:55 - 17 minutes VideoLeaders can't be afraid to disrupt the status quo, says pharmaceutical CEO Paul Hudson. In conversation with TED's Lindsay Levin, he shares how AI eliminates "unglamorous work" and speeds up operations while collaborations across competitors can dramatically boost sustainability. Hear some powerful advice for the modern leader — and learn why it's time for businesses to embrace AI.
A reframing of masculinity, rooted in empathy | Gary Barker
January 30, 2024 15:44 - 13 minutes VideoUrging us to turn away from voices perpetuating harmful stereotypes, gender equality advocate Gary Barker shares three insights on fostering a culture of care, compassion and connection among men. "We are the most wired-to-care species on the planet," he says. "But if you don't use it ... you don't get good at it."
What if a simple blood test could detect cancer? | Hani Goodarzi
January 29, 2024 16:02 - 6 minutes VideoCatching cancer at its earliest stages saves lives. But in a body made up of trillions of cells, how do you spot a small group of rogue cancer cells? Biomedical researcher Hani Goodarzi discusses his lab's discovery of a new class of RNAs that, when paired with emerging AI tools, could help detect cancer earlier, more precisely and even through routine blood work — potentially transforming our understanding of the disease.
"Universe" / "Statues" / "Liberation" | Buzz
January 26, 2024 22:23 - 10 minutes VideoElectro-pop artist Buzz unfurls an enchanting, genre-bending performance of three original songs.
Can a simple brick be the next great battery? | John O'Donnell
January 25, 2024 16:06 - 9 minutes VideoThe world relies on manufacturing, and manufacturing relies on heat — a massive contributor to global carbon emissions, responsible for a quarter of the world's fossil fuel use. Energy entrepreneur John O'Donnell has figured out a better, cleaner way to generate the heat we need to make the stuff we want. Learn how his team turned simple bricks and iron wire into a powerful, unconventional "heat battery" that could deliver industrial heat at scale without the emissions — and why he t...
Advice for leaders on creating a culture of belonging | Melonie D. Parker
January 24, 2024 15:55 - 19 minutes VideoGoogle's chief diversity officer Melonie D. Parker joins journalist and host of the "TED Tech" podcast Sherrell Dorsey for a conversation on fostering belonging and opportunity in the workplace. Learn more about how companies can sustainably promote diversity, equity and inclusion — and why you should aim to "add in," not "fit in."
Your creative superpowers can help protect democracy | Sofia Ongele
January 23, 2024 15:45 - 9 minutes Video"Democracy is more fun and inviting when you take it into your own hands," says creator and activist Sofia Ongele. Sharing how she's using coding and social media to defend democracy, Ongele invites us to identify our own creative superpowers — whether it's community organizing, making music or telling stories — and use them to cause a ruckus and bring movements to life.
Do gut microbes control your personality? | Kathleen McAuliffe
January 22, 2024 15:55 - 10 minutes VideoBiologist Kathleen McAuliffe dives into new research that suggests certain bacteria in your gut can influence major parts of who you are, from your personality to life-changing neurological disorders. Learn more about how this emerging science could change how we treat disease — and discover the impact of your internal microbial makeup on your mood, weight and more.
How film changes the way we see the world | Ava DuVernay
January 19, 2024 15:55 - 19 minutes Video"People told me this was an unadaptable book, so the only logical thing to do was to try to adapt it," says writer, producer and filmmaker Ava DuVernay of her work taking the award-winning title "Caste" from page to screen. In conversation with Pat Mitchell, DuVernay talks about the resulting film, "Origin," and discusses her process for turning ideas into pictures that pack a punch.
Fight for justice — even if you don't live to see it | Golriz Lucina
January 18, 2024 15:59 - 7 minutes VideoStoryteller Golriz Lucina recounts how the historic sacrifice of Iranian 19th-century poet and mystic Táhirih planted the seeds for the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests today, offering an inspiring lesson in the value of acting with conviction — even if we don't live to see the results.
What if advertising was honest? | Sylvester Chauke
January 17, 2024 15:48 - 11 minutes VideoAfter years of brand building, marketing veteran Sylvester Chauke realized that his industry had sold the world on overconsumption, with devastating consequences. He shares how marketers could instead promote sustainability with "honest ads" that do right by the planet and encourage people to think twice before buying.
The beauty of wildlife — and an artistic call to protect it | Isabella Kirkland
January 16, 2024 15:55 - 8 minutes Video"I think of my paintings as alarm clocks," says artist Isabella Kirkland. "They're reminders of what's at stake; the only problem is we keep pushing the snooze button." Investigating humanity's relationship to nature, she shares work that takes a creative stand against ecological despair — and quietly urges climate action through permanent images of vanishing wildlife.