
Society & Culture
TED Talks Daily
TED
Want TED Talks on the go? Everyday, this feed brings you our latest talks in audio format. Hear thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable – from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between – given by the world's leading thinkers and doers. This collection of talks, given at TED and TEDx conferences around the globe, is also available in video format. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes to Learn English2000

These AI devices protect nature in real time | Juan M. Lavista Ferres
Nov 10, 20259 minIf we can put astronauts on the moon, conservationists shouldn't have to hike miles through dense forests to change the batteries on cameras, says Juan M. Lavista Ferres, chief data scientist at the AI for Good Lab. He introduces SPARROW, an open-source, solar-powered AI system that can analyze sounds and images to turn years of biodiversity monitoring into real-time insights, giving conservationists the tools they need to protect wildlife and critical ecosystems before it’s too late.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Sunday Pick: Tech Solutions (#1): The affordable tech that will revolutionize farming (with Samir Ibrahim and Josephine Waweru)
Nov 9, 202525 min<p>When entrepreneur Samir Ibrahim asked farmers in Kenya what problem they most needed solved, the answer was simple: reliable access to water to irrigate their farms year-round. Samir is the CEO of SunCulture, a company replacing diesel- and petrol-powered water pumps with more affordable solar-powered ones. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host of the “TED Tech” podcast, to discuss how he continues to innovate his product to serve smallholder farmers. Later, Sherrell chats with coffee farmer Josephine Waweru about how SunCulture’s pump revolutionized her farm and the advice she has for young people to succeed.</p><br><p>This is episode one of a four-part series airing this month on TED Tech, where host and climate tech journalist Sherrell Dorsey speaks with climate leaders on the technology sparking a greener, more equitable future.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

My identity is a superpower — not an obstacle | America Ferrera (re-release)
Nov 8, 202515 minHollywood needs to stop resisting what the world actually looks like, says actor, director and activist America Ferrera. Tracing the contours of her career, she calls for more authentic representation of different cultures in media -- and a shift in how we tell our stories. "Presence creates possibility," she says. "Who we see thriving in the world teaches us how to see ourselves, how to think about our own value, how to dream about our futures."<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Why your blood should flow like ketchup | Sean Farrington
Nov 7, 202511 minYour blood should have more in common with ketchup than just color, says chemical engineer Sean Farrington. Demonstrating the flow of everyday products like shampoo, peanut butter and ketchup, he makes the case for expanding the use of blood viscosity as a medical diagnostic, much like blood pressure. Learn more about the little-known field of rheology and how it could save lives — if taken seriously.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

3 tips to make your world beautifully wild | Isabella Tree
Nov 6, 202513 minWhen conservationists talk about rewilding, most people picture wolves and bison roaming endless landscapes — but Isabella Tree discovered the real revolution is happening in ordinary backyards. She shares the incredible story of how she and her husband transformed their failing farmland into a nature paradise, offering a three-step formula for anyone looking to turn their green space wild.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How AI is discovering athletes that human scouts miss | Richard Felton-Thomas
Nov 5, 202512 min<p>What if the next Lionel Messi or Simone Biles is out there right now ... but no one knows? Sports scientist Richard Felton-Thomas shows how new AI tools are expanding the reach of talent discovery in sports, helping scouts find the next great superstar — and letting athletes showcase their skills from anywhere in the world.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Everything you need to know about AI agents | Swami Sivasubramanian
Nov 4, 202520 minWhat if you had an AI-powered assistant — that took initiative on its own? Technology leader Swami Sivasubramanian believes AI agents are the future of work, capable of sparking new levels of productivity and creativity. Demystifying the workings of autonomous software systems, he explains what they are (and aren’t) and advocates for a world in which AI handles the boring stuff, so you can focus on what matters.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How AI can solve its own energy crisis | Varun Sivaram
Nov 3, 202514 minThe AI revolution and our aging power grid are on a historic collision course, threatening to stall innovation and raise energy costs for everyone. Physicist and AI grid futurist Varun Sivaram reveals how we might turn this looming crisis into a once-in-a-generation opportunity — unlocking massive power capacity, lowering costs and accelerating the energy future we’ve been waiting for.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Sunday Pick: How to use your muscles — or risk losing them | How to Be a Better Human
Nov 2, 202546 min<p>Did you know that you start losing muscle mass as soon as the age of 30? Author and surfer Bonnie Tsui explores how to build strength as you age with Chris Duffy, host of the "How to Be a Better Human" podcast. Watch as Bonnie tries to teach Chris how to surf while weaving in lessons on the benefits of weightlifting, maintaining mobility and adding more movement into your life.</p><br><p>This episode is part of a series of bonus videos from "How to Be a Better Human." You can find the extended interview on the TED Audio Collective YouTube Channel.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How to build your confidence — and spark it in others | Brittany Packnett Cunningham (re-release)
Nov 1, 202515 min"Confidence is the necessary spark before everything that follows," says educator and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham. In an inspiring talk, she shares three ways to crack the code of confidence -- and her dream for a world where revolutionary confidence helps turn our most ambitious dreams into reality.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How to empower the next generation of pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba
Oct 31, 202528 minWhat does it take to fly a plane? For TED Fellow Refilwe Ledwaba, it took perseverance and drive — and an instructor who took the time to teach to her learning style. Today, as founder of Girls Fly Africa, Ledwaba is empowering the next generation of pilots, particularly young women, with the engineering skills, professional networks and hands-on experience they need to take flight into a sky-high career.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We’re doing AI all wrong. Here’s how to get it right | Sasha Luccioni
Oct 30, 202512 minArtificial intelligence is changing everything — but at what cost? AI sustainability expert Sasha Luccioni exposes how tech companies' massive data centers are burning through energy and wrecking the planet. She introduces a powerful alternative: small but mighty AI models that could flip the script and make the technology smarter, fairer and sustainable.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How to measure the planet’s heartbeat | Yadvinder Malhi
Oct 29, 202515 minEcosystem scientist Yadvinder Malhi takes us on a jaw-dropping journey through the hidden flows of energy that make life on Earth tick. From sun-soaked forests to tropical islands, he shows how his team measures the vibrancy of ecosystems across the world. This complex web of energy isn't just nature's masterpiece, he says — it's a lifeline for all of us that call this planet home.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

What if you could talk to your favorite character in a movie? | Christoph Lassner
Oct 28, 202515 minImagine watching a movie where the main character turns, looks right at you and asks what to do next. That's the future of entertainment that AI engineer Christoph Lassner envisions, featuring interactive, AI-powered stories that you don’t just watch but also help create. He unpacks what this could mean for storytelling, imagining a world in which creators use generative AI to set the scene — and then let viewers take control of the rest.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The surprising science of adolescent brains | Jennifer Pfeifer
Oct 27, 202516 minNeuroscientist Jennifer Pfeifer digs into the fascinating brain changes driving young people’s behavior during the critical years of adolescence. She debunks some of the biggest misunderstandings about teens — including puberty, hormones and the impact of social media on mental health — and shows how to support kids during this period of growth and possibility. <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

TED Talks Daily Book Club: You are not alone in your loneliness | Jonny Sun (re-release)
Oct 26, 202512 minBeing open and vulnerable with your loneliness, sadness and fear can help you find comfort and feel less alone, says writer and artist Jonny Sun. In an honest talk filled with his signature illustrations, Sun shares how telling stories about feeling like an outsider helped him tap into an unexpected community and find a tiny sliver of light in the darkness.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Give yourself permission to be creative | Ethan Hawke (re-release)
Oct 25, 202510 minReflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you walk it," he says.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How satellites are supporting farmers across Africa | Catherine Nakalembe
Oct 24, 202534 minMore than 8,000 satellites orbit Earth, taking photos every day. Food security specialist and TED Fellow Catherine Nakalembe shows how she uses this imagery to help smallholder farmers across Africa prepare for floods, droughts and crop failures. Learn why real innovation isn’t always about shinier technology — it’s about making the tech truly fit the problem it’s solving.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Touchdown! The flag football movement is here | Troy Vincent Sr.
Oct 23, 202513 minTroy Vincent Sr. — a professional football player for 15 years and now an executive for the NFL — is here to share the future of the game: flag football. He discusses how this new version of the sport is opening doors for young women and girls to take the field, creating a global movement ahead of its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

How to pull the emergency brake on global warming | Mohamed A. Sultan
Oct 22, 202513 minLandfills across African cities are catching fire and releasing methane, an invisible greenhouse gas with more short-term warming potential than CO2. Sustainable strategist Mohamed A. Sultan reveals how local communities are turning this crisis into opportunity, diverting hundreds of tons of waste from landfills and helping thousands of farmers adopt more sustainable techniques. Learn why cutting methane emissions is a win-win opportunity to drive down global temperatures while also creating more livable cities. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.)<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The art of reading minds | Oz Pearlman
Oct 21, 202517 minHave you ever wanted to read someone's mind? Mentalist Oz Pearlman is billed as one of the world's greatest mind readers ... and yet, he says he doesn't have any special powers. In this spectacular talk meets psychic-inspired magic show, he demonstrates his skills on a live audience in the theater — and shows how anyone can learn the principles of mentalism.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Inside the mind of a newborn baby | Claudia Passos Ferreira
Oct 20, 202511 min<p>What if newborn babies are more aware than we ever imagined? Philosopher and psychologist Claudia Passos Ferreira shares groundbreaking neuroscience showing that newborn babies — and possibly even late-term fetuses — may consciously experience their world, transforming how we understand the very beginning of life.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Why change is so scary — and how to unlock its potential | Maya Shankar (re-release)
Oct 19, 202516 minUnexpected change like an accident, an illness or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. With a heartfelt and optimistic take on life's curveballs, cognitive scientist Maya Shankar shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offering three questions to ask when facing uncertainty, so you can let go of rigidity and embrace change.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The difference between healthy and unhealthy love | Katie Hood (re-release)
Oct 18, 202512 minIn a talk about understanding and practicing the art of healthy relationships, Katie Hood reveals the five signs you might be in an unhealthy relationship -- with a romantic partner, a friend, a family member -- and shares the things you can do every day to love with respect, kindness and joy. "While love is an instinct and an emotion, the ability to love better is a skill we can all build and improve on over time," she says.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The new era of AI-powered protein design | César Ramírez-Sarmiento
Oct 17, 202527 minWith the advent of AI, scientists can develop new proteins at an astonishing rate, helping tackle our biggest biomedical and environmental issues. Protein engineer and TED Fellow César Ramírez-Sarmiento delves into the evolution of protein design and imagines a future where the next generation of Latin American scientists have the tools to explore nature’s untapped terrain and reshape the future of humanity.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

What it’s really like to win the lottery | Matt Pitcher
Oct 16, 202513 minWhat happens when ordinary people win the lottery? Financial planner Matt Pitcher shares lessons from more than a decade of advising lotto winners, revealing how sudden wealth can unbalance life and spark consumerism — or create profound opportunities for meaning. This talk just might make you rethink the link between money and happiness.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Tax the rich — and save the planet | Esther Duflo
Oct 15, 202512 minNobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo brings her data-driven precision to the climate crisis — and the numbers are damning. While world leaders haggle over finances at endless summits, rising temperatures will kill millions in the poorest countries by the end of this century. She calculates the staggering cost of wealthy nations pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, proving that getting billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes is the best way to cover these damages.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

A pastry chef works his chocolatier magic — live | Amaury Guichon
Oct 14, 202511 minGet a taste of the chocolatier life from world-renowned pastry chef Amaury Guichon as he shares his story — and the secrets of his craft — with podcaster Latif Nasser. Learn what it takes to construct elaborate, lifelike (and delicious) sculptures from 100 percent confectionery ingredients as Guichon puts the final touches on his signature decadent chocolate clock pastry, complete with delicate gears.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The flourishing future of women's sports | Kate Johnson
Oct 13, 202514 minWomen's sports are surging in popularity around the world, with record-breaking viewership, attendance and revenue growth. And yet, social media algorithms still skew towards covering men's sports. Olympic rower Kate Johnson, who now leads global marketing strategy for sports and entertainment at Google, unpacks why this is still happening — and what it will take to level the playing field for women’s sports.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

TED Talks Daily Book Club: Essential questions to ask your future self | Meg Jay (re-release)
Oct 12, 202513 minHow much do you think about your future self? If your answer is not much, you're not alone. It can be difficult to plan for a version of yourself you haven't met yet, says psychologist Meg Jay. Sharing how to close the empathy gap between you and your future selves, she outlines courageous questions to ask about how your present and future can align, so you can begin to achieve your goals. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of a TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>





