Worklife with Adam Grant
TED
You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. From learning how to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again. Produced in partnership with Transmitter Media.Follow Adam on Instagram @adamgrant, LinkedIn at @adammgrantInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
192 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 37min
ReThinking: The art of the interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin
Andrew Ross Sorkin, a prominent business journalist and founder of DealBook at The New York Times, shares his insights on engaging interviews with host Adam Grant. They discuss interviewing as a dynamic tennis match and techniques like the four-walls approach to elicit deeper responses. Sorkin reveals how he adapts mid-interview, drawing from a tense exchange with Elon Musk. He also reflects on the psychology of powerful figures and unpacks themes from his book, 1929, analyzing the stock market crash and its lasting psychological impacts.
94 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 34min
ReThinking: What being a lawyer taught John Grisham about writing novels
John Grisham, the best-selling author of legal thrillers and former lawyer, shares insights on how his courtroom experiences shape his writing. He recounts his early trial nerves and the thrill of victories despite initial fears. Grisham discusses his disciplined writing routine and the balance between planning and spontaneity in storytelling. He reflects on his journey from law to writing, his evolving views on the death penalty, and his advocacy against wrongful convictions, highlighting the moral implications of state executions.
237 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 34min
ReThinking: What we’re getting wrong about mental health with RaQuel Hopkins
RaQuel Hopkins, a therapist and HR professional known as a 'capacity expert,' challenges conventional notions of mental health. She argues that using mental health labels as shields can limit personal growth and responsibility. RaQuel emphasizes building emotional resilience over simply coping with trauma. She critiques the overemphasis on comfort in mental health discourse and questions the effectiveness of trigger warnings. With practical insights, she encourages a shift towards internal validation and focuses on developing capacity for personal evolution.
360 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 41min
ReThinking: Brené Brown on courageous leadership
Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and storyteller, dives into courageous leadership and her latest book, Strong Ground. She highlights the importance of authentic care in leadership and shares insights from her work with FBI negotiators on emotional resonance. Brené also tackles the complexities of hard conversations and the essence of vulnerability, emphasizing values as critical to effective leadership. She critiques the concept of 'executive presence,' arguing it often perpetuates bias, and encourages operationalizing values into actionable behaviors.
158 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 35min
ReThinking: Matthew McConaughey on avoiding cynicism and finding gratitude
Joining the conversation is Matthew McConaughey, an Academy Award-winning actor and author known for his roles in Dallas Buyers Club and Interstellar. He shares insights on the fine line between skepticism and cynicism and the importance of belief over doubt. Matthew reflects on learning to laugh at his past mistakes, turning embarrassment into growth. The discussion also dives into practicing gratitude and positivity, along with the story behind his famous catchphrase, 'Alright, alright, alright.' His journey inspires embracing life's ups and downs.
98 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 34min
ReThinking: Igniting curiosity with Sean The Science Kid
Ten-year-old Sean The Science Kid, an internet educator renowned for making science accessible, joins his mother, Eunice Atecobi, to discuss his incredible curiosity and learning journey. They explore the challenges of nurturing intelligence while staying humble. Sean shares his thoughts on ethical dilemmas like the trolley problem, emphasizing the importance of questioning norms. They discuss the joy of scientific discovery, breaking down complex concepts through metaphors, and wonder how curiosity can spark unexpected learning adventures.
110 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 39min
ReThinking: Facing your fears with cliff diver Molly Carlson
Molly Carlson is a professional high diver and mental health advocate, known for her work with Brave Gang, a community that empowers self-compassion. In this discussion, she shares her personal journey of facing fears and embraces the role of anxiety in performance. They explore mental preparation techniques for extreme sports, the impact of body positivity, and the strength found in community support. Molly emphasizes how confronting fears can transform one's perspective and lead to resilience, celebrating bravery while navigating challenges.
162 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 35min
ReThinking: Fixing social media with Pinterest CEO Bill Ready
Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest and a champion for safer social media, discusses the urgent need to reshape online interactions. He advocates for algorithms that prioritize user well-being over enragement, emphasizing their harmful impact on youth mental health. Ready explores innovative approaches to protect children online, supports smartphone-free schools for improved learning, and shares insights on creating more inclusive and meaningful user experiences. His vision aims to inspire a shift toward positivity in the tech industry.
137 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 33min
ReThinking: How you can do more for others with Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and author of 'Moral Ambition', discusses how to align idealism with entrepreneurship for social good. He emphasizes the importance of moral ambition to redefine success beyond wealth and suggests practical ways for individuals to contribute to societal change. The conversation covers fostering moral ambition in children, the importance of personal growth in effective altruism, and balancing ambition with compassion for impactful social change. Bregman also highlights the significance of community action in driving meaningful change.
210 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 33min
ReThinking: The myth of genius with Helen Lewis
Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Genius Myth, delves into the cultural perceptions of genius. She discusses the societal pressures created by labeling individuals as genius and the dangers of idolizing them. Lewis shares insights about the struggles faced by child prodigies in adulthood and highlights the importance of support systems for women in creative fields. This conversation challenges traditional views of success, emphasizing hard work and collaboration over solitary brilliance.
