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
236 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.
148 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.
86 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.
103 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.
126 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.
197 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.
136 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 36min
ReThinking: The future of finding love with Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of Bumble, discusses the future of love in the age of AI. She envisions a world where technology fosters genuine connections rather than superficial ones. Whitney reflects on taking a break from Bumble to reconnect with herself and debates if self-love is essential before loving others. The conversation touches on the evolution of dating apps, the importance of platonic relationships, and how AI could revolutionize matchmaking while addressing the loneliness prevalent in today’s digital landscape.
130 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 27min
ReThinking: Ed Helms on growing through failure
Ed Helms, actor and comedian celebrated for his roles on The Office and in The Hangover, shares his journey through failure and growth with Adam Grant. The discussion weaves in personal anecdotes about the emotional challenges of live comedy. Ed reflects on the significance of mundane moments in life and explores creative struggles with humor. With insights on decision-making biases, groupthink, and the importance of diverse perspectives, the conversation is both entertaining and enlightening, emphasizing resilience and the power of connection.
419 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 35min
ReThinking: The truth about the attention crisis with historian Daniel Immerwahr
Daniel Immerwahr, a history professor at Northwestern University and award-winning author, dives deep into the myths surrounding attention spans in the digital age. He challenges the notion that technology is shrinking our focus, instead suggesting it's the objects of our attention that are changing. Immerwahr discusses historical moral panics over distractions, compares the cognitive benefits of video games to traditional forms of art, and questions the cultural value of Marvel movies, sparking a captivating conversation about engagement and creativity.
