For someone who doesn’t believe in goal-setting, Emmanuel Acho is highly accomplished. He’s a former NFL linebacker, an Emmy-winning TV sports analyst, and the New York Times bestselling author of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” – and hosts a video series and podcast of the same name. Emmanuel shares why he is “anti-goals”, how he consistently achieves greatness without pursuing success, and what sports have taught him about living a creative life. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG10

Adam McKay, a celebrated filmmaker known for his satirical hits like Don't Look Up and The Big Short, dives into the fascinating world of human delusions. He examines how narcissism and media influence fuel societal behaviors. McKay discusses balancing humor with serious issues in his work, notably igniting dialogues on climate change. Additionally, he reflects on the complexities of morality in 'Succession' and the importance of authentic storytelling over superficial connections in the film industry.

Sharon McMahon, known as 'America’s Government Teacher,' discusses essential reforms to enhance governance and democracy. The conversation highlights the need for improved qualifications for politicians and the potential for term limits in Congress. They critically examine the influence of personality traits in politics and propose a civility score for lawmakers. McMahon humorously envisions a Congress run by teachers, emphasizing critical thinking and open-minded discourse to combat polarization and improve political engagement.

When Reese Witherspoon was in rehearsals for her lead role in the 2005 film Walk the Line, she wanted to quit–every day. But she went on to win the Oscar for her performance as June Carter Cash. Since then, she’s gone from playing iconic roles in films (Legally Blonde, Election, Water for Elephants) to also producing and starring in her own TV shows and movies (Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, Wild). Reese talks to Adam about how she's built confidence by facing her doubts head on, and shares why acknowledging what she doesn’t know has helped her found a company–which was recently acquired for $900 million–that finally puts women at the center of their stories. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG7

Growing up, Saul Perlmutter just wanted to know how the world worked. In 2011, he was part of the Nobel Prize-winning team that discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe. Saul and Adam talk about how science and knowledge evolve, what surprising emotions come with discovery, and why the combination of individual humility and collective confidence can solve some of the world’s biggest problems. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG6

Celeste Ng, a New York Times bestselling author known for her novels like 'Everything I Never Told You,' shares her inspiring writing journey. She discusses her versatile writing process and how life’s chaos enriches her narratives. Celeste reveals the importance of keen observation in prose, and the transformative power of reading for writers. The conversation also touches on her latest book, 'Our Missing Hearts,' which weaves dystopian themes through the lens of family dynamics and societal issues. A delightful exploration of creativity and clarity!

Have you ever thought you can’t do something because you’re “not wired that way”? Neuroscientist Chantel Prat might challenge you to rethink your beliefs. Chantel dispels some sticky myths about right-brainers and left-brainers, shares her research on how learning to code depends more on verbal skills than math skills, and generates some hypotheses about Adam’s brain. Her debut book “The Neuroscience of You” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG4

Atul Gawande was advised by a colleague to say yes to every opportunity until he turned 40. Since then he’s been a renowned surgeon, a public health leader and government policymaker, and a bestselling author and “New Yorker” writer. He talks with Adam about his fascinating career and how he balances his passions for different fields, why he works with a coach even in the operating room, and how he’s working in The White House to end our current pandemic–and prevent the next one. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG3

In 2017, Alex Honnold did what even the world’s best rock climbers thought was impossible. He climbed to the top of El Capitan– a granite rock mountain more than 3,000 feet high– without a rope, harness, or net. His audacious feat was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” and it left Adam with some burning questions about what we can learn from his unique approach to managing fear. Alex opens up about how he regulates his emotions when he’s hanging on by just a few fingers, what still scares him, and how he stays motivated to pursue ambitious goals. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG2

Mark Cuban has gone from selling garbage bags door-to-door to selling internet companies for billions, acquiring an NBA team, and becoming a beloved “Shark” on Shark Tank. Mark reveals to Adam how he turns problems into opportunities in entrepreneurship, basketball, and investing. They discuss his latest venture–disrupting the healthcare industry with an online pharmacy and a price-slashing philosophy that makes hundreds of drugs affordable–and why following your passion is not the best way to maintain your motivation. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG1