TED Radio Hour

Yancey Strickler, the co-founder of Kickstarter and a champion for the creator economy, shares insights on how creativity has evolved into a national priority. He discusses the historical investments that shaped today's creative culture and the impact of crowdfunding on connecting artists directly with their audiences. Yancey introduces the concept of the A-Corp, a new legal structure aimed at supporting artists financially. The conversation also explores AI's dual role in creativity, challenging norms while offering accessibility.

Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist and founder of the Mobile Voting Project, discusses how mobile voting could increase voter participation by offering convenience and security. He reveals the technical aspects of the app, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. Jennifer Pahlka, a government reform expert, shares her experiences with modernizing public services and emphasizes the need for a product-driven approach. Together, they explore overcoming resistance to change in government systems and the potential for technology to restore faith in democracy.

Join food-waste expert Dana Gunders, social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe-Houston, chef Anthony Myint, and behavioral scientist Xiaoying Zhao as they tackle the issue of food waste. Dana shares savvy household tips to cut waste, while Jasmine highlights Goodr's innovative methods for diverting surplus food to those in need. Anthony introduces the 'table-to-farm' model for sustainable agriculture, and Xiaoying explores how climate actions can boost happiness. This lively conversation is packed with actionable insights to transform our food system!

This discussion features Anne-Laure Sellier, a behavioral science professor, who shares insights on clock time versus event time, revealing how our time perceptions shape happiness. Oliver Burkeman, an author known for his thoughts on productivity, challenges the obsession with efficiency and encourages embracing life's limitations for meaningful action. Ayelet Fishbach, a behavioral scientist, offers practical strategies for motivation, emphasizing the importance of social support and goal management to enhance our pursuit of success.

Chris Anderson, the longtime head of TED, shares his transformative journey leading the nonprofit into a global media platform. He discusses the impact of putting TED Talks online and the rise of TEDx events. With the announcement of Sal Khan as the new steward, Chris emphasizes the importance of maintaining TED’s generous culture while expanding educational initiatives. He reflects on philanthropy's role in funding TED's future and expresses optimism about stepping back while allowing a new generation to lead.

Join Hal Hirschfeld, a psychologist who studies our connection with future selves, Bina Venkataraman, a columnist on long-term thinking, and Shankar Vedantam, a journalist exploring behavioral insights. They delve into why we often prioritize present needs over future ones and the brain's perception of our future selves as strangers. Hirschfeld shares eye-opening experiments on decision-making, while Vedantam discusses how to embrace change. Venkataraman highlights the importance of collective memory in planning for future risks, advocating for stewardship for the next generations.

In this engaging discussion, investigative journalist Hilke Schellmann, author of The Algorithm, explores the transformative and troubling role of AI in hiring practices. She reveals how biased algorithms, like Amazon's, adversely affect candidates. Hilke shares a cautionary tale about an employee unfairly laid off through a one-way video interview. Additionally, she highlights the pitfalls of workplace monitoring and offers practical tips for applicants to tailor their resumes for AI systems, urging greater transparency in the use of these technologies.

Joshua Roman, a renowned cellist and composer who rose to fame as the principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony, shares his transformative journey through long COVID. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on his music career and how it forced him to confront an identity crisis. After a period of absence from the cello, a friend's invitation reignited his passion, leading him to develop a healthier relationship with music. Joshua’s album 'Immunity' reflects his healing, showcasing the joy found in vulnerability as he performs an emotional solo piece.

Reggie Watts, a comedic genius and musical improviser, dazzles with insights on improvisation and the spontaneity of creativity. Sonia Vallabh shares her heart-wrenching pivot from law to biomedical research after a family tragedy, focusing on combating genetic prion disease. Conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins reveals her strategic approach to creating national parks in Chile and Argentina, showcasing the power of planned conservation. Together, they explore the art of making significant life choices, whether to improvise, pivot, or meticulously plan.

Astro Teller, CEO of X, Alphabet's moonshot factory, is an innovative entrepreneur and computer scientist tackling urgent global challenges. He discusses groundbreaking advances in self-driving technology and shares insights into Waymo's impact on urban life. The conversation includes the evolution of Google Glass, societal perceptions, and ethical dilemmas surrounding AI. Astro emphasizes the importance of experimentation and risk management in developing transformative tech. He also highlights unique projects aimed at climate change, renewable energy, and food distribution.