TED Radio Hour

Investigates the relationship between technology and our bodies, explores harmful effects of technology, ongoing research at Columbia University to break dependency on devices.

Forensic scientist, author, dog trainer, and wildlife intelligence analyst discuss crimes with a wild twist. Topics include the role of vultures in crime scenes, the possibility of a bear burglary, training dogs as detection dogs, and combating wildlife crimes.

Leadership coach Anne Morriss, economist Juliet Schor, social psychologist Azim Shariff, and political scientist Margaret Levi discuss the value of curiosity and trust-building in problem-solving, the feasibility and impact of a four-day workweek on employee well-being and productivity, effort moralization and its impact on perceptions of hard work, and the role and challenges of unions in the modern world.

NPR All Things Considered host shares personal story of hearing loss. Challenges of managing hearing loss and the role of hair cells in hearing. Rebecca Knill's journey with a cochlear implant. Assumptions about people with hearing impairments. Appreciating the beauty of surrounding sounds and human ears.

Evolutionary biologist, entrepreneur, urban renewal expert, and conservationist share stories about bringing new life to abandoned places. Topics include genetic adaptation of wolves in Chernobyl, rapid evolution in African elephants, benefits of circular cities, rebuilding Detroit one lot at a time, and tracking bears for coexistence.

Guests include writer Doree Shafrir, network scientist Albert-László Barabási, anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite and retired educator Riley Moynes. Topics include embracing one's timeline, feeling lost in adulthood, challenges faced by late bloomers, the importance of quality sleep, productivity and impact of scientists, exploring ageism and challenging stereotypes, and late bloomers in various fields.

Explore the life and impact of Stuart Brand, his ongoing curiosity and recent projects like bringing back extinct animals and building a 10,000-year clock. Learn about the impact of the first picture of Earth from space, the creation of the Whole Earth catalog, and the emergence of personal computers. Discover the concept of long-term thinking and the mission of the Long Now foundation. Join a conversation with Stewart Brandt on his work, career pivots, and interest in bringing back extinct species.

Authors Gabby Rivera and Susan Cain, musician and podcast creator Hrishikesh Hirway, and Olympian Allyson Felix share ideas on embracing complexity and reconciling conflicting emotions. They discuss topics such as the significance of America Chavez as the first Latina queer superhero, the complexities of human nature and assigned labels, the journey of a musician and podcast creator, and the challenges faced by female athletes in balancing motherhood and careers in track and field.

There are two sides to every coin — and sometimes our strengths become weaknesses. This hour, TED speakers explore the mixed blessings and volatile flip sides of mental health, parenting and AI. Guests include developmental psychologist Yuko Munakata, entrepreneur Andy Dunn and AI researcher Yejin Choi. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at plus.npr.org/ted.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Original broadcast date: March 11, 2022. From our planet's underwater caves to its ancient soils, there are entire worlds right beneath our feet. This hour, we explore the subterranean forces that shape our lives above the ground. Guests include cave diver Jill Heinerth, death care advocate Katrina Spade, soil scientist Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, and paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at plus.npr.org/ted.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy