TED Talks Daily
TED
Want TED Talks on the go? Everyday, this feed brings you our latest talks in audio format. Hear thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable – from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between – given by the world's leading thinkers and doers. This collection of talks, given at TED and TEDx conferences around the globe, is also available in video format. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 1, 2026 • 30min
Sunday Pick: How to think critically about history — and why it matters (w/ David Ikard)
David Ikard, a Vanderbilt professor of African American and Diasporic studies and author on race and justice, challenges comforting historical myths. He unpacks the Rosa Parks story, shows why sanitized pasts persist, and urges using primary sources. He highlights young people demanding honest curricula and models humility in teaching and parenting.
67 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 19min
The language you're fluent in — but forgot how to hear | Louis VI
Louis VI, a London-born musical ecologist and rapper who records nature soundscapes, explores how humans are innately fluent in nature’s sonic language but have tuned it out. He leads listening exercises, links birdsong to safety and ancestral skills, and blends rainforest recordings into music. The conversation invites a lasting shift in how you hear the world.
47 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 11min
Why can't we better prepare for extreme weather? | Catherine Nakalembe
Catherine Nakalembe, a food security specialist and TED Fellow who leads NASA Harvest in Africa, explains why satellite warnings often fail to reach farmers. She discusses the translation gap between prediction and action. Short stories and practical shifts show what data must deliver, the missing infrastructure, and how partnerships and financing can turn early warning into timely help.
61 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 9min
How to become a K-pop superstar — in 7 minutes | Charlene Kaye
Charlene Kaye, comedian and musician known for musical satire, performs a playful how-to on K-pop mechanics. She breaks down personas and group roles. She mimics signature vocal openings, rapper shticks, and playful fruit metaphors. She riffs on reggaeton bridges, dubstep dance breaks, and triumphant call-back finales.
219 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 12min
What happened when I started scoring my life every day | Chris Musser
Chris Musser, a management consultant who created a nine-dimension daily life tracker, shares his experiment in quantifying flourishing. He describes why he measured more than health. He explains the 90-second nightly survey, how it revealed cognitive distortions and patterns like Monday slumps, and how tracking exposed neglected priorities such as marriage.
42 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 11min
The purity test that's killing clean energy | Riddhima Yadav
Riddhima Yadav, a finance innovator who mobilizes capital for the energy transition, argues for pragmatic engagement with high-emitting industries. She challenges perfectionism in climate investing. She explains how funding heavy emitters and emerging markets can speed decarbonization. She calls for trust-building and realistic finance to unlock large-scale clean growth.
79 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 11min
Are you spending your money wisely? | Wolfgang Schnellbaecher
Wolfgang Schnellbaecher, a procurement expert and BCG procurement leader who advises global companies on buying strategy and negotiations. He shares three simple rules used by top negotiators. Short, practical stories illustrate prioritizing what matters, aligning allies, and negotiating from strength. A lively, concise guide to spending more effectively.
122 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 37min
Sunday Pick: Unsolicited Advice: How to get your mojo back at work
They tackle burnout and the weird mix of stress and boredom at work. Practical tips for scheduling real time off and protecting rest get attention. Strategies for managing emotional contagion and setting clear boundaries are offered. They push for intention, small habits, and bold long-term goals to revive passion and momentum.
80 snips
Jan 24, 2026 • 11min
How to power the world 24/7 — without oil | Cindy Taff
Cindy Taff, a former Shell executive turned geothermal entrepreneur, applies oil-and-gas drilling expertise to unlock deep Earth heat. She discusses using horizontal drilling and fracking-style techniques to access vast geothermal resources. She explains how next‑generation geothermal can provide 24/7 clean power and complement solar and wind.
27 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 24min
What I learned from cooking my way across a continent | Dieuveil Malonga
Dieuveil Malonga, a Congolese chef and culinary innovator who traveled across Africa to learn regional food traditions. He discusses learning from grandmothers, discovering unique ingredients and dishes, and building a Culinary Innovation Village in Rwanda. He also talks farming-to-table techniques, fermentation, and training chefs to preserve and share African culinary heritage.
