TED Talks Daily

Dan Schulman, President and CEO of PayPal, advocates for a significant shift in capitalism focused on fair wages. He introduces the concept of Net Disposable Income, a new metric aimed at ensuring employees can invest in their futures. Schulman discusses how improving financial health leads to better productivity and morale. Beyond just adequate pay, he emphasizes the need for tailored compensation strategies, including transparent salary processes and flexible work arrangements, to truly support employee wellness.

Comedian Aparna Nancherla hilariously embraces her love for taking out the trash. She reflects on the absurdities of consumer culture and the overwhelming amount of waste we create. With a comedic lens, she discusses decluttering and the realities of recycling, especially in urban environments. Nancherla balances humor with the serious issues of plastic waste and the challenges of sustainability, encouraging listeners to consider their consumption habits in a fun and engaging way.

John Lewis, a civil rights leader and longtime U.S. congressman, reflects on his lifelong struggle for justice alongside Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer dedicated to fighting racial injustice. They discuss the critical importance of voting and share powerful stories from pivotal moments like the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington. Lewis inspires young activists with his message of making 'good trouble' and emphasizes that when faced with injustice, one must always speak out and take action.

Meet Liberato Kani, a hip hop artist in Lima, Peru—or as he says, “the Andean Bronx”. At his concerts, a typical call and response you hear is "Quechua es resistencia": Quechua is resistance. Though Quechua is spoken by nearly ten million people, Peru's native language is at risk of dying off because of anti-indigenous prejudice. Liberato and other musicians like Renata Flores are here to save it—and restore a country's pride while they're at it. Want to talk more about the show? Share your favorite artist from this episode with host Saleem Reshamwala (@Kidethnic) on Twitter.This episode features music and interviews from Liberato Kani, Renata Flores, Kayfex, and Uchpa's guitarist and songwriter Marcos Maizel. Listen to more from these artists on TED's Spotify playlist, "Quechua es Resistencia”Pindrop is produced by Jesse Baker and Eric Nuzum of Magnificent Noise for TED. Our production staff includes Elyse Blennerhassett, Oscar Durand, Kim Nederveen Pieterse, Sabrina Farhi, Hiwote Getaneh, Angela Cheng, and Michelle Quint, with the guidance of Roxanne Hai Lash and Colin Helms. Additional recordings by Whitney Henry-Lester and Hernando Suarez. Translation and transcription by Hernando Suárez, Eilis O’Neill, and Oscar Durand. This episode was mixed and sound designed by Kristin Mueller.We're doing a survey! If you have a minute, please take it at surveynerds.com/farflung. It really helps make the show better.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, a dedicated physician, sheds light on the alarming rise of domestic violence during COVID-19, which she terms a shadow pandemic. She presents sobering statistics illustrating the plight of women trapped with abusive partners due to lockdowns. Highlighting innovative solutions from Nigeria, Kemi discusses empowering community gatekeepers to support affected individuals and underscores the pressing need for global awareness and advocacy for women's rights. Her insights are a call to action for better support systems.

In this insightful talk, Kelsey Leonard, a legal scholar from the Shinnecock Nation, explores the urgent need to grant lakes and rivers legal personhood. She argues that viewing water as a living relative can transform our relationship with this essential resource. Leonard also highlights global water injustices, emphasizing the disparities faced by Indigenous communities in accessing safe water. By advocating for rights similar to those of corporations, she calls for a fundamental shift in how we value and protect our waterways, framing them as vital allies in our survival.

Annie Bosler and Don Greene, educators and creators of a TED-Ed talk on effective practice techniques, share insights into mastering skills. They discuss the crucial role of practice in improving performance, focusing on how repetition affects brain function. The duo offers strategies for enhancing practice efficiency, emphasizing the importance of focus and visualization. Their engaging conversation reveals that effective practice is not just about doing more but about practicing smarter.

Myles Allen, a climate science scholar specializing in fossil fuels and decarbonization, discusses the fossil fuel industry's potential to address global warming. He argues that these companies possess the knowledge to decarbonize but are hesitating for financial reasons. Allen proposes a gradual decarbonization strategy, accompanied by the creation of a carbon dioxide disposal industry. He stresses the importance of corporate accountability and collaborative effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Genevieve Bell, an ethical AI expert and anthropologist, tackles six critical questions about the future of artificial intelligence. She discusses the ethical challenges posed by rapid AI advancements and stresses the need for responsible development. Bell also explores how AI subtly integrates into our daily lives, from elevators to cars, and the importance of historical insights in shaping sustainable AI practices. Furthermore, she underscores the merging of culture and technology, advocating for a system thinking approach to foster innovative and ethical AI solutions.

Ajay Banga, CEO of Mastercard, is on a mission to tackle financial exclusion, highlighting that around two billion people lack access to banking services. He dives into how public-private partnerships can bridge this gap, especially in a post-COVID world, where marginalized communities are most affected. Banga discusses the shift towards a cashless future and emphasizes the importance of technological solutions that prioritize accessibility and privacy. His insights pave the way for understanding the vital interplay between finance and global equity.