TED Talks Daily

Kanika Chawla, an energy expert focused on clean-energy policy for developing nations, shares insights on India's solar revolution. She discusses how India transformed an ambitious promise of 100 gigawatts of solar energy into reality, driven by economic motives rather than ideology. Kanika highlights the importance of innovative business models and proper market design, while addressing financing challenges for solar projects. She emphasizes planning, localization, and innovative strategies as key factors enabling developing countries to lead the global energy transition.

Mfikeyi Makayi, a Zambian mining innovator, tackles the urgent need for critical minerals essential for our tech-driven world. She reveals how the mining industry has struggled to discover new deposits due to underinvestment and outdated methods. With AI-powered technology, Makayi's team aims to predict mineral locations at lightning speed, vastly improving efficiency in exploration. Her insights on sustainable mine design and the Mingomba project highlight the future of responsible mining practices and local development.

Join Paul "Triple H" Levesque, a WWE Hall of Famer and chief content officer, as he dives into the art of storytelling in professional wrestling. He shares how WWE blends athletics with narrative, making it a unique blend of sport and entertainment. Paul discusses the impact of the ESPN partnership in mainstreaming WWE and highlights the documentary 'Unreal' for a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. Discover how WWE aims to inspire fans and create a sense of community while evolving its storytelling techniques.

Melinda Janki, a climate justice litigator from Guyana, shares her inspiring journey of challenging ExxonMobil and winning significant legal battles. She discusses the power of existing laws in holding oil companies accountable, highlighting her landmark victories, including the requirement for scope-three emissions assessments. Janki emphasizes that oil giants are more vulnerable than perceived and illustrates how grassroots legal efforts can lead to monumental change in environmental protection.

Gabriela Gomez-Mont, former head of Laboratorio para la Ciudad, shares her insights on civic engagement in Mexico City, a vibrant metropolis of 21 million. She introduces 'Peatonito,' a superhero who fights for pedestrian safety. The conversation dives into innovative projects like Mapatón, a crowdsourced transit mapping initiative, and the collective effort to draft a city constitution. Gomez-Mont illustrates how creativity and collaboration are transforming public spaces and making civic participation a thrilling reality for citizens.

"Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they're finished." Dan Gilbert shares recent research on a phenomenon he calls the "end of history illusion," where we somehow imagine that the person we are right now is the person we'll be for the rest of time. Hint: that's not the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shankar Vedantam, a journalist and the mind behind the Hidden Brain podcast, explores the captivating 'illusion of continuity'—the belief that our future selves will mirror our current desires. Through personal anecdotes, he challenges us to rethink our assumptions about the future. Shankar shares profound insights on how we can proactively shape who we are meant to become, highlighting the importance of curiosity, humility, and bravery. His storytelling reveals why crafting our future self matters more than we think.

Sarah Kay, a spoken-word poet and educator, shares her journey from a teenager at the Bowery Poetry Club to a passionate teacher. She discusses the transformative power of poetry, illustrating it with her acclaimed poem 'If I Should Have a Daughter.' Kay emphasizes using lists to unlock self-expression in students, which leads to powerful storytelling. Her performances of 'B' and 'Hiroshima' captivate listeners, revealing the depth of her artistry and dedication to inspiring the next generation.

Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, dives into the depths of human connection and vulnerability. She shares how her journey as a researcher-storyteller began, highlighting the importance of embracing our messy experiences. Discover her insights on shame, defining it as the fear of disconnection, and the traits of wholehearted living: courage, self-compassion, and authenticity. Brown also discusses the dangers of numbing vulnerability and offers powerful practices for nurturing worthiness and connection in both ourselves and our children.

Journalist and environmental commentator George Monbiot presents a compelling new political narrative rooted in altruism and cooperation. He critiques neoliberalism's failures, emphasizing that persuasive stories, rather than facts, influence politics. Monbiot discusses how our innate capacity for cooperation can lead to a commons-based economy and advocates for inclusive communities that foster a sense of belonging. This optimistic vision challenges listeners to rethink the structures shaping our shared future.