How to Be a Better Human
TED
Join How to Be a Better Human as we take a look within and beyond ourselves.How to Be a Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join comedian Chris Duffy in conversation with guests and past speakers as they uncover sharp insights and give clear takeaways on how YOU can be a better human.From your work to your home and your head to your heart, How to Be a Better Human looks in unexpected places for new ways to improve and show up for one another. Inspired by the popular series of the same name on TED’s Ideas blog, How to Be a Better Human will help you become a better person from the comfort of your own headphones.Follow Chris on Instagram at @chrisiduffy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 1, 2025 • 40min
How to find small delights in an uncontrollable world (w/ Sarah Kay)
Join spoken-word poet and educator Sarah Kay as she explores the vibrant connections of her New York City roots. She delves into the power of community and how sharing poetry can create intimate bonds. Sarah emphasizes finding joy in small moments, like a starfish on asphalt, and discusses the importance of converting feelings into action. By nurturing vulnerability and focusing on local impact, she inspires listeners to seek delight amidst chaos, reminding us that hope can flourish in even the smallest gestures.
21 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 33min
How to Eat with Awareness and Purpose (w/ Sean Sherman)
Sean Sherman, Sioux chef and founder of Natives, shares his mission to reclaim Indigenous food sovereignty through his award-winning restaurant, Owamni. He discusses the removal of colonial ingredients and highlights the importance of local, seasonal foods. Sean explores the educational gaps in understanding Indigenous diets and emphasizes food as a means of storytelling and cultural preservation. He advocates for the empowerment of tribes through food sovereignty and reflects on the resurgence of Native representation in food and culture.
38 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 33min
How to find belonging (w/ Hanif Abdurraqib)
Join Hanif Abdurraqib, a celebrated poet and cultural critic from Columbus, as he explores the essence of belonging. Hanif shares his deep love for his hometown, highlighting the power of community through shared experiences like neighborhood gatherings and small acts of care. He delves into how local artists shape cultural identity and the importance of reciprocal connections. Through personal stories, he reflects on the complexities of pride, the challenges of leaving home, and the transformative impact of small gestures in building lasting relationships.
103 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 36min
Why you need to learn how to fight in a relationship (w/ Dr. Julie and John Gottman)
Dr. Julie and John Gottman, esteemed psychologists and co-founders of the Gottman Institute, delve into the science of fighting in relationships. They reveal that the way couples argue impacts their long-term happiness. Healthy conflict resolution can lead to deeper connections, and they stress the importance of asking meaningful questions. The Gottmans also share insights on the destructive 'four horsemen' predicting divorce and offer practical tools for couples to thrive, even when facing external stresses like parenthood.
32 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 40min
How to break bad habits (w/ Edith Zimmerman)
Edith Zimmerman, a talented writer and New Yorker cartoonist, dives into self-discovery and creativity. She shares her journey with sobriety and how it reshaped her life. Edith discusses transforming her private journal into a public newsletter, balancing honesty with audience expectations. She reflects on quitting heavy drinking and the clarity she found through creativity and running. Her passion for art emerges from everyday moments, and she encourages listeners to embrace new activities to evolve personally.
26 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 45min
How to use your muscles — or risk losing them (w/ Bonnie Tsui)
Bonnie Tsui, a journalist and author specializing in movement, discusses the surprising fact that muscle mass can decrease from age thirty. She shares insights on strength training, emphasizing its emotional and philosophical aspects, particularly how women's participation is reshaping cultural norms. Bonnie explores the balance between performance and appearance for female athletes, along with the importance of functional mobility as we age. Tying her love of surfing to muscular practice, she highlights the joy and energy transfer involved in movement.
76 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 29min
How do you stop caring what others think? A filmmaker and a therapist answer | TED Talks Daily
How do you quit people-pleasing? Internet filmmaker Baron Ryan and family therapist Stephanie R. Yates-Anyabwile unpack the all-too-common fear of rejection and explore the practices necessary to reclaim your ability to finally say “no” and stop caring about what other people think. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our world.)For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 27min
How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy (from Speed & Scale)
Pat Wood, former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission and key figure in Texas's energy revolution, shares insights on how Texas transformed from an oil-rich state to the leading producer of wind energy. He reflects on his early skepticism about renewables and discusses the pivotal 1995 law that drove consumer engagement in energy policy. The conversation explores the impact of Senate Bill 7, strategic transmission investments, and the unique political environment that allowed Texas to embrace wind power, reshaping its energy landscape.
84 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 11min
A practical guide to taking control of your life | TED Talks Daily
Cate Hall, a former Supreme Court attorney and TED speaker, shares her inspiring journey from addiction to becoming the CEO of Astera Institute. She emphasizes the importance of personal agency over intelligence, explaining how it leads to meaningful life choices. Hall discusses how desperation can fuel transformative change without destruction and shares tactics for increasing agency, such as embracing opportunities and seeking honest feedback. Her insights reveal how anyone can discover hidden freedoms to enhance their lives.
126 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 35min
How to strengthen your relationships — one airport ride at a time (w/ Kasley Killam)
Kasley Killam is a social scientist and author of The Art and Science of Connection. In this discussion, she introduces the 5-3-1 Rule for fostering meaningful relationships, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing social health like physical health. Kasley highlights the danger of AI chatbots as substitutes for genuine connection and offers practical tips for building relationships through small favors and regular check-ins. She also explores the decline in men's friendships and the importance of community in combating isolation.
