TED Business
TED
Whatever your business conundrum, there’s a TED Talk for that—whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life. Because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too.Follow Modupe on Instagram @mnakinola and LinkedIn @mnakinola Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 12, 2026 • 12min
Will climate change make your home uninsurable? | Amy Barnes
Amy Barnes, a climate risk advisor focused on insurance and resilience, discusses the alarming changes in home insurance due to extreme weather. She explains how rising premiums threaten homeowners and signal systemic risk in the global economy. Barnes emphasizes the importance of investing in resilience to mitigate these issues and presents innovative insurance solutions like parametric micro-insurance for vulnerable communities. Her insights underscore the critical need for adaptation in a changing climate, urging both individual and societal action.
6 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 15min
What it’s really like to win the lottery | Matt Pitcher
Matt Pitcher, a seasoned financial advisor, shares insights from over a decade spent guiding lottery winners. He discusses how sudden wealth can create chaos in personal lives, leading to jealousy and consumerism. Pitcher emphasizes that money often tests one’s values, with profound stories like a couple who used their winnings to improve their disabled son’s life. Alongside host Modupe, they reflect on the deeper meaning of joy and life's true 'jackpots' beyond just financial gain.
Dec 29, 2025 • 5min
How we got hooked on credit cards | from TED Talks Daily
Explore how a wallet mishap in 1949 led to the birth of the Diner's Club card, revolutionizing consumer spending. Discover how banks transformed credit into a booming $500 billion industry, using clever marketing to shift public perception of debt. The episode highlights the complex history of credit cards, from operational challenges to the rise of credit scores that perpetuated biases. Dive into the modern landscape of consumer debt and the contrasting simplicity of early charge cards. It's a fascinating journey through financial evolution!
29 snips
Dec 21, 2025 • 56min
What 2025 Taught Us—And Where 2026 Is Taking Us
The discussion kicks off with unique party ideas, like foot massages and sound baths. Experts delve into rethinking growth and sustainability, highlighting innovations that cut carbon emissions. A fascinating debate emerges over AI's role in education and emotional support. The chat turns to urban wildlife, spotlighting Singapore's otters and their coexistence with humans. Predictions on CRISPR advancements and the urgent need for climate-conscious tech choices cap off a thought-provoking exploration of future challenges and solutions.
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 25min
Stephen J. Dubner | from Design Matters
Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning journalist and co-creator of Freakonomics, dives into the origins of his curiosity-driven storytelling. He shares memories from his childhood on a farm that shaped his perspective and recounts the journey of reclaiming his Jewish identity. Dubner reflects on the role of courage in creativity and contrasts reputation with character through personal anecdotes, like his interactions with childhood hero Franco Harris. He also teases new projects, including a radio series on horses and a TV show debuting in 2026.
7 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 15min
Why we need to know our lives matter | Jennifer Wallace
In this engaging discussion, journalist Jennifer Wallace explores the vital concept of 'mattering.' She shares poignant stories from her research with firefighters and caregivers, illustrating how a lack of recognition can harm morale and mental health. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of small acts of acknowledgment, like checking in on others, to rebuild our sense of purpose. She also highlights how supportive relationships are crucial for resilience and offers a practical formula to help individuals reclaim their purpose in life.
4 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 14min
Most countries fail at clean energy. Here’s how mine succeeded | Sebastián Kind
Sebastián Kind, an energy expert who led Argentina's impressive shift to nearly 40% renewable energy, shares his insights from this remarkable journey. He reveals how the success wasn't just about technology but about smart legal and financial frameworks that attracted billions in investments. Kind discusses the importance of bipartisan support in crafting renewable laws, the strategic measures that protected investors, and the game-changing savings for the economy. He also shares how other countries can replicate Argentina's breakthrough approach to clean energy.
15 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 13min
What sex, soap and alcohol taught me about making an impact | Myriam Sidibe
Myriam Sidibe, a public health expert and founder of Brands on a Mission, shares insights from her work on large-scale hygiene campaigns. She challenges businesses to shift from superficial philanthropy to sustainable social impact, using Lifebuoy's hygiene program as a model. Myriam discusses an innovative campaign by Carling Black Label tackling toxic masculinity and highlights the AI voice project 'Fatima' to amplify girls' voices. She emphasizes that lasting change comes from commitment and strategic alignment in business.
16 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 12min
Tax the rich — and save the planet | from TED Talks Daily
Esther Duflo, a Nobel Prize-winning economist renowned for her work on poverty, tackles the urgent climate crisis with a bold proposal: taxing the ultra-wealthy. She reveals that rising temperatures disproportionately impact poorer nations, costing them approximately $1.7 trillion annually due to greenhouse gas emissions. Duflo suggests a 3% wealth tax on the richest individuals to raise vital funds and emphasizes public support for such measures. She advocates for direct cash transfers to affected communities, promoting resilience and social safety nets.
Nov 10, 2025 • 24min
Tech Solutions (#1): The affordable tech that will revolutionize farming (with Samir Ibrahim and Josephine Waweru)
Samir Ibrahim, CEO of SunCulture, discusses how the company develops affordable solar-powered irrigation systems for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. He highlights the importance of listening to farmers' needs and navigating early funding challenges. Josephine Waweru, a smallholder farmer from Kenya, shares her transformative experience after installing a solar pump. She reveals how it eliminated diesel costs, expanded her farm, and inspired neighbors to adopt the technology, all while encouraging young people to see farming as a viable opportunity.
