What do you get when you combine a major flood and near-bankruptcy? For Whole Foods cofounder John Mackey, the answer reshaped his business into a household name. He takes us back to the night his first store was destroyed, showing how shifting from a win-lose mindset to a "win-win-win" worldview helped him achieve success — and why it can work for you, too. After, Modupe teases what she would add to improve John's "win-win-win" perspective.

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Every minute somewhere in Europe, a house is demolished — along with the memories and sense of community it holds, says architect Olaf Grawert. Exposing the human and environmental cost of demolition for profit, he highlights a bold alternative that could address the growing housing crisis. Learn how rethinking the value of the buildings we already have could create sustainable, affordable homes for millions and reshape the future of cities. After Modupe reflects on why value and profit are not the same and why housing is a necessity.

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For decades, investor and business leader Steve Howard watched companies pour money and effort into sustainability initiatives ... and still fall short. The problem isn’t a lack of will, he says; it’s that capitalism and climate have been wired to work against each other. He shares four realities that explain why even well-intentioned businesses fail at climate action — as well as a plan to flip the system, making green innovation so powerful the market can’t resist it. After, Modupe talks about why ignoring climate change isn't an option.

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Everything successful starts with heart — even the most pragmatic business plan, says Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. She shares how she led a purpose-centered approach to save the beloved teddy bear company from bankruptcy and get it back to global profitability, all by asking one powerful question. Then Modupe reflects on why focusing only on data and numbers aren't enough and how to reintroduce emotion and storytelling to help define change.

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What if kindness isn’t a soft skill — but a strategic one?

In this special episode from Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams talks with management professor Bonnie Hayden Cheng about the business case for kindness. Her research on the “return on kindness” suggests that organizations grounded in compassion, candor, and trust often see stronger performance, deeper engagement, and healthier workplace cultures. Together, they explore how thoughtful communication shapes both relationships and results, and how small shifts can make a meaningful impact at work.

Think Fast, Talk Smart focuses on one of the most essential professional skills: communication. The podcast features conversations with leading researchers, authors, and practitioners who share practical, research-backed strategies you can use right away. Tune in twice a week for clear, actionable communication advice for virtually any professional situation.

Or follow this link to listen more: https://link.podtrac.com/TED

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In 1999, a NASA mission to Mars failed ... not from a technical glitch, but because people weren't talking to each other. Psychology professor Tessa West explores how assumptions, overlooked details and "hidden languages" can quietly sabotage even the smartest teams — and explores the small shifts in communication that can make a big difference in how information lands. After the talk, Modupe urges you to be brave and ask for clarification and how it can help you feel more empowered in the workplace.

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What does it take to fly a plane? For TED Fellow Refilwe Ledwaba, it took perseverance and drive — and an instructor who took the time to teach to her learning style. Today, as founder of Girls Fly Africa, Ledwaba is empowering the next generation of pilots, particularly young women, with the engineering skills, professional networks and hands-on experience they need to take flight into a sky-high career.

After the talk, Modupe shares tips on how you can go the extra step as a mentor.

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Women's sports are surging in popularity around the world, with record-breaking viewership, attendance and revenue growth. And yet, social media algorithms still skew towards covering men's sports. Olympic rower Kate Johnson, who now leads global marketing strategy for sports and entertainment at Google, unpacks why this is still happening — and what it will take to level the playing field for women’s sports. Later, Modupe makes the case for why you should watch more women sports.

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Dr. BJ Miller was a college sophomore when a sudden electrical accident nearly took his life. After months in a hospital burn unit and multiple amputations, he emerged into a world that saw him — and treated him — differently. But that experience became the foundation for everything that followed.

Now a palliative care physician and one of the most compassionate voices in medicine, BJ is redefining what it means to live fully after loss and change. He challenges the very idea of “normal,” reminding us that disability isn’t a flaw to fix, but part of the human spectrum. His work invites us to expand our imagination of what it means to be alive, to belong, and to be whole.

Join us on Instagram  for more stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections on living and dying.

After the interview, Shoshana features a TED talk from Meghan Hussey on 4 Ways To Design a Disability-Friendly Future.

Join @beforewegopodcast on Instagram for more stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections on living and dying.

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Insurance is the hidden engine that keeps the economy churning, but climate change is making home insurance unaffordable for many people, says climate risk advisor Amy Barnes. She reveals why soaring premiums aren't just bad news for homeowners, but also a flashing red signal for the global financial system — and why investing in resilience now could change everything. After the talk, Modupe reflects on the need to invest in solutions that will mitigate the harm of climate change.

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