TED Radio Hour

By NPR

Society & Culture Technology Social Sciences

What's TED Radio Hour about?

Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers. Host Manoush Zomorodi inspires us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves.

Get more brainy miscellany with TED Radio Hour+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/ted

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When Stories Collide

06.02.2023

In the cult comic American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang weaves mythical folklore with a coming-of-age immigrant story. The author reflects on why his story still feels relevant to young readers. Host Manoush Zomorodi also speaks with Ben Wang, star ...

TED Radio Hour episodes:

06.02.2023 When Stories Collide In the cult comic American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang weaves mythical folklore with a coming-of-age immigrant story. The author reflects on why his story still feels relevant to young readers. Host Manoush Zomorodi also speaks with Ben Wang, star ...
05.26.2023 Incognito Original broadcast date: August 26, 2022. Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests ...
05.19.2023 Found in Translation It's easy to focus on the nuances that get lost in translation, but what about the insights that are found? This hour, TED speakers reveal what we gain by adapting and translating information. Guests include textual scientist Gregory Heyworth, economist ...
05.12.2023 Writing For A Better Future Original broadcast date: January 21, 2022. Fiction can serve as a window into multiple realities—to imagine different futures or understand our own past. This hour, author and TED speaker Dave Eggers talks technology, education, and the healing power of writing. ...
05.05.2023 DIY When problems arise, it's tempting to wait for someone else to address it. But sometimes, the only person who can fix it... is you. This hour, TED speakers share ideas on how to do it yourself. Guests include physicist and ...
04.28.2023 Friction Original broadcast date: October 7, 2022. We encounter friction every day — in all its forms — as we brush our teeth, go for a jog, argue with a friend. This hour, TED speakers explore how this force can be ...
04.21.2023 The Birds and The Bees Original broadcast date: July 15, 2022. "The birds and the bees" may be a euphemism for human reproduction, but procreation of actual winged animals is far wilder. This hour, TED speakers explore how birds, bees and bugs multiply. Guests include ...
04.14.2023 Artist in Exile Shirin Neshat is seen as a powerful voice for Iranian women...but her art has never been shown in Iran. She speaks on life in exile and how her acclaimed and controversial art is shaped by politics. You can watch a ...
04.07.2023 Reshaping Evolution Original broadcast date: January 7, 2022. New innovations in gene and stem cell technology have the power to shape ecosystems and even change humanity. This hour, TED speakers share the breakthroughs heralding the next scientific revolution. Guests include biochemist Jennifer ...
03.31.2023 Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 3 When times get tough, how do we keep our spirits up? In part 3 of our series Mind, Body, Spirit, TED speakers tell stories of salvaging the human psyche and rekindling a zest for life. Guests include author Tania Luna, ...
03.24.2023 Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 2 We know it's important to listen to our bodies and trust how we feel — but it's not always easy. In part 2 of our series Mind, Body, Spirit, TED speakers explore ideas about movement, pleasure and rest. Guests include ...
03.17.2023 Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 1 For millennia, humans have debated the mind, body, spirit connection. But today, the phrase sounds trite — a hallmark of the #selfcare industry. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate fresh perspectives on how we think, move, and ...
03.10.2023 Why We're Living Longer Original broadcast date: March 22, 2022. In the last century, human life expectancy has doubled. This hour, we talk with writer Steven Johnson on the many breakthroughs that made this possible — and where we go from here.
03.03.2023 Humor Us Original broadcast date: June 3, 2022. Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include ...
02.24.2023 Small But Mighty You don't need to be big and boisterous to pack a punch. This hour, TED speakers explore the surprising strength of all things miniscule and fleeting.
02.17.2023 Bucking the System (2021) Original broadcast date: November 12, 2021. We hear calls for systemic change, but what does that look like? This hour, TED speakers share stories of taking on institutions — from schools, to medicine, to policing — so they work for ...
02.10.2023 New Family Values There are an infinite number of ways to be a happy family, and just as many ways to be an unhappy one, says Andrew Solomon. This hour, the author and psychologist discusses modern family dynamics — and how families can ...
02.03.2023 The Forgotten Mothers of Civil Rights History (2022) Original broadcast date: May 6, 2022. MLK Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin are household names, but what about their mothers? This hour, author Anna Malaika Tubbs explores how these three women shaped American history.
01.27.2023 For All Eternity Information feels more accessible than ever, but the ways we store data are surprisingly fragile. Can we save anything forever? This hour, TED speakers explore preserving our past, present and future. Guests include artist CM Ralph, digital librarian Brewster Kahle, ...
01.20.2023 Take Care Original broadcast date: April 8, 2022. Giving and receiving care—it's a natural part of life. But how do we offer the best possible support for our loved ones? This hour, TED speakers share ideas on reimagining caregiving.
01.13.2023 Stay Resolved Resolutions are easy to make, even easier to break. But what if a story or idea can motivate us in a whole new way? This hour, TED speakers offer different perspectives on our most common resolutions. Guests include neuroscientists Wendy ...
01.06.2023 Repair, Repurpose, Reimagine (2022) Original broadcast date: Friday, May 20, 2022. "Reduce, reuse, recycle." We've heard that for decades - but does it work? This hour, TED speakers reimagine the well-known slogan and reconsider how we think about what we consume and throw away. ...
12.30.2022 The Language Of Harmony (2022) Original broadcast date: June 17, 2022. Musician Jacob Collier is known for his electrifying performances and thoughtful views on art and humanity. This hour, Jacob joins us for a conversation on the sparks that fuel his creative process.
12.28.2022 Bonus: ReThinking with Adam Grant As a special bonus, we're sharing an episode from a new TED podcast, ReThinking with Adam Grant. Adam joins neuroscientist Chantel Prat, who dispels what you thought you knew about your brain.
12.23.2022 Memory And The Brain Our brains are magnificently complex - and highly fallible. This hour, neuroscientist and novelist Lisa Genova explains how to keep our brains healthy and what to do when something goes wrong.
12.16.2022 The Gratitude Chain (2021) Original broadcast date: February 19, 2021. When A.J. Jacobs set out to thank everyone who made his morning cup of coffee, he realized the chain of thank-you's was endless. This hour, Jacobs shares ideas on gratitude—and how to make it ...
12.09.2022 What's In A Face We think our faces are our own. But technology can use them to identify, influence and mimic us. This week, TED speakers explore the promise and peril of turning the human face into a digital tool. Guests include super recognizer ...
12.02.2022 An SOS From The Ocean Original broadcast date: June 25, 2021. For centuries, humans have relied on the oceans for resources and food... but even the deepest sea has its limits. This hour, TED speakers discuss how we can save our seas to save our ...
11.25.2022 A Love Letter To The Ocean (2021) Original broadcast date: June 11, 2021. Oceans cover nearly 75% of the Earth. While they seem vast and frightening, they're also enchanting and whimsical. This hour, TED speakers dive into stories of connection — and even love — in the ...
11.18.2022 Late Bloomers Many of us feel pressure to hit big life milestones on a timeline. But what if age is an asset, not a liability? This hour, TED speakers examine the benefits and drawbacks of being a late bloomer. Guests include writer ...
11.11.2022 Life Stages Of The Brain (2021) Original broadcast date: March 5, 2021. In each stage of life, our brains morph and change. This hour, TED speakers explore pivotal chapters where the brain can either flourish or decline – and what control we might have over brain ...
11.04.2022 Leaving A Mark For millennia, humans have created artifacts of their lives—from art, to books, to music. This hour, we explore ideas about capturing the ephemeral human experience for future generations to find. Guests include paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, museum curator Ariana Curtis, ...
10.28.2022 How To Be A Citizen Original broadcast date: December 4, 2020. The 2020 election saw historic voter turnout. But in a divided democracy, how else can we commit to our civic duties? This hour, Baratunde Thurston joins Manoush with ideas on how to citizen.
10.21.2022 Crimes in the Wild True crime mysteries can be dark and thrilling. But what if humans can't crack the case? What if the suspect ... isn't human? This hour, TED Radio Hour investigates crimes with a wild twist. Guests include forensic scientist Lauren Pharr ...
10.14.2022 Finding Another Way (2020) Original Broadcast Date: September 4, 2020. Conflict is a part of life. But in a polarized world, reaching a resolution is harder than ever. This hour, TED speakers explore creative and extraordinary ways of approaching conflict. Guests on the show ...
10.07.2022 Friction We encounter friction every day—in all its forms—as we brush our teeth, go for a jog, argue with a friend. This hour, TED speakers explore how this force can be dialed up or down to improve our lives. Guests include ...
09.30.2022 Special Delivery (2021) Original broadcast date: October 29, 2021. What does it take to deliver a message, precious cargo, or vaccines — meant for exactly the right place in our bodies? This hour, TED speakers explore the often perilous journey of crucial deliveries. ...
09.23.2022 Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish From hippie culture to the first personal computers, Stewart Brand has been key to some of the most groundbreaking movements of the last century. This hour, he reflects on his life and career.
09.16.2022 Changing Our Minds (2021) Original broadcast date: Friday, December 3, 2021. Admitting we're wrong is painful--even seen as a sign of weakness. But what if we take a more flexible approach? This hour: how rethinking ideas can be good for our brains and our ...
09.09.2022 We Contain Multitudes In an era dominated by labels, how can we fully embrace the nuances of being human? This hour, TED speakers share ideas for reconciling conflicting emotions and circumstances to make art and find joy. Guests include authors Gabby Rivera and ...
09.02.2022 Listen Again: The Public Commons Original broadcast date: July 23, 2021. How can we create public places that feel welcoming and safe for everyone? This hour, TED speakers examine our physical and digital spaces—how they run, who they serve, and how to make them better. ...
08.26.2022 Incognito Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests include former CIA Chief of Disguise ...
08.19.2022 Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 3 Original broadcast date: February 19, 2022. Rest is so much more than just a good night's sleep. From human hibernation to ASMR to the science of dreams, we explore how to nourish our minds and bodies with different forms of ...
08.12.2022 Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 2 Original broadcast date: February 11, 2022. As kids, play comes naturally. But over time, it gets replaced with work. This hour, TED speakers explore how to reconnect with play—to spark creativity, combat despair, and find our way in the world. ...
08.05.2022 Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 1 Original broadcast date: February 4, 2022. The past few years have shaken the fundamental ways we live. It's... disorienting. But it's also an opportunity to reexamine how we spend our time. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate ...
07.29.2022 Rosanne Cash: The Rhythm and Rhyme of Memory For decades, Rosanne Cash has soared through the ranks of music with her powerhouse poetic skills and wistful reflections on her past. This hour, we explore Rosanne's life and legacy through her music.
07.22.2022 Listen Again: A Century Of Money (2020) Original broadcast date: December 11, 2020. Recessions, depressions, bubbles, and blue skies — our economy has a history of soaring and plummeting. This hour, TED speakers look to the past for lessons on building a more stable financial future. Guests ...
07.15.2022 The Birds And The Bees "The birds and the bees" may be a emphamism for human reproduction, but procreation of actual winged animals is far wilder. This hour, TED speakers explore how birds, bees and bugs multiply. Guests include beekeeper Noah Wilson-Rich, biologist Carin Bondar, ...
07.08.2022 Searching For Alien Life Are we alone in the universe? Are we one of a crowd? This hour, we travel the cosmos with TED science curator David Biello, exploring where we are in the search for alien life.
07.01.2022 Listen Again: Revitalize (2021) Original broadcast date: April 9, 2021. During exhausting times, how can we bring what's been dormant back to life? This hour, TED speakers explore ways to revitalize our minds, bodies, buildings—and even populations. Guests include psychologist Guy Winch, visual artist ...

Older episodes

TED Radio Hour

What's TED Radio Hour about?

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TED Radio Hour episodes:

When Stories Collide

Incognito

Found in Translation

Writing For A Better Future

DIY

Friction

The Birds and The Bees

Artist in Exile

Reshaping Evolution

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 3

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 2

Mind, Body, Spirit - Part 1

Why We're Living Longer

Humor Us

Small But Mighty

Bucking the System (2021)

New Family Values

The Forgotten Mothers of Civil Rights History (2022)

For All Eternity

Take Care

Stay Resolved

Repair, Repurpose, Reimagine (2022)

The Language Of Harmony (2022)

Bonus: ReThinking with Adam Grant

Memory And The Brain

The Gratitude Chain (2021)

What's In A Face

An SOS From The Ocean

A Love Letter To The Ocean (2021)

Late Bloomers

Life Stages Of The Brain (2021)

Leaving A Mark

How To Be A Citizen

Crimes in the Wild

Finding Another Way (2020)

Friction

Special Delivery (2021)

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Changing Our Minds (2021)

We Contain Multitudes

Listen Again: The Public Commons

Incognito

Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 3

Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 2

Listen Again: Work, Play, Rest - Part 1

Rosanne Cash: The Rhythm and Rhyme of Memory

Listen Again: A Century Of Money (2020)

The Birds And The Bees

Searching For Alien Life

Listen Again: Revitalize (2021)

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