How to Be a Better Human

TED

Your guide to becoming a little less terrible.

  • 41 minutes 8 seconds
    The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham)

    Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career? And how do you know what job you should take, which you should quit, and which you should try to change? Chris and Molly discuss career transitions, the benefits of taking a meandering path, and how to take more risks for a fulfilling life.


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    20 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 36 minutes 20 seconds
    How to have great sex (w/ Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo) (re-release)

    Sex is a normal part of human life, but it can also get complicated–whether you’re having it or not! The way we approach, think, and engage with our sexuality varies widely our culture, community, identity, and more. But one thing we can all strive for is healthy and safe sex. Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo are two sex educators and the co-founders of HOLAAfrica (HOLAA!) a Pan-Africanist digital platform that focuses on creating spaces that deal with safe sex and pleasure. Today they share insights on the kinds of mental and emotional tools we can turn to in order to have great sex, why it’s ok to take small steps on your sexual journey, and why it’s important to take ownership of your pleasure.


    (This episode originally aired in 2022)

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    13 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 37 minutes 35 seconds
    Want to change your life? Start small! (w/ Eric Zimmer)

    Eric Zimmer has learned the hard way that the path to big life changes starts with small everyday behaviors. Whether it’s kicking an addiction, building a business, or writing a book, Eric starts with habits and a clear focus on what he wants to do. The host of the podcast “The One You Feed” and the author of the new book “How a Little Becomes a Lot,” Eric joins Chris to discuss his recovery journey and why he values consistency over perfection.


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    6 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    Chris Duffy | from Design Matters

    Chris Duffy—comedian, writer, and host of the TED podcast How to Be a Better Human—joins to discuss how humor shaped his path from teaching and improv to podcasting and television. Together, they explore why laughing more isn’t about being funny, but about attention, vulnerability, and connection, and how humor helps us stay human.

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    2 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 40 minutes 32 seconds
    How to add more exploration in your life (w/ Alex Hutchinson)

    “When was the last time you did something you didn’t do yesterday?” asks journalist and explorer Alex Hutchinson. Alex joins Chris to examine whether the desire to explore is baked into our genes, how he intentionally tries to get lost in his neighborhood, and what he learns from following his curiosity.


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    30 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 38 minutes 52 seconds
    How to understand your own consciousness (w/ Michael Pollan)

    What is consciousness? Humans and animals have it, but do plants have sentience? These are the questions journalist Michael Pollan studies. Michael is the author of ten books on the relationship between food, consciousness, and psychedelics. Michael joins Chris to discuss why humans ruminate, how people should get comfortable with boredom, and whether we can really trust our own memories?


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    23 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 40 minutes 27 seconds
    How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi) (video)

    “Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish. She shares what she learned from creating a “Hard Yes” list, why she chose to attend Harvard after acting, and why she thinks anyone can find their highest order if they pay attention.

     

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    16 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 40 minutes 31 seconds
    How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi)

    “Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish. She shares what she learned from creating a “Hard Yes” list, why she chose to attend Harvard after acting, and why she thinks anyone can find their highest order if they pay attention.


    Featured guest


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    For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts


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    16 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 38 minutes 44 seconds
    How to understand money stuff (w/ Matt Levine)

    Matt Levine is the author of Bloomberg’s “Money Stuff” newsletter where he writes about Wall Street and finances. Matt joins Chris to break down common money questions such as what exactly is commodity trading? How do AI companies make money? How do companies balance ethics and virtues with increasing profits for shareholders? They also discuss how Matt uses comedy and humor to make complicated money topics accessible.


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    9 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 42 minutes 46 seconds
    Your job or your sanity? How to not lose both (w/ Guy Winch)

    If we accept that work-life balance is a necessity, then why are stress and burnout still increasing? Guy Winch is a psychologist and was the first guest ever on the How to Be a Better Human podcast. Guy returns to the show six years later to share strategies on how to stop indulging in unhealthy ruminations, start identifying harmful triggers, and why it’s necessary to change your perspective and view problems as solvable.


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    For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts


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    2 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 34 seconds
    How to be a caregiver (w/ Courtney Martin)

    If you could switch places with someone and peek into their mind, who would you pick? For journalist Courtney Martin, she chose her aging dad with advanced dementia. Courtney joins Chris to talk about her deep desire to understand her father’s experiences, what it’s like to witness a loved one's health decline, and why it’s important to practice asking for help. This is a perfect episode to listen to if you’re taking care of a loved one (or know someone who is) and want practical ways to be kinder to caregivers.


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    For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts


    Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 February 2026, 5:00 am
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