TED Talks Daily

TED

Ideas worth spreading from the TED Conference

  • 9 minutes 19 seconds
    How a dung beetle inspired a better AI model | Nanjira Sambuli

    There's a common African proverb: "When elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers." Policy researcher Nanjira Sambuli says we must apply this thinking to today's AI evolution, asking: When tech giants battle for dominance, who gets trampled in the process? She introduces a new ethical compass for AI, showing how people across the continent are charting a different path for the future of tech.

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    4 February 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 7 seconds
    1 thing you can do today to be happier | Sonja Lyubomirsky

    Can anyone become happier? Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky studies this question in her lab, doing experiments on "happiness interventions" to see what kinds of actions elicit this sought-after emotion. In a quick talk, she shares the results of her work: a small shift that can change your relationships and put you on the path to happiness.


    Following the talk, Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, interviews Lyubomirsky on additional changes people can do to feel more connected with each other in an increasingly online and chaotic world.

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    3 February 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 49 seconds
    In defense of hip-hop | Roland Fryer

    Hip-hop often gets blamed for its controversial lyrics. What if there was a way to actually measure its impact on people's lives? Analyzing 40 years' worth of radio station data and lyrics from rappers like Tupac, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, economist Roland Fryer puts one of culture's most notorious debates on trial.

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    2 February 2026, 4:03 pm
  • 30 minutes 20 seconds
    Sunday Pick: How to think critically about history — and why it matters (w/ David Ikard)

    Have you ever recalled a story only to have someone point out "that's not how it went"? Well, what happens when what we misrepresent are our historical narratives? David Ikard is a Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. In this episode, he talks about the societal and personal dangers of inaccurate history knowledge, and uncovers the real story of one of history’s most iconic figures. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts

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    1 February 2026, 7:00 am
  • 18 minutes 54 seconds
    The language you're fluent in — but forgot how to hear | Louis VI

    What if the calm you feel when you hear birdsong isn't a coincidence, but ancient evolutionary wiring ... a signal that once meant safety? Musical ecologist and rapper Louis VI says humans are hardwired to nature's sonic language, but modern life has drowned it out. He explores how we can tap back into the "overwhelming chorus of aliveness" we’ve stopped hearing — and performs an original song incorporating rainforest recordings from the Amazon and the Caribbean.

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    31 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 5 seconds
    Why can't we better prepare for extreme weather? | Catherine Nakalembe

    Thanks to advanced technology, we can now see droughts and crop failures months before they hit. So why are millions of people still going hungry? TED Fellow Catherine Nakalembe, director of the NASA Harvest program in Africa, exposes the blind spots that keep life-saving climate intelligence from reaching the communities it's designed to protect — and shares how to turn early warning into early action.

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

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    30 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 18 seconds
    How to become a K-pop superstar — in 7 minutes | Charlene Kaye

    Want to become a K-pop superstar? Comedian and musician Charlene Kaye lays out the formula for breaking through in just a few easy steps, from rapping like a sexy baby to dancing like you’re making pizza in the Matrix. Part musical, part dance performance, part comedy show — this is your how-to guide for creating the next K-pop hit.

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

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    29 January 2026, 4:03 pm
  • 11 minutes 58 seconds
    What happened when I started scoring my life every day | Chris Musser

    Can you measure a "good life?" Management consultant Chris Musser set out to answer this question for himself, developing a daily tracker to monitor progress across nine dimensions, from faith and relationships to work and wellbeing. Learn how it helped him focus on what really matters — and how you can adopt this 90-second habit, too.

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    28 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 10 minutes 33 seconds
    The purity test that's killing clean energy | Riddhima Yadav

    Why is it taking so long to finance the climate transition? After years working with the world's largest wealth funds and banks, finance innovator Riddhima Yadav has seen the same pattern: the climate movement is seeking perfection over progress, and starving the very industries that need to transition most. Discover why working with emerging markets and heavy polluters might be the uncomfortable solution to powering a clean future.

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    27 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 3 seconds
    Are you spending your money wisely? | Wolfgang Schnellbaecher

    Drawing on his experience negotiating million-dollar deals for global brands, procurement expert Wolfgang Schnellbaecher distills the tricks of the world's best buyers into three simple rules to help you make the most of your money.

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    26 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 14 seconds
    Sunday Pick: Unsolicited Advice: How to get your mojo back at work

    Are you feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or burned out at work? In this special Unsolicited Advice episode, Anne and Frances are getting ready for summer by tackling the importance of rest and the power of intention. They offer unexpected tips and tricks for recovering from constant stress, owning what you need to feel alive and engaged, and creating an experience of work that unleashes your ambition.


    Follow

    Hosts: Anne Morriss (@annemorriss | LinkedIn: @anne-morriss), Frances Frei (@francesxfrei | LinkedIn: @francesfrei)


    Links

    https://anneandfrances.com/


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    25 January 2026, 7:00 am
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