TED Business: Recent Episodes
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.
Passion doesn't drive work — fascination does, says venture capitalist and author Bill Gurley. Drawing on years of research into the lives of high achievers, he shows why obsessive, lifelong learning is the real engine of career excellence. After, Modupe urges you to try something new with a friend.
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Can a five-minute walk change how you feel all day? Exercise scientist Keith Diaz shows how your body is built for the kind of movement that modern life has quietly erased — and suggests something refreshingly doable: making time for small doses of movement sprinkled throughout the day, as a way to boost your brain and body. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond.
This is episode one of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era.
To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age.
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We can't get rid of anxiety and depression, so we might as well talk about it, says depression truth-teller Adam Whybrew. Sharing his own experience with mental illness, he reveals the surprising benefits of opening up about stress at work — and why being vulnerable creates a safe space for everyone. After the talk, Modupe discusses why we all need to advocate for important causes on an institutional level — and how to start.
(This episode originally aired in 2024.)
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Vigilance. Grit. Resilience. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, shares where she learned these key qualities of successful leadership, offering three lessons for anyone who wants to overcome their fears, stand up for what’s right and build opportunity for all. After the talk, Modupe urges us all to tell our own stories.
(This episode originally aired in 2024.)
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As a film and television director, Barry Sonnenfeld had millions of dollars riding on his ability to get his cast and crew to play along — and much of what he learned along the way applies to everyday life. Here, he shares nine bits of wisdom and whimsy gleaned from 40 years in entertainment. So the next time you encounter a screaming bully, you too will know what to do. After the talk, Modupe shares three questions to help you reflect on your message delivery.
(This episode originally aired in 2025.)
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Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of compassion at work -- and shows why we should all lead with our hearts.
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For people living in poverty, a guaranteed income can mean finally having the space to dream of a comfortable life. Sharing the stories of single moms who participated in a first-of-its-kind program that offered them $1,000 per month with no strings attached, poverty disrupter Aisha Nyandoro calls for us to redefine what it means to be wealthy — putting aside lavish vacations and fancy cars in favor of paid bills and a well-fed family — and to listen when people tell us what they need most. After the talk, Modupe dives deeper into what it means to really let individuals and families decide what to do with their own money.
(This episode originally aired in 2023.)
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When was your last unforgettable trip? Travel industry expert Suresh Subudhi believes joyful moments of connection are the reason we explore the world — but with vacation hotspots overrun and locals pushed to the brink, tourists have become unwelcome guests. Proposing a new way to use technology to stop loving our favorite destinations to death, he shows what travel could look like if we got it right. After, Modupe asks howcan you become joyfully present in your life and in your workplace this week?
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Leadership expert Melissa M. Mikus breaks down why most workplace friction isn't about personality clashes or bad intentions — it's about not knowing how to effectively communicate. Her solution? A small, visible and easy tweak that anyone can implement right away. Then after the talk, Modupe shares some questions to get you started.
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Control is an illusion — and the leaders who chase it are holding their teams back. Workplace culture expert Jessica Kriegel explores the tactic that leaders who want to achieve extraordinary results should try instead. After, Modupe challenges listeners to reflect on what's something they can surrender in their lives?
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Most managers give feedback. Few give feedback that actually works. Drawing on her background in psychology and executive coaching, Renee St Jacques breaks down what so many well-intentioned leaders get wrong — and introduces a three-part framework to help teams rebuild trust and perform at their best. After the talk, Modupe shares her best practices for giving feedback.
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One of our favorite TED talks on TED Business is from company builder Molly Graham. She’s also the new host of WorkLife with Molly Graham, another podcast from TED. Modupe sits down with Molly at TED2026 to talk about her journey from Facebook to giving her first TED Talk to now joining TED as a podcaster. Molly shares how she quietens her inner critic whom she affectionately calls “Bob the Monster,” what she learned from working alongside influential leaders to scale companies, and why she always advises managers to “give away their Legos.”
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Does your “dream job” really exist? You may know Emily Durham as Emily the Recruiter on social media, where she shares practical, refreshingly honest career advice and coaches people through the biggest professional decisions of their lives. Emily doesn’t believe in the idea of a dream job. In this episode, she joins Anne to make the case for the “awake job” that actively fits into your purpose, lifestyle, and financial needs. Emily reflects on how her own purpose has evolved over time, and answers questions from listeners about how to gracefully quit a job, find a path forward when you feel stuck, and communicate your values to a potential employer.
Find more episodes from a special series on finding more purpose at work only on Fixable: https://link.mgln.ai/SVuDJo
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International collaboration expert Qahir Dhanani makes the case for rebuilding public trust in broken institutions by embracing small, focused coalitions that can move faster and act bolder — offering a hopeful, practical vision for updating diplomacy to meet the world’s toughest challenges. Then, Modupe shares why it's useful to identify "coalitions of the willing,” in your own workplace.
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Design consultant Virginia Santy set out to create an office space built specifically for women, flipping the script on the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways that workplaces and cities still fail them. The results were striking: greater productivity, deeper collaboration and an environment where women felt genuinely valued, leading her to ask a simple question: What would the world look like if we designed with women in mind? After the talk, Modupe shares what managers and male coworkers can do to help improve the workplace environment for their female colleagues.
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In this special TED Business episode, Modupe is in conversation with Jacob Goldstein, reporter and co-host of the Business History podcast, to dig into the origin story ofSouthwest Airlines. From debunking the airline's founding myth, about a triangular route sketched on a napkin to discussing why Southwest chose to only fly Boeing 737s, Jacob shares the decisions that made Southwest stand out from its competitors—and why healthy egos might make for better business.
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You might think the biggest, most prestigious job is always the right career move. Patty Stonesifer — founding CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and an early Amazon board member — says that’s exactly the wrong way to decide what to do next. So what should guide your career? In this episode, Patty joins Molly to share the nine-word personal mission statement she’s used for decades to filter opportunities, turn down what doesn’t fit, and speak up for what matters. Patty shares how you can write your own, and even coaches Molly through creating hers in real time.
WorkLife is a podcast from TED where host and company builder Molly Graham and her expert guests talk through the messy feelings we all experience at work. Ambition and failure, joy and burnout, confidence and self-doubt — this show digs into it all to help you build a career without losing yourself. Listen now: https://link.mgln.ai/Yz5dsY
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Finance doesn't have to feel like a foreign language. Wall Street trader-turned-financial educator Vivian Tu helps millions of people make sense of money, breaking down complex concepts into everyday terms you can understand. She shares how she broke free from the stress of living paycheck to paycheck — and explores how we can shift power structures to give everyone a real shot at building wealth.
(Following the talk, Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, interviews Tu on why financial literacy isn’t just about building generational wealth but rather is a way to pass on generational knowledge to your loved ones.)
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The number of forcibly displaced people across the world is on the rise. While aid systems often focus on providing basic necessities like food and shelter, Julienne Oyler and her team at the nonprofit Inkomoko have a more ambitious plan: invest in refugee entrepreneurs in order to help them build their businesses, uplift their communities and gain access to financial services. She describes how displaced people are already driving local economies — and shows what it will take to bring their innovations to scale. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.)
Then Modupe talks about the ways investors can start supporting people with lived experienced on how to improve local economy.
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Are your workplace relationships quietly burning you out? Drawing on large-scale research across industries, organizational behavior researcher Eric Quintane reveals four hidden relational traps woven into the fabric of work — and explores how connection shapes resilience, vulnerability and burnout. After, Modupe shares her trick for finding new people to talk to and how she strikes up the conversation.
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Studies show that women negotiate just as frequently as men — so why do they succeed half as often? With wit and humor, business consultant Kathryn Valentine unpacks the gender expectations of workplace negotiations, offering a clear equation for anyone looking to make a successful ask and get what they want. After the talk, Modupe shares what she's doing to help the people in her life practice negotiating more—and how you can do too.
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Giving and receiving feedback is an important part of any job or relationship—but it can be tricky to get it right. This season, Anne and Frances are introducing a new segment called Toolkit: a practical guide to ideas, tools, and frameworks that can help you reach your goals at work and beyond. In this episode, they break down the different kinds of workplace feedback and share common pitfalls that can keep you and your colleagues from reaching your full potential. They also offer actionable tips for delivering both praise and critique, along with advice for what to do with criticism that falls short of constructive.
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Have you ever left a meeting thinking: everyone talked, but nothing was achieved? Chances are that people were listening to each other, just not in the same way. Listening experts Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question. After the talk, Modupe reflects on a powerful tool that goes beyond reading the room.
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First impressions matter, so how do you make yours count? Communication consultant Rebecca Okamoto outlines five simple ways to introduce yourself in 20 words or fewer, setting up any interview or conversation for those three crucial words: "Tell me more." After, Modupe shares her own advice for practicing giving introductions.
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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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As anxiety grows around what AI means for the future of work, technologist Vlad Tenev delivers a clear-eyed look at what happens when the majority of today's jobs disappear — and why it's not what you think. After Modupe shares how to balance healthy trepidation with our capacity for creativity.
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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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What happens when ordinary people win the lottery? Financial planner Matt Pitcher shares lessons from more than a decade of advising lotto winners, revealing how sudden wealth can unbalance life and spark consumerism — or create profound opportunities for meaning. This talk just might make you rethink the link between money and happiness. Then Modupe reflects on hitting the jackpot at work and what does it mean to have days filled with joy.
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Today, credit cards are a $500 billion-a-year industry. Banks consider these lines of credit when deciding whether or not to approve loans, incentivizing customers to maintain multiple credit cards. So, how did this lending system originate? And how did they get to be so popular? Nidhi Upadhyaya digs into the history of credit cards in the United States. [Directed by Jeff Le Bars, JetPropulsion.space, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].
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What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech!
Elise Hu of TED Talks Daily hosted a conversation with Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey, where they discussed the biggest ideas dominating their industry and the lesser-known insights they wished garnered more attention. From pushing back against AI advances to sharing the TED Talks that inspired them, Elise, Manoush, Modupe, and Sherrell reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026.
Conversations Mentioned
TED Radio Hour
- Ray Kurzweil, "Could AI extend your life indefinitely? Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks so"
- Victor Riparbelli, “Will AI avatars eventually teach our kids?”
- Philip Johns, “Singapore's otters are butting heads with their human neighbors. Can they coexist?”
- Restoring trust in government, "Move fast...and fix democracy?"
TED Talks
- Sitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz "A story of moral imagination and bold entrepreneurship"
- Sarah Beery, "How AI is unearthing hidden scientific knowledge"
- Scott Loarie (of iNaturalist), "The surprising power of your nature photos"
- Daniel Zavala-Araiza, "The best way to lower Earth’s temperature — fast"
- Jennifer Pahlka, "Coding a better government"
- Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), "How I make vegan food sexy"
- Jason Huang, "The high-wire act of unlocking clean energy"
- Jennifer Doudna, "CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think"
- Jonny Sun, "You are not alone in your loneliness"
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Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and co-creator of Freakonomics—the cultural phenomenon that, over the past 20 years, has grown into a global franchise, changing how millions think, revealing the hidden side of everything, and challenging us to question what we know.
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It’s not enough to do important work — we need to know it truly matters, says journalist Jennifer Wallace. Drawing on her research into firefighters, caregivers and more, she shows how simple acts of acknowledgment and connection can fuel our sense of purpose in a world that too often undervalues recognition.
After the talk, Modupe shares how you can practice gratitude.
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Energy expert Sebastián Kind helped Argentina go from virtually no renewable energy to generating nearly 40 percent of its electricity from wind and solar in just six years, despite economic crises and skepticism. How did the country's transition off fossil fuels happen so quickly? He shows why the key breakthrough didn't hinge on technology or resources — and explains how other countries can follow the same path. After the talk, Modupe reflects on Sebastián roadmap for promoting renewable energy laws amid a polarized government.
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What if saving lives and growing a company went hand in hand? Public health expert Myriam Sidibe thinks many businesses are going about social impact all wrong — and leaving millions of dollars on the table at the same time. Drawing from decades of experience, she reveals a playbook for brands to create real impact, proving that what’s good for society can be great for business. After the talk, Modupe challenges you to rethink mealtime conversations as opportunities to start sowing seeds for change.
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Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo brings her data-driven precision to the climate crisis — and the numbers are damning. While world leaders haggle over finances at endless summits, rising temperatures will kill millions in the poorest countries by the end of this century. She calculates the staggering cost of wealthy nations pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, proving that getting billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes is the best way to cover these damages.
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When entrepreneur Samir Ibrahim asked farmers in Kenya what problem they most needed solved, the answer was simple: reliable access to water to irrigate their farms year-round. Samir is the CEO of SunCulture, a company replacing diesel- and petrol-powered water pumps with more affordable solar-powered ones. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host of the “TED Tech” podcast, to discuss how he continues to innovate his product to serve smallholder farmers. Later, Sherrell chats with coffee farmer Josephine Waweru about how SunCulture’s pump revolutionized her farm and the advice she has for young people to succeed.
This is episode one of a four-part series airing this month on TED Tech, where host and climate tech journalist Sherrell Dorsey speaks with climate leaders on the technology sparking a greener, more equitable future.
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Struggling communities don’t need handouts — they need bold new ways to root wealth. Meet Molly Hemstreet — a TED Fellow, Southern Appalachia native and cofounder of worker support network the Industrial Commons — who’s flipping the script on generational poverty by turning textile waste into $9-per-pound yarn and factory workers into business owners. Discover how her long-haul approach is rebuilding rural economies stitch by stitch, proving that opportunity grows when we stop extracting and start empowering. After the talk, Modupe reflects on how much change-making is site-specific and how you can think about showing up for your communities?
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Over the last 40 years, Brazil has lost an area larger than California to deforestation — and 90 percent of the clear-cutting has been illegal, all part of a multi-billion-dollar global environmental crime economy. Civic entrepreneur Ilona Szabó de Carvalho sees this crisis as an opportunity. Revealing how Brazil is pioneering an economic model actually profiting from protecting nature, she shares the ambitious restoration goals and innovations in forest mapping that are turning the country into a "nature superpower." Get a glimpse of what an economy rooted in regeneration, not extraction, could look like. After the talk, Modupe reflects on her experience traveling through Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya and how you can change public opinion and treat the natural world better.
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Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, what courageous leadership looks like, and whether vulnerability has gained popularity. They also address the problems with “executive presence,” compare notes on how to have hard conversations and set boundaries, debate the merits of the “tush push,” and reflect on what Brené learned from working with FBI hostage negotiators.
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Africa’s booming youth population is often seen as a "jobless generation." But in Kenya alone, young people are already adding more than 530 million dollars a month to the economy through informal businesses. Social entrepreneur Anuj Tanna, who cofounded a social network to connect these entrepreneurs, challenges us to rethink the narrative: What if the informal economy isn’t a problem to fix, but a powerful engine to fuel the future of work?
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This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It’s a story about what could get done before partisan politics got in the way of good climate policy, and it shows that economic incentives for consumers, government, and companies can play a huge role in supercharging clean energy.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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As a film and television director, Barry Sonnenfeld had millions of dollars riding on his ability to get his cast and crew to play along — and much of what he learned along the way applies to everyday life. Here, he shares nine bits of wisdom and whimsy gleaned from 40 years in entertainment. So the next time you encounter a screaming bully, you too will know what to do. After the talk, Modupe shares three questions to help you reflect on your message delivery.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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You’ve probably had a bad boss, but you might not realize how easy it is to become one. Leadership experts Jamie Woolf and Christopher Bell unpack “power blindness” — how authority can warp your perspective — and share smart, practical ways to break the cycle of toxic bosses for good. After the talk, Modupe shares one more exercise to help you become a better boss.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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Remember that gut-clenching fear of speaking up in class? Organizational psychologist Rafael Chiuzi reveals how that same feeling shows up in the workplace, limiting productivity and the free exchange of ideas. Backed by decades of research and hands-on consulting, he unpacks the science of psychological safety — and shares three actionable steps to build teams where curiosity thrives and courage replaces fear.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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In a conversation about visionary leadership, M-PESA CEO Sitoyo Lopokoiyit speaks with impact investor and Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz about how he grew a nascent mobile payment service into Africa’s largest fintech platform — which now handles nearly 60 percent of Kenya's GDP and more than a billion dollars in daily transactions. They draw on insights from both of their careers to explore how trust, innovation and moral imagination can unlock opportunity in overlooked places.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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Kickstarter cofounder Yancey Strickler unveils a radical new economic model that could transform how creative people build sustainable careers, amass collective wealth and escape the burnout of hustle culture. Hear his vision for how artists can pool resources, share profits and own their work in a new kind of economy, as he poses a tantalizing view of the future: What if the next Disney wasn't a corporate giant but an artist-owned collective? After the talk, Modupe reasons, if artists are becoming their own entrepreneurs, why don't we trust them more when they say the current AI business model is not serving them?
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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In this Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances work to solve three different callers’ tricky work problems in under 20 minutes. One listener searches for the best way to level up his small business, the next plans to approach their manager about a dramatic role change, and a final caller is interviewing for a new leadership position that would require him to manage problematic colleagues.
What problems are you dealing with at work? Text or call 234-FIXABLE or email fixable@ted.com to be featured on the show.
You can find transcripts for Fixable at ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
TEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf
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Global warming is very, very expensive: extreme weather, rising sea levels, crop failures, health issues, and industry disruptions all cost money. So, what’s the best way forward? Is the estimated trillion-dollar price tag that comes with transitioning the world to clean energy worth the cost of investment? George Zaidan explores what it would take to become a green economy. [Directed by Sofia Pashaei, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio]. After the talk, Modupe asks why is it so tempting to ignore the climate crisis -- and what you can do to act now.
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Burnout shouldn’t be the price of success, but setting boundaries at work is easier said than done. Tarveen Forrester, who oversees workplace culture at Kickstarter, shares practical strategies for protecting your time and cultivating “sustainable ambition,” so you can crush your goals — without letting them crush you. After the talk, Modupe urges you to come up with a library of your own "tried and true" phrases that you can use when you’re feeling stretched.
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What if solving hunger isn't about growing more food but wasting less of it? Social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe-Houston has made that idea her mission with Goodr, a platform that reroutes surplus food to people in need. In conversation with journalist and "TED Radio Hour" host Manoush Zomorodi, she shares how a viral moment led to a nationwide effort to fix the food waste problem. After the talk, Modupe talks about how knowing how to diagnose a problem is a valuable skill -- and why it's worth zooming out looking at the big picture.
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Look around — almost everything you see was manufactured, from baby formula to AI data centers and beyond. Yet we rarely think about how it’s all made. Factory fixer Lauren Dunford pulls back the curtain on modern manufacturing, revealing just how thrilling and world-shaping this unsung engine of progress can be. Discover how reinventing this overlooked industry could be one of the most important opportunities of our time — and why we all have a role to play. After the talk, Modupe urges you to reevaluate your biases on manufacturing jobs and why it's an industry worth exploring by new generations.
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At the plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole is flipping the script on vegan food with bold style. In conversation with host of "TED Radio Hour" Manoush Zomorodi, she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, from her roots in Baltimore to the grease fire that took her first storefront in Harlem. Learn more about the authenticity, resilience and community that went into building a multimillion-dollar vegan food empire.
After the talk, Modupe reflects on the power of a good experience and how it may guide you when you're feeling lost.
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"Do you know what you want to preserve for the next generation?" asks community leader Ndinini Kimesera Sikar. Drawing on her experience growing up in a family of 38 in a traditional Maasai village in Tanzania — where every chore was shared, every story was sung and belonging meant survival — she explores how we can blend the old with the new to build the life we want, encouraging us all to ponder our list of "must-haves" for the future.
After the talk, Modupe reflects on her experience in he workplace and what she wants to preserve for future generations--especially how AI shapes the future of classroom learning.
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The energy grid of the future demands a massive amount of materials: billions of solar panels, millions of wind turbines and more. Climate strategist Marielle Remillard reveals why there may be critical shortages ahead — and breaks down how this could also be the biggest business opportunity since the Industrial Revolution. After the talk, Modupe discusses why it's important for entrepreneurs to be part of the climate resolution.
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Dawn Burrell is a celebrated long jumper, an Olympic athlete, and a chef’s whose cooking made her a semifinalist for a James Beard Award — and these are just a sampling of her many accolades. In this episode, Dawn talks about how she navigated the career shift from athlete to chef, redefining success for herself, and finding joy and fulfillment in the kitchen cooking for others. She and Chris also discuss ways to grow from failure, build confidence, and the creative process of starting something new – whether it’s a career or a recipe.
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Host: Chris Duffy (Instagram: @chrisiduffy | chrisduffycomedy.com)
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What does it actually mean to be a "real man" these days? In a personal talk packed with actionable advice, youth advocate Davonte Green challenges age-old stereotypes about masculinity, showing that emotional intelligence and self-control — not aggression — are the keys to moving through the world with confidence and strength. After the talk, Modupe reflects on the power of a pause and sitting with your feelings -- even the unpleasant ones like anger -- and how it may reveal more about your deeper emotions.
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"We are not drowning. We are fighting," says storyteller Fenton Lutunatabua, echoing the mantra of the climate activists he works with across the Pacific. He shares stories of the people and communities at the front lines of the climate crisis, proving they're not waiting to be saved — they're demanding action and putting up a fierce fight for the future. After the talk, Modupe reflects on Fenton’s concept of narrative leadership and how you can co-create a new future for your community
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What stops you from speaking up when it matters most? Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.
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What happens when the fish that sustain a community start disappearing? Environmental activist Lamin Jassey shares how industrial fish meal factories are devastating local waters, livelihoods and health in The Gambia — and how communities are organizing to defend their coasts and reclaim their future, one catch at a time. After the talk, Modupe voices the benefits of exercising healthy skepticism surrounding major corporation's best practices.
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“In the future, companies will succeed or fail based on how much their people enjoy their work,” says management consultant Rosie Sargeant. She offers three tips to make work more joyful, increase employee retention and boost customer satisfaction, suggesting how fun (like kangaroo-themed employee check-ins) can be both professional and profitable. After the talk, Modupe reflects on the insights you can gain from reevaluating your work-related likes and dislikes.
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How much should business leaders speak out about threats to democracy? It's a question many corporations are wrestling with these days. Business and democracy leader Daniella Ballou-Aares shows why companies have both the ability and the responsibility to engage in protecting elections and the rule of law — and why their bottom lines may depend on doing so. After the talk, Daniella joins Modupe for a conversation on business, politics and the year ahead. This episode originally aired April 15, 2024.
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What if the change you fear most is actually the best thing for you? Change leader Kristy Ellmer shares a powerful lesson on how even the most difficult transitions, including layoffs and company-wide transformations, can open unexpected doors. She offers tools from behavioral science to help you shift your mindset and navigate uncertainty with confidence — even when every instinct tells you to resist. After the talk, Modupe reflects on the value of discussing motivation with your team at work.
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Would you rather stay in your current job until you retire, or change jobs every year? Researcher Amanda Schneider says Gen Z's answer to this question says a lot about the evolving workplace. Sharing data-driven insights on the young workforce, she debunks common misconceptions about Gen Z employees and explains why their preferences are key to unlocking a more flexible, effective workplace for everyone. After the talk, Modupe shares how answering the question, "what's the point?" can open you to more new opportunities.
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Leadership isn’t about a title or position — it’s about generosity, says organizational expert Joe Davis. Drawing on his extensive experience as a people manager, he shares three essential tips for leaders to unlock the potential of their teams by listening generously, embracing vulnerability and leading with humanity — and shows how it's possible to both earn trust and drive results. After the talk, Modupe asks you to reflect on the leadership tips Joe offered and how you can make an impact.
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What if the secret to success isn’t being in the spotlight, but making everyone else around you shine? Former NBA player Shane Battier shares how his most impactful moments didn’t come from scoring points but rather from small, underrated actions that helped his team win — and why prioritizing "we" over "me" can create a lasting legacy, both on and off the court. After the talk, Modupe reflects on the power of play and team building.
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Why do some countries have a seemingly endless supply of talent in certain fields? From Jamaica's sprinters to South Korea's golfers, public policy professor Anirudh Krishna explains why "talent ladders" — structured pathways to identify and nurture people's potential — are the best way to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. After the talk, Modupe reiterates the importance of removing systemic barriers to level the playing field.
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What separates struggling artists from successful ones? Looking to creative geniuses like Mozart, Edison and Monet, video creator Jon Youshaei explains why aiming to be prolific — despite flops and failures along the way — is the key to unlocking your creative success. After the talk, Modupe reflects on herself as a perfectionist and how inviting others to collaborate is an opportunity to get robust insight.
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Is embracing your inner teenager the key to thriving in adulthood? Neuroscientist Adriana Galván shares three powerful lessons from decades of research into adolescent brain development, exploring what teens can teach us about embracing uncertainty, challenging the status quo and taking strategic risks — all tools for a bold, brave life. After the talk, Modupe reflects on what makes teenagers special... and what you can learn from them.
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Networking expert Margaux Miller offers a fresh playbook for making meaningful connections online, presenting six tips for building online relationships that emphasize quality over quantity and the importance of genuine, personalized interactions. Learn how to be more thoughtful in your approach to making new connections with practical suggestions that can fuel both personal and professional growth. After the talk, Modupe clarifies having an online presence doesn't mean you have to be an influencer with thousands of followers, it's about quality, not quantity. So send out that email sitting in your draft folder -- it could lead to a meaningful connection.
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What if businesses were designed to maximize impact — not just profits? Alex Amouyel, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, details the organization’s commitment to donate all of the profits from the food company it owns — and shows what the “100% for purpose” movement can teach us about doing business, philanthropy and capitalism differently. After the talk, Modupe urges you to be wary of "greenwashing" marketing tactics and to look to "impact washing" initiatives by doing research on a company's mission and values.
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Success rarely happens in a straight line, with setbacks all but guaranteed along the way. What's the best way to recover? Leadership coach Amy Shoenthal lays out the four phases of the "setback cycle" and explains how to transform difficult moments into opportunities for reinvention and progress. After, Modupe reflects on Amy's talk and the benefits of facing existential questions -- not for despair but to be awaken to clearer possibilities.
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Can marketing transcend traditional business goals and actually be a force for good? Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar shares how purpose-driven initiatives — like “touch cards” for the visually impaired and debit cards that let people choose how their names appear — align profit with purpose and position businesses to create meaningful, positive change. (This conversation was hosted by TED's Whitney Pennington Rodgers.) After the talk, Modupe reflects on how a business can find purpose beyond profit.
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How prevalent is solar power, really? According to researcher Jenny Chase, it's already displacing fossil fuels in key energy markets around the world. She explains the rise of affordable solar power and dives into how her team tracked its rapid installation in unexpected countries, offering a vision of a brighter, more sustainable future. After the talk, Modupe looks to data on kerosene use in developing countries as a viable indicator for a potential shift to solar energy.
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Today, some companies are working hard to prevent consumers from repairing products on their own. In many cases, repair can only be done by the original manufacturer, if at all. With limited repair options available, we end up buying new and throwing more items out. So, how exactly do companies prevent repair? And what can consumers do about it? Aaron Perzanowski investigates. [Directed by Nick Hilditch, narrated by Addison Anderson].
After the talk, Modupe focuses on the term "planned obsolete" and why you should advocate for more transparent repair options.
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This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Sometimes the only way to win is by finding the courage to lose. This week on Fixable, Anne and Frances want you to “dare to be bad” in order to free up capacity to excel at more important things. They share insight on the power of strategic “no”s, the value of ruthless prioritization, and how Steve Jobs and Apple delivered breakthrough innovation by strategically underperforming. Frances explains why you can’t always trust your own instincts, and Anne reflects on the lessons she learned in her early days of parenting.
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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts
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Where do you draw the line between work and life? Writer Simone Stolzoff explores the problem with defining yourself by your job — and shows what it takes to reclaim your time and sense of meaning beyond the office. After the talk, Modupe shares how practicing meditation nourishes her identity outside of work.
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Success in your career looks different for everyone — but no matter your industry, you'll need to take risks. Company and community builder Molly Graham shares three key skills to learn before jumping off the metaphorical cliff, outlining a path off the corporate ladder and into true professional and personal growth. After the talk, Modupe shares her own experience with risk-taking when she left her consulting job to pursue academia. What helped her along the way? The support of a good mentor.
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Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma.
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This week, we're revisiting an episode on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — essential drivers of creativity and profits, yet progress has been slow. It's time for leaders to become "rock stars" of inclusion — and that starts with pushing through discomfort, says veteran broadcaster and diversity leader June Sarpong. "When it comes to diversity and inclusion, we need bold disruptors who are uncomfortable with the status quo, even if the status quo benefits them," Sarpong says. After the talk, Modupe highlights proven strategies that increase representation and inclusion in the workplace.
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For a long time, the conveyor belt of ideas moved from the West to the East, says business strategy expert Neeraj Aggarwal. But now, Asia’s rising cultural and intellectual influence is redefining this established order. He explores how Asia’s booming culture and economy — from K-pop to cutting-edge tech — is sparking creative solutions to global challenges and reshaping the future in unexpected ways. After the talk, Modupe draws parallels between the cultural exchange happening between the East and West, and the spread of African culture across the globe.
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This week, we're revisiting an episode with youth leader Shreya Joshi, who shows why having "uncomfortable conversations" with people you disagree with is crucial to bridging the political divide. "When we are able to recognize what unites us, it becomes so much easier to have conversations about what divides us," she says. Join Modupe after the talk for some useful tips on navigating difficult conversations at work.
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Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand, says social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar — and you have the power to shape what it is. This week we're revisiting an episode that focuses on how you can create a brand that captures who you are, who you'd like to be and how you want to make an impact on the world. This episode is part of the Way We Work, a TED original video series. Then Modupe shares how she’s crafted her own online identity in a way that feels authentic.
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Fashion is a huge part of the world's waste problem, but it doesn't have to be. Coachtopia founder Joon Silverstein shows how her company creates new designs from the waste products of another, a circular process that cuts the need for new raw materials — and rethinks what qualifies as "luxury." This talk was made in partnership with Coachtopia. Stay tuned afterward as Modupe shares her thoughts on one way companies could cut back on waste.
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To launch new initiatives within the confines of a large corporation, you'll need to work with the system, not against it, says "intrapreneur" Dave Raggio. He shares three lessons on innovation he learned the hard way — so you don't have to. Made in partnership with Intuit. After the talk, Modupe shares one small way we can get everyone working together.
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What if solving poverty, caring for nature and fostering well-being were the ultimate goals of the economy, instead of growth for its own sake? Environmentalist and economist Gaya Herrington proposes a shift in thinking from "never enough" to "enough for each," asking us to contemplate whether the end of exponential growth on a finite planet will come by design — or disaster. After the talk, Modupe discusses what this mindset shift can unlock for humanity.
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Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good — even if they produce little to no results. In this episode, we're revisiting a talk by social psychologist Azim Shariff, in which he analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring work for work's sake. After the talk, Modupe delves deeper into Shariff’s research – and what our focus should actually be on at work.
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What will the world look like in 2030? International business consultant Nikolaus S. Lang predicts the evolution of a multipolar world, with multiple emerging coalitions of countries acting in new ways to achieve their economic, technological and military goals. He dives into what this will mean for the global economy, offering five tips for business leaders to prepare for the coming geopolitical landscape. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on how to train for the unexpected.
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Networking doesn’t always have to feel like a self-serving transaction, says executive coach Daniel Hallak. Highlighting the importance of focusing on giving rather than taking when it comes to making connections, he outlines a mindset shift to help you build better relationships — in a way that doesn't feel gross. After the talk, Modupe highlights the value of extending your support beyond your usual network.
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Stuck in an unfulfilling or stagnant job? To achieve a smooth departure without burning bridges, try this three-step exit strategy from career coach Gala Jackson. She'll help you move on to your next position with courage, confidence and clarity. After the talk, Modupe shares her own experience breaking the news to a former employer.
In a practical, playful talk, leadership visionary Anne Morriss reinvents the playbook for how to lead through change -- with a radical, one-week plan to build trust and fix problems by following a step per day. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on how to communicate in a way that empowers others to become problem solvers.
In our second episode with corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman, she shared how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked. In this continuation of that conversation, Purushothaman shows the importance of bringing your full self to work, and explains how powerful staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder can be. After the interview, Modupe digs into four different ways you might be hiding aspects of yourself at work.
Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member. After the interview, our TED Business host Modupe gives practical tips on how to advocate for yourself.
Global consumer strategist Aparna Bharadwaj shares a fascinating glimpse at under-the-radar affinities that transcend cultures and borders -- from the way people snack in China and Saudi Arabia to how people shop for clothes in the US and Russia. "There are patterns where you least expect them," she says -- and paying attention to them just might bring the world a little bit closer. After the talk, Modupe expands on how data can connect people and help us better understand each other’s needs.
How can stress enhance creativity? Are there practical ways to use stress for innovation? Modupe guest hosts the podcast Radio Headspace all week. Every weekday morning, Radio Headspace aims to take a few moments to step out of the internal chatter and external noise. It's a podcast that makes space to pause, reflect, and consider how we can live a life that best reflects our limitless potential. Listen to Radio Headspace wherever you are listening to this.
Several crises are set to define the next century -- but journalist Aaron Bastani believes we have the technological ability to meet our biggest challenges and create unprecedented levels of prosperity for all. He shows how we could get there by ditching capitalism as the world's economic operating system and adopting "universal basic services," where governments would freely provide life essentials like housing, health care, education and transport. After the talk, Modupe shares thoughts on what organizations can do in the meantime to ensure people live long healthy lives.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew dives into how the trend-setting video app and cultural phenomenon works -- from what distinguishes its algorithm and drives virality to the challenges of content moderation and digital addiction. In a wide-ranging conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, he tells stories about the TikTok creators he loves and digs into thorny issues like data privacy and government manipulation -- as well as speaking personally about his commitment to inspiring creativity and building community.
This is an episode of TED Tech, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective. For more episodes, follow the podcast wherever you're listening to this.
There is a fascinating untold story behind one of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world. It's 1999, and sixteen years after its original release, a new Star Wars is finally coming. Fans have been camping out in front of theaters across the country just to be the first to see it. The beloved intergalactic saga is set to debut a slew of brand new characters, one of whom is a revolutionary CGI creation named Jar Jar Binks. Whispers begin to spread about big changes coming to the galaxy far, far away – and not everyone’s happy about it.
This is an episode of another podcast from the TED Audio Collective: The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks, hosted by Dylan Marron. If you like what you hear, find The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks wherever you get your podcasts.
Climate action has historically had a gender-neutral lens, but this lack of intentionality has actually negatively impacted women, says gender and climate researcher Zineb Sqalli. Using real-world, gender-equal programs as examples Sqalli offers solutions for advancing both sustainability and gender equality — at the same time. After the talk, Modupe shares ways organizations can increase gender diversity and promote inclusion.
Learning how to have productive conversations about race is a necessary part of the human experience. Educator Afrika Afeni Mills says the best place to start is in the classroom -- because the earlier these skills are taught, the fewer biases there are to unlearn. She shares four actionable lessons to help people overcome their fear and take on these conversations at any age. After the talk, Modupe shares questions to ask ourselves to have more open conversations at work.
Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good -- even if they produce little to no results. Social psychologist Azim Shariff analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring work for work's sake. After the talk, Modupe delves deeper into Shariff’s research – and what our focus should actually be on at work.
The glass cliff: an experience of taking on a leadership role only to find that your chances of success have been limited before you've even begun. Equality activist Sophie Williams explores the research-backed reasons behind this workplace phenomenon and how it overwhelmingly affects underrepresented groups, despite a facade of progress and inclusion. Learn more about the biases and behaviors that set people up for failure -- and what can be done to make the path to success in leadership better for everyone. Join our host Modupe Akinola after the talk for tips on how to recognize people’s full potential -- so everyone has a fair chance to shine at work
Scam artists know something about money that you don't -- and artist J Mase III is here to shed some light. He shares examples of infamous scams from Elizabeth Holmes's false medical tech promises to Anna "Delvey" Sorokin's fake trust fund, along with three crucial lessons on how money functions for the wealthy, why it flows in the direction it does and how to start spotting scams in your own life. After the talk, Modupe shares what we can learn from scam artists to overcome imposter syndrome.
"We have the right to demand budgets to be equitable, to be fair," says economist Maja Bosnic. And one of the places where public money often falls short is being inclusive of gender and sex, furthering discrimination. Using examples from around the world that already factor gender into public finance decisions, Bosnic shares how budgets that actively account for gender don't just lead to equality -- they're also more efficient and effective. After the talk, Modupe shares simple yet crucial ways to make sure no one is overlooked in organizational processes.
A 2016 survey of freelancers in six countries found that those who freelance by choice– 70% of respondents– were happier than people in traditional jobs, specifically when it came to things like independence and flexibility in terms of where and when they work. So what does it take to be a successful freelancer? Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the gig economy. This was originally an animated TED-Ed lesson.
It was directed by Christoph Sarow, AIM Creative Studios, narrated by George Zaidan and the music is by André Aires. After the lesson, our host Modupe shares more things to consider before plunging into freelance work.
What does it mean to lead in this new age of employee activism? Megan Reitz offers a four-point crash course on what employees want from their organizations and how leaders can rise to the challenge of building proactive and productive workplaces where every voice and perspective has the chance to make a difference. After the talk, Modupe shares lessons for leaders -- from activists.
Only four percent of construction workers are female -- that's totally unacceptable, but it's also a huge opportunity both for women and for the trades, says youth educator and builder Emily Pilloton-Lam. She makes the case for putting power (and power tools) into the hands of young women and gender-expansive youth, dreaming of inclusive construction sites and daring to ask: What if women built the world they want to see? (The power tool sounds you are hearing are Pilloton-Lam sharing live demo of her own woodworking skills ... while giving the talk.) Stay tuned after and hear from our host Modupe on some other programs that are creating opportunities for career-readiness.
Only four percent of construction workers are female -- that's totally unacceptable, but it's also a huge opportunity both for women and for the trades, says youth educator and builder Emily Pilloton-Lam. She makes the case for putting power (and power tools) into the hands of young women and gender-expansive youth, dreaming of inclusive construction sites and daring to ask: What if women built the world they want to see? (The power tool sounds you are hearing are Pilloton-Lam sharing live demo of her own woodworking skills ... while giving the talk.) Stay tuned after and hear from our host Modupe on some other programs that are creating opportunities for career-readiness.
Legendary hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz is on a mission to revolutionize the way artists do business. In this glorious talk, he shares some of the ways he's helping fellow creatives thrive, including a roving art fair that gives artists 100 percent of their sales, a new commission system for galleries to fund living visual artists and Verzuz, online musical celebrations that bring joy to fans -- and sales to musicians. "If we're not protecting the arts, we're not protecting our future," he says. After the talk, join our host Modupe in conversation with art world expert Alexandra Giniger as they discuss the importance of supporting living artists.
Legendary hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz is on a mission to revolutionize the way artists do business. In this glorious talk, he shares some of the ways he's helping fellow creatives thrive, including a roving art fair that gives artists 100 percent of their sales, a new commission system for galleries to fund living visual artists and Verzuz, online musical celebrations that bring joy to fans -- and sales to musicians. "If we're not protecting the arts, we're not protecting our future," he says. After the talk, join our host Modupe in conversation with art world expert Alexandra Giniger as they discuss the importance of supporting living artists.
Why do we trust some companies and not others? Using real-world examples, digital trust advisor Marcos Aguiar decodes this make-or-break quality -- and offers seven tools to help leaders design a foundation of trust into their business ecosystems in order to achieve long-term success. After the talk, Modupe shares how to weave trust-building tools into company culture (even after damage has been done).
Why do we trust some companies and not others? Using real-world examples, digital trust advisor Marcos Aguiar decodes this make-or-break quality -- and offers seven tools to help leaders design a foundation of trust into their business ecosystems in order to achieve long-term success. After the talk, Modupe shares how to weave trust-building tools into company culture (even after damage has been done).
As the saying goes, less is more. The same goes for words. Listen as Politico and Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei shares what he's learned leading two media companies -- and how to radically rethink the way you write to keep people's attention in a distracted digital world. After the talk, our host Modupe Akinola dives into how brevity can get you ahead in your work life.
As the saying goes, less is more. The same goes for words. Listen as Politico and Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei shares what he's learned leading two media companies -- and how to radically rethink the way you write to keep people's attention in a distracted digital world. After the talk, our host Modupe Akinola dives into how brevity can get you ahead in your work life.
Even with public trust at an all-time low, Wikipedia continues to maintain people's confidence. How do they do it? Former CEO of Wikimedia Foundation Katherine Maher delves into the transparent, adaptable and community-building ways the online encyclopedia brings free and reliable information to the public -- while also accounting for bias and difference of opinion. "The seeds of our disagreement can actually become the roots of our common purpose," she says. After the talk, Modupe gives a few process hacks for organizations looking to improve their decision-making.
The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future. After the talk, Listen to our host Modupe dive into the role of affinity groups (or groups that are united by a common purpose) and how they make for a more inclusive workplace.
Are we witnessing the slow death of Facebook? Does Adam Neumann (WeWork) deserve a second chance? Is the War for Talent real? Plus, thoughts on everything from Serena, to Kim Kardashian, to House of the Dragon, and more. This is an episode of After Hours, a weekly chat show about the intersection of business and culture hosted by Harvard professors Youngme Moon, Mihir Desai, and Felix Oberholzer-Gee.
Are we witnessing the slow death of Facebook? Does Adam Neumann (WeWork) deserve a second chance? Is the War for Talent real? Plus, thoughts on everything from Serena, to Kim Kardashian, to House of the Dragon, and more. This is an episode of After Hours, a weekly chat show about the intersection of business and culture hosted by Harvard professors Youngme Moon, Mihir Desai, and Felix Oberholzer-Gee.
Mark Cuban has gone from selling garbage bags door-to-door to selling internet companies for billions, acquiring an NBA team, and becoming a beloved “Shark” on Shark Tank. Mark reveals to Adam how he turns problems into opportunities in entrepreneurship, basketball, and investing. They discuss his latest venture–disrupting the healthcare industry with an online pharmacy and a price-slashing philosophy that makes hundreds of drugs affordable–and why following your passion is not the best way to maintain your motivation. This is an episode of ReThinking with Adam Grant, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective. For episodes on the psychology of the world's most interesting minds, follow ReThinking wherever you're listening to this.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RTWAG1
As digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs become more mainstream, design thinker and head of Instagram Adam Mosseri believes that creators are uniquely positioned to benefit. These blockchain-enabled technologies could remove the need for a "middleman" in the form of large social media platforms, allowing creators to more freely distribute their work and connect with their audiences. He explains how this new age of the internet will give way to "the greatest transfer of power from institutions to individuals in all of history." After the talk, TED Tech host Sherrell Dorsey digs into what blockchain and cryptocurrency could bring to the creator economy. If you'd like to hear more ideas on how tech is transforming humanity, follow TED Tech wherever you're listening to this.
In our second episode with corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman, she shared how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked. In this continuation of that conversation, Purushothaman shows the importance of bringing your full self to work, and explains how powerful staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder can be. After the interview, Modupe digs into four different ways you might be hiding aspects of yourself at work.
In our second episode with corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman, she shared how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked. In this continuation of that conversation, Purushothaman shows the importance of bringing your full self to work, and explains how powerful staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder can be. After the interview, Modupe digs into four different ways you might be hiding aspects of yourself at work.
Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member. After the interview, our TED Business host Modupe gives practical tips on how to advocate for yourself.
Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member. After the interview, our TED Business host Modupe gives practical tips on how to advocate for yourself.
What happens when the data-driven capabilities of AI are combined with human creativity and ingenuity? Shining a light on the opportunities this futuristic collaboration could bring to the workplace, AI expert Shervin Khodabandeh shares how to redesign companies so that people and machines can learn from each other. Listen to the end of the talk to hear our host Modupe explore how to make the most out of our work-relationships with machines.
Before labor unions fought for them, society didn’t have weekends as we know them. In the 13th century, the average male peasants in the UK only worked 135 days a year. In a post-pandemic and increasingly virtual world, what is the future of labor? Juliet Schor is an economist and sociologist whose research focuses on work and consumer society. In this episode, she shares her thoughts on modern working practices and how her current research on the four-day work week could help address society’s major problems–from burnout at work, to the effects of work on the climate crisis. Juliet also highlights the fascinating ways we have and might continue to reconfigure business in the 21st century, especially as it pertains to the dynamic–and at times predatory–sharing economy.
This is an episode of The TED Interview, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective, hosted by author Steven Johnson. Dive into their new season on the future of work by following The TED Interview wherever you're listening to this.
"It is time to close the funding gap for Black female-led start-ups the world over," says entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun, whose company LifeBank delivers life-saving medical supplies to remote areas in Africa. Today, LifeBank operates successfully across the continent, but Giwa-Tubosun knows that barriers to funding prevent many other brilliant business ideas from blossoming. She highlights examples of impactful women-led ventures around the world -- and challenges investors to help more of them thrive. After the talk our host Modupe Akinola delves further into what needs to happen to equal the playing field in entrepreneurship.
What's a company's purpose? It's not the same as mission or vision, which change when leadership changes. Strategist Ashley M. Grice explains the power of purpose to push boundaries of innovation and bring clarity to every aspect of an organization, from the top floor to the shop floor. After the talk, our host Modupe shares wisdom on how to bring a fresh sense of purpose to our work lives.
What if citizens got more of a say in how public funds are spent? That's the idea behind participatory budgeting, a process that brings local residents and governments together to develop concrete solutions to real problems close to home. In this inspiring call to action, community leader Shari Davis shows how participatory budgeting can strengthen democracy, transform neighborhoods and cities -- and give everyone a seat at the table. "We've got to open the doors to city halls and schools so wide that people can't help but walk in," they say. Join Modupe after the talk to hear about how this can be done at a community level.
What if citizens got more of a say in how public funds are spent? That's the idea behind participatory budgeting, a process that brings local residents and governments together to develop concrete solutions to real problems close to home. In this inspiring call to action, community leader Shari Davis shows how participatory budgeting can strengthen democracy, transform neighborhoods and cities -- and give everyone a seat at the table. "We've got to open the doors to city halls and schools so wide that people can't help but walk in," they say. Join Modupe after the talk to hear about how this can be done at a community level.
Humans can have a complex relationship with technology: tools like smartphones make our lives easier, but they can also be a source of anxiety or dependence. The internet can be an amazing place, or it can be a doom scrolling nightmare. And then there’s the always looming threat that our jobs–even the ones we thought only humans could do, like making art–could be lost to automation. Kevin Roose is a tech journalist who writes about the intersection of tech, business, and culture. In today’s episode, he talks about the shift of technology’s role in our lives and how we can set up boundaries with our devices to regain our autonomy. He also shares why he’s optimistic about the future, and his view on how futureproofing your job in an automated world has less to do with sharpening up our coding skills and more to do with leaning into our shared humanity.
This is an episode of How to Be a Better Human, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. For more episodes, follow How to Be a Better Human wherever you're listening to this.
Hot flashes, joint pain, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping -- these unforgiving menopause symptoms directly impact work but often go overlooked and under-discussed as a taboo topic, says entrepreneur Andrea Berchowitz. She gives practical advice on how to create a menopause-friendly work culture that supports gender equity and diversity retention in the workplace. Stay tuned after the talk for more tips on how organizations can support employees as they age.
The glass cliff: an experience of taking on a leadership role only to find that your chances of success have been limited before you've even begun. Equality activist Sophie Williams explores the research-backed reasons behind this workplace phenomenon and how it overwhelmingly affects underrepresented groups, despite a facade of progress and inclusion. Learn more about the biases and behaviors that set people up for failure -- and what can be done to make the path to success in leadership better for everyone. Join our host Modupe Akinola after the talk for tips on how to recognize people’s full potential -- so everyone has a fair chance to shine at work.
Between 2006 and 2016, the number of drug patents granted in the United States doubled -- but not because there was an explosion in invention or innovation. Drug companies have learned how to game the system, accumulating patents not for new medicines but for small changes to existing ones, which allows them to build monopolies, block competition and drive prices up. Health justice lawyer Priti Krishtel sheds light on how we've lost sight of the patent system's original intent -- and offers five reforms for a redesign that would serve the public and save lives. After the talk, our host Modupe dives into a recent example of how the US is rethinking patents.
We negotiate all the time at work -- for raises, promotions, time off -- and we usually go into it like it's a battle. But it's not about dominating, says organizational psychologist Ruchi Sinha. It's about crafting a relationship, and understanding both your needs and the other person's. Her three key steps will help you master this essential skill. After the talk, hear author and academic Linda Babcock and our host Modupe Akinola discuss navigating these challenging conversations – and how organizations can make outcomes more equitable. We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
Women and girls are conditioned to believe success is "a seat at the table." Creator, actress and author Lilly Singh thinks we need to build a better table. In this hilarious, incisive talk, Singh traces the arc of her career from up-and-coming YouTuber to history-making late-night talk show host, offering four ways to build a more inclusive society where girls are encouraged and empowered to do great things. After the talk, our host Modupe shares telltale signs a workspace isn’t built with everyone in mind – and how small changes can make a big impact on making all people feel welcome. We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
Some days, it's hard to be optimistic. But cynicism -- the idea that people are inherently selfish, greedy and dishonest -- is making humanity lonelier and more divided, says psychologist Jamil Zaki. Presenting fascinating research on cooperation, empathy and trust, Zaki makes the scientific case for optimism and shows us how to break out of the cynicism trap. Stay tuned after the talk to hear Jamil Zaki and our host Modupe Akinola delve into the high cost of cynicism. A quick favor! We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
We all know a good night’s sleep is essential, but for many people, sleeping well (or falling asleep at all) can be difficult and even stressful - and there’s no shortage of tales about what prevents people from catching their ZZZs. In this episode, Dr. Jen digs into "how to sleep" culture - from blue light blockers to sleep hygiene enthusiasts, to the 8 hours a night rule to… witches?! Don’t sleep on this episode - because it might just have you skipping the melatonin supplements and rethinking sleep rituals - before jumping into bed for a well-deserved snooze. This is an episode of Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter. To hear more episodes on the lies we're told—and sold—about our personal health, follow the show wherever you're listening to this. A quick favor! We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
Your money habits reveal a lot about you: your hopes, fears, dreams and other deep personal truths you may not even be aware of, says accountant Robert A. Belle. He shares how taking stock of your transaction history can unlock surprisingly valuable insights about what drives you to spend (and save) -- and provides practical tips on how to perform an "emotional audit" of your expenses. Join our host Modupe Akinola after the talk to learn about another kind of audit that may help you take stock of your work time. A quick favor! We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
In times of uncertainty, leaders have a responsibility to inspire hope. Sharing hard-won wisdom, business leader Ken Chenault talks about what it takes to enact positive, enduring change -- and why it's more important than ever to invest in responsible innovation that uplifts people and centers equality and fairness. A quick favor! We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted
Over the past year, the Great Resignation has been all over the news. Many people are celebrating quitting their jobs… but it’s a decision some will come to regret. So when’s the right time to leave? How do you quit without burning bridges? And how can workplaces encourage people to stay? This is an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. To hear more episodes on the science of making work (and life) not suck, follow WorkLife wherever you're listening to this.
In an infectiously joyous talk, Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi shares the sugary jolt of her first food memory and behind-the-scenes stories of her bakery's famously inventive cakes, cookies and treats. This talk may make you hungry -- but it'll also leave you a resonant message about how breaking the rules and challenging your assumptions can make for a sweet life. Stay tuned to hear from our host Modupe Akinola on how we can all be inspired to make our workplaces a bit more magical.
A self-declared "repair geek," Gay Gordon-Byrne is a driving force behind the right-to-repair movement, which aims to empower people to fix their stuff. She describes how the movement is gaining legislative momentum and breaks down how the global shift away from "throwaway society" can literally turn trash into treasure in a circular economy -- so we can all experience that "Yes! I fixed it!" feeling.
Looking to get ahead in your career? Start by being respectful to your coworkers, says leadership researcher Christine Porath. In this science-backed talk, she shares surprising insights about the costs of rudeness and shows how little acts of respect can boost your professional success—and your company's bottom line.
Businesses need to stop cutting labor costs and start investing in people, says social impact investor Warren Valdmanis. In this perspective-shifting talk, he breaks down the essential ingredients of a "good" job—which is more than just the size of a paycheck—and shares why they're key to building great companies.
WorkLife with Adam Grant is back for a fifth season! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant knows that you spend a quarter of your life at work–and in this show, he talks to some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover how we can actually enjoy all that time. From breaking down “The Great Resignation” to identifying the work culture that’s right for you, to learning the art of the pitch, this season is packed with actionable insights to help you make work not suck. To hear episodes right now, find and follow WorkLife with Adam Grant wherever you're listening to this.
From "got milk?" to "avocados from Mexico," marketing influences what you eat more than you may realize. But despite the known power of food marketing, farmers in Africa are more likely to receive funding for seed and fertilizer than they are for advertising geniuses. Agricultural development expert Zoë Karl-Waithaka outlines three ways industry, governments, NGOs and others can help African farmers improve their livelihoods -- and positively impact society, the economy and the environment.
"The way we cool things down is heating the planet even more," says sustainable development expert Rachel Kyte -- and the solutions go well beyond just fixing air-conditioning. She identifies four major areas with transformative solutions -- from roofs painted with bright white paint to solar control glass to more efficient cold chains for vaccines -- that can be implemented in fair and sustainable ways. Learn more about what a community designed for cool could look like.
There's a mistaken belief in today's working world that leaders need to be serious all the time to be taken seriously. The research tells a different story. Based on the course they teach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker and corporate strategist Naomi Bagdonas delve into the surprising power of humor: why it's a secret weapon to build bonds, power, creativity and resilience -- and how we can all have more of it.
Childcare needs a transformation -- but rather than investing billions in new buildings and schools, what if we could unlock the potential of people already nearby? Entrepreneur Chris Bennett offers an innovative way to tackle the shortage of childcare worldwide and connect families to safe, affordable and high-quality options in their own communities.
Amishi Jha studies how we pay attention: the process by which our brain decides what's important out of the constant stream of information it receives. Both external distractions (like stress) and internal ones (like mind-wandering) diminish our attention's power, Jha says -- but some simple techniques can boost it. "Pay attention to your attention," Jha says.
Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of compassion at work -- and shows why we should all lead with our hearts.
When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina Costa goes beyond the "fight" narrative of cancer -- or any formidable personal journey -- to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges: gratitude. After the talk, Modupe shares a few tips for making gratitude a daily practice.
Work that's dictated by a fixed schedule, place and job description doesn't make sense anymore, says leadership expert Debbie Lovich. In light of the cultural shift towards remote work sparked by the pandemic, Lovich gives three essential tips to leaders so employees can keep their autonomy (while remaining productive), companies can let go of rigid bureaucracy and we can all reshape work to better fit our lives. After the talk, Modupe explores the benefits and downsides of attending meetings remotely.
Computer skills aren't what's stopping people from breaking into the tech industry, says social entrepreneur Irma L. Olguin Jr. More often, the biggest hurdles are things like access to childcare, transportation and financial stability. In this visionary talk, Olguin Jr. introduces the work she's done to uplift and empower people in her community in Fresno, California -- and shows how it can be a model to elevate "underdog" communities across the world. After the talk, Corey speaks with Irma about her career, how she got started, and what she's doing next.
As chairman of the world's largest maritime shipping company, Jim Hagemann Snabe thinks a lot about how goods get where they need to go and the impact their journey has on the planet. Leading the effort to decarbonize shipping by 2050, he shares a plan to convert green electricity into green liquid fuel to power vessels in a process called "power-to-X" -- and urges global leaders to join the voyage towards an innovative, sustainable and fast-approaching future. After the talk, Corey talks about how we can accomplish enormous, seemingly impossible goals, by breaking them down and making them manageable.
The financial sector often talks of decarbonizing investment portfolios as a way to fight climate change. But portfolios can be "cleaned" without having any real impact on the problem, says investment expert Nili Gilbert. Bringing science to finance, she unpacks how investors can actually help decarbonize the world and ensure the climate transition is just, global and interconnected. After the talk, Corey discusses how many businesses are boasting climate-beneficial practices, and how you can vet their impact as a consumer.
Did you know that in the US the average white family has ten times as much wealth as a black family? Ten times. But while we wait for government policies to shrink that gap, we all decide where our money goes. So how can we collectively chip away at that gap, now?
In this episode, we find out. First, through a talk by BCG consultant Kedra Newsome Reeves that follows her family through generations to understand how policy helped build this gap—and what financial institutions can do now to shrink it. Then, Modupe talks with founder Shani Dowell, the first black woman in Tennessee to raise a million dollars in VC funding, about the creative techniques that anybody can use to start redistributing wealth in America.
We'll be back from break next week, but meanwhile we hope you enjoy this favorite from the TED Business archive.
When an organization is battered by critics, how does it usually respond? “Deny and push back, put out some sort of lame statement,” says Bob Langert, “and no progress is made at all.” But based on 25 years leading sustainability and corporate responsibility at McDonald’s, Bob proposes another way: To work with critics.
In this talk, he shares stories that take us from the Amazon to slaughterhouses, from tree huggers to corporate suits, all in the search for common ground with his greatest detractors.
While we're taking a break, we hope you enjoy this favorite from the TED Business archive.
Confidence. We talk about it all the time. We know it matters. And still, educator and activist Brittany Packnett thinks we underestimate it. "Confidence,” she says, “is the necessary spark before everything that follows.”
In this talk, Brittany identifies the three basic elements of this elusive force, which can be especially valuable for people whose role models don’t look like them.
After the talk, Modupe shares one more technique that has propelled her year after year at work, and explores the power of finding your "superpower" at work. And, Spiderman makes a brief appearance.
While we're taking a break, we hope you enjoy this favorite from the TED Business archive—maybe it'll even help you find the confidence to pursue your most bold resolutions this year.
You know you need a mentor to advance your career, but have you ever considered who your sponsor is? Carla Harris, vice chairman at Morgan Stanley, explains the crucial importance of identifying a person who will speak on your behalf in the top-level, closed-door meetings you're not invited to (yet). Learn why your pool of potential sponsors is bigger than you might think—and how to think carefully about how to present yourself to them.
We're taking a break from the holidays, and hope you enjoy this TED Business archive talk as you plan for the year ahead and think about who will help you get the most out of 2022.
The end of another year is upon us, so it's time to take stock of where we've been and look ahead at where business is going. Today, Modupe talks to Harvard Business School professors and hosts of the TED Audio Collective podcast “After Hours” Youngme Moon, Mihir Desai, and Felix Oberholzer-Gee to reflect on this year’s learning opportunities and the conversations they are keeping an eye on for 2022. The trio also talk about how they got into the habit of making end of year predictions, what they’ve been wrong (or surprisingly right) about, and what and what our obsession with predicting the future says about us. Check out their full 2022 predictions on “After Hours” wherever you’re listening to this.
Business in Africa is booming -- but international companies are missing out, says emerging markets expert Nomava Zanazo. Rushing in without knowing their customers, businesses underestimate Africans and make costly assumptions about their diversity, preferences and buying power. Sharing the basics about what companies need to know to succeed on the continent, Zanazo debunks four myths and misunderstandings about Africa and its citizens -- and invites businesses from overseas to share in its wealth ... once they've done their research. After the talk, Modupe talks with Ndidi Nwuneli, the co-founder of Aace Foods, a producer and distributor of West African food products. Aace Foods is a great example of a company that is following Zanazo's advice for how American companies can do business well with African consumers.
Do you ever order clothes online in different sizes and colors, just to try them on and then send back what doesn't work? Aparna Mehta used to do this all time, until she one day asked herself: Where do all these returned clothes go? In an eye-opening talk, she reveals the unseen world of "free" online returns -- which, instead of ending up back on the shelf, are sent to landfills by the billions of pounds each year -- and shares a plan to help put an end to this growing environmental catastrophe. After the talk, Modupe talks about businesses that are tackling resale and more sustainable shopping practices.
Government deficits have gotten a bad rap, says economist Stephanie Kelton. In this groundbreaking talk, she makes the case to stop looking at government spending as a path towards frightening piles of debt, but rather as a financial contribution to the things that matter -- like health care, education, infrastructure and beyond. After the talk, Modupe talks about the scarcity mindset and how they can impede bold action.
The longtime PepsiCo CEO is one of the world’s most powerful women and Time’s 100 most influential people. In the first of two rich conversations, she explains why she wrote more than 400 letters about her direct reports… to their parents. Indra and Adam discuss what she’s learned about leadership, finding and being a mentor, championing ideas from below, and making big career decisions. They also explore some of the big questions around the future of work—from embracing flexibility to creating equitable arrangements for women to making family a real priority.
This is an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. You can find it, as well as the part 2 to this conversation, wherever you're listening to this.
Often it feels like the only thing we can agree on is that we can't agree on anything. World debate champion Julia Dhar offers three techniques to reshape the way we talk to each other so we can take our disagreements somewhere fruitful — over family dinners, during work meetings, and in our national conversations. Plus host Modupe Akinola explains why better arguments might start not with arguments at all, but with better questions. We hope you enjoy this episode from the TED Business archive, and find it helpful in any difficult conversations you have to navigate over the holiday season.
Do you sometimes have your most creative ideas while folding laundry, washing dishes or doing nothing in particular? It's because when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new neural connections that connect ideas and solve problems. Learn to love being bored as Manoush Zomorodi explains the connection between spacing out and creativity. Manoush is the host of NPR's TED Radio Hour and ZigZag, a podcast from the TED Audio Collective. After the talk, Modupe gives suggestions for inspiring more boredom in your daily life.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has gotten more than his fair share of attention from his acting career. But as social media exploded over the past decade, he got addicted like the rest of us -- trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative. In a refreshingly honest talk, he explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies impacts our creativity -- and shares a more powerful feeling than getting attention: paying attention. After the talk, Modupe talks about how to find flow when you're surrounded by distractions.
You may be experiencing burnout and not even know it, say authors (and sisters) Emily and Amelia Nagoski. In an introspective and deeply relatable conversation, they detail three telltale signs that stress is getting the best of you -- and share actionable ways to feel safe in your own body when you're burning out.
Modupe speaks about burnout with Chris Duffy, the host of How to Be a Better Human, a podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Today, a trailer from Am I Normal? with Mona Chalabi, a new TED Original podcast.
Everyone wants to know if they're normal. Is my body normal, is my brain normal, are my feelings normal? When it comes to defining “normal,” data journalist Mona Chalabi isn’t interested in averages: she goes beyond the spreadsheet and digs into the deviations, talking to experts, strangers (even her Mum!) to see the bigger picture. Along the way, she will tackle urgent, random and sometimes deeply personal questions: How long does it take to heal from heartbreak? How many friends should I have? What makes “good” sperm? And does normal even exist?
Subscribe to Am I Normal? wherever you're listening to this.
What if your attachment to being a "good" person is holding you back from actually becoming a better person? In this accessible talk, social psychologist Dolly Chugh explains the puzzling psychology of ethical behavior -- like why it's hard to spot your biases and acknowledge mistakes – and shows how the path to becoming better starts with owning your mistakes. After the talk, Modupe and Dolly give examples from their own lives of what it means to break down defenses, and be truly "good-ish."
Companies often target consumers based on gender, but this kind of advertising shortcut doesn't just perpetuate outdated stereotypes -- it's also bad for business, says marketing expert Gaby Barrios. In this clear, actionable talk, she explains why gender-based marketing doesn't drive business nearly as much as you might think -- and shows how companies can find better ways to reach customers and grow their brands. After the talk, Modupe discusses why labeling and categorizing consumers in any way will negatively impact marketing strategy.
It's been 10 years since the death of Steve Jobs. Has Apple peaked after 10 years of Tim Cook's leadership, or is the best yet to come? Harvard Business School professors Youngme Moon, Felix Oberholzer-Gee and Mihir A. Desai debate the prospects for Apple -- and discuss the celebrities changing the way Hollywood does business, including Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna and more. After Hours is another member of the TED Audio Collective. For new episodes every week, follow After Hours wherever you get your podcasts.
Think capitalism is broken? Try cooperativism, says co-op enthusiast and researcher Anu Puusa. She lays out how cooperatives -- businesses owned, operated and controlled by their members -- can both make money and have a positive impact on the environment and local communities. With co-ops, Puusa says, doing good business and doing good at the same time becomes possible. After the talk, Modupe offers suggestions for listeners who are interested in participating in cooperativism.
What's the purpose of a company? In this bold talk, activist and filmmaker Abigail Disney imagines a world where companies have a moral obligation to place their workers above shareholders, calling on Disney (and all corporations) to offer respect, dignity and a living wage to everyone who works for them. After the talk, Modupe offers ideas for CEOS on how they can work collectively to treat workers better.
When TED media communications associate Micah Eames came out as trans at work, he quickly realized he'd need to start having tricky conversations with coworkers. Here's his advice for how you can open up about your identity at work, and what your colleagues can do to help. After the talk, Modupe provides tips on what employers can do to foster more supportive environments for their workers.
The world's most valuable tech companies profit from the personal data you generate. So why aren't you getting paid for it? In this eye-opening talk, entrepreneur and technologist Jennifer Zhu Scott makes the case for private data ownership—which would empower you to donate, destroy or sell your data as you see fit—and shows how this growing movement could put power (and cash) back into the hands of people.
Roughly two billion people worldwide don't have access to banks or financial services like credit, insurance and investment. How do we bridge this divide? Former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga sits down with TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers to discuss how innovative public-private partnerships can help bring everyone into the digital economy -- and why we’re not ready for a totally cashless system.
What's the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Exercise! says neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Get inspired to go to the gym as Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your focus, memory, and mood — which can make you better at your job. After the talk, Modupe explains a clever way to trick yourself into getting more exercise.
Athletes train their bodies to run faster, jump higher, throw farther. So why don't they train their minds, too? Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, the highest paid player in the NFL, shares how “neutral thinking” helps him handle high pressure situations, on and off the field. After the talk, Modupe examines how we can use stress to our advantage.
Trust is the foundation for everything we do. So what do we do when it's broken? Harvard Business School professor Frances Frei gives a crash course on the three essential components of trust, and how to build them — a process she put to use during a stint at Uber. Plus, Modupe explains how to apply those principles of trust with Black colleagues and others in the minority.
Digital creator Dylan Marron has racked up millions of views for projects like "Every Single Word" and "Sitting in Bathrooms With Trans People"—but he's found that the flip side of internet success is internet hate. Over time, he developed an unexpected response that actually builds empathy on both sides: calling the people who leave him insensitive comments and asking: "Why did you write that?" After the talk, Modupe recounts her own experience with online hate, and offers her take on how to deal with angry outbursts online or in person.
There is an invisible, on-demand workforce of gig workers who fuel services offered by digital platforms like Google, Amazon, Uber and Microsoft. In this episode, we hear from researcher Mary L. Gray who says this kind of work—possible through the magic of AI and APIs—is becoming more common, and for good reason. It typically offers flexibility for workers and cost savings for businesses. The only problem? We might need to revamp our entire social safety net to support a workforce of free agents.
Rising inequality and growing political instability are the direct result of decades of bad economic theory, says entrepreneur Nick Hanauer. In a visionary talk, he dismantles the mantra that "greed is good"—an idea he describes as not only morally corrosive, but also scientifically wrong—and lays out a new theory of economics powered by reciprocity and cooperation.
No lesson this week as we prepare for the new season, but we'll be back again soon.
We’re taking some time off while we prepare for our next season. In the meantime, this bonus episode amplifies an important call to brands who do business in Africa.
Emerging markets expert Nomava Zanazo says many international companies underestimate their African customers and make costly assumptions about their diversity, preferences and buying power. Sharing the basics about what companies need to know to succeed on the continent, Zanazo debunks four myths and misunderstandings about Africa and its citizens—and invites businesses from overseas to share in its wealth ... once they've done their research.
We’re taking a few weeks off while we prepare the next season. So in the meantime, we’re sharing another episode from the TED Audio Collective that we thought you, of all people, might enjoy. It’s from The TED Interview, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson.
From the strikes that transformed the world's view on climate change to the marches that demanded equity and justice for Black lives, there has been a new awakening of people passionate about creating change. As founder and CEO of Acumen, Jacqueline Novogratz decided early on to dedicate her life's work to doing just that. In this episode, Chris talks to Jacqueline (who he also happens to be married to) about the wisdom she gained from abandoning a lucrative career as a banker to start a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating global poverty, and the moral imagination -- and difficult tradeoffs -- she believes are necessary to make a transformative impact on the world.
We’re taking a few weeks off while we prepare the next season. So in the meantime, we’re sharing another episode from the TED Audio Collective that we thought you, of all people, might enjoy. It’s from The TED Interview, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson.
What does it take to persevere and succeed, not just in our careers but in all aspects of our lives? For psychologist Angela Duckworth, the answer can be summed up in one concept: grit. She explains the ingredients in grit and the experiences that make one person persist where another gives up—and offers concrete steps to instill grit early in life and sustain it.
If you like what you hear, check out the full season of The TED Interview wherever you’re listening to this.
We all know relationships are hard to manage. And our work relationships—tangled with power, status and interdependence—are no exception. Last week, we heard a talk from Katie Hood. Katie is the CEO of One Love, an organization that teaches students around the world about the signs of healthy and unhealthy love. She also has a long background in business. So in this episode, Katie and Modupe dig deep into what it takes to build healthier relationships at work.
On the final episode of The ZigZag Project, activist Stacey Abrams explains her short-term strategies for sticking to her long-term goals and Manoush shares data from surveying thousands of listeners about making a big career change. The project wraps up with one last assignment and Manoush’s favorite messages from listeners. It’s a tear jerker.
The ZigZag Project is six steps (and episodes) to help you map out a path that aligns your personal values with your professional ambitions. Think of it as a RESET for your career or business.
For more ZigZag, find and follow the podcast wherever you're listening to this. For the assignments, survey, newsletter and more, head to ZigZagPod.com
Friends, family, and yes, colleagues. We all know relationships are hard to manage, and our work relationships – tangled with power, status and interdependence – are no exception. In this two-part episode, we’ll hear a talk from Katie Hood. Katie is the CEO of One Love, an organization that teaches students around the world about the signs of healthy and unhealthy love. She also has a long background in business, and went to business school with Modupe back in the day. So this week and next, they’ll dig deep into what it takes to build healthier relationships, personal and professional.
We typically think of mentoring as the older generation passing down wisdom to the young, but there are benefits to flipping this around. There’s even a term for it: reverse mentorship. In this episode, we hear from Patrice Gordon about her experience reverse mentoring not just anyone, but the CEO of Virgin Atlantic. After the talk, Modupe identifies what anyone can do to help build a culture that allows knowledge to flow up in addition to down.
Today, another episode from ZigZag, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi. This is Step 5 of The ZigZag Project, a six-step process to get you from wanting to make a big change in your life and work...to actually making a change, in a responsible and mindful way.
And, as the project moves from ideation into action, we're getting coaching from none other than TED Business host Modupe Akinola. Modupe explains why rethinking the scary feelings that come with all big life transitions is crucial as you decide, with the help of this episode’s assignment, which of your ideas—your paths—to actively pursue.
For more ZigZag, find and follow the podcast wherever you're listening to this. For the assignments, survey, newsletter and more, head to ZigZagPod.com
What turns a developing country into a prosperous one? For years, Efosa Ojomo has been trying to answer this question. And what he has found – through starting his own nonprofit in Nigeria, doing research at Harvard Business School and writing a book called The Prosperity Paradox with Clay Christensen – reverses many of our existing ideas around aid.
In this talk, Efosa lays out a new approach to fighting poverty that identifies innovation as the key driver of prosperity. But how does one build an innovative business in a developing market? In environments that can be as unfamiliar and unpredictable as they are full of opportunity? Stick around after the talk, where Modupe and Efosa discuss the unique mindset that this type of business requires.
To futureproof your job against robots and AI, you should learn how to code, brush up on your math skills and crack open an engineering textbook, right? Wrong. In this surprisingly comforting talk, tech journalist Kevin Roose makes the case that rather than trying to compete with the machines, we should instead focus on what makes us uniquely human.
Today, another episode from ZigZag, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi. This is episode 4 of The ZigZag Project, a special season all about how to realign your work with your core values. In step 4, we move into a more practical phase and start asking hard questions like: What might you need to sacrifice, in order to align your values with your work? Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett shares a story about what she gave up as a young aide, working for the city of Chicago. Manoush gives her own example and asks listeners to try a strange (but proven) methodology to figure out what changes are worth pursuing.
For more episodes, follow ZigZag wherever you're listening to this. And find the assignments, survey, newsletter and more at ZigZagPod.com
Why do we encourage kids to play sports? Why does writing “captain of the lacrosse team” mean anything on a résumé? And why don’t we extend that same respect to people who play video games at the highest levels?
In this episode, William Collis, maestro of esports – aka competitive video games – makes the case that video games develop real, tangible and transferable skills. And it’s time that we appreciate them. So, after the talk, Modupe figures out how we can bring more video games into the workplace.
Profit, money, shareholders: these are the priorities of most companies today. But at what cost? In an appeal to corporate leaders worldwide, Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya calls for an end to the business playbook of the past – and shares his vision for a new, "anti-CEO playbook" that prioritizes people over profits. "This is the difference between profit and true wealth," he says.
After the talk, Modupe offers some simple practices that can help leaders realize this vision, by putting people back at the center of a CEO’s workday.
Today, another episode from ZigZag, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi. This is episode 3 of The ZigZag Project, a special season all about how to realign your work with your core values. The third step requires getting weird. Because we're gonna need to dig deep to find new ways to roll back climate change, bring equity to society, and pay our bills. If, after a year of lockdowns and stress, you feel drained at the thought, meet Rob Walker, author of The Art of Noticing. Rob has some unusual ways to inspire you to get creative and figure out your next job, business model, or project. Manoush turns Rob’s insight into this episode’s assignment: The Board of All Ideas, No Matter How Weird.
The ZigZag Project is six steps (and episodes) to help you map out a path that aligns your personal values with your professional ambitions. Think of it as a RESET for your career or business.
Find the assignments, survey, newsletter and more at ZigZagPod.com
If it’s the richest country in the world, why does the American economy fail so much of the American public? Heather C. McGhee is a public policy expert who has spent the past several years trying to understand that question. Her conclusion, carefully detailed in a NYT bestselling book called The Sum of US, is that racism leads to bad public policy. Policies that have a cost for everyone—not just people of color. In this talk, she proposes a new way of thinking that can lead to a more prosperous nation for everyone.
After the talk, Heather and Modupe continue the conversation to get practical and figure out how to bring this mindset to work.
The pandemic showed HR consultant Patty McCord something she has been espousing for years: workers are adults, with responsibilities and obligations. It seems obvious, yet at work, so many people are treated like children: too much oversight, micromanaged, with rules that get in the way of performance, rather than enhance it.
But before you go set everyone free, how do you separate the rules that liberate from the ones that constrain? In this episode, hosts Corey Hajim and Modupe Akinola wrestle with this question. Hang on till the end, for a never-before-heard framework that helps you make sense of which rules to keep and which to let go.
Today, an episode from another show in the TED Audio Collective: ZigZag, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi. This is episode 2 of The ZigZag Project, a special season all about how to realign your work with your core values. Conflict resolution specialist Priya Parker joins Manoush to talk about visioning: Taking time out of our daily lives to clarify our professional and personal purpose. With 60% of the project’s beta testers reporting that work is an important part of their identity (and 25% saying they define themselves by the work they do), picturing the future is a particularly crucial step. Manoush shares instructions for listeners to conduct their own visioning lab, similar to the session she did with Priya years ago, but with a ZigZag twist.
For more ZigZag, find and follow the podcast wherever you're listening to this. For the assignments, survey, newsletter and more, head to ZigZagPod.com
As technology gets smarter and encroaches on more and more jobs, we have to face a question: how do we differentiate the work that humans should do from the work machines should do? In other words, no matter how smart the machines get, what will humans always do better?
In this talk, Kai Fu Lee, technology investor and author of AI Superpowers, offers a surprising answer: love. And proposes nothing short of a redesign of the labor market to prioritize jobs that require compassion. But why wait? After the talk, Modupe explores how we can bring more compassion to the workplace now.
(FYI that lovable robot in the introduction? That’s Kismet, invented by Cynthia Breazeal, born at the MIT Media Lab. For more on sociable robots, check out her work at https://cynthiabreazeal.media.mit.edu/)
To accomplish environmental change at the scale and pace we need, huge corporations have to make some fundamental changes. How will they do it? In this talk, the head of sustainability at Google, Kate Brandt, shows how one of the biggest companies in the world is aiming to translate techniques from nature, to build a circular system where nothing goes to waste.
The past year changed us. We’re defining success differently. We’re ready for a reset. So for the next few months, we're sharing something special: The ZigZag Project, another show from the TED Audio Collective.
In six episodes of ZigZag, a podcast about being human, host Manoush Zomorodi will help you better align your personal values with your professional ambitions. In a process that has been beta tested by listeners and with insight from luminaries who have helped her stay the course, the show will offer an interactive experience, combining audio storytelling with written exercises and a companion newsletter. Join the community at ZigZagPod.com.
In this first episode, Manoush shares stories, struggles, and data from the 150 listeners who beta tested the project. And we learn about transition theory and “the neutral zone” from MIT Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein. If you enjoy the episode and want to listen to the next episode, find and follow ZigZag wherever you're listening to this.
More and more, we buy through online marketplaces: Amazon, Uber, Airbnb — the list goes on. But this convenience and efficiency comes with a hidden cost, mostly to small local businesses and workers. Does it have to be that way?
Amane Dannouni doesn’t think so. In this talk, the BCG technology consultant shares stories we’re not used to hearing: of online apps in Southeast Asia and Africa that have found a way to help local economies, even as they disrupt them.
We’re seeing more and more full-time work replaced with part-time jobs, contract work, side gigs. “The term side hustle just seems to fit with this ethos where people are putting together a few different things to make a living,” says Nicaila Matthews Okome. Nicaila is the host of Side Hustle Pro, a podcast that spotlights Black female entrepreneurs. And in this talk she introduces us to the entrepreneurial spirit inside today’s side hustle revolution.
Is a side hustle right for you? How do you decide what it should be? Stick around after the talk, for a little guidance from Corey and Modupe.
You know the "forgotten middle": they're the students, coworkers and regular people who are often overlooked because they're seen as neither exceptional nor problematic. How can we empower them to reach their full potential?
In this talk, Danielle R. Moss describes how her mother’s special attention allowed her to climb out of the middle and towards her potential. Now, she offers that same kind of attention to high school students across the country. After the talk, Modupe and Corey explore what it looks like to bring Danielle’s ideas to work.
What do companies get when they go public on a major stock exchange? The opportunity for anyone to invest, giving the company access to a bunch of cash that allows for huge growth. And...pressure to think in the short term. This can end up hurting their workers, the environment, and even their own long-term strategy. In this episode, a proposal for a new kind of stock exchange, that isn’t just trying to shift a few rules but is building a whole new system to incentivize thinking in the long term. How do you do that? When is it better to just fix what you already have? And will it work? After the talk, Modupe and Corey dig in.
Last week, you heard the latest thinking from Adam Grant, organizational psychologist extraordinaire, about his newest book. This week, we dive into the archives for a classic.
We have a lot of ideas about what leads to our most creative thoughts. Today, Adam and Modupe tell us why we’re wrong. You might want to bring a pen.
Some exciting news. Today, TED is launching the TED Audio Collective, a collection of podcasts all about ideas, brought to you in audio. So we’re sharing an episode we thought you’d like that features not one, but two TED hosts.
In Design Matters, Debbie Millman interviews creative people about how they design the arc of their lives. In this episode, she interviews Adam Grant, organizational psychologist and host of WorkLife. Together, they examine his astonishing career—quite an exercise with someone who researches success. And they discuss his latest book, Think Again, all about the critical, difficult and timely art of rethinking your old ideas.
Did you know that in the US the average white family has ten times as much wealth as a black family? Ten times. But while we wait for government policies to shrink that gap, we all decide where our money goes. So how can we collectively chip away at that gap, now?
In this episode, we find out. First, through a talk by BCG consultant Kedra Newsome Reeves that follows her family through generations to understand how policy helped build this gap—and what financial institutions can do now to shrink it. Then, Modupe talks with founder Shani Dowell, the first black woman in Tennessee to raise a million dollars in VC funding, about the creative techniques that anybody can use to start redistributing wealth in America.
Feelings are complicated. And even more so at work. We like to believe the ultimate professional is stoic, but what important information do we miss when we disregard our emotions on the job?
In this episode, Harvard psychologist Susan David helps us break free from the "tyranny of positivity" and embrace the full range of our emotions. After the talk, Modupe extends this idea to the workplace by examining a time she shed tears at a meeting with colleagues.
When an organization is battered by critics, how does it usually respond? “Deny and push back, put out some sort of lame statement,” says Bob Langert, “and no progress is made at all.” But based on 25 years leading sustainability and corporate responsibility at McDonald’s, Bob proposes another way: To work with critics.
In this talk, he shares stories that take us from the Amazon to slaughterhouses, from tree huggers to corporate suits, all in the search for common ground with his greatest detractors.
You might think working from home is an introvert’s fantasy. “But,” says writer Morra Aarons-Mele, “the truth is, for many introverts remote work is kind of a nightmare.” In this talk, she helps introverts understand how to protect their precious energy in a virtual work life. Lessons we can all learn from.
But how do you know if you're an introvert or not? After the talk, Modupe explains why the answer isn’t as clear cut as you might think.
For more from Morra, check out her podcast "The Anxious Achiever" from Harvard Business Review.
What do you do when a company doesn’t act in line with your values? Boycott? Divest? In essence, stop the flow of money? That's the typical advice. But sustainability consultant (and former comedian) Vinay Shandal says we’re missing a whole set of tools more effective than walking away. He looks to the most intimidating and influential profit-chasing investors in the world for techniques on how to make real social change.
After the talk, Modupe chats with Corey Hajim, TED’s Business Curator, to try to apply Vinay’s ideas to their own lives. Without getting exhausted.
Confidence. We talk about it all the time. We know it matters. And still, educator and activist Brittany Packnett thinks we underestimate it. "Confidence,” she says, “is the necessary spark before everything that follows.”
In this talk, Brittany identifies the three basic elements of this elusive force, which can be especially valuable for people whose role models don’t look like them.
After the talk, Modupe shares one more technique that has propelled her year after year at work. Spiderman makes a brief appearance.
Today, an episode from WorkLife with Adam Grant, another TED podcast.
Many workplaces have become increasingly lonely, even before the coronavirus pandemic made more of us literally remote. It’s not just an unpleasant feeling—loneliness can hurt our health and our job performance. Find out why it's time for happy hours to finally die—and how it might take less than a minute to start building real connections.
Subscribe to WorkLife wherever you're listening to this.
"Today we're sharing an episode from another TED podcast: ZigZag, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi.
In 2018, Backstage Capital's Arlan Hamilton was on the cover of Fast Company magazine. The headline was irresistible: homeless, gay, Black woman becomes hot-shot Silicon Valley investor. But the reality is that Black female founders still get token amounts of funding, despite being the fastest growing demographic in the startup world. On this episode, Arlan reflects on whether she's improved the plight of “underestimated and underrepresented” founders and how she explains privilege to white, male investors who don't understand the point of her investment fund. Plus, Manoush's daughter weighs in on entrepreneurship.
Subscribe to ZigZag wherever you're listening to this. "
This year we’ve heard a lot of companies step up—or at least, say they’re stepping up—and making diversity a priority. But what does it mean to truly build an inclusive workplace?
In this interview from TED@BCG, Starbucks COO Rosalind G. Brewer lays out how to bring change to companies from the grassroots, by focusing not on metrics, but relationships. In a candid conversation, she shares Starbucks’ missteps over the years and how they addressed their own failings. The lessons aren’t just for the office, but for our own communities and families.
Athletes train their bodies to run faster, jump higher, throw farther. So why don't they train their minds, too? Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, the highest paid player in the NFL, shares how “neutral thinking” helps him handle high pressure situations, on and off the field. After the talk, host Modupe Akinola examines how we can use stress to our advantage.
How do you lead in times of absolute upheaval, when you can't predict what change could come tomorrow? With humility, transparency, and urgency, says leadership researcher Amy C. Edmondson, because these are the ingredients that make a workplace psychologically safe. After the talk, host Modupe Akinola breaks down how Amy’s concept can help employees build safer, more resilient workplaces — with or without support from the boss.
Our brains create categories to make sense of the world, recognize patterns and make quick decisions. But this ability to categorize also exacts a heavy toll when it comes to unconscious bias. In this powerful talk, psychologist Jennifer L. Eberhardt explores how our biases unfairly target Black people at all levels of society — from schools and social media to policing and criminal justice — and discusses how creating points of friction can help us actively interrupt and address this troubling problem. After the talk, host Modupe Akinola gives us tools and tactics to counteract bias when it comes to giving feedback at work.
Capitalism urgently needs an upgrade, says PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, and it starts with paying people enough to actually invest in their futures. He explains the epiphany that led PayPal to create a whole new metric for adequate pay, Net Disposable Income, and why investing in employees' financial health is just good business. After the talk, host Modupe Akinola makes the case for going one step further and considering how fair pay might actually mean something pretty different for every employee.
"If we know that micromanagement isn't really effective, why do we do it?" asks Boxed.com founder Chieh Huang. In a funny talk packed with wisdom and humility, Huang shares the cure for micromanagement — which is also a prescription for innovation and happiness at work. Host Modupe Akinola explains how freedom from excessive scrutiny even benefits us biologically.
Trust is the foundation for everything we do. So what do we do when it's broken? Harvard Business School professor Frances Frei gives a crash course on the three essential components of trust, and how to build them — a process she put to use during a stint at Uber. Plus host Modupe Akinola explains how to apply those principles of trust with Black colleagues and others in the minority.
Often it feels like the only thing we can agree on is that we can't agree on anything. World debate champion Julia Dhar offers three techniques to reshape the way we talk to each other so we can take our disagreements somewhere fruitful — over family dinners, during work meetings, and in our national conversations. Plus host Modupe Akinola explains why better arguments might start not with arguments at all, but with better questions.
When promising projects crash and burn, it's not always because of glaring mistakes. Venture capitalist John Doerr reveals it's often because those projects were linked to the wrong objectives. Get Doerr's practical guidance on how to set and execute on audacious goals with "Objectives and Key Results," or OKRs — a goal-setting system that's been employed by the likes of Google, Intel and Bono — plus host Modupe Akinola's twist on the importance of timing.
You know you need a mentor to advance your career, but have you ever considered who your sponsor is? Carla Harris, vice chairman at Morgan Stanley, explains the crucial importance of identifying a person who will speak on your behalf in the top-level, closed-door meetings you're not invited to (yet). Learn why your pool of potential sponsors is bigger than you might think—and how to think carefully about how to present yourself to them.
When confronting huge challenges, sometimes the greatest strength a leader can show is to admit uncertainty. Former Danone North America CEO Lorna Davis learned that the hard way, then discovered the power of publicly committing to big, bold goals—and then inviting others to help her meet them. Host Modupe Akinola shares the benefit of being a collaborative leader—no matter where you are in your career.
TED Business is re-launching Oct. 12 in audio with a fresh new sound and a terrific new host, Columbia University's Modupe Akinola. New weekly episodes every Monday will bring you the best talks on business delivered on the TED stage, AND a post-talk lesson that helps you apply these ideas to your own life. Get a first slice of the new sound here.