Worklife with Adam Grant
TED
You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. From learning how to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again. Produced in partnership with Transmitter Media.Follow Adam on Instagram @adamgrant, LinkedIn at @adammgrant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
48 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 59min
Brené and Adam on What They Will Never Agree On | from The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
Brené Brown, a research professor and bestselling author on vulnerability and leadership, joins a lively conversation about the public clash that nearly derailed their relationship. They revisit authenticity, boundaries, trust, and repair. It also gets delightfully personal with debates on texting vs. email, remote work, faith, and why some disagreements actually build respect.
74 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 37min
ReThinking: Breaking leadership barriers with hockey coach Jessica Campbell
Jessica Campbell, Seattle Kraken coach and the first woman assistant behind an NHL bench, shares how being the only girl on boys teams shaped her drive. She talks about turning difference into a coaching path, her leadership formula of listen, lift, and love, giving tough feedback without shame, building trust, and handling the pressure of being first.
213 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 35min
ReThinking: How to spot psychopaths and narcissists, with Leanne ten Brinke
Leanne ten Brinke, a social psychologist who studies narcissism, psychopathy, and deception, shares how to spot dark personality traits. She discusses behavioral cues like smiles and interruptions. She explores when to distance versus manage, how these traits show up in leadership and politics, and practical tactics for setting boundaries and reducing harmful tendencies in yourself.
210 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 37min
ReThinking: Esther Perel on the relationship baggage we bring to work
Esther Perel, psychotherapist and relationship expert, explores how our personal histories travel into work. She contrasts relationship- and task-oriented styles. She explains how upbringing shapes reactions to managers and collaboration. She discusses hiring for complementarity, balancing risk and rules, and why mixing contrasting styles boosts creativity.
136 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 28min
ReThinking: Matt Damon on solving one of the planet’s biggest problems, in partnership with Gary White
Gary White, social entrepreneur who builds water access systems, and Matt Damon, actor-turned-philanthropist championing global clean water. They discuss their partnership, the water-credit idea that funds safe water via microloans, why water is often overlooked, human stories that bring the issue to life, and strategies for scaling impact and innovation.
59 snips
Feb 17, 2026 • 30min
ReThinking: Searching for life on other planets with astrophysicist Sara Seager
Sara Seager, astrophysicist and exoplanet pioneer, explains how planets beyond our solar system are found and why trillions may exist. She discusses where simple life might be hiding nearby, how AI aids discovery, and why detecting intelligent life soon is unlikely. The conversation also considers the cultural stakes of finding life and the practical value of pure science.
58 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 38min
ReThinking: Taking politicians out of politics with Hélène Landemore
Hélène Landemore, Yale political scientist who champions citizen assemblies and lot-based democracy. She traces the idea from ancient Greece to modern experiments. Short takes on how lotteries can diversify lawmakers. Brief looks at design, deliberation, and why ordinary people might govern differently.
191 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 33min
ReThinking: Following your purpose (not your passion) with comedian Zarna Garg
Zarna Garg, a late-blooming stand-up comic, screenwriter, and bestselling author, shares stories from failed startups to bold pitches that landed big gigs. She talks about how her daughter nudged a career pivot, the craft of turning rants into jokes, what topics land with audiences, and a legendary no-nonsense classified ad that found her husband.
222 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 35min
ReThinking: The keys to a flourishing community with Dan Coyle
Dan Coyle, journalist and bestselling author of The Culture Code and Flourish, studies how groups create connection and purpose. He recounts a Paris longest-table dinner that sparked neighborhood action, Norwich, Vermont’s informal ‘daisy chain’ that breeds athletes, and Alaskan rituals that forge deep cooperation. The conversation highlights simple practices that awaken self-organization, shared activity, and lasting community bonds.
144 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 35min
ReThinking: Demystifying Gen Alpha slang with Adam Aleksic
In this conversation, Adam Aleksic, a 24-year-old linguist and creator known as Etymology Nerd, breaks down the quirky slang of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. He reveals the intriguing origins of terms like "skibidi rizz" and "brain rot" while explaining how algorithms influence our communication. The duo quizzes each other on viral meme vocabulary and discusses how social media shapes language. Aleksic emphasizes the cultural significance of words and the challenges of seeding new terms, urging critical thinking about internet trends.
