TED Talks Daily

What are you wearing, and why? This is the question that writer and TED Fellow Mitchell S. Jackson asks as he unpacks the six eras of NBA style. Tracing an arc from Bill Russell to Lebron James and beyond, he explores how players use fashion on and off the court to challenge the limits placed upon them — revealing a deeper story about culture, identity and power.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kelly Lambert, a behavioral neuroscientist who studies joy, resilience and reward, shares her tiny-car-driving rats research. She explores why effort can make rewards more satisfying. She dives into anticipation, dopamine and hopeful waiting. She also asks whether joy itself helps build resilience, and why the rats sometimes preferred the ride over the treat.

Christian Busch, a scientist studying serendipity and innovation, explores whether luck can be shaped. He shares how losing his home in the LA wildfires became a real-life test of his ideas. He introduces “zemblanity,” maps four kinds of luck, and looks at how surprises, uncertainty, grief, and new beginnings can collide.

Doreen Orishaba, a clean mobility leader at BasiGo Rwanda who helped build some of Africa’s first EV prototypes, explores the push to scale electric buses in Kenya and Rwanda. She gets into why buses are the smart starting point, how local assembly and route-specific design matter, and how charging, maintenance and pay-as-you-drive models can make cleaner transit more affordable.

Margaret Atwood, the Canadian novelist behind The Handmaid’s Tale, talks about her memoir The Book of Lives, the limits of AI in creative work, and why original voice still matters. She also gets into banned books, memory and memoir, bullying, revenge, monsters, aging, and the art of being delightfully disagreeable.

Chris Duffy, comedian, writer, and podcaster behind Humor Me, shares why humor matters. He outlines three pillars of humor and how noticing small, absurd details reveals laughs. He recommends keeping a list of what makes you laugh and treating humor like a muscle. He also talks boundaries, teaching kind humor, and taking low-stakes social risks to spark connection.

Amanda Montell, writer and linguist who studies language and culture. She uses Taylor Swift fandom and her father’s Synanon history to expose three sneaky language tactics that shape belonging. Short segments explore thought‑terminating clichés, insider labels, parasocial influencers, AI’s role, and practical signs to spot cultish dynamics.

Naima Raza, journalist and creator of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, champions curiosity and presence. She explores how screens reshape connection, shares three practical habits—pause, wonder, ask aloud—to reclaim attention, and reflects on grief, parenting, and why admitting ignorance can deepen trust. She also touches on future questions about tech and transhumanism.

Tom Sullam, photographer and cofounder of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, uses humor in wildlife photos to bridge the gap between people and nature. He recounts iconic funny images, explains why laughter builds empathy for animals, and shares how playful photos can inspire everyday conservation actions.

Lauren Deeley, a private wealth advisor and TED speaker, introduces the idea of connecting with your future 'deathbed self' to guide decisions. She shares vivid personal stories and research on future-self thinking. Conversations cover risk-taking choices, designing values-aligned financial plans, and how imagining that future can clarify purpose and everyday decisions.