TED Talks Daily

What if the solution to feeding humanity has been hiding in the soil for millions of years? Bioengineer Karsten Temme discovered a remarkable answer to this question: for eons, crops relied on soil microbes to convert atmospheric nitrogen into food — until modern farming severed that ancient partnership. He shows how we can reawaken those dormant microbes using gene editing, creating “living fertilizer” that delivers nutrients to crops in real time and transforms farms around the world.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jermaine Dupri, record producer and Atlanta music architect behind hits for Mariah Carey and Usher, pulls back the curtain on hit-making. He compares producing to raising a baby. He explains how Atlanta shaped his sound. He describes reusing hooks and rhythms, experimenting instead of chasing cool, and the song he hopes defines his legacy.

Ayșe Coskun, a computer scientist who designs energy-efficient computing and grid-friendly data centers, explains how AI facilities could become virtual batteries. She discusses powering down or shifting workloads, prototypes that follow grid targets, and using AI to orchestrate flexible computing. The conversation focuses on transforming energy-hungry centers into grid-stabilizing assets.

Sandeep Roy Choudhury, a climate equity entrepreneur with 20 years financing projects from cookstoves to coastal forests, makes a case for practical climate action. He discusses carbon credits as a tool to fund frontline communities quickly. He uses mangrove restoration examples, explains standards and risks, and highlights why pricing carbon and directing finance to the Global South matters.

What if the best defense against misinformation isn’t panic, but a punchline? Journalist and comedian Dave Jorgenson explores how misinformation has proliferated throughout history — from the age of Plato to the era of viral TikToks. With his own short, absurdist sketches that explain the news, he shows how humor can cut through fear, spark curiosity and explore nuanced truth.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Shari Barkin, a pediatrician and academic leader who works on community-focused research, offers practical ideas for raising healthy kids. She talks about small, contextual changes at home and school. Topics include phone-free family rituals, family-based group programs, partnering with community resources, and simple parent-child habits to model healthy behavior.

Emily Esfahani Smith, writer and psychologist who studies meaning and well-being, speaks about why meaning outlasts fleeting happiness. She contrasts happiness with purpose and belonging. She outlines four pillars of meaning and offers small daily practices. She discusses how transitions, mortality, and storytelling can clarify values and anchor life.

Guy Winch, a licensed psychologist and author focused on emotional health, explains why off-hours rumination fuels burnout. He shares why replaying work stresses harms recovery. He outlines measuring rumination, setting strict guardrails and home rituals, and turning worries into concrete problem-solving. Practical tips for reclaiming free time and restoring satisfaction.

Maegan Stephens, communication expert and co-author of About Listening, studies how leaders and teams listen at work. She explains four distinct listening styles and why flexible listening beats one-size-fits-all approaches. Short, practical breakdowns show when to evaluate, absorb, validate, or move things forward. A single question helps you choose the right response.

Priyanka Vergadia, a technologist who brings AI products to market and advises businesses, explains why humans matter where context, intent and lived experience shape decisions. She tells stories about diagnosing product problems, questioning AI recommendations, and prioritizing audience quality over raw engagement. Short, vivid scenes show how teaming with AI can make people irreplaceably human.