How to Be a Better Human
TED
How To Be A Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join Chris Duffy in conversation with guests and past speakers as they uncover sharp insights and give clear takeaways on how YOU can be a better human. From your work to your home and your head to your heart, How To Be a Better Human looks in unexpected places for new ways to improve and show up for one another. Inspired by the popular series of the same name on TED’s Ideas blog, How to Be a Better Human will help you become a better person from the comfort of your own headphones.Follow Chris on Instagram and TikTok at @chrisiduffy. Buy his book Humor Me at https://t.ted.com/ZGuYfcL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
63 snips
May 11, 2026 • 42min
How to handle uncertainty (w/ Simone Stolzoff)
Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of How to Not Know, explores why people crave certainty and how to live with doubt. He discusses acute vs ambient uncertainty, practical ways to act when waiting, building tolerance through exposure, AI’s impact on expecting firm answers, and strategies for work, burnout, and friendships in uncertain times.
83 snips
May 4, 2026 • 40min
How to mentally reset when you’re stressed out (w/ Dr Jenny Taitz)
Dr. Jenny Taitz, clinical psychologist and author of Stress Resets, uses evidence-based therapies to help people manage stress. She explains quick stress resets versus preventative buffers. She describes DBT’s blend of acceptance and change, in-the-moment body resets like cold water and breathing, and using small daily tasks for pleasure and mastery to shift mood.
30 snips
Apr 27, 2026 • 41min
Are you feeling emotionally stuck? Here’s how to get past it (w/ Yowei Shaw)
Yo-Wei Shah, an emotional investigative journalist and creator of Proxy, pairs people with strangers who have lived similar experiences. She discusses using strangers as mirrors, how that reduces defensiveness, and the method behind pairing and vetting proxies. They explore emotional truth versus facts and how being truly seen can reframe grief and spark change.
34 snips
Apr 20, 2026 • 41min
The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham)
Molly Graham, writer, company builder, and new host of TED's WorkLife podcast, shares her career lens and love of meandering paths. She challenges the 'stairs' career myth. She explains the J-curve of steep learning, how to make reversible risks, and how to measure success by learning and joy.
Apr 20, 2026 • 41min
The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham) (video)
Molly Graham, company builder and writer now hosting TED’s WorkLife, shares career wisdom. She challenges the ladder view of success. She praises winding paths, explains the J-curve of steep learning, and talks about turning vague money fears into concrete safety plans. She also discusses spotting burnout by tracking energy and why bold, measured risks pay off.
21 snips
Apr 13, 2026 • 36min
How to have great sex (w/ Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo) (re-release)
Siphumeze Khundayi, theater maker and artist who runs workshops on sexuality across Africa, and Tiffany Mugo, writer and co-founder of HOLAAfrica and author on pleasure, discuss sexual shame, creating safe spaces, cultural context, and how to begin exploring your own pleasure. They talk communication, consent, and practical steps for starting sexual self-discovery.
47 snips
Apr 6, 2026 • 38min
Want to change your life? Start small! (w/ Eric Zimmer)
Eric Zimmer, host of The One You Feed and author of How a Little Becomes a Lot, condenses big change into tiny habits. He talks about recovery through thousands of small choices. He explains low-resistance actions, breaking tasks into first steps, resolving ambiguity to act, and why self-compassion and consistent practice matter.
Apr 2, 2026 • 1h 23min
Chris Duffy | from Design Matters
Chris Duffy, comedian, writer, and author of Humor Me, blends improv, teaching, and podcasting. He talks about how humor grew from seeking attention to building connection and resilience. Short stories range from teaching and improv to prank LinkedIn stunts. He outlines humor’s learnable pillars and its role in grief, politics, and staying human.
79 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 41min
How to add more exploration in your life (w/ Alex Hutchinson)
Alex Hutchinson, science journalist and author who studies human performance and curiosity. He talks about exploration as everyday choices, the biology behind our urge to seek novelty, and simple habits like turning off turn-by-turn directions. Short stories include a wild backpacking date and how exploring with kids reshaped his view of discovery.
70 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 39min
How to understand your own consciousness (w/ Michael Pollan)
Michael Pollan, journalist and author who explores food, plants, and consciousness, joins to probe what consciousness really is. He discusses psychedelics and animist thinking, plant sentience and time-scale perception, the paradox of selfhood and rumination, and practical ways to notice consciousness like lantern attention and tolerating boredom.
