TED Business
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.Follow Modupe on Instagram at @mnakinola and on LinkedIn at @mnakinola Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 39min
How to understand money stuff (w/ Matt Levine) | from How to Be a Better Human
Matt Levine, financial journalist known for Money Stuff and former M&A lawyer, breaks down how commodity markets, futures, and tokenized claims connect to real goods. He explores what money represents, why AI startups get funded before revenue, and how crypto crashes echo banking runs. Humor and oddities make abstract finance more approachable.
30 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 19min
AI is coming for your job. Now what? | Vlad Tenev
Vlad Tenev, technologist and fintech entrepreneur who founded companies focused on math-driven AI, discusses AI-driven job disruption versus past tech shifts. He explores how rapid AI change changes the game. He introduces the idea of a 'job singularity' where new job families and entrepreneurial roles emerge. He highlights the role of human creativity in navigating uncertain work futures.
10 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 13min
The trap of win-lose thinking (and how to escape it) | John Mackey
John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market and advocate of stakeholder-conscious business, tells how a flood and near-bankruptcy sparked a shift to win-win-win thinking. He recounts community rescue, explains ethical trade partnerships, and shares three practical shifts to prevent conflict and create solutions. He frames love and creative imagination as core strategies.
Mar 9, 2026 • 16min
Why are we demolishing homes during a housing crisis? | Olaf Grawert
Olaf Grawert, architect and renovation advocate who fights demolition-for-profit, argues for transformative renovation as a social and ecological alternative. He exposes the human and environmental costs of tearing down homes. He highlights successful retrofit approaches, policy and finance changes needed to scale renovation, and a citizens initiative pushing renovation-first laws.
Mar 2, 2026 • 18min
4 hard truths about capitalism and climate | Steve Howard
A deep look at why capitalism and climate goals often clash. Short-term market incentives and unpriced externalities keep businesses stuck in old habits. Long-term investors and smart policy can rewire incentives and unlock green innovation. Real-world examples show how better defaults and patient capital make sustainable technologies scale.
15 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 15min
The question that saved my company from bankruptcy | Sharon Price John
Sharon Price John, the CEO who led Build-A-Bear’s turnaround, shares a purpose-driven approach that revived profitability and global growth. She explores asking whether the company matters, the emotional heart ceremony that creates customer loyalty, and how centering mission guided strategy, store and digital expansion, and new audiences like teens and adults.
9 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 23min
Be Kind: The Most Overlooked Driver of Success | From Think Fast Talk Smart
Bonnie Hayden-Cheng, a management professor and author of The Return on Kindness, studies how kindness shapes workplaces. She explains kind leadership and the RISE framework in short, practical steps. Conversations cover giving candid feedback with care, building kindness at all levels, and designing systems that reward compassionate behavior.
13 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 19min
The surprisingly simple reason teams fail | Tessa West
Tessa West, a psychology professor who studies team communication and decision-making. She recounts how miscommunication sank a Mars probe and unpacks three common breakdowns that derail teams. She reveals how groups quickly form insider languages and miss unique facts. Practical fixes: level-set, encourage restatements, and normalize asking for clarification.
14 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 11min
How to empower the next generation of pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba
Refilwe Ledwaba, a pioneering helicopter and airplane pilot and founder of Girls Fly Africa, talks about transforming barriers into pathways for young people, especially women. She describes tailored mentorship, hands-on training with simulators and 3D projects, scholarships to tackle cost, and building networks that turn trainees into professionals.
Jan 26, 2026 • 16min
The flourishing future of women's sports | Kate Johnson
Kate Johnson, former Olympic rower and Google sports marketing leader, discusses how technology and algorithms still favor men's sports. She explores search bias, the investment visibility cycle, and why role models matter for girls. She highlights new players, creators, and AI tools making women’s sports more discoverable and urges practical actions to boost visibility.
