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How to Be a Better Human

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TED and PRX

Join How to Be a Better Human as we take a look within and beyond ourselves. How to Be a Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join comedian 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.

#166

How to reclaim your cringe

Have you ever laid awake at night, cringing at something your younger self did or said? So why is it that when we hear other peoples’ memories from their own awkward phases, we’re free of judgment? Dave Nadelberg and Neil Katcher are the co-founders of Mortified — a comedy podcast and live show where people read old diary entries from their childhoods. They’re experts in turning embarrassing stories into hilarious, heartwarming ones. David and Neil tell Chris their own quirky/eccentric/teenage anecdotes, and share how you can also learn to find the irony, joy and hilariousness in your own cringe. ... Read more

Yesterday

39 MINS

39:54

Yesterday

#165

Why you should make a spectacle out of life (w/ Lear deBessonet)

When was the last time something you watched struck you? Award-winning theater director Lear deBessonet is deeply passionate about spectacle – and thinks you should be too. She shares the unexpected connections, wonder, and creativity that come from finding the unusual, notable, or entertaining; in common everyday experiences — and why you should look for more ways to create spectacle in your own life. Plus, learn why Lear has been rejected by ‘the San Diego chicken’ multiple times. ... Read more

14 Oct 2024

36 MINS

36:34

14 Oct 2024

#164

How to let go of needing a plan (w/ Reggie Watts)

Reggie Watts has no plan when he walks out on the TED stage — he just lets go and tries to make himself laugh. In this episode, he shares with Chris why the audience member you should pay the most attention to is yourself and how you can find more ways to improvise, laugh and find ridiculousness in your everyday life to get to a happier one. ... Read more

07 Oct 2024

33 MINS

33:41

07 Oct 2024

#163

Why solving global issues is more accessible than we think (w/ Angeline Murimirwa)

Solving the world’s biggest problems can seem impossible. But, Angeline Murimirwa — the CEO of Camfed, a pan-African movement revolutionizing education for girls — makes the case that the best solutions are often more straightforward than we realize. When Angie was growing up, a girl receiving an education was the exception, not the rule. Today, Angie works to make sure that going to school is the norm for all children. Angie shares with Chris how the very program she runs changed her life trajectory — and how we can solve global issues by trusting people with lived experience. ... Read more

30 Sep 2024

35 MINS

35:26

30 Sep 2024

#162

Why is talking about money and class so awkward?! (w/ Jonathan Menjivar)

How often do you know your friends’ exact salaries? For most of us, the answer is almost never. Yet, in our everyday lives and interactions, we notice the many small cues that make our class differences obvious. So why does talking about money create such an uncomfortable, cringey feeling? How can we cohabitate knowing that in class, we are unequal? And does being rich make you a bad person? Host of the podcast Classy, Jonathan Menjivar, and Chris Duffy break down the answers in this episode. ... Read more

23 Sep 2024

37 MINS

37:13

23 Sep 2024

#161

How to approach the daunting question: who am I? (w/ Brian Lowery)

If you take away how others see you, how do you see yourself? Psychologist, author and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Brian Lowery argues that this question is so difficult to wrap our heads around because what we think of as our individual identity is actually a social construction. In this episode, he and Chris take us on a journey exploring the objective vs the subjective self, the performance of identity and how your view of others has a stronger sway than you realize. ... Read more

16 Sep 2024

34 MINS

34:39

16 Sep 2024

#160

How peace can persevere (w/ Aziz Abu Sarah)

It’s extremely difficult to move past anger and hurt driving you towards revenge. War, violence, and suffering are driven by that cycle of emotions. Palestinian author, peacemaker, and entrepreneur Aziz Abu Sarah knows the feelings well, but from his own life experiences, he shares his belief that peace is achievable and another way forward is possible. In this episode, Aziz tells his story and explains his work to bring even the most seemingly intractable conflicts to a resolution that allows for justice, reconciliation, and safety for all.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

09 Sep 2024

42 MINS

42:44

09 Sep 2024

#159

How labor unions shape society

The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. In this episode of TED Talks Daily, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future. If you'd like to hear more from Margaret, check out her How to Be a Better Human episode by searching for it in this feed, or clicking [HERE] (https://link.chtbl.com/HwbgIp9T) . We'll be back with more How to Be a Better Human episodes next week! ... Read more

02 Sep 2024

19 MINS

19:33

02 Sep 2024

#158

How to be less cynical (w/ Jamil Zaki)

It’s an age-old question - are people innately good or bad? Watching the news and constantly consuming social media, many of us are cynical about human nature. Psychologist Jamil Zaki suggests that we may be being fooled, that empathy is all around us - we just have to pay a little more attention. Jamil and Chris discuss the power of empathy, positive gossiping, normalizing compliments and more to help you see why the good in each of us is what makes us human.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

26 Aug 2024

36 MINS

36:34

26 Aug 2024

#157

How to be an adult - and how to raise one (w/ Julie Lythcott-Haims) (re-release)

Whether it’s grades and test scores, cushy jobs or big salaries, our ideas of “success” tend to be incredibly narrow and often start incredibly early. Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford, and she is dedicated to helping people reconsider what really makes a happy, “successful” adult. Julie shares wisdom for parents and anyone who has been parented on why it’s crucial to question societal expectations, how to find your own path and why empathy towards yourself and others are the true key to loving who you’ll grow up to be. For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

19 Aug 2024

35 MINS

35:19

19 Aug 2024

#156

How to re-spark your imagination (w/ Anab Jain)

How often do you use your imagination? Anab Jain is on a mission to help us all dream bigger. As the co-founder and director of Superflux (a design and experience-creation company), she creates spaces and events that help people see, touch, and feel potential futures they may not have ever considered. In this episode, she discusses why exploring ideas that challenge your current reality can help you envision–and create–a brighter future.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

12 Aug 2024

30 MINS

30:15

12 Aug 2024

#155

How to tap into your creativity using technology (w/ Claire Silver) (from The TED AI Show)

Like many new, exciting artistic technologies before it, the development of AI is begging us to ask: what counts as art? In a provocative conversation, Claire Silver, an anonymous AI collaborative artist, sits down with Bilawal to talk about how AI has revolutionized her own mixed media practice, and why she thinks that AI may be an inextricable part of human creativity in the near future. For transcripts for The TED AI Show, visit [go.ted.com/TTAIS-transcripts] (http://go.ted.com/TTAIS-transcripts) ... Read more

05 Aug 2024

32 MINS

32:31

05 Aug 2024

#154

How to craft the work-life balance you deserve

Most of us would like to find meaning in the work we do, but many of us are burnt out or stressed at our jobs. In this episode, an international mental wellness educator, a former journalist turned meditation advocate, and the author of the literal book on millennial burnout share why –and how– we can rethink our relationship to work and stress entirely.The episodes we referenced were:• Anne Helen Petersen on changing your relationship to work and the guardrails that can prevent burnout•How to cultivate the skill of happiness (w/ Dan Harris)•How to stop finding your self-worth through your job (w/ Gloria Chan Packer) ... Read more

29 Jul 2024

14 MINS

14:30

29 Jul 2024

#153

How to get into nature and out of your head

Think of the last time you were in nature. How did it make you feel? This week, a forager, a cave diver, a birding enthusiast, and science writer share why connecting with nature is so illuminating and how to benefit from more outside time this summer. ... Read more

22 Jul 2024

14 MINS

14:32

22 Jul 2024

#152

How to be civil even if you disagree (w/ Alexandra Hudson)

What does it mean to be civil with others – and why does this value often feel at risk? Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, says that civility is very different from being polite – but that it might be the key to building back positive relationships across differences in society. This week, Alexandra shares her research on why valuing the people you disagree with as human beings is so important, and what you can do to be a slightly better citizen of the world. ... Read more

15 Jul 2024

27 MINS

27:45

15 Jul 2024

#151

How to make grassroots political change (w/ Katie Fahey)

What can you do when a problem feels too daunting to take on? Enlist some help. Political issues can often feel too difficult to solve, but Katie Fahey–the founder of the grassroots organization Voters Not Politicians and executive director of the democratic reform organization The People–says we have more power than we think. This week, she talks with Chris about how a community of regular citizens can organize together for change… and have a real, lasting impact on the way their government works. For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

08 Jul 2024

31 MINS

31:52

08 Jul 2024

#150

How to have a say in how society is built w/ Tessza Udvarhelyi

No matter who you are or where you live, political choices influence your life. Hungarian activist and academic, Tessza Udvarhelyi, emphasizes that anyone, whether or not they work in politics, has collective power. This week, she joins Chris to discuss her work fighting for democracy under an increasingly authoritarian government, why affording power to the people is a must, and how we can all participate.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

01 Jul 2024

37 MINS

37:30

01 Jul 2024

#149

Why spirituality is important in our increasingly secular world (w/ David DeSteno)

Faith has always been a strong force in human history – but in modern times, it may feel antiquated to have it. Psychology professor and author David DeSteno has conducted research exploring questions about the benefits of faith, and in this episode he shares his findings, and why he believes even in the age of science, we shouldn’t leave spiritual wisdom behind. For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) . ... Read more

24 Jun 2024

38 MINS

38:53

24 Jun 2024

#148

How to be brave when family life gets tough (w/Kelly Corrigan)

Every person, no matter how ordinary, has to occasionally summon extraordinary bravery to get through life’s challenges. If you haven’t already had one of those moments, you will at some point. Because, hey, Kelly Corrigan says, that’s life. Kelly shares her trademark wit and wisdom in this week’s conversation about how to hold ourselves, our families, and our loved ones together when our world is falling apart.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) To see Kelly's full talk, visit [go.ted.com/BH-Kelly] (https://go.ted.com/BH-Kelly) ... Read more

17 Jun 2024

37 MINS

37:38

17 Jun 2024

#147

The art of paying attention (w/ Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman)

If you found yourself doodling or writing a lot as a child but then lost the hobby as you grew up, Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman want to help you recapture your spark. Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator, the author of “How to Say Goodbye”, and the creator of Draw Together, an art and learning community. Laurel Braitman is a TED Fellow, the author of the memoir “What Looks Like Bravery”, and the founder of Writing Medicine, a community of writing healthcare professionals. Together, Wendy and Laurel created Attention Club, a group of people pursuing creativity by practicing focus with one another. In this episode, Wendy and Laurel join Chris for an in-person chat at the 2024 TED Conference where they discuss the feelings that arise when sharing art with an audience and why embracing mistakes can lead to more meaningful work.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) . ... Read more

10 Jun 2024

36 MINS

36:22

10 Jun 2024

#146

The meaning of embodiment w/ Prentis Hemphill

We often forget that our bodies and minds are fundamentally connected. But so much of our day-to-day lives are influenced by the state of our bodies. The mind-body connection is at the heart of the work of this week’s guest, Prentis Hemphill. Prentis is a therapist, somatics teacher, author, and the founder of The Embodiment Institute. Prentis joins Chris to talk through what it means to be fully present in your body and how embodiment can improve your understanding of yourself – and the world around you.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

03 Jun 2024

37 MINS

37:35

03 Jun 2024

#145

How to stay grounded in an increasingly artificial world (from The TED AI Show)

Today, we’re sharing the first episode of the newest TED Audio Collective Podcast – The TED AI Show. Now before you think, “wait, isn’t artificial intelligence the opposite of being human?”, know that we are wondering that too! That’s what’s nice about The TED AI Show. It asks: how is AI shaping human stuff? Join creative technologist Bilawal Sidhu as he sits down with Sam Gregory, a human rights activist and technologist, for some real talk on deepfakes, how AI is challenging our sense of what’s real and what’s fiction, and how to maintain our sense of self in this rapidly-evolving world.We hope you enjoy this episode. We'll be back with more How to Be a Better Human next week. You can listen to The TED AI Show anywhere you get your podcasts. ... Read more

27 May 2024

29 MINS

29:12

27 May 2024

#144

How to follow the laws of nature (w/ Nonette Royo)

What is your relationship with the planet we live on? As a human rights lawyer and environmental activist, Nonette Royo is trying to make us all live more symbiotically with nature. She works hard to listen to indigenous peoples around the world to help them control the land they live on and have a voice in policies and decisions that combat climate change. Nonette sits down with Chris to help us better understand how native traditions can inform all of our lives and why fighting for land rights may be one of the most important policies to mitigate climate change. For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) . ... Read more

20 May 2024

33 MINS

33:20

20 May 2024

#143

How to give and receive good advice (w/ Hola Papi’s John Paul Brammer)

Have you ever wished someone would just help you figure out your life? John Paul Brammer’s job is to do exactly that – he’s the writer behind the hit advice column Hola Papi. John has helped all kinds of people on topics as niche as figuring out what to do when your boyfriend pretends to be Latino to as common as answering the age-old question of how to make friends as an adult. John reveals what constitutes good advice, why a lot of problems have similar solutions, and shares what we can do to get ourselves out of our trickiest situations.For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) ... Read more

13 May 2024

36 MINS

36:02

13 May 2024

#142

Re-release: How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries (with Ebony Roberts)

When you think of your home or your childhood, what comes to mind? Did you feel cared for and loved? Did you trust that your parents were always doing what’s best for you? Whether you are a parent or a child, healthy communication is one of the most important aspects of an intentional relationship with your family. Today’s guest, Ebony Roberts, is a writer, educator, activist, and mother. After ending their relationship, she and her ex-partner (author Shaka Senghor) decided to continue co-parenting their child. In this episode, she shares tips on how to establish good communication at home and gives deep insight on how to prioritize trust, open-ness, and of course, love. You can read more about Ebony’s story in her book, “The love prison made and unmade” (Harper Collins, 2019) and check out her talk at [TED.com] (http://ted.com/) ... Read more

06 May 2024

32 MINS

32:59

06 May 2024

#141

How to laugh at yourself (w/ Nuar Alsadir)

Poet and psychoanalyst Nuar Alsadir believes there’s a thin line between comedy and the self-discovery often found in therapy offices. In this episode, Nuar joins Chris and talks about her book Animal Joy: A Book of Laughter and Resuscitation. They discuss the power of laughter, what it means to let yourself look like a fool occasionally, how to break down the facades we create for ourselves, and the unexpected revelations she had while attending clown school. For the full text transcript, visit [go.ted.com/BHTranscripts] (http://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts) . ... Read more

29 Apr 2024

35 MINS

35:33

29 Apr 2024

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#166

How to reclaim your cringe

#165

Why you should make a spectacle out of life (w/ Lear deBessonet)

#164

How to let go of needing a plan (w/ Reggie Watts)

#163

Why solving global issues is more accessible than we think (w/ Angeline Murimirwa)

#162

Why is talking about money and class so awkward?! (w/ Jonathan Menjivar)

#161

How to approach the daunting question: who am I? (w/ Brian Lowery)

#160

How peace can persevere (w/ Aziz Abu Sarah)

#159

How labor unions shape society

#158

How to be less cynical (w/ Jamil Zaki)

#157

How to be an adult - and how to raise one (w/ Julie Lythcott-Haims) (re-release)

#156

How to re-spark your imagination (w/ Anab Jain)

#155

How to tap into your creativity using technology (w/ Claire Silver) (from The TED AI Show)

#154

How to craft the work-life balance you deserve

#153

How to get into nature and out of your head

#152

How to be civil even if you disagree (w/ Alexandra Hudson)

#151

How to make grassroots political change (w/ Katie Fahey)

#150

How to have a say in how society is built w/ Tessza Udvarhelyi

#149

Why spirituality is important in our increasingly secular world (w/ David DeSteno)

#148

How to be brave when family life gets tough (w/Kelly Corrigan)

#147

The art of paying attention (w/ Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman)

#146

The meaning of embodiment w/ Prentis Hemphill

#145

How to stay grounded in an increasingly artificial world (from The TED AI Show)

#144

How to follow the laws of nature (w/ Nonette Royo)

#143

How to give and receive good advice (w/ Hola Papi’s John Paul Brammer)

#142

Re-release: How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries (with Ebony Roberts)

#141

How to laugh at yourself (w/ Nuar Alsadir)