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TED Radio Hour

TED Radio Hour

NPR 300 episodes Nov 6, 2026

Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers. Host Manoush Zomorodi inspires us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves. The show is a collaboration between NPR and TED, bringing TED Talks to radio. It covers a wide range of topics from science to society.

Episodes

Escaping the modern world and your noisy mind
Escaping the modern world and your noisy mind Nov 6, 2026 49:39 How do you find the courage to leave the world you know and make your way to a completely different reality? This episode, TED speakers share ideas about escape and renewal.Guests include author Pico Iyer, NXIVM whistleblower Sarah Edmondson, captain and navigator Lehua Kamalu and TV producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes.Original broadcast date: June 13, 2025See pcm.adswizz.com for information a
Can curiosity save the wild?
Can curiosity save the wild? Oct 30, 2026 49:39 How do we inspire people to care about wild animals without disrupting their lives? This hour, two surprising approaches to getting to know wildlife — and rethinking what it means to protect it.Guests include conservationist Maya Higa and computational linguist Jeffery Reed.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free lis
How we experience time
How we experience time Oct 23, 2026 49:41 Why does one hour drag by, but a year can pass in a flash? And how does our relationship with time influence our behavior? This hour, TED speakers share ideas on making the most of the time we have. Guests include artist Katie Paterson, cognitive neuroscientist Irena Arslanova,  the late music director Robert Franz and the late psychologist Philip Zimbardo.Original broadcast date: May 16, 2025Supp
Have we forgotten how to play?
Have we forgotten how to play? Oct 16, 2026 49:39 Play is how we evolved to learn, solve problems, and navigate the world. So why do we treat it as optional? This hour, the science of play — and what happens when we don’t get enough of it.Guests include psychology researcher Peter Gray, sailor and social activist Tracy Edwards and photographer Stefen Chow.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show
The shocking power of tiny things
The shocking power of tiny things Oct 9, 2026 49:39 You don't need to be big and boisterous to pack a punch. This hour, TED speakers explore the surprising strength of all things minuscule and fleeting. Guests include microbiologist Anne Madden, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky, former educator YeYoon Kim and former industrial engineer and Zen Buddhist monk Bart Weetjens.Original broadcast date: February 24, 2023.Support public media with NPR+ a
The women missing from music
The women missing from music Oct 2, 2026 49:52 Women have been writing music for centuries. Why do we know so few of them today? This hour, TED speakers explore the role of women in music history and how we can remember their contributions. Guests include opera singer and activist Gabriella Di Laccio and Nadya Tolokonnikova, a Russian artist and founder of Pussy Riot.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing Sep 25, 2026 49:47 Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa Dahl and sex and relationship counselor Erin Chen.Original broadcast date: April 19, 2024.Support public media with NPR
Big mysteries explained through your senses
Big mysteries explained through your senses Sep 18, 2026 50:02 Our senses help us navigate everyday life. But can they also reveal what lies beyond our perception? This hour, TED speakers explore the hidden world through the senses. Guests include astronomer Mark Whittle, chemosensory researcher Paule Joseph and artist Yiyun Kang.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening
What this musician’s identity crisis teaches us about navigating change
What this musician’s identity crisis teaches us about navigating change Sep 11, 2026 50:02 Since childhood, Joshua Roman's life revolved around the cello. But when long COVID forced him to set his cello aside, he had to rethink his approach to life, faith and music.Original broadcast date: September 26, 2025.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com f
Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate action
Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate action Sep 4, 2026 50:10 Climate action usually means sacrifice: eat less meat, buy less, drive less. What if there's another approach? Researcher Elizabeth Dunn shares climate hacks that help the planet AND make us happier.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
The day the dinosaurs died
The day the dinosaurs died Aug 28, 2026 50:21 What happened in the days, even hours, after an asteroid set off the fifth extinction? A New Jersey quarry, and site of a new museum founded by paleontologist Ken Lacovara, sheds light on the mystery.Original broadcast date: August 16, 2024Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn mo
How the creator economy is making you talk like the internet
How the creator economy is making you talk like the internet Aug 21, 2026 50:00 Online linguist Adam Aleksic explains how he goes viral decoding internet slang, plus why making a living online means working for 'the algorithm.' It's part 2 of our creator economy series.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for informa

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