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

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20 episodes
Updated Today

Episodes20

Newest first

Today · 44 min
Why should you care about animal sex? (w/ Perrin Ireland)
Perrin Ireland is an artist and environmentalist who draws science comics. She’s also the author of Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex. In this episode, Perrin discusses why learning about the kinky sex lives of animals is a form of biodiversity! From topics such as animal caregiving to how language tends to ascribe sexual characteristics onto non-objects, Perrin shares why openly talking about animal sex isn’t scandalous, but allows for better understanding of animal and human social organization. Factcheck Notes 1. Reported estimates of same-sex pairings and divorce rates in penguins vary across species and populations. Some studies have found values similar to those mentioned here, although these should not be treated as general estimates. 2. Rostrum-to-genital interactions in dolphins have been interpreted in multiple ways. In addition to possible sexual functions, studies suggest they may facilitate the inspection of chemical cues, allowing dolphins to gather information such as identity or reproductive status. Therefore, describing this behavior solely as a form of oral sex may oversimplify its potential functions. 3. Although it has been suggested that dolphins may obtain information by listening to the echoes produced by another dolphin’s echolocation, there is currently insufficient evidence that dolphins can intentionally transmit complex 3D images or engage in "holographic communication". This remains mostly a speculative hypothesis rather than an established scientific theory. Featured guest Follow Perrin Ireland on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://www.experrinment.com/ Buy Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPods Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Friday · 38 min
Summer Fridays: How to be more joyful (w/ Ingrid Fetell Lee) (re-release)
How to find and create Joy in your life -- what is joy? And what is its purpose in our lives? We talk with Ingrid about how to cultivate more joy in our daily lives, especially when we don't feel particularly in the headspace for joy, and about how our design choices can have a huge impact on the way we perceive joy in our environment. We also talk with her about her book Joyful and her TED talk. (This episode originally aired in 2025.) For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 27 · 42 min
How to understand your family history (w/ Keith Rushing)
Journalist Keith Rushing has spent years trying to report on his most difficult story - the history of his own family. Who do we come from? What do we inherit from the past? How can understanding our ancestors make us better humans today? To find out the answers, Chris invites Keith to talk about his book Descended: Searching for my Gullah-Geechee Roots. They cover how everything from the history of slavery to the cultural significance of African connections to the Gullah-Geechee people. This is a conversation about how you can spark your own curiosity to start researching your own family history. Featured guest Follow Keith Rushing on Instagram and LinkedIn Buy Descended: Searching for my Gullah-Geechee Roots Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPods Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 24 · 34 min
Summer Fridays: How to find “your thing” (or your many things) (w/ Constance Hockaday) (re-release)
Some people are born knowing exactly what they want to do with their life – and because of that, they’re able to get to the top of their field. But most of us have multiple passions and identities, making it difficult to visualize our own unique paths. So, how do we explore who we are and what we love to do in our careers and in our lives? This week, guest & TED Fellow Constance Hockaday helps us navigate and voice our deepest hopes and desires. She walks us through her perspective as an artist, what she’s learned from immersing herself into small and sometimes very isolated communities, and gives tips on how to find liberation by pursuing your passion. (This episode originally aired in 2024.) For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 20 · 42 min
What the data shows about youth mental health (w/ Candice Odgers)
“Social media and screen time aren’t the most important factor in teen mental health,” says development psychologist Candice Odgers. While this claim sounds counterintuitive, Candice shares why it’s so pervasive—scary stories sell. They always have. In this episode, Candice joins Chris to discuss social inequity and the five areas that would be more effective in helping improve teens mental health than banning social media. Featured guest Follow Candice Odgers on LinkedIn and at https://candiceodgers.com/ Watch Candice's TED Talk Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPods Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 17 · 37 min
Summer Fridays: How to get your sense of wonder back (w/ Nate DiMeo) (re-release)
How do you make sense of the present? Nate DiMeo might suggest you look at the past. Nate is the host of the podcast and book, The Memory Palace. Nate joins Chris to discuss how the past can teach us to live life in a new, rich, and complex way. Nate shares how to exercise the muscle of curiosity, how to tap into your sense of wonder to escape algorithmic filters, and urges you to seek moments of meaning in between life’s biggest plot points. This is an episode of TED's How to Be a Better Human podcast. Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://tedtalks.social/4gmAZt3 For the full text transcript, visit https://go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from THE MEMORY PALACE by Nate DiMeo; excerpt read by Nate DiMeo. © 2024 Nate DiMeo ℗ 2024 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. This episode originally aired in 2025. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 13 · 41 min
How to think fast and talk smart (w/ Matt Abrahams)
Matt Abrahams is a communication expert who teaches strategic communication at Stanford University, hosts the podcast Think Fast Talk Smart, and wrote the new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter. In this episode, he joins Chris to share his insights on mastering communication on the spot. From breaking down the four-step format on how to give an excellent speech to identifying which peers would be most effective as your test audience, Matt’s tips demonstrate the clues you can use to help you communicate better and deliver messages worth remembering. Featured guest Follow Matt Abrahams on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://mattabrahams.com/ Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPods Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 6 · 43 min
Why you are starved for creativity—and how to fix it (w/ Katina Bajaj)
Katina Bajaj is a scientist studying “creative health.” She looks at the role of play, fun, art, and creativity in our overall wellbeing. When was the last time you’ve gone on an “awe walk?” For Katina, carving out time where she’s not listening to music or podcasts on her walks but instead smelling the hydrangeas or allowing her mind to wander is a key way to destress. Katina joins Chris to talk about why adults are starved for creativity and why it’s important to push through the discomfort when trying something new for the first time. Featured guest Follow Katina Bajaj on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://www.katinabajaj.com/ Subscribe to Katina's Substack Creative Health Watch Katina's TED Talk Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 29 · 40 min
How play is the secret to success at work (w/ Maxwell Pearce)
Why is it so fun to watch your team win in the World Cup or to be a Knicks fan as they finally get an NBA championship? There’s a collective joy in sports that can also be found in art, theater, and comedy. In this episode of How to Be a Better Human with Maxwell Pearce, Chris talks to him about his accomplishments as a mixed media artist and a Harlem Globetrotter. Maxwell integrates playfulness into his art and in sports—whether it’s using shoelaces as texture in his artwork or training his body to perform a basketball trick shot. Maxwell shares how play is the secret ingredient in his career and how changing the way he thinks about the rules and mistakes allows him to have more fun and more successes. Find more ways you can make more room for play in your life with PLAY@TED. Learn more from conversations, ideas and moments at ted.com/play Featured guest Follow Maxwell Pearce on Instagram and at https://theartofanathlete.com/ View Maxwell's Harlem Globetrotter's profile Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 22 · 41 min
How to give up control - advice from neuroscientist Heather Berlin
Heather Berlin is a a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and professor of psychiatry and neuroscience who studies the science of giving up control. She joins Chris to talk about finding the balance between knowing when to hold on to control and when to let go and be present in the moment. They also discuss why you don’t need to always be productive or in a constant state of self-optimization, and how there are benefits in learning to lose track of time and practicing boredom. Featured guest Follow Heather Berlin on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://heatherberlin.com/ Buy Heather's book The Fine Art of Losing Control Tune in to Heather's TED Talk, coming soon in November 2026 Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 15 · 39 min
Why you should try improv comedy (w/ Rick Andrews)
What do radio personality Ira Glass, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, and your host Chris Duffy have in common? They all have practiced an unexpected skill that makes them more human—improv comedy. And they learned it from master improv teacher Rick Andrews. Rick joins Chris to discuss the life lessons they learn from giving up control and practicing how to “yes an” in conversations. They also modeled improv games such as “Alibi,” “7 Things,” “Fortunately and Unfortunately,” and more, so you can sprinkle some improvisational silliness to build better communication and trust in your work and personal life. Featured guest Follow Rick Andrews on LinkedIn and at https://www.rickandrewsimprov.com/ Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 8 · 42 min
Why you need to get up and move—right now! (w/ Manoush Zomorodi)
How long have you been sitting today? If you’re still on the couch or the office chair, then this is your PSA to get up and move! In this episode, Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR's TED Radio Hour, joins Chris to share the detrimental effects of sitting all day. They talk about the joy of adding more positive interruptions in your life, why going off-camera helps you improve your mind-body connection, and more! Featured guest Follow Manoush Zomorodi on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://www.manoushz.com/ Subscribe to Manoush Minutes on Substack Buy her book Body Electric Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 1 · 53 min
Stressed, stuck, and overthinking? The science of moving forward w/ Ranjay Gulati | 10% Happier
In today’s special featured episode of 10% Happier with Dan Harris, hear from Ranjay Gulati, a Harvard professor and author whose pioneering work focuses on unlocking organizational and individual potential—embracing courage, nurturing purpose-driven leaders, driving growth, and transforming businesses. Find out how you can decipher courage and recklessness, build moral anchors for your decision-making, and take action when you’re feeling stuck. 10% Happier with Dan Harris is a show about how to do life better, hosted by a former ABC News anchor turned bestselling author. Drawing on a mix of ancient Buddhism and modern science, this podcast covers self-compassion, relationships , productivity, and more. Find out how happiness is not an unalterable factory setting; it’s a skill. You can find more episodes of 10% Happier with Dan Harris wherever you get your podcasts. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25 · 37 min
Why you should take a risk every day with Julie Zhuo | from WorkLife with Molly Graham
When you think about risk, you probably think about big, dramatic moves: quitting your job, moving across the country, saying something controversial. But the people who are actually good at taking risks are the ones who practice small challenges every day. Julie Zhuo was one of the earliest product and design leaders at Facebook, and is now the co-founder of Sundial, a company that uses AI to help organizations make better decisions. In this episode, Molly and Julie dissect what it actually means to take a risk and how you can build your risk-taking skills through daily practice. Julie reflects on her own risk-taking journey, the ways she has honed her abilities to challenge fear, her thinking on when you shouldn’t take a leap, and the important distinction between courage and fearlessness. WorkLife is a podcast from TED where host and company builder Molly Graham and her expert guests talk through the messy feelings we all experience at work. Ambition and failure, joy and burnout, confidence and self-doubt — this show digs into it all to help you build a career without losing yourself. Listen now: https://link.mgln.ai/9sBEHV For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18 · 41 min
How algorithms changed the way we communicate (w/ Adam Aleksic
A-1. Killer-diller. Outta sight. All that and a bag of chips. This slaps! From the 1940s to the early 2020s, these words and phrases are all generational slang that means the same thing—“excellent.” In this episode, Chris speaks with linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic on how technology and algorithms are changing language. They also discuss which age-group is experimenting the most with language, how social media is transforming how the deaf community communicates, and whether going completely offline does more harm than good. Featured guest Follow Adam Aleksic on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and at etymologynerd.com/ Subscribe to Adam's Substack, The Etymology Nerd Buy Adam's book Algospeak Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11 · 41 min
How to handle uncertainty (w/ Simone Stolzoff)
I was looking for certainty when there was no certainty to be found. If Simone’s words resonate with you, then this episode is for YOU. Simone Stolzoff is a journalist who writes about the uncertainty of life. In his conversation with Chris, he observes why people are becoming less tolerant of uncertainty, the harm caused when we take AI output as definitive answers, and what you can do to expand your capacity to hold uncertainty in your life. Featured guest Follow Simone Stolzoff on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and at simonestolzoff.com/ Buy Simone's books How to Not Know and The Good Enough Job Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 4 · 39 min
How to mentally reset when you’re stressed out (w/ Dr Jenny Taitz)
It’s hard to not feel stress at the state of the world today, so how can you cope with stressors without letting them completely overwhelm you? Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz spends most of her days helping clients navigate through their stress. She shares why she uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, in her therapy work, whether a cold plunge can help you snap out of your messy ruminations, and why doing a few tasks each day to practice for pleasure and mastery can help improve your mood. Featured guest Follow Dr. Jenny Taitz on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at https://www.drjennytaitz.com/ Buy Dr. Taitz's book Stress Resets Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 27 · 41 min
Are you feeling emotionally stuck? Here’s how to get past it (w/ Yowei Shaw)
What if your hardest emotional challenges could be solved by talking to a stranger? A person who has gone through the exact same situation or something very similar. That’s the premise of Proxy, a podcast that investigates your niche emotional conundrums with host Yowei Shaw. In this episode, Yowei and Chris talk about the power of knowing you’re not the only person going through something, however specific. Whether it’s losing your job, a friend breakup, or an alternate version of your life that you can’t let go of, Yowei has a method to make it all make more sense. Featured guest Follow Yowei Shaw on Instagram, Patreon, and at yoweishaw.com/ Listen to Proxy with Yowei Shaw Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 20 · 41 min
The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham) (video)
Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career? And how do you know what job you should take, which you should quit, and which you should try to change? Chris and Molly discuss career transitions, the benefits of taking a meandering path, and how to take more risks for a fulfilling life. Featured guest Follow Molly Graham on Instagram, LinkedIn, and on Substack Learn more about Molly's Glue Club! Listen to WorkLife with Molly Graham Watch Molly's TED Talk Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 20 · 41 min
The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham)
Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career? And how do you know what job you should take, which you should quit, and which you should try to change? Chris and Molly discuss career transitions, the benefits of taking a meandering path, and how to take more risks for a fulfilling life. Featured guest Follow Molly Graham on Instagram, LinkedIn, and on Substack Learn more about Molly's Glue Club! Listen to WorkLife with Molly Graham Watch Molly's TED Talk Connect with the team Follow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.com Buy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollective Follow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Fill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.