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.

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48 episodes
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English

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August 31 · 11 min
The fleeting euphoria of success | Debbie Millman
Over two decades of interviewing countless creative people, Debbie Millman (host of the iconic "Design Matters" podcast) had a realization: the pride and joy of accomplishing something often evaporates almost instantly. She explains how to stop chasing external validation for your achievements and instead live for the act of creation itself. After, Modupe shares how she finds time to celebrate after the end of every project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 27 · 38 min
Finding Purpose: How to find your purpose (w/ Master Fixer Molly Graham) | from Fixable
What is your true purpose—and how do you find it? This month, Anne and Frances are tackling one of life’s biggest questions in search of answers for Fixers of all ages, from fresh graduates charting their first career moves to seasoned executives craving something more. In this episode, Anne sits down with Molly Graham, a former executive at Facebook and the new host of TED’s WorkLife podcast, to explore what it means to pursue meaningful work and stay open to opportunities you never saw coming. They also answer a question from a new graduate about finding your purpose somewhere between work and life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 27 · 44 min
Finding Purpose: How to give your work meaning (w/ the New York Times Jodi Kantor) | from Fixable
In uncertain times, purposeful work can feel impractical and out of reach. But award-winning investigative reporter Jodi Kantor argues that meaning is both essential and available to all of us. Anne and Frances dive into the lessons from Jodi’s latest book, “How to Start: Discovering Your Life's Work,” and explore practical strategies for anyone looking to chart a more purposeful career. The three also discuss two key principles for finding work that matters and challenge the idea that economic stability and purpose are mutually exclusive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 27 · 36 min
Finding Purpose: How to defend your values (w/ Yara Shahidi & Keri Salter) | from Fixable
In a world that won’t stop changing, knowing what matters most can make all the difference. Yara Shahidi and Keri Salter are a mother-daughter duo building a more inclusive and imaginative Hollywood through their production company, 7th Sun Productions. In this episode, Anne sits down with Yara and Keri at the TED Conference in Vancouver to dig into their “highest order” framework for aligning purpose with priorities. They also reflect on how purpose evolves over a lifetime and explore what today’s changemakers can learn from previous generations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 27 · 51 min
Finding Purpose: Why purpose is the answer to uncertainty and anxiety (w/ Arun Gupta) | from Fixable
Work today is a lot less stable than it used to be. Career paths that once seemed predictable are constantly being disrupted and reshaped, leaving many of us feeling unsteady. In this final episode of the Finding Purpose series, Anne and Frances are joined by Arun Gupta, CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, who has spent his career helping people find ways to serve causes bigger than themselves. Arun makes the case for why following your purpose can be a powerful antidote to instability and anxiety, and shares practical ways to discover your own purpose. Anne and Frances also reflect on what they’ve learned from guests throughout the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 24 · 19 min
A plan to stop AI from automating our decline | Gina Raimondo
The United States is on track to win the AI race — and hollow itself out in the process, says Gina Raimondo, former Governor of Rhode Island and US Secretary of Commerce. In this unflinching look at the threat of AI-induced economic disruption and social unrest, she offers a concrete blueprint to prepare workers for what’s coming next. "AI is a 100-year technology and needs a 100-year response," she says. Is America up to the challenge? After, Modupe talks about why people shouldn't be punished for taking time to find new ways to work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 17 · 17 min
My $60 million science experiment | Mark Rober
Mark Rober spent years trying to land a rover on Mars. Now, the former NASA engineer turned science YouTuber with millions of subscribers is launching a new mission: to teach the next generation of big problem solvers. That's why he's spending 60 million dollars to build a STEM curriculum kids actually want. With squirrel obstacle courses, giant lasers and elephant toothpaste explosions, who wouldn't want to learn from YouTube's top engineer? After, Modupe urges you to imagine your favorite teacher—what qualities of theirs made class engaging and made you feel heard? And how can you bring those qualities and characteristics into your work life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 10 · 17 min
How to build a career you actually love | Bill Gurley
Passion doesn't drive work — fascination does, says venture capitalist and author Bill Gurley. Drawing on years of research into the lives of high achievers, he shows why obsessive, lifelong learning is the real engine of career excellence. After, Modupe urges you to try something new with a friend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 3 · 46 min
What sitting all day does to your brain and body | Keith Diaz | Your Body on Tech
Can a five-minute walk change how you feel all day? Exercise scientist Keith Diaz shows how your body is built for the kind of movement that modern life has quietly erased — and suggests something refreshingly doable: making time for small doses of movement sprinkled throughout the day, as a way to boost your brain and body. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond. This is episode one of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 30 · 17 min
Modupe's Top 5 (#1): Why you should talk about your anxiety at work | Adam Whybrew
We can't get rid of anxiety and depression, so we might as well talk about it, says depression truth-teller Adam Whybrew. Sharing his own experience with mental illness, he reveals the surprising benefits of opening up about stress at work — and why being vulnerable creates a safe space for everyone. After the talk, Modupe discusses why we all need to advocate for important causes on an institutional level — and how to start. (This episode originally aired in 2024.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 30 · 18 min
Modupe's Top 5 (#2): How to break through fear and become a leader | Valerie Montgomery Rice
Vigilance. Grit. Resilience. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, shares where she learned these key qualities of successful leadership, offering three lessons for anyone who wants to overcome their fears, stand up for what’s right and build opportunity for all. After the talk, Modupe urges us all to tell our own stories. (This episode originally aired in 2024.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 30 · 18 min
Modupe's Top 5 (#3): How to get people to do what you want | Barry Sonnenfeld
As a film and television director, Barry Sonnenfeld had millions of dollars riding on his ability to get his cast and crew to play along — and much of what he learned along the way applies to everyday life. Here, he shares nine bits of wisdom and whimsy gleaned from 40 years in entertainment. So the next time you encounter a screaming bully, you too will know what to do. After the talk, Modupe shares three questions to help you reflect on your message delivery. (This episode originally aired in 2025.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 30 · 21 min
Modupe's Top 5 (#4): The value of kindness at work | James Rhee
Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of compassion at work -- and shows why we should all lead with our hearts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 30 · 18 min
Modupe's Top 5 (#5): What does "wealth" mean to you? | Aisha Nyandoro
For people living in poverty, a guaranteed income can mean finally having the space to dream of a comfortable life. Sharing the stories of single moms who participated in a first-of-its-kind program that offered them $1,000 per month with no strings attached, poverty disrupter Aisha Nyandoro calls for us to redefine what it means to be wealthy — putting aside lavish vacations and fancy cars in favor of paid bills and a well-fed family — and to listen when people tell us what they need most. After the talk, Modupe dives deeper into what it means to really let individuals and families decide what to do with their own money. (This episode originally aired in 2023.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 27 · 15 min
Why overtourism could ruin your next vacation | Suresh Subudhi
When was your last unforgettable trip? Travel industry expert Suresh Subudhi believes joyful moments of connection are the reason we explore the world — but with vacation hotspots overrun and locals pushed to the brink, tourists have become unwelcome guests. Proposing a new way to use technology to stop loving our favorite destinations to death, he shows what travel could look like if we got it right. After, Modupe asks howcan you become joyfully present in your life and in your workplace this week? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 20 · 13 min
A simple solution to fix workplace miscommunication | Melissa M. Mikus
Leadership expert Melissa M. Mikus breaks down why most workplace friction isn't about personality clashes or bad intentions — it's about not knowing how to effectively communicate. Her solution? A small, visible and easy tweak that anyone can implement right away. Then after the talk, Modupe shares some questions to get you started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 13 · 15 min
The counterintuitive secret of leadership | Jessica Kriegel
Control is an illusion — and the leaders who chase it are holding their teams back. Workplace culture expert Jessica Kriegel explores the tactic that leaders who want to achieve extraordinary results should try instead. After, Modupe challenges listeners to reflect on what's something they can surrender in their lives? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 6 · 16 min
How to give feedback that lands | Renee St Jacques
Most managers give feedback. Few give feedback that actually works. Drawing on her background in psychology and executive coaching, Renee St Jacques breaks down what so many well-intentioned leaders get wrong — and introduces a three-part framework to help teams rebuild trust and perform at their best. After the talk, Modupe shares her best practices for giving feedback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 29 · 31 min
Why the smartest person in the room is asking the “dumb” questions with Molly Graham
One of our favorite TED talks on TED Business is from company builder Molly Graham. She’s also the new host of WorkLife with Molly Graham, another podcast from TED. Modupe sits down with Molly at TED2026 to talk about her journey from Facebook to giving her first TED Talk to now joining TED as a podcaster. Molly shares how she quietens her inner critic whom she affectionately calls “Bob the Monster,” what she learned from working alongside influential leaders to scale companies, and why she always advises managers to “give away their Legos.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 22 · 44 min
Why you should stop chasing your “dream job” (w/ Emily the Recruiter) | from Fixable
Does your “dream job” really exist? You may know Emily Durham as Emily the Recruiter on social media, where she shares practical, refreshingly honest career advice and coaches people through the biggest professional decisions of their lives. Emily doesn’t believe in the idea of a dream job. In this episode, she joins Anne to make the case for the “awake job” that actively fits into your purpose, lifestyle, and financial needs. Emily reflects on how her own purpose has evolved over time, and answers questions from listeners about how to gracefully quit a job, find a path forward when you feel stuck, and communicate your values to a potential employer. Find more episodes from a special series on finding more purpose at work only on Fixable: https://link.mgln.ai/SVuDJo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 21–40 of 48 episodes