TED Health

TED

What does exercise do to your brain? Can psychedelics treat depression? From smart daily habits to new medical breakthroughs, welcome to TED Health, with host Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider. TED speakers answer questions you never even knew you had, and share ideas you won't hear anywhere else, all around how we can live healthier lives.

Follow Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider on Instagram at @shoshanamd and LinkedIn at @shoshanaungerleidermd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 40 min
Shoshana's Summer Playlist (1/5): How to stop feeling tired all the time with Dr. Alexandra Crosswell
Why do we feel exhausted all the time? We’ll get through the workday, collapse on the couch, scroll for a while, and go to bed… but wake up still feeling depleted. In this episode, Shoshana seeks to understand the concept of“deep rest.” She speaks to psychologist Dr. Alexandra Crosswell on the role stress plays in our daily lives and what safety has to do with bodily repair and restoration. Talk featured What’s the best position to sleep in? | Rachel Marie E. Salas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 38 min
Shoshana's Summer Playlist (2/5): What happens to your brain without any social contact? with Dr. Vivek Murthy
In this episode, Shoshana invites Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, to discuss the ongoing loneliness epidemic. After the interview, Shoshana shares a TED-Ed talk from Terry Kupers, "What happens to your brain without social contact?" Everyone needs time to themselves, and peaceful solitude has stress-relieving benefits. But when being alone is forced upon you, the effects can be surprisingly extensive. And though different people experience distinct effects, symptoms tend to become more severe and persistent the longer they're isolated. So, how exactly does isolation affect your body and brain? Terry Kupers investigates. [Directed by Camille Bovey, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Stephen LaRosa]. tid156465tid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 34 min
Shoshana's Summer Playlist (3/5): The secrets to aging well with Zeke Emanuel
When has healthcare advice become so complicated? And how should we be thinking about long-term wellness? Zeke Emanuel is an oncologist and bioethnicist whose latest book, Eat Your Ice Cream, might sound paradoxical against modern health trends and wellness noise. Zeke joins Shoshana to discuss what healthy aging looks like and why it’s never too late to practice health habits. Talk featured TED-Ed: The 3 best predictors of how well you’ll age | Juulia Jylhava tid163157tid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 25 min
Shoshana's Summer Playlist (4/5): Your gut’s guide to a happier microbiome | Megan Rossi
In this episode, Shoshana sits down with Dr. Megan Rossi, aka The Gut Health Doctor. As a leading scientist, registered dietitian, and nutritionist, Dr. Rossi reveals the crucial link between digestion and general health. She debunks common myths about the microbes that help (or harm) us, and shares accessible, evidence-based nutrition strategies to help you transform your diet for a happier, balanced gut microbiome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 35 min
Shoshana's Summer Playlist (5/5): What happens in your brain when you pay attention? with Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Attention isn't just about what we focus on -- it's also about what our brains filter out. By investigating patterns in the brain as people try to focus, computational neuroscientist Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar hopes to build computer models that can be used to treat ADHD and help those who have lost the ability to communicate. Hear more about this exciting science in this brief, fascinating talk. After the talk, Shoshana speaks with psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani on transforming healthcare for patients and families with ADHD. tid2798tid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 28 · 23 min
The women’s health conversation we’re not having with Elizabeth Micks, Chen X. Chen, and Alison Edelman
Many women move through major life transitions without getting clear information about what's happening in their own bodies. Whether it’s conversations about painful periods or menopause, fertility or contraceptives, these topics affect millions of people everyday, but they are difficult to talk about openly. In this episode, Shoshana sharesthree TED Ed lessons centered around women’s health help you understand your body better. Talks featured What is vaginal discharge, and what does it say about your health? | Elizabeth Micks 3 things that can cause painful periods | Chen X. Chen How does the morning-after pill prevent pregnancy? | Alison Edelman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 21 · 33 min
The science on improving your brain health with Dr. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai
When does normal aging end and something more concerning begins? In this episode Shoshana invites neurologist Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai to discuss their studies on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. They debunk myths around Alzheimer, discuss what a brain-healthy way of eating looks like, and share why good sleep hygiene is more crucial for brain health than you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 14 · 17 min
The science of gratitude and happiness with Sonja Lyubomirsky
What’s something that makes your life immeasurably better? For Shoshana, it’s habits people often overlook, such as a good night's rest or a conversation with a friend. In this episode, Shoshana shares a TED Ed lesson on how practicing gratitude makes life more meaningful. Then, psychologist Sonja Lyubormisky talks about the science of happiness and why our relationships with others affect our health. Talks featured Sonja Lyubomirsky: 1 thing you can do today to be happier TED-Ed | How to increase your happiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 7 · 19 min
How nearly dying helped me discover my own cure (and many more) | David Fajgenbaum
Physician-scientist David Fajgenbaum was dying from a rare disease that didn't have a cure — until he discovered a lifesaving drug that wasn't originally intended for his condition. In an astonishing talk, he shares how his near-death experience led him to cofound the nonprofit Every Cure, which is using AI to uncover hidden treatments in existing medicines in order to save lives. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 30 · 24 min
How to support parents of children with autism | Quentin Mezetin
In this powerful and personal talk, Quentin Mezetin shares his journey raising two sons with autism—and the challenges of parenting in a world that often treats neurological differences as deficits. As he reflects on his family’s experience, he points to a powerful statistic from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2000—1 in 150 children in the U.S. were diagnosed with autism; by 2020, that number rose to 1 in 36. This rise isn't just a data point—it’s a call to action. Quentin urges us to build a society that uplifts and includes every child, and the need to confront ableism head on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 23 · 27 min
The Data Center Next Door with Dr. Jacoby Wilson | from TED Tech
Imagine if one day, your quiet neighborhood came alive with a steady hum… and it never went away? All throughout the United States, data centers are popping up next door and in your backyards. These buildings guzzle millions of water, cause noise pollution, and are raising homeowners’ utility bills. In this first episode of a four-part miniseries, Sherrell interviews environmental health scientist Dr. Jacoby Wilson on what happens when data centers infiltrate a neighborhood. They discuss why data centers disproportionately undermine working class communities and how Dr. Wilson is working developing ordinances to better regulate data centers and holding planning commissions accountable. This episode is part of a special series on TED Tech on data centers and their impact on our environment and communities. Listen to the rest of the series, only on TED Tech: https://link.mgln.ai/BvgoLQ Talk featured How to build an equitable and just climate future | Peggy Shepard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 16 · 28 min
A medical mythbuster's mission to improve health care | Joel Bervell (re-release)
Joel Bervell was one of the only Black students in his medical school program. After noticing how misconceptions about race were embedded in health care, he turned to social media to raise awareness about the harmful impact of biases in medicine. He unpacks the long history of race-based health care disparities — and shows what the medical field can do to better serve all patients. After the talk, Joel and Shoshana talk about the role AI and tech play in perpetuating biases and Joel's forthcoming animated children tv show, The Doctor Is In. (This episode originally aired in 2025) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 9 · 20 min
Athletes fear concussions—why don’t they report them? | Ben Jones
In a society that grows ever more risk averse, how do we balance fun and competition with our responsibilities to keep one another safe? In this talk, sport science professor Ben Jones explores our assumptions about contact sports. He reflects on our perceptions of risk and reward and offers a path to a safer sporting experience for amateurs and professionals alike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 2 · 29 min
The future of cancer treatment and immunotherapy with researcher Dr. Alicia Zhou
Dr. Alicia Zhou is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Research Institute—the oldest nonprofit in the world devoted exclusively to cancer immunology and immunotherapy. She joins Shoshana to discuss the innovations happening in cancer research, how immunotherapy is different from chemotherapy and radiation, what doctors can do to make clinical trials less intimidating, and why the conversation around cancer will change in the next 10 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26 · 18 min
How your brain affects your mind with Alex Rosenthal and Susan G. Wardle
Picture this. You're scrolling late at night and a reel pops up advertising a seemingly magical wellness product with some scientific-sounding marketing language. Do you stick around and maybe even believe it? Or do you scroll away? In this episode, Shoshana explores the mind, and how perception affects it. She shares two talks about how different people can experience reality in wildly different ways. First, Alex Rosenthal shares how having aphantasia prevents him from generating mental images, then Susan G. Wardle dives into the science of perception and why some people see faces in places that don’t exist, like clouds and even potato chips. Talk featured Can you picture things in your mind? I can't | Alex Rosenthal What it means if you can see faces in objects | Susan G. Wardle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 39 min
How to stop feeling tired all the time with Dr. Alexandra Crosswell
Why do we feel exhausted all the time? We’ll get through the workday, collapse on the couch, scroll for a while, and go to bed… but wake up still feeling depleted. In this episode, Shoshana seeks to understand the concept of“deep rest.” She speaks to psychologist Dr. Alexandra Crosswell on the role stress plays in our daily lives and what safety has to do with bodily repair and restoration. Talk featured What’s the best position to sleep in? | Rachel Marie E. Salas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 30 min
Silence and stillness, the universal medicine | Pico Iyer, Elise Hu
In a world growing louder, faster and more fractured, author Pico Iyer makes the case for a radical act of repair. Explore why tapping into silence may be the best medicine you can give yourself, and everyone around you. (Following his talk at TED2025, he joins Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to share how he finds time for silence and mindfulness in a hyperactive world, why he avoids going online and how his previous TED Talk about ping pong led to him being cast in the film “Marty Supreme.”) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 30 min
What are allergies — and how to get rid of them with Dr. Zachary Rubin
Does eating local honey help reduce your allergies through microexposure to local pollen? How effective is at-home allergies test? And why do so many Olympic athletes have asthma? These are some of the questions raised in today’s conversation with immunologist Dr. Zachary Rubin. From cat dander to pollen to peanuts, Dr. Rubin discusses how having minor to severe allergies can affect your health and what you can do to manage your allergies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 28 · 20 min
How to raise kids who can handle hard things | Kathryn Hecht
Could exposing kids to their fears help them thrive later on in life? Exploring the science of exposure therapy, pediatric psychologist Kathryn Hecht shows how encouraging children to handle discomfort builds confidence and resilience. Through personal stories and practical strategies, she shares the secret for raising kids ready to meet life’s challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 30 min
The psychology of forgiveness with Michael McCullough | from WorkLife with Adam Grant
In this season of WorkLife, we’re pairing each of our regular episodes with a companion interview to do a deeper dive into the topic. This is the companion for our episode on the secrets of a great apology. Michael McCullough is a psychology professor at UC San Diego and a pioneer in the study of forgiveness, gratitude, and empathy—he finds that although forgiveness is important, it isn’t always the answer to conflict. Michael and Adam discuss why humans evolved to forgive, examine what causes people to hold grudges, and settle last episode’s debate about whether it’s appropriate to ask for forgiveness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.