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

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26 episodes
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Thursday · 53 min
Living a Meaningful Life (1/5): Aging, menopause, and rethinking fashion for comfort in midlife with Stacy London
“My lens around style doesn’t have anything to do with style anymore — it’s about physicality,” says stylist and fashion consultant Stacy London. “What do I want to be able to do? How do I keep myself strong?” Stacy’s message has resonated for many women, and for this episode, she joins Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, host of TED Health, at TED2025 for a special live conversation about why women are so embarrassed to talk about aging. For Stacy, aging became a chance to reassess her relationship to her body, and her experience with menopause and spinal surgery shifted her focus to health and wellbeing. Her best advice on what you can do to feel good in your skin? Throw away the most painful pair of shoes you own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 23 min
Living a Meaningful Life (2/5): Why venting doesn’t help you deal with anger | Jennifer Parlamis
Does venting actually help you cool off, or does it just add fuel to the fire? Social psychologist Jennifer Parlamis busts common myths about anger, showing how curiosity — not catharsis — can keep you calm. Discover the surprising science behind anger management and four practical tools for building stronger relationships from a researcher who’s rethinking Freud, one deep breath at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 15 min
Living a Meaningful Life (3/5): Your guide to finding a workout that works
Welcome back to our "A Healthier You" series, where TED Health host Shoshana Ungerleider guides you on a journey to your healthiest self. Join her and healthcare experts as they uncover insights that could revolutionize your understanding of health – from your heart to your brain to your gut. Embarking on a fitness journey can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be intimidating. In today's episode, Shoshana unveils practical strategies for creating an exercise routine that lasts and explores all kinds of workouts – from weightlifting to walking. She shares motivational fitness tips that will inspire both beginners and experienced athletes to move more, even amid life's busy schedules. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 26 min
Living a Meaningful Life (4/5): How to achieve fulfillment -- not just success | Ira Bedzow
Join Shoshana in this live taping at TEDNext 2024 for a perspective-shifting conversation on achievement with ethicist, author, and rabbi Ira Bedzow. Shoshana and Ira challenge the way today’s culture and individuals look at success, exploring life’s deeper meaning and purpose in a time that celebrates "urgency culture." You’ll gain practical strategies for reducing burnout, improving your mental well-being, and aligning your actions with your values. This is the last episode of our series "A Healthier You" -- check out the rest of the episodes and tell us what you think by leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thursday · 24 min
Living a Meaningful Life (5/5): What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix
Have we lost the practical wisdom of what happens as people die? With lessons from a career witnessing thousands of people's final breaths, palliative care expert Kathryn Mannix urges us to demystify the experience of death, sharing how a better understanding of what actually happens can reduce fear in the final days, for you and your loved ones. After the talk, Shoshana shares how one patient changed her life forever and led her to found endwellproject.org, a platform dedicated to making end-of-life PART of life. This episode originally aired on March 26, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 25 · 33 min
How to actually take care of your eye health with Rupa Wong (Senses Miniseries #3)
Are screens ruining our eyesight? Will eating carrots fix your vision? And are blue light glasses essential… or a scam?! In this episode in the five-part miniseries on senses, Dr. Rupa Wong joins Shoshana to talk about eye diseases, what technology is doing to our vision, and why spending at least 2 hours a day in the sun can help your eyesight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 18 · 17 min
What happens in your brain when you taste food | Camilla Arndal Andersen (Senses Miniseries #2)
With fascinating research and hilarious anecdotes, neuroscientist Camilla Arndal Andersen takes us into the lab where she studies people's sense of taste via brain scans. She reveals surprising insights about the way our brains subconsciously experience food -- and shows how this data could help us eat healthier without sacrificing taste. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 11 · 26 min
Does touch strengthen your brain? with David Eagleman (Senses Miniseries #1)
David Eagleman is a neuroscientist who studies brain plasticity and how our senses help us perceive the world. Over the next 5 weeks, Shoshana is diving into ideas about our senses. First up she invites David to talk about touch and its relationship to brain plasticity. She then asks what role touch plays in a world that is increasingly digital and mediated by screens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 4 · 54 min
What we're getting wrong about teens and tech | Candice Odgers | Your Body on Tech
Trigger warning - this episode contains mention of suicide and severe depression. For years, the warning has been: smartphones are destroying a generation. But developmental psychologist Candice Odgers says that decades of data on teens tells a different story — violence, alcohol use and pregnancy are at historic lows, and research shows social media may not actually be the culprit for mental health problems. Hear her analysis of what’s really troubling kids these days, and why banning them from online spaces may make things worse. And stick around after her talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas she shared on stage and beyond. This is episode two 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 · 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.
July 30 · 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.
July 30 · 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.
July 30 · 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.
July 30 · 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.

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