Why you should make a spectacle out of life with Lear deBessonet | How to Be a Better Human

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This is an episode of ReThinking with Adam Grant. Cal Newport knows a thing or two about productivity: when he’s not teaching computer science at Georgetown, he’s writing for The New Yorker, hosting a podcast, or authoring New York Times bestsellers like “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism.” In his new book, “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout”, Cal proposes that we trade current standards of rapid output for slower, higher-quality, and sustainable ways of working. Adam and Cal dig into the data on productivity, debate the benefits and drawbacks of doing fewer things (and spending less time on email and social media), and discuss individual habits and organizational practices for preventing burnout and promoting worthwhile work.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time something you watched struck you? Award-winning theater director Lear deBessonet is deeply passionate about spectacle – and thinks you should be too. She shares the unexpected connections, wonder, and creativity that come from finding the unusual, notable, or entertaining; in common everyday experiences — and why you should look for more ways to create spectacle in your own life. Plus, learn why Lear has been rejected by ‘the San Diego chicken’ multiple times.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for our periodic update of good news from Angus Hervey, founder of Fix the News, an independent publication that reports stories of global progress. In a quick talk, he shares three major updates of recent human progress on eradicating ancient diseases, establishing massive new ocean sanctuaries and transforming children's rights. (This conversation was recorded on December 2, 2024.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientists are getting closer to giving humans the power to communicate with their thoughts alone. In a live demo, researcher Chin-Teng Lin shows how brain-computer interfaces can translate a person's neural signals into text on a computer, potentially opening up a new realm of communication that turns silent thought into words. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sight of mistletoe may either send you scurrying or, if you have your eye on someone, awaiting an opportunity beneath its snow-white berries. But how did the festive tradition of kissing under mistletoe come about? Carlos Reif explains how this long-lived custom intertwines the mythology and biology of this intriguing plant. [Directed by Bálint Gelley, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Gergely Buttinger]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can artificial intelligence be funny, or is comedy a uniquely human trait? In this witty and insightful talk, cartoonist Bob Mankoff explores the art of humor, the evolution of AI and what happens when the two collide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The end of the year is often a time to reflect and spend time with family — activities that may seem joyful or anxiety-inducing, depending on your circumstances. Psychologist Guy Winch offers actionable advice on how to manage your emotions with confidence during the holidays, from setting boundaries to healing heartache — above all reminding you that emotional health is possible, as long as you're informed and willing to do the work. (This live conversation was hosted by TED's Whitney Pennington Rodgers. Visit ted.com/membership to support TED today and join more exclusive events like this one.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. Do you feel like you’re hitting a wall at work? This week, Anne and Frances are joined by Master Fixers Bob Sutton and Huggy Rao. Bob and Huggy are professors at Stanford University and authors of “The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder”. Together, the four discuss how anyone can eliminate the obstacles to doing their best work—and create constraints that make work even better. If you like this episode, get more Fixable wherever you are listening to this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a lively conversation from TED's brand-new Next Stage, social scientist Kasley Killam, technologist Apolinário Passos and futurist AC Coppens explore the intricate dynamics of human-AI relationships — and show how AI is already changing the ways we live, work and connect with each other. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TED Fellow and composer Sahba Aminikia brings the healing power of dance, storytelling, music and performance to some of the most dangerous places on Earth. By celebrating children and their communities with beauty and joy, he shows how to cultivate hope, connection and love — even in conflict zones. "The ultimate power is in unity," Aminikia says. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.