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How to Be a Better Human

TED and PRX

Join How to Be a Better Human as we take a look within and beyond ourselves.

How to Be a Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join comedian 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.

Join How to Be a Better Human as we take a look within and beyond ourselves.

How to Be a Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join comedian 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.

90hr 1min
Thumbnail for "Do we have something to learn from conspiracy theories? (w/ Peter McIndoe)".
performance artist and filmmaker
Thumbnail for "How to finally embrace your body (w/ Ronald Young Jr.)".
podcast host
Thumbnail for "How to gain perspective in a climate crisis (w/ David Finnigan)".
Writer and theatre-maker
Thumbnail for "How to reclaim your cringe".
Podcast hosts
Thumbnail for "Why you should make a spectacle out of life (w/ Lear deBessonet)".
Making a spectacle with Lear deBessonet
Thumbnail for "How to let go of needing a plan (w/ Reggie Watts)".
Reggie Watts on improvisation, laughter and ridiculousness.
Thumbnail for "Why solving global issues is more accessible than we think (w/ Angeline Murimirwa)".
CEO of Camfed
Thumbnail for "Why is talking about money and class so awkward?! (w/ Jonathan Menjivar)".
Podcast host
Thumbnail for "How to approach the daunting question: who am I? (w/ Brian Lowery)".
Author and social psychologist
Thumbnail for "How peace can persevere (w/ Aziz Abu Sarah)".
peace activist, journalist, social entrepreneur
Thumbnail for "How labor unions shape society ".
Thumbnail for "How to be less cynical (w/ Jamil Zaki)".
Psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to be an adult - and how to raise one (w/ Julie Lythcott-Haims) (re-release)".
Author and educator
Thumbnail for "How to re-spark your imagination (w/ Anab Jain)".
Designer
Thumbnail for "How to tap into your creativity using technology (w/ Claire Silver) (from The TED AI Show)".
AI artist
Thumbnail for "How to craft the work-life balance you deserve".
Rethinking burnout
Thumbnail for "How to get into nature and out of your head".
Outside time
Thumbnail for "How to be civil even if you disagree (w/ Alexandra Hudson)".
Author and speaker
Thumbnail for "How to make grassroots political change (w/ Katie Fahey)".
Activist
Thumbnail for "How to have a say in how society is built w/ Tessza Udvarhelyi".
Activist and Educator
Thumbnail for "Why spirituality is important in our increasingly secular world (w/ David DeSteno)".
Psychologist, author, podcast host
Thumbnail for "How to be brave when family life gets tough (w/Kelly Corrigan)".
Author, podcast and TV host
Thumbnail for "The art of paying attention (w/ Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman)".
Artists and Writers
Thumbnail for "The meaning of embodiment w/ Prentis Hemphill".
Author and therapist
Thumbnail for "How to stay grounded in an increasingly artificial world (from The TED AI Show)".
How is AI shaping human stuff?
Thumbnail for "How to follow the laws of nature (w/ Nonette Royo)".
Lawyer and activist
Thumbnail for "How to give and receive good advice (w/ Hola Papi’s John Paul Brammer)".
Columnist, author, and illustrator
Thumbnail for "Re-release: How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries (with Ebony Roberts)".
writer, educator, activist
Thumbnail for "How to laugh at yourself (w/ Nuar Alsadir)".
poet and psychotherapist
Thumbnail for "How to build resilience through architecture (w/ Alyssa-Amor Gibbons)".
Architect and designer
Thumbnail for "How to find food in your own backyard (w/ Alexis Nikole Nelson)".
Black Forager
Thumbnail for "How to develop the habits you want – and get rid of the ones you don’t (w/ James Clear)".
Author
Thumbnail for "How to find “your thing” (or your many things) –  (w/ Constance Hockaday)".
Artist
Thumbnail for "How to find wisdom and wholeness in a modern world (w/ Krista Tippett)".
Journalist, author, entrepreneur and host of On Being.
Thumbnail for "How to get workplace gender equity now (with Sara Sanford)".
Gender equity expert
Thumbnail for "What to do when the truth isn’t enough to be believed (w/ Dina Nayeri)".
Novelist and essayist
Thumbnail for "How to cultivate the skill of happiness (w/ Dan Harris)".
Host of Ten Percent Happier
Thumbnail for "How to find connection –and love– in everyday life (w/ Barbara Fredrickson)".
Psychologist
Thumbnail for "Re-release: Why love –and therapy– means going in a direction you don’t yet know (w/ Dr. Orna Guralnik)".
Therapist and TV host
Thumbnail for "How to be good enough in America (w/ Wajahat Ali)".
Author and columnist
Thumbnail for "How to discover your authentic self -- at any age (w/ Bevy Smith)".
Author and television host
Thumbnail for "How to make generosity contagious (w/ Chris Anderson)".
The head of TED
Thumbnail for "Why you should start thinking about death (w/ Alua Arthur)".
Death Doula and founder of Going with Grace
Thumbnail for "How to think critically about history -- and why it matters (w/ David Ikard) (Re-release)".
Historian and artist
Thumbnail for "Re-release: How to lead a happier, more fulfilling life (with Dr. Robert Waldinger)".
Psychiatrist and author
Thumbnail for "Re-release: How learning about indigenous foods can open up your worldview (with Sean Sherman)".
Sean Sherman, Chef and food educator
Thumbnail for "Lessons from 102-year-old swimmer Maurine Kornfeld".
Champion swimmer
Thumbnail for "What do our guests do to be better humans? ".
Our favorite inspirations
Thumbnail for "The perks of listening to the sounds of the world (w/ Dallas Taylor)".
Sound designer and podcaster
Thumbnail for "How comedy helps us deal with hard truths (w/ Roy Wood Jr.)".
Comedian, journalist, actor
Thumbnail for "How to solve your problems through drawing (w/ Liana Finck)".
Cartoonist and author
Thumbnail for "Why you should try birding (w/ Christian Cooper)".
Writer, Birder and TV Host
Thumbnail for "How do I know what my future self wants? (w/ Shankar Vedantam)".
Host and creator of Hidden Brain
Thumbnail for "How to build better relationships between kids, parents, and ourselves (w/ Dr. Becky Kennedy)".
Author and therapist
Thumbnail for "What vision loss helped Andrew Leland gain".
Author and audio producer
Thumbnail for "How labor unions create worker power (w/ Margaret Levi) (Re-release)".
Professor and political economist
Thumbnail for "How changing your story can change your life (w/ Lori Gottlieb)".
Therapist and writer
Thumbnail for "Why your brain is an unreliable narrator (w/ Aparna Nancherla)".
Comedian and author
Thumbnail for "How to Love Criticism | WorkLife with Adam Grant".
Another podcast from the TED Audio Collective
Thumbnail for "Episode 1: The Internet’s First Main Character? | The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks".
a new show from the TED Audio Collective,
Thumbnail for "How To Love Your Face (from Slate's How To!)".
a podcast from Slate
Thumbnail for "How can art hold space for your pain? (w/ Jessie Reyez)".
Songwriter and performer
Thumbnail for "Why we should rethink what mental health means (w/ Sandy Allen)".
Author and journalist
Thumbnail for "Fixable: “How do I deal with a communication breakdown?"".
another podcast from the TED Audio Collective
Thumbnail for "How to travel without even leaving home (w/ Saleem Reshamwala)".
filmmaker and host
Thumbnail for "Listen to Ten Percent Happier ft. Get Fit Sanely series".
Do you want to live longer, exercise smarter & eat better? Ten Percent Happier has a series of podcast episodes to help you do just that, featuring experts in science and Buddhism. Listen here: https://link.chtbl.com/vX0o7hLd.
Thumbnail for "What will you do with your one wild and precious planet?  (w/ Bill McKibben)".
environmentalist, author, and journalist
Thumbnail for "How to embrace – and challenge – the idea of “beauty” (w / Elise Hu)".
Author and host of TED Talks Daily
Thumbnail for "How to be an adult – and how to raise one (w/ Julie Lythcott-Haims)".
Author and educator
Thumbnail for "What we can learn from great salespeople (w/ Colin Coggins)".
Executive leader and author
Thumbnail for "How to set boundaries and find peace (w/ Nedra Glover Tawwab)".
therapist and author
Thumbnail for "How to dive into your fears (w/ Jill Heinerth)".
Author and cave diver
Thumbnail for "How to stop finding your self-worth through your job (w/ Gloria Chan Packer)".
mental wellness educator
Thumbnail for "The secret to making new friends as an adult (w/  Marisa G. Franco)".
author and psychologist
Thumbnail for "The difference between easy and difficult beauty (w/ Chloe Cooper Jones)".
Philosopher and journalist
Thumbnail for "ALOK is microdosing creativity and rejecting norms".
Poet, author and comedian
Thumbnail for "How to keep house while drowning (w/ KC Davis) ".
Therapist and author
Thumbnail for "Fixable: Kelli - “How do I deal with a communication breakdown?".
Kelli is a nurse at a leading teaching hospital where communication issues are not only leading to resentment – they could also be affecting patient care. After hearing from Kelli about the larger problems at play in the healthcare space, Anne and Frances discuss the link between communication and transparency and guide Kelli into taking matters into her own hands. This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. If you want to be on Fixable, call our hotline at 234-Fixable (that’s 234-349-2253) to leave Anne and Frances a voicemail with your workplace problem. To hear more episodes on how to fix your work problems, fast, follow Fixable wherever you're listening to this.
Thumbnail for "Stephen Satterfield wants his meals to match his ideals".
Sommelier, writer, documentarian
Thumbnail for "Julissa Arce on why success isn’t worth her assimilation".
Writer and activist
Thumbnail for "Why Kim Scott thinks you need to ask for feedback".
Author and consultant
Thumbnail for "Cord Jefferson's creativity is fueled by mental health".
Screenwriter and Director
Thumbnail for "Anne Helen Petersen on changing your relationship to work and the guardrails that can prevent burnout".
Author and podcast host
Thumbnail for "Pardon the Interruption… But Did Sports Debate Shows Change the World?".
Good Sport, a new show from the TED Audio Collective
Thumbnail for "Why love –and therapy– means going in a direction you don’t yet know (w/ Dr. Orna Guralnik)".
Psychologist and psychoanalyst
Thumbnail for "Jody Avirgan learned everything from sports".
Journalist and Ultimate Frisbee Champion
Thumbnail for "Andrew Marantz doesn’t want you to give up on the internet".
Journalist and author
Thumbnail for "The science of happiness (w/ Laurie Santos)".
Professor and podcaster
Thumbnail for "How to care for the people who take care of us (w/ Ai-jen Poo)".
Labor activist and MacArthur Genius
Thumbnail for "There is no “grief starter pack” (w/ Michael Cruz Kayne)".
Comedian and podcaster
Thumbnail for "You can do better than a New Year’s resolution (w/ Gretchen Rubin)".
Author and podcast host
Thumbnail for "How to answer your biggest questions—with data (w/ Mona Chalabi)".
Data journalist
Thumbnail for "How to have curious conversations in dangerously divided times (w/ Mónica Guzmán) ".
Journalist and storyteller
Thumbnail for "How to take charge of your money (w/ Wendy De La Rosa)".
Behavioral scientist
Thumbnail for "How free solo climber Alex Honnold faces fear | ReThinking with Adam Grant".
Rock-climber
Thumbnail for "How labor unions create worker power (w/ Margaret Levi)".
Political economist
Thumbnail for "How to stand up for what you believe in (w/ Luvvie Ajayi Jones) ".
Author and podcaster
Thumbnail for "How to tell your authentic story (with Noor Tagouri)".
Journalist
Thumbnail for "How to get workplace gender equity now (with Sara Sanford)".
Gender equity expert
Thumbnail for "How to have great sex (with Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo)".
Sex educators
Thumbnail for "TED Tech: Why people and AI make good business partners | Shervin Khodabandeh".
AI expert
Thumbnail for "How to be perfect (with Michael Schur)".
Television writer, producer
Thumbnail for "How to get motivated - by losing?! (with Monica Wadhwa)".
Marketing professor
Thumbnail for "How to be okay when things are not okay (w/ Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien)".
Organizational design experts
Thumbnail for "How to embrace rejection (with Jia Jiang)".
Author, blogger, entrepreneur
Thumbnail for "How to let go of being a "good" person (with Dolly Chugh)".
Author, social psychologist
Thumbnail for "The TED Interview: How to predict the future with Jane McGonigal".
Future forecaster and game designer
Thumbnail for "How do you approach gender as a parent? (with LB Hannahs)".
Educator
Thumbnail for "How to make transformative ideas happen (with Frans Johansson)".
Writer
Thumbnail for "How to discover your humanity… through math? (with Francis Su)".
Mathematician and professor
Thumbnail for "How to find your voice (with Greta Morgan)".
Writer and musician
Thumbnail for "How to make yourself more human in an automated world (with Kevin Roose)".
Tech journalist
Thumbnail for "How to Find the Comedy in A Messed-Up World (with Maeve Higgins)".
Comedian and writer
Thumbnail for "How to unite people through art (with JR)".
Artist
Thumbnail for "Body Stuff: Do you really need 8 hours of sleep?".
We all know a good night’s sleep is essential, but for many people, sleeping well (or falling asleep at all) can be difficult and even stressful– and there’s no shortage of tales about what prevents people from catching their ZZZs.
Thumbnail for "How To Pitch Your Best Ideas | WorkLife with Adam Grant".
Great pitches can seem like genius or magic. But you don’t have to be a great salesperson to give a great pitch.
Thumbnail for "How to talk to a colleague who offended you".
Dionna and Denise had a professional relationship that mostly worked–until it didn’t.
Thumbnail for "How to find gratitude everyday".
Thank you to our listeners!
Thumbnail for "How creating space for joy can build resilience (with Miracle Jones)".
Miracle Jones, Activist and community organizer
Thumbnail for "How to nurture your “emotional agility” (with Susan David)".
Susan David, Psychologist and author
Thumbnail for "How to enrich your everyday life with poetry (with Sarah Kay)".
Sarah Kay, Poet and educator
Thumbnail for "How thinking critically about history shapes our future (with David Ikard)".
David Ikard, Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies
Thumbnail for "How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries (with Ebony Roberts)".
Ebony Roberts, Researcher
Thumbnail for "How to find health information you can trust (with Dr. Jen Gunter)".
Dr. Jen Gunter, OB/GYN and pain medicine physician
Thumbnail for "How practicing curiosity could help the world around you (with Joe Hanson)".
And why it's totally okay to be smart.
Thumbnail for "Am I Normal? with Mona Chalabi: How many friends do I need?".
A new podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Thumbnail for "How to be a better steward of the environment".
Being a better human for the planet.
Thumbnail for "How to find the humor in everyday life (with Jo Firestone)".
Jo Firestone, comedian
Thumbnail for "How engaging with the natural world benefits you-- and science (with Mary Ellen Hannibal)".
Mary Ellen Hannibal, Author and journalist
Thumbnail for "How to tap into your self-awareness-- and why it even matters (with Tasha Eurich)".
Tasha Eurich, Organizational psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to have conversations with people who hate you? (with Dylan Marron)".
Dylan Marron, Writer and performer
Thumbnail for "How to future-proof your career? (with Dorie Clark)".
Dorie Clark, Executive education and strategy
Thumbnail for "How humility and bravery can help your career".
Career advice from our guests.
Thumbnail for "Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Celebrating Pride".
Four icons reflect on their journeys
Thumbnail for "TED Climate: What happens to the plastic you throw away?".
Introducing a new show from the TED Audio Collective
Thumbnail for "Science of Happiness: Scheduling Time to Feel Awe".
How to Be a Better Human host Chris Duffy taps into awe
Thumbnail for "How to Be a Better Human Recommends".
Movies, podcasts, books, and more that made us better humans
Thumbnail for "How to really see patience as a virtue".
Exploring the benefits of this age old-virtue.
Thumbnail for "How to lead a happier, more fulfilling life (with Dr. Robert Waldinger)".
Dr. Rober Waldinger, Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen Priest
Thumbnail for "How to stop sabotaging your romantic relationships (with Raquel Peel)".
Raquel Peel, Psychology Researcher
Thumbnail for "How to deal with jerks in the workplace (with Christine Porath)".
Christine Porath, Management professor and researcher
Thumbnail for "How to become a better ally (with Nita Mosby Tyler)".
Nita Mosby Tyler, Equity advocate
Thumbnail for "How to create a more just future with your community (with Raj Jayadev)".
Raj Jayadev, Community organizer
Thumbnail for "How to forget about finding “The One”— and build a lasting relationship (with Dr. George Blair West)".
Dr. George Blair West, Psychiatrist
Thumbnail for "How to make language fun— and create a more inclusive world (with Juli Delgado Lopera)".
Juli Delgado Lopera, Writer and historian
Thumbnail for "How learning about indigenous foods can open up your worldview (with Sean Sherman)".
Sean Sherman, Chef and food educator
Thumbnail for "BODY STUFF: Why are we so awkward about poop? ".
Why some things we've learned about poop are a load of crap.
Thumbnail for "How to tap into the transformative power of reading (with Michelle Kuo)".
Michelle Kuo, Teacher, writer, lawyer
Thumbnail for "How zombies, dragons, and superheroes could make you a better person (with Christopher Robichaud)".
Christopher Robichaud, Moral philosopher
Thumbnail for "How to handle the ups and downs of social media (with Aparna Nancherla)".
Aparna Nancherla, Comedian
Thumbnail for "How to spend money to buy happiness (with Michael Norton)".
Michael Norton, Social science researcher
Thumbnail for "How to Rethink a Bad Decision | WorkLife with Adam Grant".
Adam Grant, Organizational psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to turn climate anxiety into action (with Luisa Neubauer)".
Luisa Neubauer, Student and climate activist
Thumbnail for "How to sleep like your relationships depend on it (with Wendy Troxel)".
Wendy Troxel, Sleep researcher
Thumbnail for "How to care for your community with radical hospitality (with Doniece Sandoval)".
Doniece Sandoval, Social activist and entrepreneur
Thumbnail for "How to have better conversations (with Celeste Headlee)".
Celeste Headlee, Writer and radio host
Thumbnail for "How to celebrate the ups —and downs— of family life(with Glen Henry)".
Glen Henry, Visual storyteller
Thumbnail for "How to bring confidence and joy into your sex life (with Emily Nagoski)".
Emily Nagoski, Sex educator
Thumbnail for "How to redefine your self-worth (with Meag-gan O'Reilly) ".
Meag-gan O'Reilly, Psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to be the set designer of your own world (with David Korins)".
David Korins, creative director and set designer
Thumbnail for "How to get the medical care you deserve (with Leana Wen, M.D.)".
Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician and public health advocate
Thumbnail for "How to become a better ally (with Dwinita Mosby Tyler)".
Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Equity advocate
Thumbnail for "How to thrive in remote work (with David Burkus)".
David Burkus, Organizational psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to fix our polarized conversations (with Robb Willer)".
Robb Willer, Social psychologist
Thumbnail for "How to cultivate resilience and get through tough times (with Lucy Hone)".
Lucy Hone, Resilience expert and researcher
Thumbnail for "How to challenge conventional wisdom -- and change any industry (with Franklin Leonard)".
Franklin Leonard, Film producer
Thumbnail for "How to find the emotional support you need right now (with Guy Winch)".
Guy Winch, Psychologist and author
Thumbnail for "Welcome to How To Be a Better Human".
Welcome to How To Be a Better Human

Do we have something to learn from conspiracy theories? (w/ Peter McIndoe)

Thumbnail for "Do we have something to learn from conspiracy theories? (w/ Peter McIndoe)".
July 24, 202333min 30sec

There was a time when Peter McIndoe might see you on the street and ask: have you ever seen a baby pigeon? If you said no, he’d probably grin and say, of course you haven’t, because birds are actually spy drones created by the US government – and they emerge “fully adult” from “the factory.” Peter McIndoe peddled a crazy idea – that all birds are drones created and monitored by the U.S. government. As ridiculous (and hilarious) as this sounds, Peter’s conspiracy theory that “Birds Aren’t Real” gained a huge following. In this episode, Peter discusses why he’s used the framework of a conspiracy theory to explore the "us-versus-them" mentality that is so pervasive in us humans. He also shares what he witnessed as he took his performance across the globe, and why he finds it more important than ever that we talk to each other with empathy even in the most absurd situations. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts

Thumbnail for "Do we have something to learn from conspiracy theories? (w/ Peter McIndoe)".
Do we have something to learn from conspiracy theories? (w/ Peter McIndoe)
00:00
33:30