How to Be a Better Human

How to Be a Better Human

Author: TED Language: English Episodes: 100
You might find yourself wondering how small shifts in thinking or action could ripple out into your daily life, and that's precisely the space this How to Be a Better Human podcast occupies. Hosted by Chris Duffy, each episode is built from conversations with a range of insightful guests, including past speakers, who share practical wisdom that goes beyond typical advice. The discussions are grounded in real-world application, focusing on how we can all improve in tangible ways-not through grand gestures, but in the nuances of our interactions at work, within our families, and in our own internal dialogues. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about hearing specific stories and strategies that offer clear takeaways you can actually use. The How to Be a Better Human podcast, from TED, digs into those unexpected corners of life where genuine growth happens, exploring how we show up for others and ourselves with more intention. Listeners will find a thoughtful mix of humor, vulnerability, and sharp insights that challenge conventional self-improvement tropes, making the journey toward being better feel accessible and deeply human.
Episodes
Chris Duffy | from Design Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:38
Chris Duffy—comedian, writer, and host of the TED podcast How to Be a Better Human—joins to discuss how humor shaped his path from teaching and improv to podcasting and television. Together, they explore why laughing mor…
How to add more exploration in your life (w/ Alex Hutchinson) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:32
“When was the last time you did something you didn’t do yesterday?” asks journalist and explorer Alex Hutchinson. Alex joins Chris to examine whether the desire to explore is baked into our genes, how he intentionally tr…
How to understand your own consciousness (w/ Michael Pollan) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:52
What is consciousness? Humans and animals have it, but do plants have sentience? These are the questions journalist Michael Pollan studies. Michael is the author of ten books on the relationship between food, consciousne…
How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi) (video) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:27
“Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish. Sh…
How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
“Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish. Sh…
How to understand money stuff (w/ Matt Levine) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:44
Matt Levine is the author of Bloomberg’s “Money Stuff” newsletter where he writes about Wall Street and finances. Matt joins Chris to break down common money questions such as what exactly is commodity trading? How do AI…
Your job or your sanity? How to not lose both (w/ Guy Winch) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
If we accept that work-life balance is a necessity, then why are stress and burnout still increasing? Guy Winch is a psychologist and was the first guest ever on the How to Be a Better Human podcast. Guy returns to the s…
How to be a caregiver (w/ Courtney Martin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:34
If you could switch places with someone and peek into their mind, who would you pick? For journalist Courtney Martin, she chose her aging dad with advanced dementia. Courtney joins Chris to talk about her deep desire to…
How to make (and keep) friends | from A Slight Change of Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:18
Many of us tend to prioritize our romantic and familial relationships over friendships — and that could be harming our wellbeing and health. In this special episode from our friends at A Slight Change of Plans, cognitive…
How to find true love (w/ Francesca Hogi) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:56
Love coach Francesca Hogi is dedicated to helping daters find “lasting love in the midst of a broken dating culture.” In this episode, Francesca shares her approach to analyzing romantic patterns and feeling more empower…