Episodes: Year 1, Season 4
How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas — Manoush Zamorodi
November 8, 2021
Do you sometimes have your most creative ideas while folding laundry, washing dishes or doing nothing in particular? It’s because when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new neural connections that connect ideas and solve problems. Learn to love being bored as Manoush Zomorodi explains the connection between spacing out and creativity. Manoush is the host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour and ZigZag, a podcast from the TED Audio Collective. After the talk, Modupe gives suggestions for inspiring more boredom in your daily life.
How Craving Attention Makes You Less Creative — Joseph Gordon-Levitt
November 1, 2021
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has gotten more than his fair share of attention from his acting career. But as social media exploded over the past decade, he got addicted like the rest of us — trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative. In a refreshingly honest talk, he explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies impacts our creativity — and shares a more powerful feeling than getting attention: paying attention. After the talk, Modupe talks about how to find flow when you’re surrounded by distractions.
The Cure for Burnout (Hint: It Isn’t Self Care) — Emily & Amelia Nagosaki
October 25, 2021
You may be experiencing burnout and not even know it, say authors (and sisters) Emily and Amelia Nagoski. In an introspective and deeply relatable conversation, they detail three telltale signs that stress is getting the best of you — and share actionable ways to feel safe in your own body when you’re burning out. Modupe speaks about burnout with Chris Duffy, the host of How to Be a Better Human, a podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
How to Let Go of Being a “Good” Person — Dolly Chugh
October 11, 2021
What if your attachment to being a “good” person is holding you back from actually becoming a better person? In this accessible talk, social psychologist Dolly Chugh explains the puzzling psychology of ethical behavior — like why it’s hard to spot your biases and acknowledge mistakes — and shows how the path to becoming better starts with owning your mistakes. After the talk, Modupe and Dolly give examples from their own lives of what it means to break down defenses, and be truly “good-ish.”
Why Gender-Based Marketing Is Bad for Business — Gaby Barrios
October 4, 2021
Companies often target consumers based on gender, but this kind of advertising shortcut doesn’t just perpetuate outdated stereotypes — it’s also bad for business, says marketing expert Gaby Barrios. In this clear, actionable talk, she explains why gender-based marketing doesn’t drive business nearly as much as you might think — and shows how companies can find better ways to reach customers and grow their brands. After the talk, Modupe discusses why labeling and categorizing consumers in any way will negatively impact marketing strategy.
The Case for Coops — Anu Puusa
September 20, 2021
Think capitalism is broken? Try cooperativism, says co-op enthusiast and researcher Anu Puusa. She lays out how cooperatives — businesses owned, operated and controlled by their members — can both make money and have a positive impact on the environment and local communities. With co-ops, Puusa says, doing good business and doing good at the same time becomes possible. After the talk, Modupe offers suggestions for listeners who are interested in participating in cooperativism.
Dignity Isn’t a Privilege, It’s a Worker’s Right — Abigail Disney
September 13, 2021
What’s the purpose of a company? In this bold talk, activist and filmmaker Abigail Disney imagines a world where companies have a moral obligation to place their workers above shareholders, calling on Disney (and all corporations) to offer respect, dignity and a living wage to everyone who works for them. After the talk, Modupe offers ideas for CEOS on how they can work collectively to treat workers better.
How to Come Out at Work, About Anything — Micah Eames
September 6, 2021
When TED media communications associate Micah Eames came out as trans at work, he quickly realized he’d need to start having tricky conversations with coworkers. Here’s his advice for how you can open up about your identity at work, and what your colleagues can do to help. After the talk, Modupe provides tips on what employers can do to foster more supportive environments for their workers.
The Brain Boosting Benefits of Exercise — Wendy Suzuki
August 16, 2021
What’s the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Exercise! says neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Get inspired to go to the gym as Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your focus, memory, and mood — which can make you better at your job. After the talk, Modupe explains a clever way to trick yourself into getting more exercise.
When Your Job Makes You a Target of Online Hate — Dylan Marron
July 26, 2021
Digital creator Dylan Marron has racked up millions of views for projects like “Every Single Word” and “Sitting in Bathrooms With Trans People”—but he’s found that the flip side of internet success is internet hate. Over time, he developed an unexpected response that actually builds empathy on both sides: calling the people who leave him insensitive comments and asking: “Why did you write that?” After the talk, Modupe recounts her own experience with online hate, and offers her take on how to deal with angry outbursts online or in person.