Do you think Hollywood needs to change? How about your own industry? It's difficult to get decision makers to step outside of the tried-and-true and attempt something new. In this episode, host Chris Duffy sits down with Franklin Leonard -- founder and CEO of the Black List, a company that elevates great screenplays and the writers who create th...

Why do so many of us wait until a new calendar year to start setting our goals? For today's guest, the author Gretchen Rubin, "there really is no magic to January 1st" -- and the best time to start a healthy habit is just, well, now. Rubin is a podcaster and the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including "Better Than Before: What I ...

We don't know about you, but we are fans of weekends. And social security. And health insurance. And the end of child labor! And all of these workplace protections exist because of the advocacy of labor unions. In this episode, political scientist Margaret Levi shares the long history of organizing labor and explains how unions create equality a...

For some of us it's easy to lose ourselves in our work. But a lack of boundaries between your personal and work life is something mental wellness educator Gloria Chan Packer would warn you about twice. In conversation with host Chris Duffy, she speaks about the perils of gaining your sense of self-worth from your job, discusses her experience wi...

We often forget that our bodies and minds are fundamentally connected. But so much of our day-to-day lives are influenced by the state of our bodies. The mind-body connection is at the heart of the work of this week’s guest, Prentis Hemphill. Prentis is a therapist, somatics teacher, author, and the founder of The Embodiment Institute. Prentis j...

Art can move us in deep, meaningful ways. A beautiful song, a good book or a great film can change our perspectives and attitudes toward ideas, and sometimes people. Where does that magic come from -- and how can we channel it when we're creating? JR is an artist famed for his enormous black-and-white portraits that tell stories and adorn surfac...

The phrase "comparison is the thief of joy" might be the kind of cliché that makes you roll your eyes — and yet, it's an idea that is, scientifically, pretty accurate. In today's episode, psychologist Laurie Santos — a Yale professor and host of "The Happiness Lab" podcast — discusses some of the surprising evidence behind what does and doesn't ...

ALOK doesn't quite get the term multihyphenate — but how else to describe the internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian and public speaker? From exploring belonging and the human condition, to fighting to degender the fashion and beauty industries, ALOK is tapping into their creativity constantly. Today, they share their approach to the c...

Most of us get that climate change is a global problem we need to solve, fast. But that can feel incredibly overwhelming when most of us don't even know where to start. Bill McKibben is an environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively about climate change and global warming with a refreshing lightheartedness and frank outl...

Have you ever recalled a story only to have someone point out "that's not how it went"? Well, what happens when what we misrepresent are our historical narratives? David Ikard is a professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. In this episode of How to Be a Better Human, another podcast from the TED Audio Collectiv...

Humans have always been captivated by beauty, and for almost as long, we've been marketed products and new technologies to help us achieve certain beauty standards. Elise Hu is a journalist and the author of "Flawless: Lessons in looks and culture from the K-beauty industry." In this episode, she shares the fascinating insights she's learned fro...

We all have habits - the good and not-so good kind. But can we use them to our advantage? In this week’s episode, Chris is joined by James Clear, entrepreneur and author of #1 New York Times bestseller, “Atomic Habits”, for a conversation about the power of habitual behavior. They discuss the science of habit formation, how to understand the for...

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 shoul...

There’s a saying about two things that are inevitable in this world, and Alua Arthur wants to help you think about one of them with less fear. No, she’s not a tax professional – she’s a death doula, a person who supports dying people and their loved ones. A former lawyer, Alua shares what we can all learn when we purposefully think about the end...

How To Be A Better Human isn’t your average self improvement podcast. Each week join 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 n...

A 2006 study took a class of surgical residents and split them into two groups. Each received the same study materials, but one group was told to use specific study methods. When tested a month later, this group performed significantly better than the other residents. So, what were these methods? Explore how the brain learns and stores informati...

Why is J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy so compelling? How about The Matrix or Harry Potter? What makes these disparate worlds come alive are clear, consistent rules for how people, societies -- and even the laws of physics -- function in these fictional universes. Author Kate Messner offers a few tricks for you, too, to create a world...

Sometimes, relating to other people doesn't come naturally. These talks offer new insights into how to connect ... and celebrate the ways we are more alike than you think.

Falling in love is intoxicating, but how do you build a lasting partnership after the high fades?

Missteps, mess-ups and misunderstandings hurt. And yet, they offer an opportunity to learn and grow. Talks on how …

Why do we love our favorite stories? Do they need a beginning, middle and end, and a character who changes by the conclusion? Masters of storytelling explore new answers to age-old questions of the craft.

Inaccuracies can be difficult to spot. See the difference between fact and fiction, and learn to spot the gray areas with these informative talks.

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Rally your community to a healthier and happier way of life with these aspirational, yet accessible talks (that also offer some great ideas on where to start).

Fear lives in the mind. So, how do we get it out of our heads? Follow in the footsteps of these speakers who have faced some of their deepest fears with strength and grace.

Whether it’s grades and test scores, cushy jobs or big salaries, our ideas of “success” tend to be incredibly narrow and often start incredibly early. Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford, and she is dedicated to helping people reconsider what really makes a happy, “successful” adult...

Maybe a huge project just landed on your desk. Or you're feeling like your co-workers don't appreciate you. Whatever has you down, these talks offer the deep breath you need.

Energetic and thriving, cities are the heartbeat of society. These talks offer viable ways to reinvigorate and strengthen the metropolises we love.

During the span of a single life, how do you reinvent yourself? Take a page out of the book of these speakers who have found creative ways to fit many lives into one.

As machines grow ever more intelligent, they're emerging not just as powerful tools but also close companions. These talks offer some whizzy demos and examine how robots are becoming an intimate part of our lives.