Free Daily Podcast Summary
How to Be a Better Human: Daily Summaries Delivered
by TED
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 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.
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- 4 days ago44 min
How to connect with literally anyone (w/ Chris Gethard)
Chris Gethard is a comedian and the host of the podcast Beautiful Anonymous, an unscripted, unpredictable show where one anonymous person calls in and shares their family woes, secret confessions, or anything at all they want to talk about for 60 minutes. The only rule is that Chris Gethard can’t hang up. Gethard shares what he has learned from the show about how to talk to literally anyone, the life skills he mastered through improv comedy, and why making people laugh has been so important for his own mental health. Connect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1 weeks ago43 min
Why do we like scary stories? (w/ Glynn Washington)
How does someone who claims having zero tolerance on watching scary movies come to host a podcast on supernatural stories? That’s the question Chris asked Glynn Washington, host of the podcast Snap Judgment and his new show, Spooked. Glynn shares how he grew up in a cult and later moved to Japan. He also talks about the traits in great storytellers and recounts paranormal stories. Featured guestFollow Glynn Washington on InstagramListen to Snap Judgment and SpookedConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago40 min
Do all my friends secretly hate me? | from Corner Piece
Why does making friends as an adult feel like mission impossible?Today, we’re sharing a special episode of a new TED podcast, Corner Piece. Friendship is hard, especially in adulthood, and this episode explores just that with personal stories from host Melissa Fernandes of her experience grappling with a friendship break up. Along the way, she interviews Anna Goldfarb, journalist and author of “Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valuable Connections,” and Dr. Marisa G. Franco, professor and author of “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—And Keep—Friends”. They explain why friendship can get so complicated as you get older and how to build closer bonds.Corner Piece is hosted by the trio behind the YouTube channel, Answer in Progress, who start small on life’s biggest questions and follow their curiosities about human connection down rabbit holes to help you, and themselves, understand the world around them a little bit better. Hear more episodes of Corner Piece on your favorite podcast app or here: https://link.mgln.ai/XDcPEc Vote for our show in the Signal Awards for Best Advice & How To podcast!For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago45 min
The doctor who says to eat your ice cream (w/ Ezekiel Emanuel)
How long do you want to live? 75 years? 90? Over 100?! According to oncologist and bioethicist Ezekiel Manuel, living longer doesn’t mean healthy living. Ezekiel joins Chris to discuss why he’s suspicious about medical establishments and their push to treat illness and diseases rather than teaching patients how to be healthy. They also talk about the beauty of spontaneous conversations with strangers. Finally Ezekiel shares the three foods you need to cut from your diet immediately… and why ice-cream is not on that list!Featured guestFollow GUEST on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and at his websiteBuy Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy LifeConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokVote for our show in the Signal Awards for Best Advice & How To podcast!For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago53 min
How to reclaim your narrative (w/ Monica Lewinsky)
Monica Lewinsky is an anti-bullying activist and host of Reclaiming with Monica, a podcast that shines her guests’ unguarded conversations about how they make sense of the world. In this episode filmed in front of a live audience at TED 2026, Chris interviews Monica on how she finds healing throughout the years. They discuss the role of public shaming in an online world, the differences between cancel culture and accountability culture, and how to have more empathy after surviving trauma.Featured guestFollow Monica Lewinsky on Instagram and XSubscribe to Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky on YouTube, TikTok, and InstagramConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 28, 202643 min
How reading can transform your life (w/ Reginald Dwayne Betts)
“We have tried to create a system devoid of beauty, and it has failed. We have never tried to create a system that is replete with beauty and ask us what it might do.” Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, a lawyer, and a prison reform advocate. In this episode, he joins Chris to discuss the detrimental effects of prison systems and how lack of resources and the lack of beauty in prison perpetuates dehumanization. Reginald and Chris also share their favorite poems and books and discuss Reginald’s work with the Freedom Library to bring books to prisoners and correction officers.Poems and Books MentionedFrom the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. KonigsburgFree Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Leewon’t you celebrate with me by Lucille CliftonThose Winter Sundays by Robert HaydenFailing and Flying by Jack GilbertThe Forgotten Dialect of the Heart by Jack GilbertA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towlesunder a soprano sky by Sonia SanchezFor Freckle-Faced Gerald by Etheridge KnightFeatured guestFollow Reginald on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at FreedomReads.orgBuy Felon: Poems and Doggerel: PoemsConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 21, 202641 min
How to live longer (w/ Keith Diaz)
Keith Diaz is an exercise scientist who studies the importance of movement to combat a sedentary lifestyle. He joins Chris to talk about how you can build better habits, and why simple alarm alerts might be more effective in motivating people to move than savvier tech like smart watches. Keith also shares why you need to activate your muscles to help you fight diseases and stay healthy.Featured guestFollow Keith Diaz on LinkedInWatch Ketih's TED TalkConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 14, 202648 min
How to navigate complicated family dynamics (w/ Emerson Whitney)
How do you bring up difficult topics—especially when it involves a loved one? In this episode, Emerson Whitney, author of the book O Mother, talks about the grief of losing his mom to suicide. Emerson shares delicate topics such as growing up neurodivergent with ADHD and autism and how he continues to show up as his authentic self. Then Emerson and Chris discuss finding community and how to cultivate more joyful friendships.Featured guestFollow Emerson Whitney on Instagram and at https://emersonwhitney.com/Buy O MotherConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About How to Be a Better Human
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 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.
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