TED Radio Hour

A journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, and new ways to think and create. Based on riveting TEDTalks from the world's most remarkable minds. Learn more about TED.

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

"We all look through family albums. We all hear stories at the dinner table. ... They become incorporated into what we believe we actually remember." — Scott Fraser
Enlarge Marc Grimberg/Getty Images

"We all look through family albums. We all hear stories at the dinner table. ... They become incorporated into what we believe we actually remember." — Scott Fraser

"We all look through family albums. We all hear stories at the dinner table. ... They become incorporated into what we believe we actually remember." — Scott Fraser
Marc Grimberg/Getty Images

"We all look through family albums. We all hear stories at the dinner table. ... They become incorporated into what we believe we actually remember." — Scott Fraser

 

Memory Games

Memory is malleable, dynamic and elusive. When we tap into our memories, where's the line between fact and fiction? Can our memory play tricks on us? Can we train it to be more accurate? TED speakers discuss how a nimble memory can improve your life, and how a frail one might ruin someone else's.

May 24, 2013

Friday's Show

Harlem Nocturne Lester Mingus 0:59

Details

Effigie Idem 0:59

Details

Don't Forget Tonight Tomorrow Frank Sinatra 1:35

Details
"If you have something to give, give it now." – Mark Bezos
 

Giving It Away

You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return.

May 17, 2013

Friday's Show

We're raised to always strive for the right answer. But can we learn more from the wrong answer?
 

Making Mistakes

We try so hard to be perfect, to never make mistakes and to avoid failure at all costs. But mistakes happen — and when they do — how do we deal with being wrong? In this episode, TED speakers look at those difficult moments in our lives, and consider why sometimes we need to make mistakes and face them head-on.

May 10, 2013

Friday's Show

Babies and young children are "already about as smart as they could possibly be."
 

Unstoppable Learning

Learning is an integral part of human nature. But why do we — as adults — assume learning must be taught, tested and reinforced? In this hour, TED speakers explore the ways babies and children learn, from the womb to the playground to the Web.

May 3, 2013

Friday's Show

Can we improve technology and preserve human dignity?
 

Do We Need Humans?

We've been promised a future where robots will be our friends, and technology will make life's daily chores as easy as flipping a switch. But are we ready for how those innovations will change us as humans? In this episode, TED speakers consider the promises and perils of our relationship with technology.

April 26, 2013

Friday's Show

Do we need beauty to enjoy ourselves, or do we need it to survive?
 

What Is Beauty?

Beauty surrounds us, draws us in, gives joy and creates conflict. In this hour, TED speakers conjure up beauty both ancient and modern, and suggest reasons why humans are hardwired to crave and respond to beauty.

April 19, 2013

Friday's Show