TED Radio Hour Around the world, democratic ideals are being tested in surprising ways. As the curtains rise on a big election year, TED speakers explore what can keep people united and what drives them apart.

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.
Getty Images/iStockphoto/teddyandmia
Many people with signs protesting. Design template for civil rights, protest events, rally or march. Space for your text. Vector Illustration.
Getty Images/iStockphoto/teddyandmia

What Topples Democracies

Around the world, democratic ideals are being tested in surprising ways. As the curtains rise on a big election year, TED speakers explore what can keep people united and what drives them apart.

José Antonio Vargas presentation on the TED MainStage, as part of TED2020 TED hide caption

toggle caption
TED

Who belongs in America? An undocumented journalist tells his story

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214278128/1214728551" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

All democracies are fragile—here are the early signs of civil war at home and abroad

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214278131/1214729172" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.

Previous Shows

The Food Connection

Food is one of life's greatest pleasures yet many of our food systems are flawed. This hour, TED speakers look to the past to reconnect with what we eat, and the present to reimagine our food future.

Shutterstock

Paradise Lost And Found

We often view paradise as a place of safety, beauty, tranquility. It's an ideal we long for, but one we can rarely find. This hour, TED speakers search for utopia and come to terms with reality.

Mihaela Rosu/iStock

Small But Mighty

You don't need to be big and boisterous to pack a punch. This hour, TED speakers explore the surprising strength of all things minuscule and fleeting.

3d factory/Shutterstock

Leaving A Mark

For millennia, humans have created artifacts of their lives — from art, to books, to music. This hour, we explore ideas about capturing the ephemeral human experience for future generations to find.

Pablo Caridad/Shutterstock

Loudmouths

Sometimes, the only way to make an impact is to be loud. This hour, three female performers talk about the rewards—and consequences—that come from speaking out and making people feel uncomfortable.

Getty Images/iStockphoto/Softulka