How to Be a Better Human

Episodes page 1 of 6

1. How to connect with literally anyone (w/ Chris Gethard)

   26 Oct 2026 · 45 min

   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…

2. Why do we like scary stories? (w/ Glynn Washington)

   19 Oct 2026 · 43 min

   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…

3. Do all my friends secretly hate me? | from Corner Piece

   15 Oct 2026 · 41 min

   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…

4. The doctor who says to eat your ice cream (w/ Zeke Emanuel)

   12 Oct 2026 · 46 min

   How long do you want to live? 75 years? 90? Over 100?! In this episode, oncologist and bioethicist Zeke Emanuel joins Chris to discuss why he’s suspicious about medical establishments and their push to treat illness…

5. How to reclaim your narrative (w/ Monica Lewinsky)

   5 Oct 2026 · 53 min · Explicit

   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…

6. How reading can transform your life (w/ Reginald Dwayne Betts)

   28 Sep 2026 · 44 min

   “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…

7. How to live longer (w/ Keith Diaz)

   21 Sep 2026 · 42 min

   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…

8. How to navigate complicated family dynamics (w/ Emerson Whitney)

   14 Sep 2026 · 48 min

   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…

9. Does it Take a Twisted Mind to Write Twisted Stories? | from Better In Person

   7 Sep 2026 · 44 min

   Harlan Coben doesn’t think so. The mega-best-selling author talks suburbia, impostor syndrome, and what he learned from his college friend David Foster Wallace. If you'd like to see the video version of Better in…

10. Summer Fridays: How zombies, dragons, and superheroes could make you a better person (w/ Christopher Robichaud)

    4 Sep 2026 · 34 min

    Roleplaying games and the Marvel universe may be fictional, but they can also teach us a lot about morality in the real world. Christopher Robichaud is a Lecturer in Ethics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy…

11. How to be creatively inspired (w/ Hrishikesh Hirway)

    31 Aug 2026 · 43 min

    Hrishikesh Hirway is a musician and producer, but you probably know him best as the host of the podcast Song Exploder. Hrishikesh has a new album out, “In the Last Hour of Light,” and he shares with Chris his creative…

12. Summer Fridays: The art of paying attention (w/ Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman)

    28 Aug 2026 · 37 min

    If you found yourself doodling or writing a lot as a child but then lost the hobby as you grew up, Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman want to help you recapture your spark. Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator, the…

13. The last places without human sounds (w/ Matt Mikkelsen)

    24 Aug 2026 · 43 min

    What is natural sound in an increasingly noisy world? asks sound recordist and audio engineer Matt Mikkelsen. Matt travels the world recording natural sounds in places where you can’t hear anything made by humans: no…

14. Summer Fridays: Why you should try birding (w/ Christian Cooper)

    21 Aug 2026 · 34 min

    If you ask Christian Cooper, a science writer, editor, and the host of the show “Extraordinary Birder With Christian Cooper”, birding can teach us all kinds of lessons about life, self-acceptance, and joy. In this…

15. How increasing your happiness can help solve climate change (w/ Jiaying Zhao and Elizabeth Dunn)

    17 Aug 2026 · 41 min

    The conversation around climate change is often bleak and terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be that way, says climate behavior scientist Jiaying Zhao, or JZ. In this episode, JZ and happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn…

16. Summer Fridays: How to clean your house without losing your mind (w/ KC Davis)

    14 Aug 2026 · 35 min

    Let’s face it: if chores were fun, they probably wouldn’t be called that. Because for most people, life can be overwhelming – and that means it doesn’t always look like a cleaning commercial where everyone is dancing…

17. What trees can teach us about life (w/ Robert Moor)

    10 Aug 2026 · 41 min

    What can we learn from trees? Robert Moor thinks that the path to a well-lived life lies in trying our best to live like a tree. Branch out, prune what doesn’t work, and make use of the spots where we’ve been injured…

18. Summer Fridays: Lessons from 102-year-old swimmer Maurine Kornfeld (re-release)

    7 Aug 2026 · 25 min

    Maurine “Mighty Mo'' Kornfeld will soon turn 102 years old, and most days, you can catch her doing laps in a Los Angeles public swimming pool. And that’s not just because she regularly competes in – and wins – world…

19. Why should you care about animal sex? (w/ Perrin Ireland)

    3 Aug 2026 · 45 min

    Perrin Ireland is an artist and environmentalist who draws science comics. She’s also the author of Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex. In this episode, Perrin discusses why learning about the kinky…

20. Summer Fridays: How to be more joyful (w/ Ingrid Fetell Lee) (re-release)

    31 Jul 2026 · 38 min

    How to find and create Joy in your life -- what is joy? And what is its purpose in our lives? We talk with Ingrid about how to cultivate more joy in our daily lives, especially when we don't feel particularly in the…

21. How to understand your family history (w/ Keith Rushing)

    27 Jul 2026 · 43 min

    Journalist Keith Rushing has spent years trying to report on his most difficult story - the history of his own family. Who do we come from? What do we inherit from the past? How can understanding our ancestors make us…

22. Summer Fridays: How to find “your thing” (or your many things) (w/ Constance Hockaday) (re-release)

    24 Jul 2026 · 35 min

    Some people are born knowing exactly what they want to do with their life – and because of that, they’re able to get to the top of their field. But most of us have multiple passions and identities, making it difficult…

23. What the data shows about youth mental health (w/ Candice Odgers)

    20 Jul 2026 · 43 min

    “Social media and screen time aren’t the most important factor in teen mental health,” says development psychologist Candice Odgers. While this claim sounds counterintuitive, Candice shares why it’s so pervasive—scary…

24. Summer Fridays: How to get your sense of wonder back (w/ Nate DiMeo) (re-release)

    17 Jul 2026 · 37 min

    How do you make sense of the present? Nate DiMeo might suggest you look at the past. Nate is the host of the podcast and book, The Memory Palace. Nate joins Chris to discuss how the past can teach us to live life in a…

25. How to think fast and talk smart (w/ Matt Abrahams)

    13 Jul 2026 · 42 min

    Matt Abrahams is a communication expert who teaches strategic communication at Stanford University, hosts the podcast Think Fast Talk Smart, and wrote the new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter. In this episode, he joins…

26. Why you are starved for creativity—and how to fix it (w/ Katina Bajaj)

    6 Jul 2026 · 44 min

    Katina Bajaj is a scientist studying “creative health.” She looks at the role of play, fun, art, and creativity in our overall wellbeing. When was the last time you’ve gone on an “awe walk?” For Katina, carving out…

27. How play is the secret to success at work (w/ Maxwell Pearce)

    29 Jun 2026 · 41 min

    Why is it so fun to watch your team win in the World Cup or to be a Knicks fan as they finally get an NBA championship? There’s a collective joy in sports that can also be found in art, theater, and comedy. In this…

28. How to give up control - advice from neuroscientist Heather Berlin

    22 Jun 2026 · 41 min

    Heather Berlin is a a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and professor of psychiatry and neuroscience who studies the science of giving up control. She joins Chris to talk about finding the balance between knowing…

29. Why you should try improv comedy (w/ Rick Andrews)

    15 Jun 2026 · 40 min

    What do radio personality Ira Glass, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, and your host Chris Duffy have in common? They all have practiced an unexpected skill that makes them more human—improv comedy. And they learned…

30. Why you need to get up and move—right now! (w/ Manoush Zomorodi)

    8 Jun 2026 · 43 min

    How long have you been sitting today? If you’re still on the couch or the office chair, then this is your PSA to get up and move! In this episode, Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR's TED Radio Hour, joins Chris to share…

31. Stressed, stuck, and overthinking? The science of moving forward w/ Ranjay Gulati | 10% Happier

    1 Jun 2026 · 53 min

    In today’s special featured episode of 10% Happier with Dan Harris, hear from Ranjay Gulati, a Harvard professor and author whose pioneering work focuses on unlocking organizational and individual potential—embracing…

32. Why you should take a risk every day with Julie Zhuo | from WorkLife with Molly Graham

    25 May 2026 · 37 min

    When you think about risk, you probably think about big, dramatic moves: quitting your job, moving across the country, saying something controversial. But the people who are actually good at taking risks are the ones…

33. How algorithms changed the way we communicate (w/ Adam Aleksic

    18 May 2026 · 41 min

    A-1. Killer-diller. Outta sight. All that and a bag of chips. This slaps! From the 1940s to the early 2020s, these words and phrases are all generational slang that means the same thing—“excellent.” In this episode,…

34. How to handle uncertainty (w/ Simone Stolzoff)

    11 May 2026 · 42 min

    I was looking for certainty when there was no certainty to be found. If Simone’s words resonate with you, then this episode is for YOU. Simone Stolzoff is a journalist who writes about the uncertainty of life. In his…

35. How to mentally reset when you’re stressed out (w/ Dr Jenny Taitz)

    4 May 2026 · 40 min

    It’s hard to not feel stress at the state of the world today, so how can you cope with stressors without letting them completely overwhelm you? Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz spends most of her days helping clients…

36. Are you feeling emotionally stuck? Here’s how to get past it (w/ Yowei Shaw)

    27 Apr 2026 · 41 min

    What if your hardest emotional challenges could be solved by talking to a stranger? A person who has gone through the exact same situation or something very similar. That’s the premise of Proxy, a podcast that…

37. The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham)

    20 Apr 2026 · 41 min

    Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career?…

38. The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham) (video)

    20 Apr 2026 · 41 min

    Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career?…

39. How to have great sex (w/ Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo) (re-release)

    13 Apr 2026 · 36 min

    Sex is a normal part of human life, but it can also get complicated–whether you’re having it or not! The way we approach, think, and engage with our sexuality varies widely our culture, community, identity, and more.…

40. Want to change your life? Start small! (w/ Eric Zimmer)

    6 Apr 2026 · 38 min

    Eric Zimmer has learned the hard way that the path to big life changes starts with small everyday behaviors. Whether it’s kicking an addiction, building a business, or writing a book, Eric starts with habits and a…

41. Chris Duffy | from Design Matters

    2 Apr 2026 · 1 h 23 min

    Chris Duffy—comedian, writer, and host of the TED podcast How to Be a Better Human—joins to discuss how humor shaped his path from teaching and improv to podcasting and television. Together, they explore why laughing…

42. How to add more exploration in your life (w/ Alex Hutchinson)

    30 Mar 2026 · 41 min

    “When was the last time you did something you didn’t do yesterday?” asks journalist and explorer Alex Hutchinson. Alex joins Chris to examine whether the desire to explore is baked into our genes, how he intentionally…

43. How to understand your own consciousness (w/ Michael Pollan)

    23 Mar 2026 · 39 min

    What is consciousness? Humans and animals have it, but do plants have sentience? These are the questions journalist Michael Pollan studies. Michael is the author of ten books on the relationship between food,…

44. How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi)

    16 Mar 2026 · 41 min

    “Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish.…

45. How to find your purpose (w/ Yara Shahidi) (video)

    16 Mar 2026 · 40 min

    “Optimism is not what exists in a vacuum on your best day, but how you're pulling through for yourself on your worst days,” says actress Yara Shahidi. Yara is known for her sitcoms Black-ish and its spinoff Grown-ish.…

46. How to understand money stuff (w/ Matt Levine)

    9 Mar 2026 · 39 min

    Matt Levine is the author of Bloomberg’s “Money Stuff” newsletter where he writes about Wall Street and finances. Matt joins Chris to break down common money questions such as what exactly is commodity trading? How do…

47. Your job or your sanity? How to not lose both (w/ Guy Winch)

    2 Mar 2026 · 43 min

    If we accept that work-life balance is a necessity, then why are stress and burnout still increasing? Guy Winch is a psychologist and was the first guest ever on the How to Be a Better Human podcast. Guy returns to the…

48. How to be a caregiver (w/ Courtney Martin)

    23 Feb 2026 · 38 min

    If you could switch places with someone and peek into their mind, who would you pick? For journalist Courtney Martin, she chose her aging dad with advanced dementia. Courtney joins Chris to talk about her deep desire…

49. How to make (and keep) friends | from A Slight Change of Plans

    16 Feb 2026 · 37 min

    Many of us tend to prioritize our romantic and familial relationships over friendships — and that could be harming our wellbeing and health. In this special episode from our friends at A Slight Change of Plans,…

50. How to find true love (w/ Francesca Hogi)

    9 Feb 2026 · 38 min

    Love coach Francesca Hogi is dedicated to helping daters find “lasting love in the midst of a broken dating culture.” In this episode, Francesca shares her approach to analyzing romantic patterns and feeling more…