Best Megan Ted Podcasts (2026)

1
What happens in your brain when you pay attention? w/ Dr. Sasha Hamdani | from TED Health 35:18

Play Pause

6m ago35:18

35:18

Attention isn't just about what we focus on -- it's also about what our brains filter out. By investigating patterns in the brain as people try to focus, computational neuroscientist Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar hopes to build computer models that can be used to treat ADHD and help those who have lost the ability to communicate. Hear more about this ex…

1
ReThinking: Overcoming status anxiety with Alain de Botton and RaQuel Hopkins 35:17

19m ago35:17

35:17

Alain de Botton is a philosopher, bestselling author, and cofounder of The School of Life, known for his fearless engagement with the complexity of human existence. In this special episode, Adam co-hosts alongside former guest RaQuel Hopkins, a therapist, social media star, and fan of Alain’s work. They discuss the roots of and remedies for status …

1
Do Calories Actually Matter? | HSM 725 29:07

7h ago29:07

29:07

By Heather A. Robertson

1
What 2025 Taught Us—And Where 2026 Is Taking Us 55:34

18m ago55:34

55:34

What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech! Elise Hu, Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey got together to share the biggest ideas dominating their industry a…

1
ReThinking: Raising a new generation of readers with Shannon Hale 39:43

2d ago39:43

39:43

Shannon Hale is the author of more than 50 books for all ages, including the Princess Academy series and her graphic novel memoirs. In this episode, Adam and his daughter Joanna (a longtime fan of Shannon’s books) talk to Shannon about the powerful lessons books teach us about empathy, and take a closer look at how stories can either reinforce or d…

1
Reframing Your Thoughts and Making Changes: The Paper & Pencil Journal | HSM 724 45:26

7d ago45:26

45:26

In episode 724 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather talks with Jackie about how she had learned to utilize the paper & pencil journal. They also chat about:-- how to find areas for improvement-- how to reframe your mindset about this journey-- and more!Support Half Size Me Show’s mission and help us stay free of third-party ads!As a subscriber to Hal…

1
When Learning Finally Becomes The Work with Lori Niles-Hofmann 35:33

5d ago35:33

35:33

Corporate learning used to measure success by the size of its course catalogue and the number of completions. That world is fading. Employees now have access to commercial-grade learning inside tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, and leaders expect proof that learning actually shifts performance, culture and results. Lori Niles-Hofmann thinks this is th…

1
Dr. Joy Buolamwini | from Design Matters 1:03:29

6d ago1:03:29

1:03:29

Dr. Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and a poet of code who uses art and research to illuminate the social implications of artificial intelligence. She joins to discuss her career as the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, her best-selling book Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines, and her featured r…

1
ReThinking: Margaret Atwood on what AI can’t replace 42:41

9d ago42:41

42:41

Margaret Atwood is best known as the author of The Handmaid’s Tale, and she’s won a slew of awards for her novels, poetry collections, and children’s books. Now, at the age of 86, she’s written her first memoir, The Book of Lives. In this episode, Adam and Margaret break down her perspective on what creative jobs AI will and won’t threaten and disc…

1
Flashback Episode 107 | HSM 723 20:52

14d ago20:52

20:52

In episode 723 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you:From the original episode 107, Heather interviews Caroline, who lost 150 pounds and wrote the book Half My Size: How I Ate To Lose 150 Pounds.In this episode, they talk about how Caroline has kept the weight off for 10 years how changing her relationships helped Carolin…

1
The multidimensional magic of modern maps | Peter Wilczynski 8:26

13d ago8:26

8:26

Maps have long helped us understand the world — now, they can help us shape it. Digital cartographer Peter Wilczynski introduces the Living Globe: a real-time, data-rich digital twin of Earth that fuses satellite imagery, sensor data and AI. Watch for a glimpse of the future of maps — and learn how these new tools can help us build the future witho…

1
Leadership In The Longevity Era with Leanne Clark-Shirley (American Society on Aging) 36:08

14d ago36:08

36:08

There is a demographic shift hiding in plain sight. In a few short years, the United States will have more people over 60 than children under 18. For Leanne Clark-Shirley, that statistic is not a curiosity for actuaries. It is “the mega trend of our moment” and a direct test of how leaders think about work, culture and contribution. Leanne is the P…

1
ReThinking: Busting longevity myths with Eric Topol 39:14

16d ago39:14

39:14

Slowing the process of aging is something many people are interested in—and there’s a lot of pseudoscience out there about how to do it. Eric Topol is a cardiologist at Scripps and a prolific researcher on the genetics of longevity. In this episode, Eric debunks some common myths about how to live a longer life and shares his surprising findings ab…

1
Major Life Changes and Binge Eating: A Pathway to Success | HSM 722 36:17

21d ago36:17

36:17

In episode 722 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather talks with Gay, who found success with binge eating once she focused on the paper and pencil journal (PPJ). They talk about:-- how to make the PPJ work best for you-- dealing with habits during major life changes-- how to give yourself options to manage binge eating-- and more!Support Half Size Me S…

1
Ron Tite: Purpose Is A Growth Strategy 37:17

26d ago37:17

37:17

Purpose has become the corporate word of the decade, yet in many organizations it behaves more like a slogan than a strategy. In this Leadership NOW conversation, I sit down with Ron Tite, author of "The Purpose of Purpose," to explore what changes when leaders treat purpose as a true engine of growth rather than a glossy story for the website.We d…

1
Is AI ruining music? | Dustin Ballard 13:08

20d ago13:08

13:08

What makes music “real” — is it the instruments, the voice, the creator’s intention or something else entirely? Dustin Ballard, the creative force behind the viral channel “There I Ruined It,” explores the weird, wonderful and sometimes unsettling ways AI is reshaping music. With fiddle solos and AI-powered mashups of your favorite songs, he invite…

1
ReThinking: Building confidence with mentalist Oz Pearlman 32:50

23d ago32:50

32:50

Oz Pearlman has been called the World’s Greatest Mentalist—he’s performed for some of the world’s top celebrities and made it to the finals on America’s Got Talent. In this episode, Oz joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to show off his tricks and discuss the real skills behind his rise to success. The two reflect on Oz’s time working on Wall Street…

1
Flashback Episode 106 | HSM 721 25:04

28d ago25:04

25:04

In episode 721 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you:From the original episode 106, Heather interviews Brenda, who lost over 145 pounds!In this episode, Heather and Brenda talk about how Brenda learned to be thankful for everything in her life how changing her thinking helped Brenda successfully lose weight how Brenda too…

1
Tech Solutions (#4): How organizations can grow in a post-aid world (with Jacqueline Novogratz) 29:16

27d ago29:16

29:16

When the Trump administration dismantled USAID, it was the beginning of a post-aid era, says philanthropist and social entrepreneur Jacqueline Novogratz. Aid may not be coming back but in its place Jacqueline hopes creative solutions will emerge to provide independence and dignity at the community level. Jacqueline is the CEO of Acumen and has help…

1
Dr. Megan Gerhardt On Gentelligence And Leading Across Generations 39:07

1M ago39:07

39:07

Dr. Megan Gerhardt joins Leadership NOW to unpack Gentelligence, her research-driven approach to leading an intergenerational workforce. We talk about why the narrative around generations has been so negative and how chronocentrism quietly convinces each age group that its way is the only right way to work.Megan explains how Gentelligence reframes …

1
ReThinking: Why are people acting like everything’s fine? with Rahaf Harfoush 41:21

1M ago41:21

41:21

In our rapidly changing world, it might make you feel crazy to look around and see others going about life as usual. There’s actually a term for this phenomenon: hypernormalization. In this episode, Adam talks with Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and expert on toxic productivity culture, about the immense pressures of living through “unpre…

1
Maintaining Weight Loss After Menopause: From Dieting to Freedom | HSM 720 56:34

1M ago56:34

56:34

In episode 720 of the Half Size Me Show, Heather talks with Kelly, who finally learned to stop the lose-gain cycle and maintain her weight for good. They chat about: how to maintain weight loss in your 60s moving beyond “diet rules” and perfectionism managing menopause weight gain and mindset and more!Support Half Size Me Show’s mission and help us…

1
Tech Solutions (#3): How one of China’s biggest tech companies is tackling carbon removal (with Xu Hao) 22:28

1M ago22:28

22:28

Tencent is one of China’s biggest tech companies, running the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat and the world’s largest video game vendor. Now, it’s also an up-and-coming force in the field of carbon removal. Xu Hao, the vice president of Sustainable Social Value at Tencent, oversees two of those initiatives: the Carbon Neutrality Lab and Carbon…

1
ReThinking: Talking people out of hate with Daryl Davis and former neo-Nazi Jeff Schoep 41:39

1M ago41:39

41:39

The Ku Klux Klan is one of the tightest-knit White supremacist groups in America—once someone joins, they’re usually in for life. But since the 1980s, over 200 members have renounced their affiliation, and all give credit to the same man: a Black jazz musician named Daryl Davis. In this episode, Adam is joined by Daryl and Jeff Schoep, a former lea…

1
Flashback Episode 105 | HSM 719 30:04

1M ago30:04

30:04

In episode 719 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you:From the original episode 105, Heather interviews Martha from Simple Nourished Living about sustainable weight loss without restrictive diets.In this episode they chat about: Why traditional crash diets don't work long-term Mindless eating strategies that actually stick…

1
Tech Solutions (#2): How to balance the AI boom and environmental responsibility (with Juan M. Lavista Ferres) 18:55

1M ago18:55

18:55

The environmental impact of AI is a growing concern. In this episode, Sherrell sits down with Juan M. Lavista Ferres, the Chief Scientist and Lab Director of Microsoft’s AI for Good Research Lab, to discuss his work in using AI for conservation and sustainability. Whether it’s using AI to measure methane gas leaks or allowing AI to optimize healthc…

1
Redefine Success by Uncompeting - With Ruchika T. Malhotra 44:58

2M ago44:58

44:58

Conventional wisdom tells us that those who compete the best will thrive. According to award-winning inclusion strategy consultant and bestselling author Ruchika T. Malhotra, we need to flip that thinking. On this episode of Minds Worth Meeting, Ruchika joins us to talk about her new book “Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success.” In thi…

1
ReThinking: Living each day like it’s your first with Suleika Jaouad 42:01

1M ago42:01

42:01

Suleika Jaouad is the author of the memoir Between Two Kingdoms and the new Book of Alchemy—she’s also a lifelong journaler. In this episode, Adam and Suleika reflect on how Suleika’s journaling practice has helped her through cancer, discuss the art and science of journaling, and brainstorm creative ways to incorporate it into reflection and relat…

1
Serve the Customer’s Customer with Executive Coach Shakeel Bharmal 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

Shakeel Bharmal lays out a practical playbook for relevance and performance. Begin with the customer’s customer to escape your own lens and create value that sticks. Coach as your default leadership stance—“Leadership is 80% about being a coach.” Make strategy a conversation that welcomes challenge and builds a stronger team, not just a document—“T…

1
Losing Weight After 60: Overcoming Diet Cycles & Finding Food Peace | Half Size Me 718 53:47

2M ago53:47

53:47

In episode 718 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather talks with Colleen, a 62-year-old Academy member who proves it’s never too late to change your relationship with food. They chat about:-- how to lose weight and keep it off after 60-- the truth about maintenance vs. dieting-- rewiring “mom voice” guilt and people-pleasing-- and more!Support Half Siz…

1
Tech Solutions (#1): The affordable tech that will revolutionize farming (with Samir Ibrahim and Josephine Waweru) 23:42

2M ago23:42

23:42

When entrepreneur Samir Ibrahim asked farmers in Kenya what problem they most needed solved, the answer was simple: reliable access to water to irrigate their farms year-round. Samir is the CEO of SunCulture, a company replacing diesel- and petrol-powered water pumps with more affordable solar-powered ones. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host o…

1
ReThinking: Malala Yousafzai on redefining resilience and prioritizing joy 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

Malala Yousafzai is an activist for girls’ education and women’s empowerment, and the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate in history. In her new book, Finding My Way, is her effort to take control of her story after becoming a public figure at a young age. In this episode, Malala and Adam talk about the pressures of childhood fame, Malala’s struggles wit…

1
Flashback Episode 103 | HSM 717 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

In episode 717 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you!From the original episode 103, Heather chats with Josie, creator of the blog Yum Yucky. A mom of four, Josie shares how she lost 39 pounds, built healthy habits, and turned fitness from a chore into a source of joy. They also talk about:-- how Josie started losing weigh…

1
When AI Cannibalizes Its Data | NPR's Short Wave 14:12

2M ago14:12

14:12

Today, we’re featuring an episode from NPR’s science podcast Short Wave. In it, host Regina G. Barber talks to computer scientist Ilia Shumailov about maybe the buzziest topic around: AI. I’m sure you know AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT are trained on millions of examples of human-written text. Nowadays, a lot of content on the Internet is written…

1
ReThinking: Permission to play with Jacob Collier 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

Jacob Collier is a Grammy-winning musician, an exceptional teacher and communicator, and a rousing innovator onstage. Jacob joins Adam in front of a live audience at TED to give an interactive performance and share his perspective on audience participation, his insights on communication, and his unconventional approach to making music that defies g…

1
Rethinking the “Shoulds”: Dropping Habits That Don’t Serve You | HSM 716 56:10

2M ago56:10

56:10

In episode 716 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather talks with Kelly, a former coaching client, current Academy member, and busy mom. Heather and Kelly chat about:--the benefits of reevaluating the "shoulds" in your life--how to figure out what habits aren't serving you--how to find balance as a busy parent--and more!As a subscriber to Half Size Me P…

1
The inside story of Notre-Dame's incredible reconstruction | Philippe Villeneuve 15:02

2M ago15:02

15:02

In a moment that stunned the world in 2019, the famed Notre-Dame in Paris went up in flames, threatening the future of the centuries-old Gothic treasure. Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of the cathedral’s restoration, recounts the collective effort to bring the building back to life while honoring its history. Listen for a story of craftsm…

1
ReThinking: The art of the interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin 36:41

2M ago36:41

36:41

As a business journalist, Andrew Ross Sorkin writes for the New York Times DealBook, which he founded, and co-anchors Squawk Box on CNBC. In this episode, Adam and Andrew riff on what makes a great conversation and compare notes on their best and worst interviews—including when Elon Musk told Bob Iger to f*** off. They also investigate what Andrew …

1
Flashback Episode 102 | HSM 715 23:53

2M ago23:53

23:53

In episode 715 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you: Episode 102 with John!In this episode, Heather and John discuss-- The moment John realized he needed to change after hitting 490 lbs-- How emotional awareness transformed his weight-loss journey-- What men aren’t often taught about feelings — and how that fuels overeat…

1
I’ll probably lose my job to AI. Here’s why that’s OK | Megan J. McArdle 14:11

2M ago14:11

14:11

Artificial intelligence could cost many of us our careers — but that doesn’t mean we should stop its development, says journalist Megan J. McArdle. As she watches AI encroach on her own craft, she shares a fresh take on the 19th-century Luddites, who tried to destroy machines that would upend their trade. Looking back, McArdle reframes today’s fear…

1
James Root of Bain & Company - Designing Work Around Six Archetypes 37:01

3M ago37:01

37:01

James Root of Bain & Company unpacks "The Archetype Effect"—six distinct motivations that show up across roles, industries, and countries—and why a one-path ladder misses most of the value. We explore how to design work around what people actually care about, not what old systems assume.We get practical: keep the ladder for Strivers while building …

1
ReThinking: What being a lawyer taught John Grisham about writing novels 34:15

2M ago34:15

34:15

John Grisham is the author of over 50 #1 bestselling novels, including A Time To Kill and The Pelican Brief—but before he became the preeminent writer of legal thrillers, he had a tumultuous career as a lawyer. Adam and John discuss how John’s experience in the courtroom inspires his fiction, and how it has continued to shape his perspective on sto…

1
Maintaining 100-Pound Weight Loss Through Menopause & Retirement (Kim’s 10-Year Update) | Episode 714 55:24

3M ago55:24

55:24

In episode 714 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather reconnects with Kim, who first shared her story in episode 183 after losing 100 pounds. Nearly 10 years later, Kim opens up about what it really takes to maintain long-term weight loss while facing life changes like menopause, retirement, and moving. Heather and Kim chat about:-- how Kim handled wei…

1
How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It…

1
How to Lead in the Most Disruptive Era in History With Scott D. Anthony 38:32

3M ago38:32

38:32

Going back hundreds of years, history is full of paradigm-shifting innovations. In today’s era of epic disruptions, how can leaders boldly usher their organizations into the future safely and strategically? On this episode of Minds Worth Meeting, we talk with Scott D. Anthony, clinical professor of strategy at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business an…

1
ReThinking: What we’re getting wrong about mental health with RaQuel Hopkins 33:53

3M ago33:53

33:53

RaQuel Hopkins is a therapist and HR professional whose hot takes on growth and well-being have challenged how many people talk and think about mental health. In this episode, Adam and RaQuel explore how some people use mental health labels as a crutch, discuss ways to expand our capacity instead of simply coping with emotional wounds, and address …

1
Flashback Episode 101 | HSM 713 23:38

3M ago23:38

23:38

In episode 713 of The Half Size Me™ Show, we share a flashback episode with you: Episode 101 with Valerie!In this episode Heather and Valerie discuss:-- how Valerie improved her diet-- how Valerie is preparing for her triathlon-- what strategies Valerie used to lower her sugar intake-- and more!The full episode 101 is available to Half Size Me Podc…

1
Inside a dark web kill list | Carl Miller 16:25

3M ago16:25

16:25

Who pays for an assassin on the internet? Dark web researcher Carl Miller spent years tracking down the answer to this question. In this chilling talk, he shares how he uncovered real kill orders placed online by seemingly ordinary individuals — and gives an unsettling look at what drives people to the brink. (Note: This talk contains descriptions …

1
ReThinking: Brené Brown on courageous leadership 41:22

3M ago41:22

41:22

Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, what courageous leadership looks like, and whether vulnerability has …

1
CEO Victoria Tomlinson on Unretirement, Age Inclusion, and Older Workers 34:10

3M ago34:10

34:10

Victoria Tomlinson, chief executive of Next-Up, FRSA, BBC Expert Woman, bestselling author, TEDx and international speaker, explains how to value and invest in 50+ talent before and after retirement. We explore the Three R’s—recruitment, retention, redundancy by age—succession done properly, tech confidence vs. capability, and intergenerational tea…