TED Radio Hour

We’ve all had that moment. The moment where you might see or hear something and you wonder — am I going crazy? In this hour, TED speakers share their experiences straddling that line between madness and sanity. Neurologist Oliver Sacks explains a peculiar condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome — when people of sound mind experience lucid hallucinations. Also, law professor Elyn Saks shares stories about her schizophrenic episodes and how she was able to rise above her grave diagnosis. Plus, author Jon Ronson goes psychopath spotting, and wonders who among us is truly completely sane.

New episodes of the TED Radio Hour, with host Guy Raz, start March 1. Here's a preview of our first episode: The Unquiet Mind.

There are many stereotypes about Africa--that it’s a place of conflict, of disease, war, and famine.  Or that it’s a single place at all, rather than a continent of 54 distinct countries.  We'll engage with thinkers and do-ers who are constructing new realities for their respective countries, and for the African continent a whole.  We’ll hear from TED team member Emeka Okafor, who guides us through some evolving views (and misconceptions) of the African continent; Patrick Awuah, who left a career at Microsoft to found a liberal arts college in his native Ghana; and journalist Andrew Mwenda, who says that industry, not aid, is what’s driving Africa’s growing economies.  

We know getting a good education is important, but does the current model nurture real learning? Three TED speakers share powerful ideas about how to change the education for the better. Teachers are flipping classrooms, rethinking lesson plans, and re-imagining the role of teacher and student, learner and educator. Sir Ken Robinson says the standardization of schools squashes creativity — and ultimately hurts our communities. Salman Khan of the Khan Academy explains how video lectures can help kids master subjects, not just muddle through them. And public school teacher John Hunter says his 4th graders have solved global warming — on several occasions.

For centuries, cities have been bringing people together.  Now, for the first time in history, more than half the world's population lives in cities.  What draws people to them?  What changes when we live closer together?  How can cities offer humanity its best hope for a sustainable future?  TED speakers Stewart Brand, Robert Neuwirth, Ellen Dunham-Jones, and Geoffrey West investigate the future of our urban zones.

The birth of a new idea could be the strongest force for change that we know.  Understanding where ideas come from can help us harness the power of our thoughts.  In this hour, we’ll hear Matt Ridley describe what happens when ideas “have sex”; Susan Cain on how to broaden our approach to cultivating ideas from the quieter voices in the room; and Steven Johnson on how to foster environments where great ideas can happen.

How are we inspired? How do we get from an initial inkling of idea to a fully formed work of art? It’s often challenging to describe the creative process. In this hour we’ll hear from some TED speakers who explain their craft and the daily challenge of nurturing creativity. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins explains his writing process involves plenty of patience, intensity, and trips to the dry cleaners. Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the definition of genius and singer/songwriter Abigail Washburn blends the Far East with with her banjo.            

We depend on rules, guidelines, and laws to provide structure, order, and function. But too often these systems fail us, especially those people most in need of the benefits they provide. Three TED speakers propose how to fix our broken systems. Attorney Philip Howard says we live in a legal minefield, especially teachers and doctors, whose work has been paralyzed by fear of lawsuits. Jane McGonigal explains why video games might be our best hope for solving the world’s most challenging issues. Psychologist Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy.

Technology-enabled collaboration draws us closer, makes us smarter, and allows us to innovate through the wisdom of a crowd.  A new wave of collaborative consumption is transforming consumerism and the rules of engagement. What is the true potential of 21st century collaboration? We'll hear from TED Speakers Clay Shirky, Marcin Jakubowski, Charlie Todd, and Eric Whitacre.

“Food Matters” features a cornucopia of great TED Talks about food: growing it, cooking it, consuming it — and making sure there’s enough for everyone. Biodiversity expert Cary Fowler is looking to save seeds to protect the future of food. Architect Carolyn Steel discusses the daily miracle of feeding a city, and explains how ancient food routes shaped the modern world. Chef Ann Cooper has some fighting words about what’s in kids’ lunches. And Chef Dan Barber tells the story of the best fish he ever ate, raised in using a revolutionary farming method.

Being happy is perhaps the most universal human yearning. But this simple goal often eludes us. Suppose we can understand happiness. Then how do we find it? We hear from Barry Schwartz, Kathryn Schulz, and Malcolm Gladwell, who offer some big ideas for achieving happiness: limiting our choices, facing our regrets, and embracing our diversity.

What tricks do our minds play when we think it’s okay to lie, cheat, or steal? How in control are we of our own decisions? And why do our brains systematically misjudge what makes us happy? Host Alison Stewart talks about our buggy brain with TED Speakers Dan Ariely, Paul Bloom, and Dan Gilbert.