ReThinking

Sir Richard Branson has spent his lifetime taking dreams and making them reality. As the founder of the Virgin Group, he's built more than 400 businesses spanning from retail to music to transport. In his spare time, he’s advocated for human rights and sustainability — and set world records for hot air ballooning and kitesurfing. Richard talks with Adam about what he’s learned about courage and risk-taking in more than half a century of entrepreneurship, unveils his distinctive view of competition, and shares what he thinks great leaders have in common. Richard’s new audiobook, "Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story," is out now.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Justin Trudeau has served as the Prime Minister of Canada since 2015. And there’s a lot to dig into from his years in office — and from his life before, as well. Adam sits down with him to discuss lessons learned about leadership. The Prime Minister opens up for the first time about his early struggles with impostor syndrome and how he maintains his motivation in the face of disapproval and criticism today. He also shares how he encourages people to speak truth to power, where his team is challenging him to improve right now, why he considered quitting, and what keeps him awake at night.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

American writer Rebecca Solnit thinks deeply and writes evocatively about our world. Her must-read essays and award-winning books span hope, history, art, leadership, and sustainability. Adam and Rebecca reflect on what we lose when public discourse is diluted to fit into social media, debate how to bring back good conversations online, and share why being able to recalibrate our opinions is crucial in our increasingly digital world.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Do you pay attention to your attention? John Green is the beloved author of The Fault In Our Stars, and when he started tracking his attention, he realized he was obsessed with evaluating human progress. He decided to start rating everything — from the capacity for human wonder to Canadian geese — on a five-point scale. In this deeply thoughtful conversation with Adam, John shares what he learned from his series of Yelp-style reviews, the gift of a great book, and the unexpected life lessons found in the last lap of Mario Kart. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G8

This episode previously aired June 22, 2021.

Brian Chesky, the CEO and cofounder of Airbnb, is firmly in the trust business. His focus isn't only on building a trusted platform for people to rent their homes to strangers — it's on earning the trust of his employees. Adam and Brian discuss how to lead with care in tough times, why it's better to overcommunicate than undercommunicate, what to expect for the future of work, and why a company should be treated as a community rather than a family. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Years ago, Aza Raskin invented the infinite scroll – and yes, he regrets it. Today, Aza is the co-founder of the Center For Humane Technology and the Earth Species Project. Aza’s work focuses on creating and advocating for ethical technology that benefits collective well-being. For his latest project, he’s looking beyond humanity, using artificial intelligence to decode whale communication and see what lessons we might learn from the animal world. In this expansive conversation, Adam and Aza discuss ways to improve social media, how communicating with other species could change our world, and why everyone – including our governments – needs to upgrade our thinking about an AI world.  Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

David Duchovny knows a lot about success — he’s a Golden Globe-winning actor who has had iconic roles from The X-Files to Californication. But as a literature PhD dropout turned director turned songwriter and novelist, David is more interested in failure and what it can teach us. Adam and David discuss the value of falling short of our goals, the perils of success, and whether nice people really finish last. David’s new podcast Fail Better is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Mae Martin is a comedian, improviser, screenwriter, and podcast host. Their work on Netflix includes the stand-up special Sap and the aptly named TV series Feel Good. Adam and Mae chat about the value of vulnerability in connection, snapping out of procrastination, shame spirals, and life lessons from the art of improvisation.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Kara Swisher made her name by being disarmingly direct with the who’s who of tech – from Steve Jobs to Bill Gates to Elon Musk. So why doesn’t she like the phrase “speak truth to power?” The journalist, author, and host of the popular podcasts Pivot and On joins Adam to discuss her history of assertiveness and her strategies for challenging authority. Then, they dive into Silicon Valley’s favorite status symbols, the difference between being demanding and being demeaning, and the future of technology and accountability. Kara’s latest book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, is out now.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Anne Lamott may be your favorite writer’s favorite writer. The author of many beloved books, including the modern classic Bird by Bird, Anne’s writing is singularly insightful, moving, and oftentimes funny. Adam and Anne chat about the art of great writing, the challenges of being kinder to others and ourselves, and the lessons to be learned from a life examined. Then, Anne helps with a special request. Anne’s latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love, is out now.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

How important are your twenties — and how bad are they? Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist who specializes in young adult development in twenty year-olds. She and Adam review the science of what makes this developmental period important, discuss the common mistakes that we make, and share tips for twentysomethings (and parents) navigating this tumultuous decade. Meg’s latest book, The Twentysomething Treatment, is out now.

Yuval Noah Harari is a historian best known for his book Sapiens, which has sold more than 25 million copies and been translated into 65 languages. Adam and Yuval examine the power of stories in shaping humanity’s success, discuss the tension between justice and peace, and reconsider the true purpose of studying history. Yuval’s latest book, Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why The World Isn’t Fair, is for young readers and it’s out now.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Growing up, Saul Perlmutter just wanted to know how the world worked. In 2011, he was part of the Nobel Prize-winning team that discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe. Saul and Adam talk about how science and knowledge evolve, what surprising emotions come with discovery, and why the combination of individual humility and collective confidence can solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG6

Charan Ranganath is a psychologist and neuroscientist who has spent his career studying memory. His new book, Why We Remember, surveys the latest science on the subject and digs into the links between memory and identity. Charan and Adam discuss surprising evidence on why we remember, what we forget, and how learning new ideas happens.

As a political scientist and founder of Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer helps business leaders, policymakers and the general public make sense of the world. He gives a stirring analysis of the current state of global affairs and explains what makes 2024 so complex. Ian and Adam discuss the cyclical nature of geopolitics, what’s different about today’s crisis of democracy, and what we can do as individuals to cope with it.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

You may know will.i.am as the seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and frontman of The Black Eyed Peas. But his interests beyond music have also taken him down a surprising and creative path — from serving as the director of creative innovation at Intel, to becoming the first artist to stream a song from the surface of Mars, to hosting the first radio show with an AI co-host. Adam asks about will.i.am’s creative process and digs into how he turns his expansive ideas into reality. will.i.am also shares his hopes and fears about the future of technology and entertainment, and the two debate what AI can and can’t do for human creativity.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Cal Newport knows a thing or two about productivity: when he’s not teaching computer science at Georgetown, he’s writing for The New Yorker, hosting a podcast, or authoring New York Times bestsellers like Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. In his new book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, Cal proposes that we trade current standards of rapid output for slower, higher-quality, and sustainable ways of working. Adam and Cal dig into the data on productivity, debate the benefits and drawbacks of doing fewer things (and spending less time on email and social media), and discuss individual habits and organizational practices for preventing burnout and promoting worthwhile work.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Sarah Edmondson escaped and blew the whistle against NXIVM, the cult masquerading as a “personal and professional development company.” With clarity and a surprising and wry sense of humor, Sarah shares her lessons about the dark sides of charisma. She and Adam discuss what makes groups a little (or a lot) culty, the telltale signs of manipulation, and why our highest loyalty belongs to principles — not people.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Robin Arzón is the head instructor at Peloton and an ultramarathon runner, but she didn’t plan to make her career based on her athletic prowess. In this conversation with Adam, she talks about how she fell in love with running in adulthood and her radical career pivot from lawyer to renowned exercise instructor. They discuss what hustle culture gets wrong, why motivation may be less important than momentum, and how to create a consistent practice in the gym — and beyond it.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Denise Hamilton is an inclusion strategist who works with organizations ranging from the UN to the WNBA. She is also the author of Indivisible: How to Forge our Differences into a Stronger Future. Denise and Adam discuss the pain of abandoning old stories, the value of revising long-held beliefs, and how to respond to the backlash against diversity and inclusion. Indivisible is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Jared Cohen is a history buff with a career that boasts its own remarkable story. From the State Department to founding Jigsaw at Google to leading global affairs and innovation at Goldman Sachs, Jared has worked with the world’s top leaders to tackle humanity’s biggest problems. His work in international problem-solving also translates into a passion for U.S. history. His new book, Life After Power, is a fascinating exploration about what seven American presidents did after leaving the most influential job in the world. Adam and Jared discuss the psychology of the founding fathers, debate the pros and cons of pursuing a legacy, and share what these historic figures can teach us all about pursuing and finding purpose. Life After Power is out February 13, 2024. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Bob Sutton is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author. In this zesty conversation with Adam, Bob shares insights on how to overcome friction at work. The two also discuss steps for leaders to become better listeners, the surprising advantages of inconvenience, and why it’s better to be a boring leader than an a-hole boss. Bob’s latest book, The Friction Project, is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

You don’t always decide what you feel, but you do own how you react to those feelings. In her bestselling book and TED Talk, Harvard Medical School psychologist Susan David examines the skills involved in emotional agility. She and Adam go deep on this topic, discussing the risks of judging and suppressing unwanted emotions — and effective techniques for managing them. They explore why optimism is not essential to well-being and how to overcome pressure to be positive. And they reveal how paying attention to what you feel can reveal what you value. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Emotions are like opinions — everyone has them. Thanks to the pioneering research of today’s guest, we know that it’s possible to transform our feelings by changing how we think and talk about them. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a psychologist and neuroscientist at Northeastern University and Harvard Medical School. In this episode, Lisa and Adam bust myths about how emotions are constructed in the brain and experienced in the body. They discuss the surprising evidence that language doesn’t just describe emotions — it shapes them. And they examine how managing your emotions is easier than you may realize. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Jennifer Garner’s roles — from “13 Going on 30” to “Juno” to “Alias” — often center strong women who know how to achieve great things. In a fun and surprising live conversation, Jennifer chats with Adam about his latest book, “Hidden Potential.” They dive into the most eye-opening findings in Adam’s research and the unexpected factors that build character and long-term success. Plus, the two dream up the ideal school — and discuss what it’s like to be both “Type A” and “Type Z” parents. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a clinical psychologist, Becky Kennedy works with parents to raise good kids. She’s best known as Dr. Becky on Instagram, and has been called the "Millennial parenting whisperer" for good reason. Becky and Adam challenge the widespread belief that it’s a parent’s job to make their children happy, talk candidly about the surprisingly difficult task of setting and maintaining boundaries, and dig into the science and practice of helping kids (and adults) deal with the ups and downs of life. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel Prize winner who transformed our understanding of the biases that cloud our thinking. In this conversation, he and Adam explore when to trust our intuition and when to second-guess it. Danny explains how he finds joy in being wrong, spells out steps to smarter interviewing, and reveals how he—the master decoder of decision-making—makes decisions. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/RT-Kahneman

Maurice Ashley is a trailblazing chess grandmaster — the first African-American player to claim that prestigious title. He’s also a chess coaching legend, as spotlighted in Adam's new book, “Hidden Potential.” Adam and Maurice discuss the lessons from losing, the benefits of respecting your opponents, and what drives a winning strategy in chess and life. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

If you think of the arts as entertainment or luxury, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross might ask you to reconsider. The authors of the New York Times bestseller “Your Brain on Art” argue that engaging with music, craft projects, and museums can transform our lives in unexpected ways. Susan, Ivy, and Adam delve into the fascinating science of neuroaesthetics, and explore how art can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Elliot Aronson is one of the preeminent psychologists of the 20th century — his mentors were Abraham Maslow and Leon Festinger, and his award-winning psychology textbooks are seminal even for non-psychologists. Adam asks Elliot about his pioneering work on making mistakes and cognitive dissonance, or the discomfort we feel when we realize that our attitudes or actions contradict our values. Then, the two discuss the dangers (and upsides) of rationalizing our beliefs — and strategies for making better decisions while keeping an open mind. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

We usually wear our thickest armor at work, and Brené Brown has blazed the trail of teaching us why and how to shed it. In this conversation, Adam and Brené unpack the power of showing vulnerability at work — and explore how much is too much. Learn when and where to set boundaries, find out how to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and hear Brené rethink a key assumption that she took for granted in her own work. The transcript for this episode is available at go.ted.com/RT-vulnerability

Poet and author Maggie Smith isn’t sure where she falls on the spectrum from optimism to pessimism. But her viral poem “Good Bones” and her bestselling books have inspired countless readers with profound insights on the messiness of being human. In this episode, Maggie and Adam discuss strategies for handling complex emotions, sustaining hope while acknowledging reality, and accepting ambiguity in life and art. They explore the value of asking questions that may not have a satisfying answer — or any answer at all. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Rainn Wilson was a late bloomer: he landed the role of Dwight Schrute on “The Office” after over a decade of struggling as an actor. But success didn’t solve all of his problems — and it even created some new ones. In this live conversation for the Authors@Wharton series, Adam asks Rainn about his unlikely journey to stardom and how it led him into exploring the insights that philosophy, psychology, and the world’s great spiritual traditions can offer on modern life’s existential questions. They also discuss Rainn’s favorite moments from “The Office” and do some improv when Dunder Mifflin invites a certain organizational psychologist to talk to Dwight.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Many people are obsessed with optimizing their lives, but this might be a suboptimal way to live. Adam brings together psychologist Barry Schwartz (author of “The Paradox of Choice”) and applied mathematician Coco Krumme (author of “Optimal Illusions”) to discuss the dark side of maximizing everything. The three discuss the unintended consequences of always aiming for the best, debate different strategies for individuals and societies to make better choices, and explore how it’s possible to pursue success without sacrificing happiness.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Before his stories regularly appeared in The New Yorker, before the MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, and before being named one of the world’s most influential people by TIME, George Saunders was a roofer. And a doorman. And a technical writer. In this episode, George sits down with Adam and shares what he’s learned from his winding path towards becoming a professional author, the secrets of creating work that sticks, and how to receive feedback and elevate our rough drafts.

Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Malcolm Gladwell hosts a rollicking live discussion about Adam's new book, "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things," which is out today. They explore why we overemphasize innate talent, how Adam grappled with impostor syndrome as a writer and perfectionism as an athlete, and how to chart a path toward achieving greater things. They also discuss the evidence on affirmative action — and riff on topics ranging from humility to psychoanalysis to whether Lions or Bills fans suffer more. This is a conversation from WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective about the science of making work not suck. Listen to WorkLife with Adam Grant wherever you're listening to this.

Meetings often drain our joy and sap our focus – and meeting overload kills productivity. So why do we have so many of them, and is a better world possible? Adam investigates the science of improving meetings and explores how workplaces are fighting meeting bloat. Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts

This is an episode of the latest season of WorkLife with Adam Grant. For more, find WorkLife with Adam Grant wherever you are listening to this.

As a therapist, Nedra Glover Tawwab has spent years helping people set boundaries in their personal and professional lives. As the New York Times bestselling author of the books “Drama Free” and “Set Boundaries, Find Peace,” her wisdom often goes viral on Instagram and beyond. Nedra sits down with Adam for an insightful discussion on why people struggle with creating boundaries, how we can deal with saying “no,” and why setting a boundary is the ultimate act of self-respect. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, Sal is a pioneer in the education technology space. With millions of users and billions of views, he’s been recognized as one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” and now he’s at the forefront of using AI to enrich learning. Sal and Adam have an exciting discussion about the role of AI in the classroom, discuss the opportunities and challenges of designing tools that foster true critical thinking, and share their visions for the future of education. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

With his sharp observational comedy and dry wit, Jim Gaffigan has been making people laugh for decades. He’s a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer who has earned an Emmy award and multiple Grammy nominations. He opens up about his early career shift from marketing to comedy, the art of crafting jokes that land, and the often exasperatingly funny experience of parenting. Jim’s latest special, “Dark Pale,” is now streaming on Amazon. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Chip and Joanna Gaines are best known for their hit reality TV home renovation show “Fixer Upper.” The married couple has delighted audiences by finding charm in unexpected places, and now Chip and Joanna are building their own empire extending from furniture and homewares to a Gaines TV channel. But their greatest achievement has been building a thriving partnership at work and home despite dramatic differences between their personalities. Chip and Joanna talk with Adam about how introverts and extroverts collaborate, the challenges and rewards of doing business together, and the lessons they’ve gleaned from their entrepreneurial journey. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As they dreamed up iconic characters like Buzz and Woody, Pixar reinvented how animated movies are made. But first, they had to build a culture to make this magic possible. Pixar's co-founder and longtime president Ed Catmull and Oscar-winning Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter talk with Adam about how to spark and sustain creative collaboration. They also reveal the secret to great storytelling, discuss how to maintain and evolve a vision, and reflect on the lessons learned from working closely with the ever-enigmatic Steve Jobs. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Baratunde Thurston is an Emmy-nominated writer, activist and comedian. Whether it’s through his witty and thoughtful work at “The Onion” or The Daily Show, or via in-depth reflections in a New York Times best-selling book or a hit podcast, Baratunde is adept at addressing complex ideas with compelling stories and serious issues with levity. Baratunde speaks with Adam about the evolution of his communication style, shares ideas on what kind of storytelling actually moves the needle for an audience, and discusses the surprising ways in which he’s rethinking his approach to AI. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Award-winning researcher and pioneering psychologist Brian Little has plenty of accomplishments under his belt. He’s the author of the bestselling books “Me, Myself, and Us” and “Who Are You, Really?” His TED Talk on the science of personality has tens of millions of views and he’s been elected a Favorite Professor multiple times at Harvard. And he’s also Adam’s favorite psychologist – and personal mentor. Brian and Adam talk about how our personal projects shape our well-being, the nuances of introversion and extraversion, when it makes sense to act out of character, and what our daily pursuits reveal about us. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Margot Lee Shetterly used to be an investment banker, a business owner, and a content marketing and editorial consultant. Now she’s the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Hidden Figures,” which chronicles the challenges and contributions of the Black women who worked at NASA from the 1930s through the 1960s. Margot and Adam talk about the process of finding and researching the story behind “Hidden Figures,” how to navigate career transitions, and why reframing familiar tales creates more complex and compelling narratives. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a blogger and executive coach, James Clear spent years studying how to form and change habits. His research culminated in the book "Atomic Habits”, which has sold more than 15 million copies and been translated into over 50 languages. James speaks with Adam about changing our systems for achieving goals, building habits around identities as well as actions, and accumulating small wins that add up to big change. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

When Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya first arrived in the U.S., he had little money and no big plans. But combine his childhood growing up in a nomadic dairy-farming Kurdish family, some college-level business courses, and a lot of spunk, and his winding trajectory is a unique story of an entrepreneur finding his north star. Today, Adam asks Hamdi about his “anti-CEO playbook” and the business philosophies he leads with, which aim to prioritize people over profit. Hamdi also shares the work he is doing with refugees around the world, and why he invests in projects with adaptable plans and resilient people. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Before Agnes Callard was a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, she was on her high school debate team — and she still loves to debate anything and everything. Her work regularly appears in major outlets such as The New York Times, and she was recently profiled in The New Yorker for her radical openness to rethinking her life. Agnes and Adam discuss the difference between ambition and aspiration, the art of thought-provoking conversations, and whether listening or arguing helps you do your best thinking. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

When John Mackey co-founded Whole Foods, he didn't consider himself an entrepreneur. But after 42 years of leading the company – and spearheading its sale to Amazon – Mackey has proven that a business with purpose can succeed and scale. John speaks with Adam at an Authors@Wharton live event about his Whole Foods journey, from living in his first store to selling the company. They discuss the pros and cons of 5-year plans, strategies for staying flexible and adaptable, and the role of passion in a career. This conversation was recorded live at Authors@Wharton. The transcript for this episode is available at go.ted.com/rethinkingmackey Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Admiral Linda Fagan is the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard – and the first woman to ever lead a branch of the U.S. military. She speaks with Adam about facing impostor syndrome and breaking glass ceilings, spearheading a bold vision for change in the military, and why she believes good leadership requires confidence and humility. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

Brené Brown and Simon Sinek are two of the world's most influential thought leaders. They’ve shared their insights on the power of vulnerability and purpose in viral TED talks, hit podcasts, and bestselling books. Adam invites Brené and Simon to a lively discussion about the most important skills for leaders to build -- and the most vital steps for organizations to put people first. Together, they also field audience questions on earning trust, giving upward feedback, and creating better leadership opportunities for the next generation. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

Six-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars spent 14 years with the Detroit Pistons. As the quiet leader of multiple championship teams, he guarded Michael Jordan –who said he did it better than anyone else– and helped keep teammates like Dennis Rodman focused. Although it was the “Bad Boys” era, Joe was the first-ever recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, which is now named after him. After playing hard – and fair – Joe went on to spend another 14 years as the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, and is now a top executive in the NBA. Joe speaks with Adam about his leadership style both on and off the court, and shares the wisdom he’s learned about managing all kinds of people – and making teams better. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

Ginni Rometty rose through the ranks at IBM to become their first female CEO. After leading the iconic tech company from 2012 to 2020, Ginni chronicled the experiences and lessons learned in her memoir, “Good Power.” In a candid conversation at the Authors@Wharton series, Ginni talks with Adam about cultivating and harnessing influence, leading change through highlighting what will stay the same, and her cautious optimism about the future of AI. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

Steve Martin has made an award-winning career out of taking on new identities–from actor and comedian to musician and novelist. Over the years, he’s learned that the best way to find yourself is by imitating your role models. He explores how to do that in a new audiobook, So Many Steves, with his longtime friend Adam Gopnik, the New Yorker writer and author. Steve and Adam join Adam Grant for a riveting discussion about impersonation and authenticity, humor and writing, success and happiness, and valuing the friends you make along the way. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

For 15% off So Many Steves, use the code ADAMGRANT at pushkin.fm.

How do you build a team capable of winning the Super Bowl? Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll believes it comes down to strong relationships–ones that extend beyond the field and last for a lifetime. He talks with Adam about taking accountability for failures, the differences between regard and respect, and the rituals he’s developed over years on the job that have helped him create trust and communication in his team. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

The first time Tara Westover ever stepped into a classroom, she was seventeen. Today, Tara has a PhD in history and a #1 New York Times bestselling book, “Educated”, a memoir about her experience growing up undereducated in rural Idaho in a Mormon survivalist family. Tara and Adam talk about the triumphs and struggles of educating yourself and others, what it takes to open other people’s minds, and the difficult and surprising emotions that arise when we challenge –and even change– our beliefs.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

What motivates us to do… well, anything? Uri Gneezy is a behavioral economist who has changed our understanding of how incentives influence our decisions and actions. Adam and Uri take a deep dive into the psychology of rewards and punishments -- and when and why they backfire. Uri’s latest book “Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work” is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Andy Weir is the bestselling author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary. He’s known for weaving deep, carefully researched science into his novels, building intricate sci-fi worlds that have captivated millions of readers. But here’s a plot twist: Andy doesn’t actually love the act of writing itself – so how does he motivate himself to do it anyway? Adam talks with Andy about the creative process, the skills involved in discarding bad ideas, finding joy in worldbuilding and research, and why you should never be writing with a sequel in mind. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Sian Beilock is a cognitive scientist who specializes in why we choke under pressure. She’s also the first woman to be elected President of Dartmouth College. Sian shares with Adam her unique perspective on delivering results in high-stress environments, the value of sitting with discomfort, and strategies for guarding against performance anxiety. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot capable of generating human-like text, seems to be everywhere. But how trustworthy are these tools -- and what do they mean for the future of writing and work? Adam brings AI entrepreneur Allie Miller and innovation and entrepreneurship professor Ethan Mollick to discuss the capabilities of ChatGPT, debate its merits and downfalls, and ponder what we should -- and shouldn’t -- leave to AI. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a novelist, Jennifer Lynn Barnes has earned acclaim from critics and fans alike – her series The Inheritance Games has sold over a million copies. Before she became a bestselling author, she was a leading researcher in psychology on what draws us to fiction – and how it affects us. Jennifer and Adam discuss the psychology of reading and writing, fiction and fandom, and the role of imagination in the stories we love most. Then a special guest co-host (Adam’s daughter!) asks Jennifer about creativity, her favorite characters, and what makes a piece of writing original. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Justin Gregg is an animal cognition expert -- he studies what goes on inside the heads of other creatures, and what that means for us. He’s a captivating science writer: one of his specialties is explaining whether dolphins are actually smart, and his most recent book is “If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal.” In an expansive conversation, Justin and Adam discuss what makes the human mind unique, muse over the life lessons we might learn from the animal world, and debate whether or not, when it comes to consciousness, ignorance is really bliss. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Yo-Yo Ma began playing the cello at age four, played for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower at age seven, and has been touring the world since. He’s released over 100 albums and won 19 Grammy awards, and he’s won both the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Yo-Yo talks with Adam about his experience with burnout, how he sustains his energy and creativity, and what it means for music to connect –and celebrate– humanity. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Jody Avirgan has played and reported on sports at the highest levels. After being one of the few professional Ultimate Frisbee players to be featured in a Sportscenter highlight, he pivoted to a career in radio, where he’s produced thoughtful stories on acclaimed shows like ESPN’s 30 for 30, Freakonomics, and 99% Invisible. Now he’s the host of Good Sport, a new podcast from the TED Audio Collective. Jody and Adam dive into what forges great leadership on and off the field, explore why certain cities and communities become hotbeds of talent, and discuss why sports are more than just fun and games. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a clinical psychologist, Becky Kennedy works with parents to raise good kids. She’s best known as Dr. Becky on Instagram, and has been called the "Millennial parenting whisperer" for good reason. Becky and Adam challenge the widespread belief that it’s a parent’s job to make their children happy, talk candidly about the surprisingly difficult task of setting and maintaining boundaries, and dig into the science and practice of helping kids (and adults) deal with the ups and downs of life. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Abby Wambach is one of soccer’s all-time greats. But in 2015, after she retired with two Olympic medals, a FIFA World Cup Championship, and six U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year awards under her belt, she wasn’t sure what would be next. In this jam-packed conversation, Abby shares how she rethought her life and work. She and Adam discuss the challenges with maintaining motivation, what makes teams great, and how to know when you’ve accomplished enough. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Kaja Kallas is the current Prime Minister of Estonia – and the first woman to hold the position. Her perceptive communication and bold action against the threat of Russian authoritarianism has bolstered her reputation as a leader we should all be paying attention to. The Prime Minister talks to Adam about what we can learn from the past when thinking about future consequences, the risks of being inauthentic, and what qualities distinguish the best leaders from the rest. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Claude Steele is one of the most influential social psychologists of all time. As a Stanford professor, he’s best known for his groundbreaking research on how the threat of being stereotyped undermines our performance. Adam talks with Claude about why the mere possibility of being stereotyped affects us, how we can protect ourselves from the harmful effects, and what healthy self-affirmation looks like. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As an educator, Ash Brandin’s mission is to make learning in school as fun as playing a game. In exploring the science and practice on the effects of video games, Ash (@TheGamerEducator on Instagram) has an unusually insightful–and unusually balanced–perspective. Adam and Ash discuss the evidence on how video games influence kids and adults, how to set healthy boundaries, and what it means to make leisure and play a priority. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Carla Harris is a fierce leader, a devoted mentor, and a dynamic speaker. A Wall Street veteran who has been named one of the most powerful Black executives in America, Carla’s worked across multiple industries in her 30+ year career, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. In a highly entertaining Authors@Wharton event, Carla speaks with Adam about strategies for building relationships with mentors and sponsors, how to advocate effectively for ourselves and authors, and what to do when we’re not getting the support we need. Carla’s latest book “Lead to Win” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG15

Annie Duke dropped out of a PhD program in cognitive psychology– and went on to win the World Series of Poker. At the Authors@Wharton Series, Adam and Annie discuss the evidence on when to pull the plug, delve into decision-making lessons from psychology and poker, and examine the difference between rethinking an idea and leaving it behind. Annie’s latest book “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away” is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

For our final episode of the year, let’s revisit Adam and Malcolm’s conversation from the archive.

When Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell sit down to challenge each other, everything is fair game. Sit ringside for this collegial cage match in which two preeminent writers rethink each other's ideas in an insatiable quest to get closer to the truth. Is intelligence undersold or oversold? Does individual blaming and shaming obscure the pursuit of real change on racism? Could rethinking everything lead not only to a better business but a better life? In pursuit of answers, Grant and Gladwell agree on this much: you shouldn't believe everything you think. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript4

As we get ready for 2023, we’re excited to bring you a conversation Adam had earlier this year with beloved musician Dolly Parton. Adam talks with Dolly about her creative process, how she balances getting things right with getting things done, and how she manages the hefty cup of ambition she pours herself each morning. Her latest project, “Run, Rose, Run” is both a novel coauthored with James Patterson and a full-length companion album. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G26

For decades, renowned psychologists John and Julie Gottman have studied–and guided–healthy relationships. They share insights from their research–and their marriage–on how to avoid a relationship apocalypse, handle conflict, and make love last. Their latest book, “The Love Prescription” is out now, and Adam has a field day getting them to demonstrate the differences between good and bad fights.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG13

Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist who’s skeptical about data—and a comedian. Andrea and Adam talk about the perks and perils of sharing data on social media, the similarities between the scientific method and comedy, and the value of adding an air of mystery to the way we communicate discoveries. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG12

Growing up, Bo Seo avoided arguments at all costs–until he discovered competitive debate. He went on to win the world debate championship twice and coach the Australian national team as well as the Debating Union at Harvard. Adam and Bo discuss the value of good arguments, how key debate skills pushes us to sharpen our thinking, and how we can get better at disagreeing. Bo’s new book “Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard,” is out now. This episode first aired on The Next Big Idea podcast. You can listen to The Next Big Idea wherever you’re listening to this.

Why do we work five days a week? Could we be just as productive, healthier and happier by working less? And if so, how can leaders and workers successfully make the transition to a new way of working? Adam led a lively discussion of the science and practice of shorter work weeks with top experts from government, business, and academia at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The guests were Ohood Al Roumi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; Jonas Prising, CEO and Chairman of ManpowerGroup Inc.; Hilary Cottam, Social Entrepreneur at the Centre for the Fifth Social Revolution; and Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America. This episode also aired on Agenda Dialogues, a podcast from the World Economic Forum. You can listen to Agenda Dialogues and other podcasts from the WEF wherever you’re listening to this. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG11

For someone who doesn’t believe in goal-setting, Emmanuel Acho is highly accomplished. He’s a former NFL linebacker, an Emmy-winning TV sports analyst, and the New York Times bestselling author of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” – and hosts a video series and podcast of the same name. Emmanuel shares why he is “anti-goals”, how he consistently achieves greatness without pursuing success, and what sports have taught him about living a creative life. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG10

Adam McKay is one of the great satirists of our screens–he’s the writer, director, and producer behind Don’t Look Up, Succession, and The Big Short. Before that, he was best known for making us laugh at Anchorman and as the head writer of Saturday Night Live. Adam and Adam discuss the psychology of human delusion and narcissism, what he learned from improv comedy, and why success is about way more than who you know. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG9

If you were online during the historic 2020 election cycle, you may have seen Sharon McMahon’s viral videos. A former high school educator now known as “America’s Government Teacher,” Sharon fights polarization with nonpartisan facts. Sharon and Adam discuss how we can rethink the qualifications for elected office, who decides to run, and what information voters should weigh. They also address ways to sharpen critical thinking and ponder how to improve Congress with a few thought experiments–including a total takeover of the House and Senate by none other than America’s government teachers. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG8

When Reese Witherspoon was in rehearsals for her lead role in the 2005 film Walk the Line, she wanted to quit–every day. But she went on to win the Oscar for her performance as June Carter Cash. Since then, she’s gone from playing iconic roles in films (Legally Blonde, Election, Water for Elephants) to also producing and starring in her own TV shows and movies (Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, Wild). Reese talks to Adam about how she's built confidence by facing her doubts head on, and shares why acknowledging what she doesn’t know has helped her found a company–which was recently acquired for $900 million–that finally puts women at the center of their stories. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG7

Growing up, Saul Perlmutter just wanted to know how the world worked. In 2011, he was part of the Nobel Prize-winning team that discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe. Saul and Adam talk about how science and knowledge evolve, what surprising emotions come with discovery, and why the combination of individual humility and collective confidence can solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG6

It took Celeste Ng a long time to believe she could write for a living. Now she’s the New York Times bestselling author of the novels “Everything I Never Told You” and “Little Fires Everywhere”-- which was developed into a hit TV show by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. Adam and Celeste have been friends since college–they met through her first writing job. They discuss Celeste’s versatile writing process, her insights on thinking and communicating more clearly, and how she feeds her curiosity–both as a reader and a writer. Celeste’s latest book, “Our Missing Hearts,” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG5

Have you ever thought you can’t do something because you’re “not wired that way”? Neuroscientist Chantel Prat might challenge you to rethink your beliefs. Chantel dispels some sticky myths about right-brainers and left-brainers, shares her research on how learning to code depends more on verbal skills than math skills, and generates some hypotheses about Adam’s brain. Her debut book “The Neuroscience of You” is out now.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG4

Atul Gawande was advised by a colleague to say yes to every opportunity until he turned 40. Since then he’s been a renowned surgeon, a public health leader and government policymaker, and a bestselling author and “New Yorker” writer. He talks with Adam about his fascinating career and how he balances his passions for different fields, why he works with a coach even in the operating room, and how he’s working in The White House to end our current pandemic–and prevent the next one.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG3

In 2017, Alex Honnold did what even the world’s best rock climbers thought was impossible. He climbed to the top of El Capitan– a granite rock mountain more than 3,000 feet high– without a rope, harness, or net. His audacious feat was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” and it left Adam with some burning questions about what we can learn from his unique approach to managing fear. Alex opens up about how he regulates his emotions when he’s hanging on by just a few fingers, what still scares him, and how he stays motivated to pursue ambitious goals. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG2

Mark Cuban has gone from selling garbage bags door-to-door to selling internet companies for billions, acquiring an NBA team, and becoming a beloved “Shark” on Shark Tank. Mark reveals to Adam how he turns problems into opportunities in entrepreneurship, basketball, and investing. They discuss his latest venture–disrupting the healthcare industry with an online pharmacy and a price-slashing philosophy that makes hundreds of drugs affordable–and why following your passion is not the best way to maintain your motivation.
For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG1

Before Ava DuVernay became the first Black woman director to win Sundance and get nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, she was a publicist with a little hobby, a big dream, and a lot of patience. Adam talks to Ava about how she turned her side gig of filmmaking into a brilliant career, how her leadership style has evolved over the years, and what studying MLK while making the movie Selma can teach us about what it really takes to inspire.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G29

Satya Nadella is a modern renaissance man; he’s a cricket enthusiast, poetry lover, oh, and the chairman and CEO of Microsoft with a nearly perfect approval rating on Glassdoor. Satya has led a transformation at Microsoft, up-ending the culture, and rethinking remote and hybrid work. In this episode, Adam talks to Satya about the future of work, leadership, and building cultures of care. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G28

Jon Batiste has had a record year—he was the most nominated artist at the Grammys, winning five of his ELEVEN nominations across multiple categories, including Album of the Year. When he’s not making musical history, he’s a touring artist, late-night band leader, and Oscar-winning composer. In this episode, Jon talks with Adam about the creative process of making his genre-defying music, his prodigious background as a young musician in New Orleans, the role of focus and variety in building a successful career, and the power of art to make real change.
For the full text transcript, visit https://tedtalks.social/3FCKvYj

When Esther Duflo took her first economics class, she hated it. In 2019, she won a Nobel Prize in economics. Esther talks with Adam about her groundbreaking experiments to fight poverty, busts myths about what motivates people, and reveals how to make meaningful progress toward solving daunting problems. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G24

PepsiCo's trailblazing former CEO drove record profits—but did so while investing in employee well-being, consumer health, and environmental sustainability. In their second conversation, she and Adam are on stage for a lively, entertaining dialogue about how to improve our work lives and our workplaces. They talk about striking a balance between fitting in and standing out, winning support for major change up and down the org chart, and rethinking business education. Indra also reveals the name of the only world leader who ever intimidated her and why she doesn’t care who wins the battle between Pepsi and Coke. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G23

The longtime PepsiCo CEO is one of the world’s most powerful women and Time’s 100 most influential people. In the first of two rich conversations, she explains why she wrote more than 400 letters about her direct reports… to their parents. Indra and Adam discuss what she’s learned about leadership, finding and being a mentor, championing ideas from below, and making big career decisions. They also explore some of the big questions around the future of work—from embracing flexibility to creating equitable arrangements for women to making family a real priority. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G22

At the age of 18, Allyson Felix took home the Olympic silver medal in the 200 meter dash. She was devastated. Where others saw “second-best in the world,” she only saw “not first.” That race lit a fire that would carry her on to become the most decorated track and field athlete in American history. Adam talks with her about achieving excellence, bouncing back from her so-called “failures,” and sustaining motivation to medal in five straight Olympic games. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G21

In a world obsessed with efficiency, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights began with idle curiosity. Adam interviews Lin together with his father, Luis, about finding harmony between creativity and productivity—and rhythm between work and life. They discuss what motivated Lin to take a big risk on the biggest stage of his life, the challenges of fitting in when you stand out, the importance of delegation and deadlines, and the lost art of doing nothing. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G9.

Do you pay attention to your attention? John Green is the beloved author of The Fault In Our Stars, and when he started tracking his attention, he realized he was obsessed with evaluating human progress. He decided to start rating everything—from the capacity for human wonder to Canadian geese—on a five-point scale. In this deeply thoughtful conversation with Adam, John shares what he learned from his series of Yelp-style reviews, the gift of a great book, and the unexpected life lessons found in the last lap of Mario Kart. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G8

Criticism rarely comes wrapped in a shiny gift box, tied with a bow. As a trailblazing leader, one of Mellody Hobson’s gifts is finding the diamond in the rough. She and Adam unpack how to look for the grain of truth in any critique, when to discount feedback, and what it takes to be honest without being brutal. Find the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G7

It’s been 25 years since the concept of emotional intelligence exploded onto the scene. Cultural critic Merve Emre makes a bold case that in the wrong hands, it can be used to exploit people. We unpack the surprising roots of emotional intelligence, how it’s been co-opted as a form of corporate control, and why you might want to rethink some of your core assumptions about emotions at work. You can find the full transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript6

Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel Prize winner who transformed our understanding of the biases that cloud our thinking. In this conversation, he and Adam explore when to trust our intuition and when to second-guess it. Danny explains how he finds joy in being wrong, spells out steps to smarter interviewing, and reveals how he—the master decoder of decision-making—makes decisions. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GDK

When Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell sit down to challenge each other, everything is fair game. Sit ringside for this collegial cage match in which two preeminent writers rethink each other's ideas in an insatiable quest to get closer to the truth. Is intelligence undersold or oversold? Does individual blaming and shaming obscure the pursuit of real change on racism? Could rethinking everything lead not only to a better business but a better life? In pursuit of answers, Grant and Gladwell agree on this much: you shouldn't believe everything you think. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript4

Have you ever felt your work colleagues sometimes act like animals? In this conversation, Jane and Adam take that idea literally, exploring what Jane's expertise on chimp behavior can teach us about how humans relate and organize. With grace and wisdom, Jane shares primal insights on how we acquire and keep power, the difference between being a leader and being a boss, and the role of patience in making discoveries and making a career. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript3

We usually wear our thickest armor at work, and Brené Brown has blazed the trail of teaching us why—and how to shed it. In this conversation, Adam and Brené unpack the power of showing vulnerability at work—and explore how much is too much. Learn when and where to set boundaries, find out how to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and hear Brené rethink a key assumption that she took for granted in her own work.