Best Leader S Edge Podcasts (2025)

1
The climate movement needs new stories — here's mine | Fenton Lutunatabua 11:13

Play Pause

12h ago11:13

11:13

"We are not drowning. We are fighting," says storyteller Fenton Lutunatabua, echoing the mantra of the climate activists he works with across the Pacific. He shares stories of the people and communities at the front lines of the climate crisis, proving they're not waiting to be saved — they're demanding action and putting up a fierce fight for the …

1
How to speak up — even when you don’t want to | Sarah Crawford-Bohl 14:54

8d ago14:54

14:54

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most? Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey! Become a TED Member today at …

1
How industrial fishing sinks communities | Lamin Jassey 10:32

16d ago10:32

10:32

What happens when the fish that sustain a community start disappearing? Environmental activist Lamin Jassey shares how industrial fish meal factories are devastating local waters, livelihoods and health in The Gambia — and how communities are organizing to defend their coasts and reclaim their future, one catch at a time. After the talk, Modupe voi…

1
Why joy and flexibility are good for business | Rosie Sargeant 9:38

23d ago9:38

9:38

“In the future, companies will succeed or fail based on how much their people enjoy their work,” says management consultant Rosie Sargeant. She offers three tips to make work more joyful, increase employee retention and boost customer satisfaction, suggesting how fun (like kangaroo-themed employee check-ins) can be both professional and profitable.…

1
How business leaders can renew democracy | Daniella Ballou-Aares 23:12

30d ago23:12

23:12

How much should business leaders speak out about threats to democracy? It's a question many corporations are wrestling with these days. Business and democracy leader Daniella Ballou-Aares shows why companies have both the ability and the responsibility to engage in protecting elections and the rule of law — and why their bottom lines may depend on …

1
The key to navigating change with confidence | Kristy Ellmer 15:48

1M ago15:48

15:48

What if the change you fear most is actually the best thing for you? Change leader Kristy Ellmer shares a powerful lesson on how even the most difficult transitions, including layoffs and company-wide transformations, can open unexpected doors. She offers tools from behavioral science to help you shift your mindset and navigate uncertainty with con…

1
Work is broken. Gen Z can help fix it | Amanda Schneider 15:02

1M ago15:02

15:02

Would you rather stay in your current job until you retire, or change jobs every year? Researcher Amanda Schneider says Gen Z's answer to this question says a lot about the evolving workplace. Sharing data-driven insights on the young workforce, she debunks common misconceptions about Gen Z employees and explains why their preferences are key to un…

1
Is generosity the most underrated leadership skill? | Joe Davis 10:17

2M ago10:17

10:17

Leadership isn’t about a title or position — it’s about generosity, says organizational expert Joe Davis. Drawing on his extensive experience as a people manager, he shares three essential tips for leaders to unlock the potential of their teams by listening generously, embracing vulnerability and leading with humanity — and shows how it's possible …

1
An NBA champion's advice on being a top teammate | Shane Battier 13:37

2M ago13:37

13:37

What if the secret to success isn’t being in the spotlight, but making everyone else around you shine? Former NBA player Shane Battier shares how his most impactful moments didn’t come from scoring points but rather from small, underrated actions that helped his team win — and why prioritizing "we" over "me" can create a lasting legacy, both on and…

1
The 7 pillars of unlocking potential | Anirudh Krishna 15:34

2M ago15:34

15:34

Why do some countries have a seemingly endless supply of talent in certain fields? From Jamaica's sprinters to South Korea's golfers, public policy professor Anirudh Krishna explains why "talent ladders" — structured pathways to identify and nurture people's potential — are the best way to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. After the…

1
Is perfectionism just procrastination in disguise? | Jon Youshaei 9:09

2M ago9:09

9:09

What separates struggling artists from successful ones? Looking to creative geniuses like Mozart, Edison and Monet, video creator Jon Youshaei explains why aiming to be prolific — despite flops and failures along the way — is the key to unlocking your creative success. After the talk, Modupe reflects on herself as a perfectionist and how inviting o…

1
3 reasons to take risks like a teenager | Adriana Galván 10:56

3M ago10:56

10:56

Is embracing your inner teenager the key to thriving in adulthood? Neuroscientist Adriana Galván shares three powerful lessons from decades of research into adolescent brain development, exploring what teens can teach us about embracing uncertainty, challenging the status quo and taking strategic risks — all tools for a bold, brave life. After the …

1
6 ways to make better connections online | Margaux Miller 14:12

3M ago14:12

14:12

Networking expert Margaux Miller offers a fresh playbook for making meaningful connections online, presenting six tips for building online relationships that emphasize quality over quantity and the importance of genuine, personalized interactions. Learn how to be more thoughtful in your approach to making new connections with practical suggestions …

1
Can salad dressing transform capitalism? | Alex Amouyel 14:29

3M ago14:29

14:29

What if businesses were designed to maximize impact — not just profits? Alex Amouyel, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, details the organization’s commitment to donate all of the profits from the food company it owns — and shows what the “100% for purpose” movement can teach us about doing business, philanthropy and capitalism different…

1
How to turn setbacks into success | Amy Shoenthal 18:49

3M ago18:49

18:49

Success rarely happens in a straight line, with setbacks all but guaranteed along the way. What's the best way to recover? Leadership coach Amy Shoenthal lays out the four phases of the "setback cycle" and explains how to transform difficult moments into opportunities for reinvention and progress. After, Modupe reflects on Amy's talk and the benefi…

1
The art of marketing — for good | Raja Rajamannar 16:54

4M ago16:54

16:54

Can marketing transcend traditional business goals and actually be a force for good? Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar shares how purpose-driven initiatives — like “touch cards” for the visually impaired and debit cards that let people choose how their names appear — align profit with purpose and position businesses to create meaningful, positive chan…

1
Solar energy is even cheaper than you think | Jenny Chase 11:53

4M ago11:53

11:53

How prevalent is solar power, really? According to researcher Jenny Chase, it's already displacing fossil fuels in key energy markets around the world. She explains the rise of affordable solar power and dives into how her team tracked its rapid installation in unexpected countries, offering a vision of a brighter, more sustainable future. After th…

1
Why don’t companies want you to repair your stuff? | Aaron Perzanowski 8:32

4M ago8:32

8:32

Today, some companies are working hard to prevent consumers from repairing products on their own. In many cases, repair can only be done by the original manufacturer, if at all. With limited repair options available, we end up buying new and throwing more items out. So, how exactly do companies prevent repair? And what can consumers do about it? Aa…

1
Why you should get good at being bad | Fixable 25:35

4M ago25:35

25:35

This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. Sometimes the only way to win is by finding the courage to lose. This week on Fixable, Anne and Frances want you to “dare to be bad” in order to free up capacity to excel at more important things. They share insight on the power of strategic “no”s, the value of ruthless p…

1
How to reclaim your life from work | Simone Stolzoff 11:38

4M ago11:38

11:38

Where do you draw the line between work and life? Writer Simone Stolzoff explores the problem with defining yourself by your job — and shows what it takes to reclaim your time and sense of meaning beyond the office. After the talk, Modupe shares how practicing meditation nourishes her identity outside of work. Want to help shape TED’s shows going f…

1
Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks | Molly Graham 12:08

5M ago12:08

12:08

Success in your career looks different for everyone — but no matter your industry, you'll need to take risks. Company and community builder Molly Graham shares three key skills to learn before jumping off the metaphorical cliff, outlining a path off the corporate ladder and into true professional and personal growth. After the talk, Modupe shares h…

1
The trick to powerful public speaking | Lawrence Bernstein 17:27

5M ago17:27

17:27

Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explai…

1
We need leaders who boldly champion inclusion | June Sarpong 19:21

5M ago19:21

19:21

This week, we're revisiting an episode on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — essential drivers of creativity and profits, yet progress has been slow. It's time for leaders to become "rock stars" of inclusion — and that starts with pushing through discomfort, says veteran broadcaster and diversity leader June Sarpong. "When it comes to diversit…

1
K-pop, cutting-edge tech and other ways Asia is shaping the world | Neeraj Aggarwal 13:26

5M ago13:26

13:26

For a long time, the conveyor belt of ideas moved from the West to the East, says business strategy expert Neeraj Aggarwal. But now, Asia’s rising cultural and intellectual influence is redefining this established order. He explores how Asia’s booming culture and economy — from K-pop to cutting-edge tech — is sparking creative solutions to global c…

1
What you can learn from people who disagree with you | Shreya Joshi 15:38

6M ago15:38

15:38

This week, we're revisiting an episode with youth leader Shreya Joshi, who shows why having "uncomfortable conversations" with people you disagree with is crucial to bridging the political divide. "When we are able to recognize what unites us, it becomes so much easier to have conversations about what divides us," she says. Join Modupe after the ta…

1
5 steps to building a personal brand you feel good about | Marcos Salazar 10:38

6M ago10:38

10:38

Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand, says social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar — and you have the power to shape what it is. This week we're revisiting an episode that focuses on how you can create a brand that captures who you are, who you'd like to be and how you want to make an impact on the world. This episode is part of the …

1
Luxury, not landfill — the waste-free future of fashion | Joon Silverstein 13:51

6M ago13:51

13:51

Fashion is a huge part of the world's waste problem, but it doesn't have to be. Coachtopia founder Joon Silverstein shows how her company creates new designs from the waste products of another, a circular process that cuts the need for new raw materials — and rethinks what qualifies as "luxury." This talk was made in partnership with Coachtopia. St…

1
Ask dumb questions, embrace mistakes — and other lessons on innovation | Dave Raggio 9:24

6M ago9:24

9:24

To launch new initiatives within the confines of a large corporation, you'll need to work with the system, not against it, says "intrapreneur" Dave Raggio. He shares three lessons on innovation he learned the hard way — so you don't have to. Made in partnership with Intuit. After the talk, Modupe shares one small way we can get everyone working tog…

1
Will the end of economic growth come by design — or disaster? | Gaya Herrington 14:48

7M ago14:48

14:48

What if solving poverty, caring for nature and fostering well-being were the ultimate goals of the economy, instead of growth for its own sake? Environmentalist and economist Gaya Herrington proposes a shift in thinking from "never enough" to "enough for each," asking us to contemplate whether the end of exponential growth on a finite planet will c…

1
Does working hard really make you a good person? | Azim Shariff 18:28

7M ago18:28

18:28

Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good — even if they produce little to no results. In this episode, we're revisiting a talk by social psychologist Azim Shariff, in which he analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring work for work's …

1
5 ways leaders can adapt to shifting geopolitics | Nikolaus S. Lang 16:00

7M ago16:00

16:00

What will the world look like in 2030? International business consultant Nikolaus S. Lang predicts the evolution of a multipolar world, with multiple emerging coalitions of countries acting in new ways to achieve their economic, technological and military goals. He dives into what this will mean for the global economy, offering five tips for busine…

1
Networking doesn't have to feel gross | Daniel Hallak 16:41

7M ago16:41

16:41

Networking doesn’t always have to feel like a self-serving transaction, says executive coach Daniel Hallak. Highlighting the importance of focusing on giving rather than taking when it comes to making connections, he outlines a mindset shift to help you build better relationships — in a way that doesn't feel gross. After the talk, Modupe highlights…

1
Edge AI Revolution: Building Private Enterprise Automations with Knapsack's Mark Heynen 24:01

7M ago24:01

24:01

Edge AI Revolution: Building Private Enterprise Automations with Knapsack's Mark Heynen Mark Heynen is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Knapsack, where he's building private AI automations for enterprise use. A seasoned entrepreneur and technology executive, Mark has founded five companies and held key positions at tech giants including …

1
Yes, you can be an entrepreneur too | Saamra Mekuria-Grillo 18:33

8M ago18:33

18:33

Who gets to be an entrepreneur? Saamra Mekuria-Grillo says the image we most commonly see — a guy in a hoodie — is a limiting representation of entrepreneurial success. She highlights the importance of young Black people seeing entrepreneurship as a possibility for themselves and explains the key to making the field more inclusive. After the talk, …

1
How to empower farmers — and nourish the planet | Agnes Kalibata 14:26

8M ago14:26

14:26

Africa's smallholder farmers feed millions of people and uplift economies, yet they often lack the basic resources needed to thrive, says agricultural scientist and policymaker Agnes Kalibata. She outlines how to empower these farmers with better tools, climate resilience strategies and market access — so they can continue to nourish humanity while…

1
The power of personalization in the age of AI | Mark Abraham 15:07

8M ago15:07

15:07

With all that spam clogging your inbox, a more personalized experience with the brands you interact with would be a refreshing change of pace. Sharing insights from his research into what brands can do to improve the experience of the people they want to reach, personalization pioneer Mark Abraham highlights a key mindset that can help companies bo…

1
Want to get ahead at work? Risk the awkward moments | Henna Pryor 18:40

8M ago18:40

18:40

When we avoid feeling awkward, we often miss an opportunity for growth, says workplace performance expert Henna Pryor. She shares tips on embracing discomfort for the sake of self-betterment and shows how pushing past the "cringe chasm" — the gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others see us — can open up chances to get ahead at work and …

1
The Human Firewall: AI's Double Edge in Cybersecurity with Rob Gurzeev of CyCognito 31:36

8M ago31:36

31:36

The Human Firewall: AI's Double Edge in Cybersecurity with Rob Gurzeev of CyCognito Rob Gurzeev is the CEO and Co-Founder of CyCognito, a cutting-edge cybersecurity company trusted by over 20 of the Global 100 companies. With a background in the elite Israeli Intelligence Corps unit 8200, Rob brings a unique blend of offensive security expertise an…

1
How to ask for more — and get it | Alex Carter 17:17

8M ago17:17

17:17

How do you get what you want out of a negotiation? United Nations negotiation trainer Alex Carter says the best methods center on recruitment, not rivalry. Whether you're asking for a raise or resolving a family dispute, she offers five simple tips for a successful discussion — starting with one powerful question. After the talk, Modupe shares tips…

1
Beyond Spreadsheets: How Ambient AI is Reshaping Financial Planning with Runway’s CEO Siqi Chen 24:57

9M ago24:57

24:57

Beyond Spreadsheets: How Ambient AI is Reshaping Financial Planning with Runway’s CEO Siqi Chen Siqi Chen is the CEO and Founder of Runway, a finance platform revolutionizing business planning and analysis. With a diverse background spanning gaming, social media, and technology, Siqi has been a serial entrepreneur and leader in the tech industry fo…

1
The case for good jobs — and why they're good for business too | Zeynep Ton 17:14

9M ago17:14

17:14

Many of the jobs that keep the world running — like cleaning bathrooms, picking up trash, caring for the elderly — pay so poorly that workers can barely make ends meet. Nonprofit leader Zeynep Ton is intent on changing that, showing why everyone wins when companies pay their people livable wages and offer opportunities for growth. After the talk, M…

1
How entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential | Jay Bailey 16:08

9M ago16:08

16:08

Jay Bailey says so many ideas never see the light of day because entrepreneurship has a problem of belonging. He shares how a chance encounter kicked off his own journey to becoming an entrepreneur and advocate for Black-owned businesses — and shows how anyone can unlock untapped potential. After the talk, Modupe reflects on how having space to exp…

1
Secure RAG Systems: A DeepTech Exploration with Protecto’s COO, Protik Mukhopadhyay 34:26

9M ago34:26

34:26

Secure RAG Systems: A DeepTech Exploration with Protecto’s COO, Protik Mukhopadhyay Protik Mukhopadhyay is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Protecto.ai, a venture-backed company specializing in secure and privacy-focused Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions. With over 15 years of experience in artificial intelligence, large language m…

1
Scaling AI For Enterprise: Inflection AI’s Roadmap to Human-Centered Solutions with CEO Sean White 25:41

9M ago25:41

25:41

Scaling AI For Enterprise: Inflection AI’s Roadmap to Human-Centered Solutions with CEO Sean White Sean White is the CEO of Inflection AI, a pioneer in human-centered artificial intelligence. With a career spanning decades in tech innovation, Sean has been at the forefront of computer vision and AI technology. His experience includes key roles at M…

1
The breakthrough power of young leaders | Mohan Sivaloganathan 16:25

9M ago16:25

16:25

Leadership isn’t a title; it’s a verb that requires action, says youth empowerment advocate Mohan Sivaloganathan. Drawing on his experience as the CEO of a nonprofit, he shares surprising lessons on adaptability and accountability, showing why truly effective leaders listen to the voice of younger generations. After the talk, Modupe reflects on how…

1
AI Strategy Unveiled: Former IBM Chief AI Officer on Enterprise AI Success 31:12

9M ago31:12

31:12

AI Strategy Unveiled: Former IBM Chief AI Officer on Enterprise AI Success Seth Dobrin is a prominent figure in the AI and data science industry. He is the co-founder and GP of One Infinity Ventures, a venture fund focused on deep tech and responsible AI. Seth is also the founder of Quantum AI, a consulting company specializing in AI strategy, gove…

1
How to break through fear and become a leader | Valerie Montgomery Rice 16:18

9M ago16:18

16:18

Vigilance. Grit. Resilience. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, shares where she learned these key qualities of successful leadership, offering three lessons for anyone who wants to overcome their fears, stand up for what’s right and build opportunity for all. After the talk, Modupe urges us all to tell …

1
The secret to finding your ideal workplace | Marion Campan 17:30

10M ago17:30

17:30

What's the most important thing to look for when applying for a new job? Entrepreneur Marion Campan advocates for a focus on company culture above all else. She offers practical strategies for evaluating companies before accepting a new position — including how to ask the right questions about values, feedback and expectations — to help job seekers…

1
Beyond ChatGPT: Unlocking Enterprise Value in the Age of Generative AI with Paul Baier 23:46

10M ago23:46

23:46

Beyond ChatGPT: Unlocking Enterprise Value in the Age of Generative AI Paul Baier is the CEO of GAI Insights, a company specializing in generative AI strategies for enterprises. With over 25 years of experience in B2B sales and venture-backed companies, Paul has become a thought leader in the AI space. He previously worked at FirstFuel, using tradi…

1
How to claim your leadership power | Michael Timms 15:10

10M ago15:10

15:10

When faced with challenges, do you often seek someone else to blame? Leadership expert Michael Timms shows why this instinct is counterproductive, highlighting three effective habits of self-accountability that will empower you and others to make positive change — whether at home or at work. After the talk, Modupe shares crucial questions to ask yo…