TED Business Podcast

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) boost creativity and profits, but progress has been slow: Today, nearly 90 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are white males. 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 diversity and inclusion, we need bold disruptors who are uncomfortable with the status quo, even if the status quo benefits them," Sarpong says. After the talk, Modupe highlights proven strategies that increase representation and inclusion in the workplace.

How do you raise kids to step outside of their comfort zones and unlock their inner potential? Mother and business owner Tameka Montgomery makes the case for cultivating an entrepreneurial outlook at an early age -- and offers five strategies for emboldening young minds to embrace opportunities and solve their own problems, no matter the path they choose. After the talk, Modupe shares practical advice on how to give feedback that helps people step out of their comfort zones -- and find their inner entrepreneurs.

Restaurateur Will Guidara's life changed when he decided to serve a two-dollar hot dog in his Michelin-rated restaurant, creating a personalized experience for some out-of-town customers craving authentic New York City street food. The move earned such a positive reaction that Guidara began pursuing "unreasonable hospitality" full-time, seeking out ways to create extraordinary experiences and give people more than they expect. In this funny and heartwarming talk, he shares three steps to crafting truly memorable moments centered in human connection -- no matter what business you're in. After the talk, Modupe shares a collaboration-sparking activity to help you connect with the people you work with.

Climate action has historically had a gender-neutral lens, but this lack of intentionality has actually negatively impacted women, says gender and climate researcher Zineb Sqalli. Using real-world, gender-equal programs as examples Sqalli offers solutions for advancing both sustainability and gender equality – at the same time. After the talk, Modupe shares ways organizations can increase gender diversity and promote inclusion.

"You are constantly becoming a new person," says journalist Shankar Vendantam. In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, he explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" -- the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves -- and shows how we can more proactively craft the people we are to become. Stay tuned after the talk as Modupe shares a clear-eyed and empowering perspective on your future self’s feelings.

You may need to hear this (if you haven't already): your job is not your family. While you can develop meaningful relationships with your colleagues, calling work your family can actually breed burnout and be detrimental to your mental and emotional health. Mental wellness educator Gloria Chan Packer walks through the exercises you need to shift your perspective and redraw the boundaries between your work and personal life, so you can feel freer and more empowered. Join Modupe after the talk, as she shares how to practically set boundaries in your own life.

Some days, it's hard to be optimistic. But cynicism -- the idea that people are inherently selfish, greedy and dishonest -- is making humanity lonelier and more divided, says psychologist Jamil Zaki. In this episode of TED Business, we are revisiting fascinating research on cooperation, empathy and trust, as Zaki makes the scientific case for optimism and shows us how to break out of the cynicism trap. Stay tuned after the talk to hear Jamil Zaki and our host Modupe Akinola delve into the high cost of cynicism.

"When teachers and families work together, everyone wins," says education technology entrepreneur and TED Fellow Heejae Lim. She shines a light on an underutilized resource in US public education -- a family's love for their children -- and shows that, with the right tools and tech, schools can remove language barriers, foster meaningful connections and help every student thrive. After the talk, educational tech entrepreneur Shani Dowell joins our host Modupe to share insights on tools that schools and families can use to work together.