TED Health

Joel Bervell was one of the only Black students in his medical school program. After noticing how misconceptions about race were embedded in health care, he turned to social media to raise awareness about the harmful impact of biases in medicine. He unpacks the long history of race-based health care disparities — and shows what the medical field can do to better serve all patients. After the talk, Joel and Shoshana talk about the role AI and tech play in perpetuating biases and Joel's forthcoming animated children tv show, The Doctor Is In. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data isn’t just about numbers or trends — it’s about capturing the stories that shape our lives, says information designer Giorgia Lupi. Following a long COVID diagnosis, she tracked her symptoms meticulously over four years, the data culminating in a visual “New York Times” narrative that resonated deeply with many others suffering from chronic illness. Lupi invites us to consider data not as a rigid or objective truth, but as a living language used to better understand ourselves, offering a surprising shift in perspective — depending on where you look. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What we eat is less about what we choose and more about what’s offered to us, says food and climate expert Sarah Lake. Unpacking how governments and companies have driven up meat consumption in the US through extensive marketing, she explains how we could employ these same forces to incentivize plant-based eating — for the sake of the planet, public health and global food security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to make psychiatry more psychedelic, says psychiatrist Benjamin Lewis. Sharing results from his clinical trial on psychedelic-assisted therapy, he highlights how group therapy paired with the safe use of psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, has the potential to improve mental health conditions like depression and burnout. After the talk, Dr. Anthony Back, a palliative care physician, joins Shoshana to discuss his study on using psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat burnout among frontline healthcare workers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know a good night’s sleep is essential, but for many people, sleeping well (or falling asleep at all) can be difficult and even stressful – and there’s no shortage of tales about what prevents people from catching their ZZZs. In this episode of Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter, Dr. Jen digs into "how to sleep'' culture – from blue light blockers to sleep hygiene enthusiasts, to the 8 hours a night rule to… witches?! Don’t sleep on this episode–because it might just have you skipping the melatonin supplements and rethinking sleep rituals – before jumping into bed for a well-deserved snooze. Read the full transcript for this episode at https://go.ted.com/BSTscript11 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 5th century, a shipmaster was suffering from a nasty infection that caused his jaws to press together, his teeth to lock up, and the muscles in his neck and spine to spasm. Today we know this account to be one of the first recorded cases of tetanus. So, what causes this peculiar infection? Louise Thwaites explores how tetanus affects our bodies, and how we can prevent it. This lesson was directed by Andrew Foerster, Rewfoe, narrated by Pen-Pen Chen and the music is by Jason Stamatyades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if animals like dogs, ferrets, mice and raccoons could help sniff out the next pandemic? Exploring the science of smell, neurobiologist Glen J. Golden delves into the development of a "mechanical nose" that could detect diseases by identifying specific odor profiles. Until that technology is fully developed, he explains how we can train humanity's furry allies to identify illnesses — and help stop the spread in its tracks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legendary actor and mental health advocate Glenn Close is on a quest to change how we think about mental health, starting with her decision to speak out about her own family's struggles — a brave choice considering the stigma that pervades the topic. This week, we're revisiting this sweeping conversation with TEDWomen curator Pat Mitchell, where Close shares the inspiration behind the advocacy group she founded to combat the crisis, underscoring the transformative power of community and the critical need for comprehensive mental health care systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We may think the complexities of the human mind can only be understood by other humans. Yet research on chatbots and psychology suggests non-human bots can actually help improve mental health. In this episode of The TED AI show, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, host Bilawal Sidhu talks with Dr. Alison Darcy, the founder of mental health app Woebot, and Brian Chandler, an app user, to learn what chatbots reveal about our inner lives and what they can (and can’t) do when it comes to emotional wellness. Check out the 99% Invisible episode we reference in the episode here: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-eliza-effect/ For transcripts for The TED AI Show, visit go.ted.com/TTAIS-transcripts Find more of The TED AI Show wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the next wonder drug be somewhere in Canada's snowy north? This week, we’re revisiting a talk that takes us to a breathtakingly frigid landscape, where chemist Normand Voyer uncovers the mysterious molecular treasures hidden within plants that thrive in the cold. These scarcely investigated organisms could hold immense medical promise, he says — so long as we work quickly enough to discover them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TED Health's very own Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider has a new podcast Before We Go. You heard the first episode earlier this year so we wanted to share the second episode in the series -- if you'd like more from Before We Go, check it out wherever you are listening to this. Before We Go follows Shoshana's personal and emotionally charged journey after her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the summer of 2022. His doctors were encouraged when testing showed that the cancer was related to a BRCA genetic mutation, which meant that it might respond to new, targeted therapies. But that also meant that Shoshana and her sister were also at risk for developing life-threatening cancers. With the help of renowned experts and some of the professionals who helped her along the way, Shoshana tells her story of love, loss, family, mortality, and the unexpected paths we take to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's greatest challenges. In this episode, Shoshana reflects on the death of her paternal grandmother, Joy Ungerleider, who died of the same cancer Steven now faces. The family learns that Steven's cancer is BRCA-related, and hope rises with the possibility that targeted therapy may offer him many months, if not years, of quality life. But he would first need to endure several months of harsh chemotherapy. See behind the scenes and join the conversation on Instagram @beforewegopodcast.

Join Shoshana in this live taping at TEDNext 2024 for a perspective-shifting conversation on achievement with ethicist, author, and rabbi Ira Bedzow. Shoshana and Ira challenge the way today’s culture and individuals look at success, exploring life’s deeper meaning and purpose in a time that celebrates "urgency culture." You’ll gain practical strategies for reducing burnout, improving your mental well-being, and aligning your actions with your values. This is the last episode of our series "A Healthier You" -- check out the rest of the episodes and tell us what you think by leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Biologist Kathleen McAuliffe dives into emerging research that explores how certain gut bacteria can influence major parts of who you are, from your personality to life-changing neurological disorders. This week we're revisiting a talk that invites you to learn more about how this ongoing clinical medical and pharmaceutical research might change how we treat disease — and discover the impact of your internal microbial makeup on your mood, weight and more.

Welcome back to our "A Healthier You" series, where TED Health host Shoshana Ungerleider guides you on a journey to your healthiest self. Join her and healthcare experts as they uncover insights that could revolutionize your understanding of health – from your heart to your brain to your gut. Embarking on a fitness journey can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be intimidating. In today's episode, Shoshana unveils practical strategies for creating an exercise routine that lasts and explores all kinds of workouts – from weightlifting to walking. She shares motivational fitness tips that will inspire both beginners and experienced athletes to move more, even amid life's busy schedules.

Could the tech industry's complex algorithms support people during their darkest times, rather than just deliver targeted ads? Drawing from his own experience with depression, this week we're revisiting a talk by global mental health researcher Sandersan Onie, who shows how internet search behaviors can provide valuable insights into suicide risk and potentially help save lives by reaching people in a deeply personal way, at a crucial moment.

Welcome back to our "A Healthier You" series, where TED Health host Shoshana Ungerleider guides you on a journey to your healthiest self. Join her and healthcare experts as they uncover insights that could revolutionize your understanding of health – from the heart to the brain to today's focus: your gut! In this episode, Shoshana sits down with Dr. Megan Rossi, aka The Gut Health Doctor. As a leading scientist, registered dietitian, and nutritionist, Dr. Rossi reveals the crucial link between digestion and general health. She debunks common myths about the microbes that help (or harm) us, and shares accessible, evidence-based nutrition strategies to help you transform your diet for a happier, balanced gut microbiome. Check out the rest of our "A Healthier You" series wherever you are listening to this.

The molecule responsible for hangovers is ethanol, which we colloquially refer to as alcohol. Ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages, and generally speaking, the more ethanol, the greater the potential for a hangover. So, how exactly does alcohol cause a hangover— and is there any way to prevent one? This week, we're revisiting a TED-Ed lesson led by Judy Grisel, who explores the surprising ways that alcohol affects the body. This was originally an animated TED-Ed lesson. It was directed by Anton Bogaty and narrated by Alexandra Panzer, with music by Jarrett Farkas. After the lesson, our host Shoshana dives deeper into the effects of drinking alcohol and the specific impact it may have on women's health.

Welcome back to our “A Healthier You” series, where TED Health host Shoshana Ungerleider guides you on a special journey to embrace your healthiest self. Join her and experts from across the healthcare space as they dive deeper into ideas and knowledge that could change the way you think about health – from your heart to your brain to your gut. This is the second episode of the series, where we talk all about heart health. Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be hard — take it from preventative cardiologist Dr. Danielle Belardo — and also Shoshana’s doctor! In this episode, Shoshana sits down with Dr. Belardo to discuss the common misconceptions about heart disease, the best practices to prevent it and Dr. Belardo’s best advice for keeping our hearts safe and pumping.

Does the key to stopping cancer lie in the heart? This week, we're revisiting a talk from cardiologist Nicholas Leeper, where he digs into scientific research on the link between the world's two leading causes of death, heart disease and cancer, sharing how their biological origins may be connected — and treatable with the same therapeutics. A call to challenge dogma and break down traditional silos in science, with the hope of saving lives. After the talk, our host Shoshana shares her own deeply personal experience with illness and the power of preventative action.

Over the next five weeks, Dr. Shoshana is taking you on a special journey to embrace your healthiest self. Join her and experts from across the healthcare space for our “A Healthier You” series, where we dive deeper into ideas and knowledge that could change the way you think about health — from your heart to your brain to your gut. Up first: how to advocate for yourself. The doctor’s office can be an intimidating place, and it can leave patients confused or worried. But it doesn’t have to be like that! In this episode, Shoshana shares how she’s navigated a recent medical experience and breaks down some key strategies to use at the doctor’s office to get the care you need — and deserve.