Beyond the Talk: Lei Cheng in conversation with TED Talks Daily
“ I marvel at every little freedom that we have. Because for three years and two months, it was all brutally taken away from me,” says Australian journalist Lei Cheng. In 2020, Lei was wrongfully detained in China after being falsely accused of leaking state secrets. Several years after her release, she took the stage at TED2025 to share her perspective on the meaning and value of freedom. Following her talk, Lei sat down for a special conversation with TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu to discuss her experience and how it’s shaped her vision for a freer future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3 Jun 21min
What I learned about freedom in a secret Chinese prison | Lei Cheng
Accused of leaking state secrets, journalist Lei Cheng was imprisoned in China for more than three years, where she was detained in tight quarters and kept under constant supervision. “Freedom is wasted on the free,” she says, recounting how she and fellow inmates found joy in the smallest of moments: the smell of rain, a poem delivered in secrecy, kindness where it seemed undeserved. She distills the unexpected lessons that confinement taught her — and challenges us to rethink what freedom really means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3 Jun 12min
Can AI help us speak with wolves? | Jeffrey T. Reed
Why do wolves howl? With the help of AI, we're getting closer to an answer. Linguist and software engineer Jeffrey T. Reed shares his research on wolf sounds in the wild, revealing the surprisingly complex range of vocalizations — barks, yelps, whimpers, even teeth clacking — these creatures make for different social functions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 Jun 12min
Sunday Pick: How do you approach gender as a parent? (with LB Hannahs) | How to Be a Better Human
Thinking and talking about gender is complex for anyone, and for some people it’s a frequent conversation–especially for parents. In today’s episode, LB Hannahs, a genderqueer parent, shares their experience of parenting and discusses why they try to center authenticity and gender expansive thinking in the way they live their lives–both in how they interact with their kids, and how they work and show up in their community. Plus, from rethinking the gifts we give children to embracing the spectrums of identity, LB shares actionable recommendations for parents and non-parents alike on how we all can better support the LGBTQ+ people in our lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 Jun 36min
How do you take the right risks? A photographer and brand builder answer | David Suh and Molly Graham
How do you find the courage to take risks — and succeed? Portrait photographer David Suh and brand builder Molly Graham explore the challenges of building confidence, navigating setbacks and learning to embrace the real "you." (This conversation is part of "TED Intersections," a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our world.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31 Mai 28min
Beyond the Talk: Ariel Ekblaw in conversation with TED Talks Daily
"We should be protecting the Earth — and we can use space technology to do that," says aerospace architect Ariel Ekblaw. Following her talk at TED2025, Ekblaw sat down for a special conversation with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to discuss how space-based technology can improve daily life on Earth. From creating artificial retinas in zero gravity to installing solar panels above the atmosphere to capture sunlight, Ekblaw discusses the different technological advancements that help humanity, along with initiatives to build space infrastructure while lowering our carbon footprint. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Mai 21min
How to build in space for life on Earth | Ariel Ekblaw
Is space the “final frontier” — or the perfect place to revolutionize life on Earth? Space architect Ariel Ekblaw reveals how self-assembling structures could build orbiting real estate in space dedicated to solving humanity’s greatest dilemmas on Earth, leading to scientific and medical breakthroughs only possible in zero gravity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Mai 12min
Let your ambition light you up, not burn you out | Tarveen Forrester
Burnout shouldn’t be the price of success, but setting boundaries at work is easier said than done. Tarveen Forrester, who oversees workplace culture at Kickstarter, shares practical strategies for protecting your time and cultivating “sustainable ambition,” so you can crush your goals — without letting them crush you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 Mai 8min
