For all of human history, a baby’s DNA was determined by chance at conception: the so-called genetic lottery. “That era is over,” says Noor Siddiqui, whose company builds screening tools to read the whole genome of embryos in an effort to give parents more genetic information than standard IVF. She makes the case that this kind of technology helps families understand and reduce health risks, raising the question: How much should we know about our children’s DNA before birth? (Followed by a brief Q&A with TED’s vision steward Sal Khan) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Lewinsky is an anti-bullying activist and host of Reclaiming with Monica, a podcast that shines her guests’ unguarded conversations about how they make sense of the world. In this episode filmed in front of a live audience at TED 2026, Chris interviews Monica on how she finds healing throughout the years. They discuss the role of public shaming in an online world, the differences between cancel culture and accountability culture, and how to have more empathy after surviving trauma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Activist Leopoldo López learned the true value of freedom in a solitary confinement cell, when someone else decided if he would eat or see sunlight. In this searching conversation, he explains why democracy is losing ground across the globe, the state of Venezuela’s transition after Maduro’s capture and the 2026 earthquakes — and why he founded the World Liberty Congress to unite activists in the fight against autocracies. (This conversation, hosted by TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage with the big ideas you love from TED. To learn more, visit ted.com/membership.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does confidence look like? Public speaking expert Cara Hale Alter studies how to project confidence and credibility — and she’s pinpointed two key behaviors that shape how others see you. In this actionable talk, she explains how to make sure you’re showing your true potential at work and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Homelessness can feel like an issue that’s too big and complicated to fix, something we’ve learned to walk past. Jen Loving, who leads the nonprofit Destination: Home, has spent her entire life proving that mindset is wrong. She shows why we must stop waiting until someone is pushed outside before intervening — and introduces Right at Home, a proven model helping communities across the US keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.