Podcasts

Unlocking us (hosted by Brené Brown): Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, who spent the past 20 years studying courage, vulnerability, shame. In her podcast, she interviews leaders in different areas, exploring individual stories through the lens of her own research. A brilliant podcast which guides us to live a more authentic, and fulfilling life.

Where should we begin (hosted by Esther Perel): Esther Perel is a Belgian psychotherapist, who focuses her work on modern relationships and sexuality. Each episode of her podcast consists on a real therapy session with a couple, which is edited to anonymise the participants, fit the 1-hour format, and include Esther's commentary on each couple relational dynamic. As each session progresses, you gain insight into your own relational patterns, and the complex world of intimate relationships.

The Tim Ferris Show (hosted by Tim Ferris): Tim Ferris is an early-stage technology investor/advisor, and host of one of the most successful podcasts ever produced. In the Tim Ferris Show, he interviews world-class personalities from different areas. This podcast seems to be less limited by time constrains, with some 2-hour long interviews. What I love about this podcast is that his interviews are intelligent, unpredictable, and full of information, which is difficult to achieve in a 1-hour format.

Invisibilia (hosted by Alix Spiegel & Hanna Rosin): This podcast is a gem for people who love science and human behaviour. It is focused on invisible factors that shape people's thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, all backed up by personal stories and scientific evidence.

Super Soul Conversations (hosted by Oprah Winfrey): A podcast hosted by Oprah Winfrey, a woman with a inspiring life story, and wisdom beyond belief. Each episode gives voice to a different guest, usually authors, creatives, and/or spiritual leaders. It is a podcast that dives deep into aspects of the human soul.

Talks

The power of vulnerability (Brené Brown | TEDx Houston): The first TED Talk by Dr. Brené Brown unravels her work on connection and vulnerability. What I find brilliant about her work is that it deconstructs the idea that vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and demonstrates that he ability to be vulnerable is directly linked to an increased sense of connection, worth and belonging.

Listening to shame (Brené Brown | TED Talk): The second TED Talk by Dr. Brené Brown revisits the issue of vulnerability as a measure of courage, and discusses the theme of shame. What I love about this TED talk is the idea that only by facing our darkest side, we are able to develop into empowered, courageous, creative human beings.

Glennon Doyle Melton: First the Pain, Then the Rising (SuperSoul Sessions | Oprah Winfrey Network): Glennon Doyle is an American author with an inspiring life story and a deep thinker. This talk teach us about the importance of allowing us to feel our pain during challenging times, instead of trying to numb it. What I have learned with this talk allowed me to embrace all my feelings during my cancer journey and develop self-compassion.

The power of introverts (Susan Cain | TED Talk): Susan Cain is an American writer and lecturer, whose work is focused on introversion. In this powerful TED Talk, Susan explains what is an introvert, how introverts think, and why society is not introvert friendly. As an introvert myself, this presentation validated many of the challenges I face in my own life, helped me to see introversion as a super power, and highlighted the need for deep social change regarding this issue.

Why comfort will ruin your life (Bill Eckstrom | TEDx University of Nevada): Bill Eckstorm is a successful executive and entrepreneur, whose primary interest is growth and performance of individuals and teams. In less than 13 minutes, he explains the importance of facing and overcoming challenge in order to grow and get to the next version of ourselves.

My stroke of insight (Jill Bolte Taylor | TED Talk): Still one of my favourite TED Talks to this day, this is the testimonial of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard brain researcher, who suffered herself a stroke. As the Ted Talk progresses, she explains the differences between left and right brain, sharing the insight she gained with the stroke experience.

On Career, Life, and Leadership (Oprah Winfrey): In this interview, Oprah talks about her career and life, providing valuable lessons that kept me going during challenging times. She has an incredible capacity to reflect on herself, and finding meaning in every challenging moment. This interview encouraged me to reflect on myself, my life and my spirituality, and believe that everything is possible.

Interview with Dr. Maya Angelou (Oprah Master Class): Dr. Maya Angelou, the phenomenal, phenomenal woman, tells her life story, exuding courage, wisdom and grace. I love her depth and the beauty she finds in every hardship, every relationship, and every person who crossed her path.

How to motivate yourself to change your behaviour (Tali Sharot | TEDxCambridge): A great talk detailing the most effective ways to change human behaviour.

The secret to desire in a long-term relationship (Esther Perel | TED Talk): The first TED Talk by Esther Perel focuses on the paradox of love and desire in modern relationships. A brilliant overview on our need for security vs. our need for adventure, and how this balance contributes to the success of intimate relationships.

Rethinking infidelity, a talk for anyone who has ever loved (Esther Perel | TED Talk): In her second TED Talk, Esther Perel approaches the tabu theme of infidelity. What is brilliant about Esther is her unique ability to identify and accept paradoxes in modern relationships, inviting us to reject rigid views on love, and explore new ways of relating.

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness (Robert Waldinger | TED Talk): Dr. Robert Waldinger is an American psychiatrist and Professor at Harvard Medical School. In this TED Talk, he presents the findings of one of the longest studies of adult life ever conducted, the Harvard Study of Adult Development. This study identified the quality of people's relationships as the most important predictor of an happy and healthy life.

Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong (Johann Hari | TED Talk): Johann Hari is a British journalist and writer, who focuses on issues such as depression and addiction. This TED Talk offers an extraordinary new way of looking at addiction, including evidence on how connection is a fundamental piece of the recovery process. This TED Talk made me, not only think differently about addiction, but also rethink the way we approach other illnesses, such as anxiety and depression.

On the struggle of watching the person you love die (Elizabeth Gilbert | The Moth): I cannot recommend this speech enough, particularly for people who are going through life-limiting illnesses and their close families. In approximately 17 minutes, the American author Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of her wife's end-of-life journey, and what she learned as her carer. Brilliant, funny, and so, so human.

What really matters at the end of life (BJ Miller | TED Talk): One of my favourite Ted Talks of all times. Dr. BJ Miller is a palliative care physician, who experienced a life-threatening accident as a teenager, having first-hand experience as both a patient and a doctor. In this TED talk, he details his views on how to best assist people in their own end-of-life journeys, discussing the importance of compassion, beauty and connection.

Why humans run the world (Yuval Noah Harari | TED Talk): Prof. Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli historian and a professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In this TED Talk, he presents an extraordinary historic outlook of the human species, focusing on what makes us unique compared to other animals. This TED Talk stimulates us to examine our belief systems, the organisation of our societies, and the role we want to play in the world at large.