TED Business

TED Business takes the format you'd expect - a TED talk followed by a short host discussion - and puts it in the hands of Columbia Business School professor Modupe Akinola. That addition matters more than it sounds. Akinola is a researcher who studies stress, decision-making, and organizational behavior, so her commentary after each talk isn't just a summary; it's usually a layer of academic context or a pointed question about where the speaker's argument might break down. Episodes are short, typically 15 to 20 minutes, which makes the show an easy commute listen. Recent talks have covered topics like the hidden costs of hybrid work, how companies actually measure AI productivity, and why so many corporate strategy decks end up in a drawer. Not every episode lands - some talks feel dated or repackaged from older TED stages - but the hit rate is respectable, and Akinola's hosting keeps things grounded. Worth noting: listeners regularly complain about ad load, and it's a valid gripe. The free version runs heavy on mid-rolls. The paid TED Audio Collective+ tier removes them if that's a dealbreaker. Otherwise, it's a solid pick for quick, idea-driven business listening.