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Sincerely, X

Sincerely, X

Author: TED

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Stories shared on the TED stage are seen and heard by millions around the world. But some ideas can’t be shared in the open — there are stories that are too risky, painful, or controversial. Sincerely, X provides a space to share powerful ideas anonymously. Stories that deserve to be heard, from people who remain hidden.
27 Episodes
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On the internet, nobody seems to remember you’re a real person. That’s especially true for Michael James Schneider, an artist whose work you’ve probably seen online. Commonly referred to as “Balloon Guy”, Michael uses mylar balloons to spell out pithy phrases he then posts on the internet– and people both love and hate him for it. In fact, it can seem like Michael’s haters outweigh the fans, at least online. In this episode, listen as Michael explores what could possibly be behind all the anonymous trolling that has turned him into one of Twitter’s “main characters”, and how anonymity affects the kinds of conversations we can have with one another. This is an episode of “Conversations With People Who Hate Me”, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, hosted by Dylan Marron. Listen to more wherever you’re listening to this.
Today, we're sharing an episode from another podcast in the TED Audio Collective: Design Matters with Debbie Millman. For over 15 years, Debbie has been interviewing incredibly creative people about how they design the arc of their lives. For more interviews with people like Jacqueline Woodson, Hrishikesh Hirway, Claire Danes, Adam Grant, Cheryl Strayed and many more, follow Design Matters with Debbie Millman wherever you're listening to this. And to learn more about the TED Audio Collective, visit audiocollective.ted.com
We just launched another podcast from TED, called Checking In with Susan David. In each episode, Susan David—a psychologist at Harvard Medical School—offers us a different strategy to help us cope with our heightened emotions during this global pandemic. Here's the first episode: If you’re feeling consumed by fear, panic, worry, or any other difficult emotion during this time, you’re not alone. But pushing these feelings to the side, or passing them along, simply doesn't work. Instead of rejecting your difficult emotions, learn the steps that you can take today to boost your immunity to these social contagions. If you enjoy the episode, you can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe now to get new episodes every Monday, find the show at: tedtalks.social/susandavid
None of Your Business

None of Your Business

2021-01-0744:151

A trans man in the South argues for his right to keep his history private and pushes against the idea that he must be "out" to be authentic and proud.
Lessons From a Sociopath

Lessons From a Sociopath

2020-12-3136:002

A woman with sociopathy argues that her condition is unfairly demonized in society and pulls back the curtain on this misunderstood disorder.
Absolute Power

Absolute Power

2020-12-1750:04

A judge who works in the juvenile justice system blows the whistle and reveals her plan to take power away from judges.
The Ghost

The Ghost

2020-12-1044:341

Things are not always what they appear. A ghostwriter who pens eulogies, wedding vows, and work emails for his clients makes a case for the hidden help he provides.
Born Too Soon

Born Too Soon

2020-12-0341:06

After years spent caring for extremely preterm babies, a nurse has an urgent message to share: Technology is saving babies earlier than ever, but the long term consequences aren't being made clear to parents. How do we bridge the gap between what modern medicine can do and the information patients are given?
Lethal Doubt

Lethal Doubt

2020-11-1938:16

A Muslim woman escapes being killed by her own family. The police don't protect her—so she joins their ranks. Will she now be believed?
Soft Power

Soft Power

2020-11-1237:08

How do you spread an important idea to a resistant community? An Ultra Orthodox Jewish woman proves that sometimes the most powerful voice is a quiet one.
DNA Secrets

DNA Secrets

2020-11-0535:44

An at-home DNA test kit reveals a horrifying truth. But who has the right to tell the story?
After The Cult

After The Cult

2020-10-2934:48

A daring escape. A fresh start. Hear how we can let go of the past and write a new script.
A Private Hell

A Private Hell

2020-10-2231:22

A small-town preacher in the Deep South with a radical secret: he doesn't believe in Hell. How do you lead people when you have fundamentally different beliefs?
We're looking for new stories for our upcoming season of Sincerely, X. Do you have an idea that’s too important to stay secret? We want to hear about it. Visit go.ted.com/sincerelyx to get in touch and share your idea anonymously. Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
Episode 10: Gifted Kid

Episode 10: Gifted Kid

2017-09-2128:00

A gifted child. A rough neighborhood. A teacher who knows how to break the cycle. [Contains explicit content] Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
Episode 9: Rural Woman

Episode 9: Rural Woman

2017-09-1420:52

A small town she loves. A big realization. What happens when rural traditions need reinventing? Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
A devastating assault. A story of how this powerful person turned loss into gain. Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
Episode 7: Mood Changer

Episode 7: Mood Changer

2017-08-3118:451

Years of depression. Scores of medications. An original approach to living with mental health, from the bottom up. Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
This self-described "Midwestern mom" found a way to heal the trauma of a violent marriage entirely on her own. She created a ritual, which her doctor now recognizes and recommends as a tool for recovery from abuse. Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
Why does corporate America have so few female executives, despite overwhelming evidence that gender equality is good for business? Rare insight, from C-suites and boardrooms. Season 2 of Sincerely, X is available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app. Sign up for your free trial and start listening at luminary.link/ted.
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Comments (44)

Tina Bode

Yikes Sarah, you were completely unfair here! what's the difference of him or a BFF helping someone out?

Oct 22nd
Reply

vigilant skipper

who put this podcast on castbox? Thanks

Apr 16th
Reply

Liberty Verleysen

usually love this podcast but this one (even thou she warned us) has a lot of bias

Mar 3rd
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Lin

I would have really appreciated having someone help me write the eulogy for my Dad's funeral. I was a complete and utter wreck when he died unexpectedly and could barely string a sentence together let alone write a eulogy expressing all the things I wanted to say. To have someone else put my thoughts and feelings into a cohesive speech at that time would have been wonderful. I agonised for several days trying to find the words to eulogise my incredible father and on the day I faltered and was completely overwhelmed. Even now, several years later, I still think about all the things I wish I'd expressed at his funeral. It's not always easy to find the right words at the exact right time and I would gladly use a ghost writer if I was faced with a similar situation in the future.

Jan 9th
Reply (1)

Lin

Wow how obvious is her bias towards this ghost writer?! Dishonesty? Trickery? Could she have chosen more emotive words!?!? Her work is a more "above board" version but otherwise similar. Yeah ok I get it, you disapprove, enough already!!

Jan 9th
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Meri Doughten

I agree with the.reformed.chic that saying women mainly leave the workforce due to gender discrimination feels extremely inaccurate. I am sure it is a factor for some, but it is more likely that a woman would leave because of lack of quality childcare. A 2019 Forbes article, "Why Women Quit," credits overwork due to motherhood (the "second shift") and sexual harassment in the workplace as the top reasons women leave the workforce--in other words, not the gender discrimination this speaker describes. She seems to be acting under the assumption that women are totally equal to men in terms of socialization, experience, and education. This has not been true historically. This is a global, systemic issue that will not be solved just by hiring 50% men and 50% women. Also, there are not only two genders in the world... About 1 in 100 babies are born in the U.S. without a clearly defined gender. How would intersex people fit in to this hiring system? Or individuals who are transitioning gender

Jun 11th
Reply

piglin_gold64

While I agree that there are a lot of people who assume women aren't leaders and act in a discriminatory way (I have had this happen to me and have seen it), I disagree that calling for a 50/50 anything is the answer. That will lead to people being hired simply because of their gender, not because of how qualified they are (I have seen this happen). Also, I work somewhere where all the leadership is women. I doubt this woman would still be calling for 50/50 equality in that case but would praise that we have so many women in the work force. Also, statistically women have and do leave jobs or do not want full time jobs in order to spend more time in the home. It isn't a CEO's fault that women are not applying to such positions or that women are choosing to leave the work force. You also can't blame women leaving on their experience in the work force - there are so many reasons why individuals choose to leave. Hire people who are the best qualified - regardless of what gender they are or

Oct 12th
Reply (1)

holt russell

honestly this is why it won't be done. the fact that mental health care is not treated like any other medical issue. they look at it more like emotional problems without actually factoring in the physical part.

Jul 12th
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Abdelrahman Magdy

I can't believe you guys are back. always checking on any update. can't wait to binge listen to your episodes again.

Jul 5th
Reply (2)

የአቶ እምሩ ልጅ ባይተዋር

I have never heard of anyone who went to prison and came out filled with empathy and love-prison made him a better person!

Jun 12th
Reply

Aaron Owen

It's somewhat ironic this is about unheard stories and you're moving over to Luminary...

Jun 3rd
Reply (1)

Pre

Cycle of pain = generational trauma Like the cycle of abuse

May 19th
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Liz Zolkowski Steele

this podcast saves me during my commute!

May 15th
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Teresa

Luminary, I'm done.

May 11th
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boson96

I like how the host seems surprised by hearing that differences can be solved by discussion among the community and not riots. Third wave feminism is a supremacist movement.

Apr 21st
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Abdelrahman Magdy

this is not an episode of a podcast. this is a piece of audio art.

Apr 4th
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Abdelrahman Magdy

I can't believe you guys are coming back. I am super excited to listen to your episodes again!!! I love you and I love the vulnerability and anonymity of all your folks!

Mar 14th
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B

Thank you so much

Feb 18th
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Moni B. Purple

Wow. Thanks for sharing!

Jan 14th
Reply

Wildsyde1

Excellent episode. I think the healthcare system in general is partly responsible for burnout. At the end of the day they are just human and not superhuman 🙂

Nov 24th
Reply
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