Sincerely, X

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.

Conversations with People Who Hate Me

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.

04-13
51:15

Design Matters: A conversation with Sarah Kay

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

05-14
55:11

Introducing Checking In with Susan David

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

04-06
12:51

None of Your Business

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.

01-07
44:15

Lessons From a Sociopath

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

12-31
36:00

Absolute Power

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

12-17
50:04

The Ghost

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.

12-10
44:34

Born Too Soon

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?

12-03
41:06

Lethal Doubt

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?

11-19
38:16

Soft Power

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.

11-12
37:08

DNA Secrets

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

11-05
35:44

After The Cult

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

10-29
34:48

A Private Hell

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?

10-22
31:22

Share your idea—anonymously! Sincerely, X Season 2

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.

02-26
00:58

Episode 10: Gifted Kid

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.

09-21
28:00

Episode 9: Rural Woman

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.

09-14
20:52

Episode 8: Reclaiming Power

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.

09-07
18:27

Episode 7: Mood Changer

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.

08-31
18:45

Episode 6: Rescued by Ritual

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.

08-24
26:01

Episode 5: Equality Executive

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.

08-17
22:53

Tina Bode

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

10-22 Reply

vigilant skipper

who put this podcast on castbox? Thanks

04-16 Reply

Liberty Verleysen

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

03-03 Reply

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.

01-09 Reply

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!!

01-09 Reply

06-11

10-12

07-12

07-05

06-12

06-03

05-19

05-15

05-11

04-21

04-04

03-14

02-18

01-14

11-24

Recommend Channels