The TED Radio Hour

There is no greater opening to possibility than the birth of an idea, created out of inspired imagination and spread far and wide at the speed of light. NPR is delighted to announced the TED Radio Hour. "Talks" from the legendary TED stage are coming to radio for the first time and in a new format that will intrigue you and stir your  imagination.

Each year, TED hosts the world's most fascinating thinkers - convention-breaking mavericks, icons, and geniuses - who give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less about the best ideas in Technology, Entertainment, Design and much more. Through this exciting co-production between TED and NPR, each episode will focus around a theme (such as "Happiness") and TEDTalks that put ideas about the theme through the paces.

Sep. 12th:  Where Ideas Come From
The birth of a new idea could be the strongest force for change that we know. Understanding where ideas come from can help us harness the power of our thoughts. In this hour, we'll hear about what happens when ideas interact--and procreate--with each other, and, how to broaden our approach to cultivating ideas from the quieter voices in the room.

Sep. 19th:  The Future of Cities
For centuries, cities have been bringing people together. Now, for the first time in history, more than half the world's population lives in cities. What draws people to them? What changes when we live closer together? How can cities offer humanity its best hope for a sustainable future? Several TED speakers investigate the future of our urban zones.

Sep. 26th:  Building a Better Classroom    
We know getting a good education is important, but does the current model nurture real learning? Three TED speakers share powerful ideas about how to change the education for the better. Teachers are flipping classrooms, rethinking lesson plans, and re-imagining the role of teacher and student, learner and educator.

Oct. 3rd:  Africa: The Next Chapter      
There are many stereotypes about Africa--that it's a place of conflict, of disease, war, and famine. Or that it's a single place at all, rather than a continent of 54 distinct countries. We'll engage with thinkers and do-ers who are constructing new realities for their respective countries, and for the African continent a whole