Is conversation a lost art, or is it just evolving? Journalist Joshua Johnson and social entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie answer questions on everything from the male loneliness crisis to what it actually takes to connect with others — and reveal two deceptively simple tips for going deeper with the people around you. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our world.)

Musician and composer Tina Lajevardian plays a song on the oud, transforming a centuries-old Iranian musical tradition into something startlingly intimate — and proving that the oldest instruments still have new things to say. (Recorded at TED@BCG on October 23, 2025)

Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:

Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.

Watch more:

TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at

#TED #TEDTalks #Performance

Have we optimized our way out of being part of communities? Introducing Corner Piece — a new podcast from TED, hosted by Answer in Progress, that asks the questions we don’t usually say out loud, starting with something that so many of us are struggling with: Loneliness. Visithttps://link.mgln.ai/GvM43a to listen to episode 1 and catch new episodes every other Thursday wherever you listen to podcasts.