logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
36m 55s

How comedy helps us deal with hard truth...

TED
About this episode
There's a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Perhaps that's why some of our biggest problems feel easiest to manage with a dose of humor. Comedian, journalist and actor Roy Wood Jr. has spent his career finding the silly in the serious and using this tactic to influence real change. Listen in to learn how you can tap into the powers of humor in your own life. (This conversation, hosted by comedian Chris Duffy, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage with the big ideas you love from TED. To learn more, visit ted.com/membership.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
What if you could read the DNA of your future child? | Noor Siddiqui
For all of human history, a baby's DNA was determined by chance at conception: the so-called genetic lottery. "That era is over," says Noor Siddiqui, whose company builds screening tools to read the whole genome of embryos in an effort to give parents more genetic information tha ... Show More
15m 29s
Oct 18
Sunday Pick: How to reclaim your narrative (w/ Monica Lewinsky) | from How to Be a Better Human
Monica Lewinsky is an anti-bullying activist and host of Reclaiming with Monica, a podcast that shines her guests’ unguarded conversations about how they make sense of the world. In this episode filmed in front of a live audience at TED 2026, Chris interviews Monica on how she fi ... Show More
54m 30s
Oct 17
Inside Venezuela's uncertain path to freedom | Leopoldo López
Activist Leopoldo López learned the true value of freedom in a solitary confinement cell, when someone else decided if he would eat or see sunlight. In this searching conversation, he explains why democracy is losing ground across the globe, the state of Venezuela's transition af ... Show More
44m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
How comedy helps us deal with hard truths (w/ Roy Wood Jr.)
There’s a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Perhaps that’s why some of our biggest problems feel easiest to manage with a dose of humor. Comedian, journalist, and actor Roy Wood Jr. has spent his career finding silly in the serious and using this tactic to influence real c ... Show More
35m 49s
Oct 2025
#320 The Chicken Deal With The Devil with Roy Wood Jr.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. returns to share the downsides of comedians sh*t talking, the role entertainment plays in politics, making life decisions in the pursuit of happiness, and why standing too close to the grill master has gotta stop. Follow Roy Wood Jr. on Instagram, TikTok, Yo ... Show More
1h 30m
Jun 2022
Humor Us
Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole, and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include comedian Marcia Belsky, computer scientist Vinith Misra, behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker, c ... Show More
49m 27s
Aug 2019
#1338 - Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr. is a comedian, writer, and actor. He has served as a correspondent for The Daily Show on Comedy Central since 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
2h 54m
Mar 2023
Humor Us
Original broadcast date: June 3, 2022. Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include comedian Marcia Belsky, computer scientist Vinith Misra, ... Show More
50m 10s
Mar 2021
Roy Wood Jr.
<p>Comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. talks with Andy about growing up in the South as a latchkey kid, the unique challenge of raising children who are just like you, and reflections on his career working in show business and at Subway.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2023
Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr. is an Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, producer, actor, radio personality, and podcaster known for his stand-up comedy and work as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. He joins the Design Matters Live Tour to discuss his career, entertaining millions a ... Show More
41m 59s
Oct 2024
Roy Wood Jr
On this episode of Gold Minds, Kevin is joined by comedian, writer and host, Roy Wood Jr! From facing a prison sentence as a college student, to hosting a show on CNN - Roy has seen it all! And check out Have I Got News For You every Saturday on CNN! Like Gold Minds? SiriusXM sub ... Show More
1h 5m
May 2023
Roy Wood Jr.
Our conversation with Roy Wood Jr, front runner to take over the Daily Show and host of this year’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner, runs the gamut —from why he started a fight at a Stop the Violence rally when he was a middle schooler to why he isn’t afraid to get political i ... Show More
1h 15m