logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
10m 10s

The fine art of fibbing | Athena Kugblen...

TED
About this episode

Comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu has a hot take: we’re all liars, and that’s OK. Exploring the line between the little lies that do no harm and the big, self-serving whoppers you’d best avoid, she offers a crucial question to ask yourself to help determine if honesty is the best policy — or if a fib might best fit the situation.

Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey!


Become a TED Member today at ted.com/join


Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou


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

Up next
Today
The hidden cost of buying gold | Claudia Vega
Gold may glitter, but the hidden cost of mining it is devastating. Amazon researcher and TED Fellow Claudia Vega exposes how mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining poisons local communities and destroys rainforests — and shows why protecting the planet is far more valuable ... Show More
33m 25s
Yesterday
How we’re turning pollution into toys, toothpaste and more | Xu Hao
It took alcohol 200 years to go from scientific discovery to industrial revolution, but tech innovator Xu Hao says we can’t afford to wait that long to tackle the climate crisis. He explores why most climate solutions are still stuck in labs — despite breakthrough science that ca ... Show More
14m 22s
Oct 8
The best thing that could happen to the energy industry | Matt Tilleard
History has been written by whoever controls the dominant fuel of the era — until now, says renewables entrepreneur Matt Tilleard. He explains why, as the clean energy transition ramps up, we’re moving from a world where energy comes from burning fuels to one where it will come f ... Show More
13m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Is flying ethical?
Should I give up flying for the environment’s sake? Is it ethical to stay on Twitter and Facebook if I don’t like the owners’ politics? If a DNA test shows that my dad isn't my biological dad, should I tell him? There are no bad questions. But there are some that are really hard ... Show More
29m 33s
Oct 2020
Do You Lie?
Do you ever fib? Did you know that people lie three times in 10 minutes when they're trying to get to know each other? Dr. Phil gets to the bottom of why people tell tales and how to put an end to the falsehoods. Erin admits that a lie she told her ex-husband, Eric, destroyed the ... Show More
48m 13s
Apr 2025
Masked Speaker: Sick Day Gone Wrong
When you get caught in a lie, you can either come clean or double down. One of our listeners had to decide if he should confess to his wife or lie to police, and his choice has haunted him ever since!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
6m 44s
Nov 2024
2379: Confession to a Neutral Party by Keith Wilson on Living Authentically & Communication Skills
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2379:Keith Wilson offers a practical guide to taking responsibility for past wrongs by first confessing to a neutral party. ... Show More
10m 13s
Aug 2024
166: addressing fake rumours, bad liars, and embellishing stories
hey guys!! in today’s episode i’m giving you a little update on my flying lessons and my bff instructor Dave. then, i get into the juicy topic of lying! i’m here to dubunk the fake rumours i've heard about myself, work out whether lying to a friend can ever be a good thing, and h ... Show More
47m 26s
Jul 13
The One Way to Get the Truth from Someone (Best Of)
Amanda shares the one proven way to get the truth from someone – plus: Why Glennon calls her lying style “The Puppeteer” – and why you’ll never know what Amanda’s really feeling. Amanda defends our right to lie, and debunks myths about how we can tell if someone is lying. What’s ... Show More
58m 26s
Dec 2017
The Tangled Web
Do our politicians lie to us? What are the lies that really matter in politics? Should we be worried, or do we just like to think all politicians lie? Do our politicians lie to us? What are the lies that really matter in politics? Should we be worried, or do we just like to think ... Show More
28m 46s
Sep 2
How People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, And Burnout Are Actually Trauma Responses With Dr. Thema
What’s really holding you back from the life you want? In this powerful conversation, Emma Grede sits down with Dr. Thema Bryant — psychologist, author, and pastor — to unpack the hidden stories, unresolved trauma, and self-sabotaging patterns that keep us from thriving. Together ... Show More
1h 43m
Apr 2024
Are You the Friend Who Disappears When You're in a Relationship? Lizzo Has Quit & Laura's Questioning Plane Etiquette
Hey Lifers, We hope you all had wonderful Easter weekends; whether that is with or without egg hunts and hat parades! Laura shares her feelings around adding magic to special events so that they become your really important memories. Laura is in Bali and has had quite an eventful ... Show More
1h 1m