TED Radio Hour: "Head of TED, Chris Anderson, on TED’s New Chapter"

Host: Manoush Zomorodi (NPR)
Guest: Chris Anderson (Head of TED; October 15, 2025)

Overview

In this special episode, host Manoush Zomorodi sits down with Chris Anderson, the long-serving head of TED, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes update on TED’s future. Anderson discusses his decision to pass the torch after nearly 25 years, the global impact of TED, and the announcement of visionary educator Sal Khan as TED’s new "vision steward." The episode delves into TED’s evolution from an elite conference to a global force for free knowledge, explores the challenges and opportunities for nonprofits in a changing media landscape, and sets the stage for TED’s next chapter—one aimed at deepening its educational mission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chris Anderson’s Journey with TED

• Origin Story ([01:25]–[02:55])
  • Anderson recounts how he discovered TED in the late 1990s while working as a media entrepreneur.
  • Describes TED as "quirky," bringing together technology, entertainment, and design in novel ways.
  • "You don't normally fall in love with conferences, but there was something about this group of people that made me excited." — Chris Anderson [01:55]
  • Eventually, Anderson acquired TED from founder Richard Saul Wurman, transitioning TED into a nonprofit and making it his "life’s passion."

From Conference to Global Platform

• The Online Video Revolution ([03:07]–[04:36])
  • The 2006 advent of online video and YouTube allowed TED to reach a wider audience by sharing talks for free.
  • Far from undermining the conference, this digital strategy boosted its popularity and led to the proliferation of TEDx events (3,000+ globally).
  • "We kind of flipped how we thought about TED and saw it as just a way of sharing ideas with the world... It was all surprising and utterly delightful." — Chris Anderson [04:15]

Transitioning Leadership — Passing the Torch

• The Search for a New Steward ([04:36]–[06:33])

  • In early 2025, Anderson announced he was seeking a new leader ("steward") for TED, likened to a "Willy Wonka" search for the "golden ticket."
  • Over 80 organizations expressed interest, including lucrative for-profit offers. Anderson, however, reaffirms TED’s nonprofit ethos.
  • "So much of the culture of TED has been it's the spirit of generosity… That spirit is really what's carried us forward..." — Chris Anderson [05:26]

• Announcing Sal Khan as Vision Steward and Logan McClure Davda as CEO ([06:33]–[08:32])

  • Sal Khan (founder of Khan Academy) named the new "vision steward" of TED while maintaining his role at Khan Academy.
  • Both organizations will remain independent but collaborate closely for mutual amplification.
  • Logan McClure Davda, a popular internal leader, is announced as the new CEO, praised for her role in founding the TED Fellows program and leading the Impact division.

TED’s Next Chapter: Media, Education, and Sustainability

• Synergy but No Merger ([08:32]–[09:00])

  • TED and Khan Academy are not merging but will seek collaborative growth.
  • "That mission can actually be significantly expanded and Enhanced by his [Sal Khan's] teaming up with TED." — Chris Anderson [08:57]

• Media vs. Education ([09:00]–[10:03])

  • TED’s mission is expanding—not shifting—from media to education; the two are increasingly intertwined.
  • "At the core of it is a desire to be their best selves, to learn more, to empower themselves... That’s kind of what education is, or at least what it should be." — Chris Anderson [09:56]

• Financial Sustainability ([10:03]–[11:13])

  • Sal Khan brings vision, not direct funding; Anderson believes a clear, bold vision will attract resources.
  • "Money follows vision. If you dream boldly enough in today's world, often the money is out there." — Chris Anderson [10:56]

• Nonprofit Challenges and Philanthropy ([11:13]–[13:28])

  • Reflects on the growing reliance on philanthropy in light of funding cuts and nonprofit pressures.
  • Anderson sees an opportunity to build self-sustaining models within TED, potentially via paid educational offerings alongside always-free talks.
  • "If we could come up with offerings that offer people knowledge that is more relevant for the future that's coming, that could be very valuable knowledge." — Chris Anderson [12:58]

Reflections on Change and Human Connection

• Bittersweet Transition ([13:28]–[13:55])

  • Anderson describes the handover as "mainly sweet"—an opportunity for a new generation to lead TED forward.
  • "I think sometimes people hold on too long. You know, there’s a whole generation out there full of ideas and energy and brilliance that needs to be given its shot." — Chris Anderson [13:39]

• The Importance of Real Gathering in the AI Era ([13:55]–[15:57])

  • Addresses critiques of TED as elite and "cliché," emphasizing the importance of authentic, in-person exchange, especially as AI rises.
  • Describes recent efforts to ensure TED talks are genuine, avoiding formulaic delivery.
  • "One of the main pieces of advice we give speakers now is to be authentic, be fresh... do it in their own voice." — Chris Anderson [15:13]
  • "As we treasure our humanness evermore in the age of AI, I think it will matter more." — Chris Anderson [15:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Falling in Love with TED:
  "These were not just people doing the professional thing. They were dreaming. They wanted to think about cool things of the future." — Chris Anderson [02:10]

• On the Power of Sharing:
  "The talks went viral, and so we kind of flipped how we thought about TED and saw it as just a way of sharing ideas with the world." — Chris Anderson [03:49]

• On Selecting Sal Khan:
  "Sal is not leaving Khan Academy... what we both see is an extraordinary way in which these two organizations can amplify each other." — Chris Anderson [07:36]

• On TED’s Mission:
  "At the core of it is a desire to be their best selves, to learn more, to empower themselves." — Chris Anderson [09:56]

• On Authenticity in Talks:
  "One of the main pieces of advice we give speakers now is to be authentic, be fresh, explain something in a different way, do it in their own voice." — Chris Anderson [15:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:25] Chris Anderson describes how he became "head of TED"
• [03:07] The impact of online video and TED's global expansion
• [04:36] Announcement about seeking a new 'steward' for TED
• [06:33] The reveal: Sal Khan as vision steward, Logan McClure Davda as CEO
• [09:00] Whether TED is becoming more "educational" than "media"
• [10:03] TED’s finances, vision, and optimism for attracting support
• [11:13] Reflections on philanthropy, sustainability, and the nonprofit sector
• [13:28] Emotional reflection on stepping back and legacy
• [13:55] The future of in-person ideas exchange and keeping TED relevant and authentic

Tone & Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the tone is warm, reflective, and forward-looking. Both Anderson and Zomorodi acknowledge TED’s successes and challenges, but focus on optimism at a time of wide societal change. With Sal Khan and Logan McClure Davda in new leadership roles, TED aims to double down on its foundational commitment to spreading knowledge, innovating in education, and fostering real global connection—even in an AI-driven future.