TED Radio Hour: How Taking a Second Look Can Change Your Everything

Host: Manoush Zomorodi | Release Date: June 27, 2025

In the episode titled "How Taking a Second Look Can Change Your Everything," host Manoush Zomorodi delves into the transformative power of re-examining familiar concepts, objects, and stories. Through a series of compelling narratives and insightful interviews, the episode highlights how a fresh perspective can lead to innovation, deeper understanding, and personal growth. Below is a detailed summary of the key segments featured in this episode.

1. Agnieszka Pilat and Her Robot Dog, Basha

Timestamp: 01:26 – 06:27

Artist Agnieszka Pilat introduces listeners to Basha, a sophisticated robotic dog developed by Boston Dynamics, priced at around $200,000. Unlike traditional pets, Basha embodies the intersection of art, technology, and societal perceptions.

• Humanizing Technology: Agnieszka shares her experience of walking Basha in public, revealing how people's reactions range from curiosity to fear. She notes, “People will ask questions, how fast can it run?” (02:18) highlighting the blend of fascination and apprehension towards advanced robotics.

• Artistic Exploration: Trained as a classical portrait artist, Agnieszka transitioned to painting technology after moving to San Francisco in 2013. She remarks, “If Andy Warhol were alive, his Marilyn Monroe would be robot Basha” (04:22), emphasizing her vision of portraying modern technological icons.

• Human-Robot Relationship: The segment explores the emotional connections humans form with robots. Despite knowing Basha’s capabilities, Agnieszka admits, “I found Basha strangely cute” (03:52), illustrating the innate human tendency to attribute emotions to lifelike machines.

• Future of Robotics: Agnieszka advocates for proactive engagement with technology, comparing it to parenting AI. “We are parenting these new technologies... we have to be almost helicopter parenting and teaching and passing on these positive values” (11:55), she asserts, stressing the importance of guiding technological advancements ethically.

2. Franziska Troutman and Glass Half Full: Recycling for Coastal Restoration

Timestamp: 15:34 – 24:50

Franziska Troutman, CEO and co-founder of Glass Half Full, shares her innovative approach to recycling glass to combat coastal erosion in Louisiana.

• Problem Identification: Faced with Louisiana’s severe coastal erosion and inefficient glass recycling systems, Franziska sought a sustainable solution. “We thought there had to be a better way, something to do about the glass recycling issue in Louisiana” (16:34), she explains.

• Innovative Solution: The company transforms recycled glass into sand, a critical material for both construction and coastal restoration. Franziska details the process, “Glass comes from sand. We found this machine that could turn glass back into sand” (20:02), highlighting the cyclical nature of their recycling method.

• Community Engagement: By setting up collection bins and involving the community, Glass Half Full fostered local participation. Franziska observes, “people are hugely excited to recycle their glass” (21:25), demonstrating the positive reception of their initiative.

• Challenges and Growth: Despite initial skepticism and logistical hurdles, Franziska’s perseverance led to significant scaling. “Last year we did about 4 million pounds of glass, and we are aiming to triple that this year at least” (23:07), she shares, showcasing the company’s rapid growth and impact.

• Environmental Impact: The recycled sand is utilized in coastal restoration projects, addressing both waste management and land preservation. Franziska emphasizes, “We wanted to see if we could use it for coastal restoration” (22:11), underscoring the dual benefits of their approach.

3. Tavares Straughan and the Encyclopedia of Invisibility

Timestamp: 26:04 – 45:48

Artist Tavares Straughan introduces his ambitious project, the Encyclopedia of Invisibility, a 3,000-page leather-bound book cataloging forgotten stories and figures who have been erased from mainstream history.

• Recognition of Hidden Histories: Tavares recounts his childhood in the Bahamas, where access to comprehensive knowledge was limited. “I know more about Napoleon and Christopher Columbus than I do about, for example, the River Nile or Marcus Garvey” (27:34), he reflects, highlighting the gaps in historical education.

• Creation of the Encyclopedia: Motivated to preserve untold stories, Tavares spent twelve years compiling over 17,000 entries. “There are an infinite amount of lost stories to be told” (32:49), he affirms, emphasizing the importance of recognizing diverse contributions.

• Honoring Unsung Heroes: A significant entry is dedicated to Robert Henry Lawrence, the first Black astronaut who tragically died before his mission. Tavares describes the process of honoring Lawrence by launching a gold satellite named Enoch into space, symbolizing his legacy. “After four years of rigorous testing, planning and sculpting, a satellite was produced in honor of Robert” (38:00).

• Art as a Tool for Change: Tavares believes art plays a crucial role in interrogating and reshaping societal narratives. “Artists are really good at systems and thinking about systems” (40:03), he states, advocating for the continued support of artistic endeavors to foster critical thinking and societal progress.

• Future Endeavors: His upcoming exhibition, "The Day Tomorrow Began," aims to explore the complexities of heroism and the nuanced legacies of historical figures. “There's a deep level of complexity with the idea of a hero... What do we do when our heroes are not perfect?” (41:12), Tavares muses, inviting audiences to engage with multifaceted historical narratives.

4. Mike Posner’s Journey to Happiness Through Walking

Timestamp: 45:48 – 52:47

Musician Mike Posner shares his profound personal transformation achieved by undertaking a 3,000-mile walk across the United States.

• Quest for Happiness: Struggling with depression and the superficial pursuit of fame, Mike sought genuine happiness. “I was very effective at getting people to like me... but the happiness that dad wanted for me, it just wasn't there” (46:18).

• Embarking on the Journey: Defying industry expectations, Mike began his cross-country walk to find purpose and fulfillment. “All great ideas are crazy” (48:36), he quotes, illustrating his readiness to embrace unconventional paths.

• Overcoming Adversity: The journey was fraught with challenges, including severe foot pain and a life-threatening rattlesnake bite. “I had to call 911 and I asked dispatch, am I going to die?” (49:20), Mike recounts, emphasizing the physical and emotional hurdles he faced.

• Life Lessons Learned:

  • Lesson 1: Not all crazy ideas are great, but all great ideas are crazy.
  • Lesson 2: Step one is take one step, underscoring the importance of beginning despite fears.
  • Lesson 3: When it comes to things I care about, my reasons to quit are always excuses in disguise, highlighting resilience.
  • Lesson 4: True happiness comes from growth, reflecting on personal development through struggle.
  • Lesson 5: Don't wait, inspired by his late father’s unfulfilled wish to see him achieve his biggest dream.

• Achieving Fulfillment: After six months and nearly 3,000 miles, Mike found genuine happiness in completing his walk. “While I was in that water and unfamiliar emotion washed over me, that was happiness” (52:47), he shares, encapsulating the culmination of his transformative journey.

Conclusion

Through the stories of Agnieszka Pilat, Franziska Troutman, Tavares Straughan, and Mike Posner, this episode of TED Radio Hour illustrates how taking a second look—whether at technology, environmental issues, historical narratives, or personal goals—can lead to profound change and innovation. Each guest embodies the essence of reconsidering the familiar to uncover new possibilities, inspiring listeners to adopt a similar approach in their own lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Agnieszka Pilat: “We are parenting these new technologies... we have to be almost helicopter parenting and teaching and passing on these positive values” (11:55).

• Franziska Troutman: “We thought that was a shame. We thought that there had to be a better way, something to do about the glass recycling issue in Louisiana” (16:34).

• Tavares Straughan: “Artists are trained to investigate things at a very, very high level. And I think that is a very important skill to the future of human survival” (44:53).

• Mike Posner: “True happiness comes from growth” (52:47).

This episode underscores the value of curiosity, perseverance, and critical thinking in driving meaningful change, encouraging listeners to look beyond the surface and reimagine what is possible.