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Transcript8 lines

[00:04]
A
You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hume. Think back to a moment of real joy from when you were a kid. Not a big milestone, something smaller. It could be as simple as a song you remember playing in the kitchen, a memory of a crowded room full of people you loved. I remember staying out until dark, playing ghost in the graveyard with the neighbor kids in the summertime. Now here's a question. Where did that joy come from? Did you make it yourself or was it handed to you, passed down by the people who raised you?
[00:39]
B
Visual storytelling is how we unlock the stories we already carry. This is what I do in my work. I don't invent stories, I uncover them.
[00:48]
A
That's the artist and designer Yinka Ilori. He grew up in London, the son of Nigerian parents, and he's built his career turning memory, community and heritage into art. His work is bold, exuberant, colorful and hard to look at without feeling some sense of joy. In his talk, he traces where his own joy came from and makes the case that joy isn't something that shows up out of nowhere or something you achieve on your own. It's inherited, planted in us by our families, our communities, sometimes even by our younger selves.
[01:23]
B
This is why I think joy is transgenerational. We can inherit it from what it was before or what surrounds us.
[01:32]
A
It's an idea that flips the script on how we usually think about it, not as something to chase, but something to notice and then pass on. And one note while Yinka's words stand beautifully on their own, his art really comes alive in color. If you're able to check out the video as well over@ted.com that's coming up right after a short break. This episode is brought to you by Dell. Back to school starts now. Get long lasting battery life on the Dell XPS laptop powered by Series 3 Intel Core, so you can work from anywhere now starting at $699 with exclusive student pricing starting at $599. And it's lightweight, portable and packed with enough processing power to make multitasking a breeze. So say goodbye to distractions and hello to more free time. Because you finished your work faster, complete your setup with savings on select monitors and more. Must have electronics and accessories, limited time deals and free shipping on PCs and more await you@dell.com deals that's Dell.com deals. This episode is sponsored by Defender. Summer is on its way and now is the time to start planning your next great outdoor adventure if you're setting your sights on higher peaks, deeper rivers and bigger dreams, embrace the impossible with Defender. Built with legendary capability and tested on some of the most difficult terrain, Defender brings the toughness you need in a vehicle to take you to faraway places with the comfort and smart tech that makes the journey feel luxurious. Choose between the sleek two door Defender 90, the purposeful Defender 110, or the Defender 130 with seating up to eight people. For bigger expeditions, Defender's robust materials mean you can adventure without compromise, and innovative driving aids like Clearsight technology help you view the world around you in powerful new ways. With the available three models, you have the potential for up to 89 cubic feet of cargo space. This summer adventure with confidence Explore the full Defender lineup@land roverusa.com this message is brought to you by Apple Card Shave ice by the beach, a trip to the state fair and a throwback flick at the local drive in. They're more than just items to check off the summer bucket list. There are also opportunities to earn 2% daily cash back when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card now and use in minutes with Apple Pay subject to credit approval. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch terms and more@applecard.com and now our TED TALK of the Day.
[04:25]
B
My name is Yinka Elori, an artist, designer, a storyteller, a dreamer and a person who loves color. I believe that is my calling and mission is to bring joy to the world. We live in a time where everyone's asking the same question, who am I? And what brings me joy? Looking back now, I realize this question has followed me my whole life. While Job was always present in my life and always around me, I just didn't have the language for it. But what I did have was a world rich of color, symbols, dreams and affirmation. I grew up in London in 27 Ashby House on a council estate. I was raised by Nigerian parents who moved to London in the 1980s. My mother from Ondore State, coined the Sunshine State. It's known for its majestic rock landscapes and warm weather. The people there are warm, grounded and strong. My father from Ekiti State in southwest Nigeria, a place known for its nature and famous for its warm and cold springs. A place called Nkongosi and known as the Fountain of Knowledge because of its reputation for academic excellence and intellectual achievement. Even before I'd been to these places, I could picture myself growing up there, being raised there. But I was born and Raised in London, I felt a strong sense of connection and a strong sense of belonging to a place I'd called home in the uk. My beloved mother did many things. She bought and sold Swiss Foilace. She catered for weddings and birthdays. She was an architect of joy, architect of bringing people and things together in our glass cabinet at home, she would collect objects of memories she treasured in her show glass. My dad worked in retail. Everyone called him Uncle Paul. He was everyone's uncle, dad, brother, mentor and therapist. He brought so much joy to the workplace. At one point, my parents also owned a corner shop in London. It was insane. We had all the kids after school, people in the estate, the neighbors, passersby would come to the corner shop. This place became a gathering point for the whole community. On Sundays, my mum and dad would host church services. They would lead lectures and sermons. The words of worship and affirmation, singing and moving, have manifested in my memory. My parents loved house parties, live music, plates of jollof rice for weaving in our small council flat. Different languages, different journeys, all in one room. My parents brought all these rituals of community and faith and pleasure with them from Nigeria to the uk. As a child, I didn't realize I was experiencing a daily baptism of joy. A joy that had been passed on from generation to generation without even knowing it. Every ritual, every gathering, every exchange carried a deeply symbolic meaning. All these were seeds of joy. How did I harvest joy myself? I developed, like my mother, the same collective spirit. She collected objects. I collected symbols. A sun, a rock, hands, a star, a talking drum. At first, I didn't know why I was drawn to these symbols. But I realized these symbols were memories of things I enjoyed and things that brought me joy as a youth. The Ondo sunlight, the rituals, the community, the gatherings. Visualizing them helps me harvest joy. Visual storytelling is how we unlock the stories we already carry. This is what I do in my work. I don't invent stories. I uncover them. I reimagine them through my lens, similar to how I reflect on my personal experiences. I listen to people's stories and experiences and turn them into symbolic symbols. Because when you visualize something, when you share it, you can pass it on to someone else, another generation. This is why I think joy is transgenerational. We can inherit it from what it was before or what surrounds us. This is what I did. In a recent experiment, I asked my Instagram audience, what does joy look like to you today? And what is your early memories of joy looking like to you today? And how could they be translated into symbols that connect with your memories. Receiving an abundance of responses felt like I was receiving another daily baptism of joy. Just like my parents rituals, I selected some of the answers and turned them into symbols. A mushroom, a cashew tree, a sports car, a palm wine cup. And I paired them up with symbols for my archive. Ripples of laughter, precious joy, connection, sunrise and community. This selection was based on what happened the most. Around 80% of the responses carried a sense of togetherness through connection, shared, inherited, not individual. Around 65% of responses were connected to nature, plants, sunlight, open space, feeling through light, texture and smell. About half of the responses spoke about freedom, movement, exploration, anticipation, no restrictions. Some would talk about growth, not always being immediate. Sometimes it revolves over time, sometimes through struggle. A small number spoke about stillness. So I took all of these impressions and turned them into an artwork. An artwork that celebrates the power of transgenerational joy. When it comes together, this is the magic you can create. But what stood out to me the most was that no one spoke about personal achievement. It was always about people and places and shared experiences. All of my response to is very visual already. It's something we often recognize in hindsight. To me, harvesting transgenerational joy means finding the seeds that were planted before you by your parents, by your loved ones, by your community, even by your younger self. We all carry those seeds. To be able to see them, we need to visualize them. We harvest them by sharing them. My parents always said to me, whatever you sow is what you shall reap. I hope today you all reap joy. Pass it on from person to person, from generation to generation. It was passed on to me, and now I want to pass it on to you. Thank you.
[12:53]
A
That was Yinka elori speaking at TED 2026. If you're curious about TED's curation, visit ted.comcurationguidelines and that's it for today. TED Talks Daily is a podcast from TED. This episode was fact checked by the TED research team and produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Lucy Little, Emma Tobner and Tansika Sangarnival. Additional support from Daniela Ballaraiso, Christopher Faizy, Bogan, Valentina Bohanini, Banban Chang, Brian Greene and Lainey Lot. Learn more at Podcasts. I am Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feet. Thanks for listening. This episode is sponsored by Kohler Smart Toilets. The objects we interact with most are often the ones we notice least. But what if the most overlooked space in your home could be the most considered Kohler Smart Toilet challenges that assumption. Their Vail Smart Toilet is a sculptural silhouette that isn't just intentional, it's a philosophy that design changes everything. The kohlervale Smart Toilet is sleek with a rounded shape that's more like architecture than just plumbing. And it goes beyond looks. The touchscreen controls and customizable cleansing features offer a level of comfort and cleanliness that exceeds expectations. It's all about elevating those ordinary daily rituals into something extraordinary through thoughtful design. Kohler has been pushing these boundaries for over 150 years, mastering that balance of stunning form and high performance function. That's a long time to get it right, and it shows in every detail. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart Toilets. Find out more@kohler.com
[14:43]
C
with no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply see capitalone.com bank capital1NA member FDIC. You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: TED Talks Daily

Episode: How I turn joy into art | Yinka Ilori
Date: August 5, 2026
Host: Elise Hu
Guest: Yinka Ilori (Artist, Designer)

Episode Overview

In this inspiring TED Talk, artist and designer Yinka Ilori explores the roots of his signature joyful style. Ilori traces the transgenerational nature of joy, reflecting on his upbringing as the child of Nigerian immigrants in London, and argues that joy is something we inherit and share—planted in us by family, community, and our lived experiences. Through personal stories and vivid descriptions of memory and symbolism in his art, Ilori shows how joy is not just a fleeting feeling but a living legacy, both communal and creative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins and Nature of Joy

Inherited, Not Invented:
- Ilori asserts that joy doesn’t simply appear or get achieved solo:
  
  "Joy isn't something that shows up out of nowhere or something you achieve on your own. It's inherited, planted in us by our families, our communities, sometimes even by our younger selves." (Host paraphrasing, [00:47])
Transgenerational Transmission:
- Ilori believes “joy is transgenerational. We can inherit it from what it was before or what surrounds us.” ([01:23], [10:15])
- The rituals and gatherings of his Nigerian family and their London community became his "daily baptism of joy." ([06:15])

2. The Seeds of Joy in Family & Community

Family as Architects of Joy:
- His mother, “an architect of joy,” built community through collecting objects, hosting gatherings, and cooking for others.
- His father, known as “Uncle Paul,” was a joyous presence for both their family and the wider community ([05:18-06:10]).
Daily Joy in Community Rituals:
- Memories of home filled with live music, church services, house parties, cultural and faith rituals.
- "Different languages, different journeys, all in one room. My parents brought all these rituals of community and faith and pleasure with them from Nigeria to the UK." ([06:50])

3. Visualizing and Harvesting Joy Through Art

From Objects and Rituals to Symbols and Stories:
- Ilori “collected symbols” (a sun, rock, talking drum) just as his mother collected objects.
- Visual storytelling helps uncover lived and inherited stories:
  
  “Visual storytelling is how we unlock the stories we already carry. This is what I do in my work. I don't invent stories. I uncover them.” ([09:07])
Making Joy Tangible:
- Turning stories and memories into visual symbols allows them to be passed to new generations, making joy a living, shareable inheritance.

4. Communal and Collective Experiences

Experiment with Instagram Followers:
- Ilori invited his audience to share their own symbols of joy and found:
  - ~80% linked joy with togetherness and shared experience ([10:55]).
  - ~65% connected joy with nature, plants, sunlight ([11:15]).
  - Roughly half associated joy with freedom and movement.
Absence of Personal Achievement:
- Notably, few responses related joy to “personal achievement”—it was mostly rooted in collective experience.
  
  “No one spoke about personal achievement. It was always about people and places and shared experiences.” ([12:00])

5. Passing On the Legacy of Joy

Harvesting and Sowing Joy:
- Ilori references his parents’ teachings:
  
  “My parents always said to me, whatever you sow is what you shall reap. I hope today you all reap joy. Pass it on from person to person, from generation to generation. It was passed on to me, and now I want to pass it on to you.” ([12:35])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I grew up in London in 27 Ashby House on a council estate. I was raised by Nigerian parents who moved to London in the 1980s... I felt a strong sense of connection and a strong sense of belonging to a place I’d called home in the UK.” — Yinka Ilori ([04:55])
“My beloved mother did many things... She was an architect of joy, architect of bringing people and things together.” ([05:22])
“As a child, I didn’t realize I was experiencing a daily baptism of joy. A joy that had been passed on from generation to generation without even knowing it.” ([06:58])
“At first, I didn’t know why I was drawn to these symbols. But I realized these symbols were memories of things I enjoyed and things that brought me joy as a youth.” ([08:18])
“When it comes together, this is the magic you can create.” ([11:56])
“To me, harvesting transgenerational joy means finding the seeds that were planted before you by your parents, by your loved ones, by your community, even by your younger self.” ([12:07])

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:39 – 01:31: Introduction to Yinka Ilori, initial framing of joy as inherited
04:24 – 07:30: Ilori’s family background, immigrant experience, and community rituals
07:40 – 09:07: From objects to symbols; how symbols reflect memory and joy
09:07 – 10:15: Visual storytelling as a way to unlock and transmit transgenerational joy
10:15 – 11:56: Results from Ilori’s experiment on what joy looks like for his audience
12:07 – 12:53: Concluding thoughts on sowing and reaping joy; call to pass it on

Episode Takeaway

Yinka Ilori’s talk powerfully reframes how we think about joy: not as an individual pursuit, but as something deeply communal and inherited. His vivid storytelling and symbolic art demonstrate how harvesting and sharing joy can be an ongoing, transgenerational act—seeds continuously sown and reaped from one generation to the next. Listeners are left with the invitation to notice, harvest, and pass on the joy planted within and around them.

Loading summary

Transcript8 lines

[00:04]
A
You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hume. Think back to a moment of real joy from when you were a kid. Not a big milestone, something smaller. It could be as simple as a song you remember playing in the kitchen, a memory of a crowded room full of people you loved. I remember staying out until dark, playing ghost in the graveyard with the neighbor kids in the summertime. Now here's a question. Where did that joy come from? Did you make it yourself or was it handed to you, passed down by the people who raised you?
[00:39]
B
Visual storytelling is how we unlock the stories we already carry. This is what I do in my work. I don't invent stories, I uncover them.
[00:48]
A
That's the artist and designer Yinka Ilori. He grew up in London, the son of Nigerian parents, and he's built his career turning memory, community and heritage into art. His work is bold, exuberant, colorful and hard to look at without feeling some sense of joy. In his talk, he traces where his own joy came from and makes the case that joy isn't something that shows up out of nowhere or something you achieve on your own. It's inherited, planted in us by our families, our communities, sometimes even by our younger selves.
[01:23]
B
This is why I think joy is transgenerational. We can inherit it from what it was before or what surrounds us.
[01:32]
A
It's an idea that flips the script on how we usually think about it, not as something to chase, but something to notice and then pass on. And one note while Yinka's words stand beautifully on their own, his art really comes alive in color. If you're able to check out the video as well over@ted.com that's coming up right after a short break. This episode is brought to you by Dell. Back to school starts now. Get long lasting battery life on the Dell XPS laptop powered by Series 3 Intel Core, so you can work from anywhere now starting at $699 with exclusive student pricing starting at $599. And it's lightweight, portable and packed with enough processing power to make multitasking a breeze. So say goodbye to distractions and hello to more free time. Because you finished your work faster, complete your setup with savings on select monitors and more. Must have electronics and accessories, limited time deals and free shipping on PCs and more await you@dell.com deals that's Dell.com deals. This episode is sponsored by Defender. Summer is on its way and now is the time to start planning your next great outdoor adventure if you're setting your sights on higher peaks, deeper rivers and bigger dreams, embrace the impossible with Defender. Built with legendary capability and tested on some of the most difficult terrain, Defender brings the toughness you need in a vehicle to take you to faraway places with the comfort and smart tech that makes the journey feel luxurious. Choose between the sleek two door Defender 90, the purposeful Defender 110, or the Defender 130 with seating up to eight people. For bigger expeditions, Defender's robust materials mean you can adventure without compromise, and innovative driving aids like Clearsight technology help you view the world around you in powerful new ways. With the available three models, you have the potential for up to 89 cubic feet of cargo space. This summer adventure with confidence Explore the full Defender lineup@land roverusa.com this message is brought to you by Apple Card Shave ice by the beach, a trip to the state fair and a throwback flick at the local drive in. They're more than just items to check off the summer bucket list. There are also opportunities to earn 2% daily cash back when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card now and use in minutes with Apple Pay subject to credit approval. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch terms and more@applecard.com and now our TED TALK of the Day.
[04:25]
B
My name is Yinka Elori, an artist, designer, a storyteller, a dreamer and a person who loves color. I believe that is my calling and mission is to bring joy to the world. We live in a time where everyone's asking the same question, who am I? And what brings me joy? Looking back now, I realize this question has followed me my whole life. While Job was always present in my life and always around me, I just didn't have the language for it. But what I did have was a world rich of color, symbols, dreams and affirmation. I grew up in London in 27 Ashby House on a council estate. I was raised by Nigerian parents who moved to London in the 1980s. My mother from Ondore State, coined the Sunshine State. It's known for its majestic rock landscapes and warm weather. The people there are warm, grounded and strong. My father from Ekiti State in southwest Nigeria, a place known for its nature and famous for its warm and cold springs. A place called Nkongosi and known as the Fountain of Knowledge because of its reputation for academic excellence and intellectual achievement. Even before I'd been to these places, I could picture myself growing up there, being raised there. But I was born and Raised in London, I felt a strong sense of connection and a strong sense of belonging to a place I'd called home in the uk. My beloved mother did many things. She bought and sold Swiss Foilace. She catered for weddings and birthdays. She was an architect of joy, architect of bringing people and things together in our glass cabinet at home, she would collect objects of memories she treasured in her show glass. My dad worked in retail. Everyone called him Uncle Paul. He was everyone's uncle, dad, brother, mentor and therapist. He brought so much joy to the workplace. At one point, my parents also owned a corner shop in London. It was insane. We had all the kids after school, people in the estate, the neighbors, passersby would come to the corner shop. This place became a gathering point for the whole community. On Sundays, my mum and dad would host church services. They would lead lectures and sermons. The words of worship and affirmation, singing and moving, have manifested in my memory. My parents loved house parties, live music, plates of jollof rice for weaving in our small council flat. Different languages, different journeys, all in one room. My parents brought all these rituals of community and faith and pleasure with them from Nigeria to the uk. As a child, I didn't realize I was experiencing a daily baptism of joy. A joy that had been passed on from generation to generation without even knowing it. Every ritual, every gathering, every exchange carried a deeply symbolic meaning. All these were seeds of joy. How did I harvest joy myself? I developed, like my mother, the same collective spirit. She collected objects. I collected symbols. A sun, a rock, hands, a star, a talking drum. At first, I didn't know why I was drawn to these symbols. But I realized these symbols were memories of things I enjoyed and things that brought me joy as a youth. The Ondo sunlight, the rituals, the community, the gatherings. Visualizing them helps me harvest joy. Visual storytelling is how we unlock the stories we already carry. This is what I do in my work. I don't invent stories. I uncover them. I reimagine them through my lens, similar to how I reflect on my personal experiences. I listen to people's stories and experiences and turn them into symbolic symbols. Because when you visualize something, when you share it, you can pass it on to someone else, another generation. This is why I think joy is transgenerational. We can inherit it from what it was before or what surrounds us. This is what I did. In a recent experiment, I asked my Instagram audience, what does joy look like to you today? And what is your early memories of joy looking like to you today? And how could they be translated into symbols that connect with your memories. Receiving an abundance of responses felt like I was receiving another daily baptism of joy. Just like my parents rituals, I selected some of the answers and turned them into symbols. A mushroom, a cashew tree, a sports car, a palm wine cup. And I paired them up with symbols for my archive. Ripples of laughter, precious joy, connection, sunrise and community. This selection was based on what happened the most. Around 80% of the responses carried a sense of togetherness through connection, shared, inherited, not individual. Around 65% of responses were connected to nature, plants, sunlight, open space, feeling through light, texture and smell. About half of the responses spoke about freedom, movement, exploration, anticipation, no restrictions. Some would talk about growth, not always being immediate. Sometimes it revolves over time, sometimes through struggle. A small number spoke about stillness. So I took all of these impressions and turned them into an artwork. An artwork that celebrates the power of transgenerational joy. When it comes together, this is the magic you can create. But what stood out to me the most was that no one spoke about personal achievement. It was always about people and places and shared experiences. All of my response to is very visual already. It's something we often recognize in hindsight. To me, harvesting transgenerational joy means finding the seeds that were planted before you by your parents, by your loved ones, by your community, even by your younger self. We all carry those seeds. To be able to see them, we need to visualize them. We harvest them by sharing them. My parents always said to me, whatever you sow is what you shall reap. I hope today you all reap joy. Pass it on from person to person, from generation to generation. It was passed on to me, and now I want to pass it on to you. Thank you.
[12:53]
A
That was Yinka elori speaking at TED 2026. If you're curious about TED's curation, visit ted.comcurationguidelines and that's it for today. TED Talks Daily is a podcast from TED. This episode was fact checked by the TED research team and produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Lucy Little, Emma Tobner and Tansika Sangarnival. Additional support from Daniela Ballaraiso, Christopher Faizy, Bogan, Valentina Bohanini, Banban Chang, Brian Greene and Lainey Lot. Learn more at Podcasts. I am Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feet. Thanks for listening. This episode is sponsored by Kohler Smart Toilets. The objects we interact with most are often the ones we notice least. But what if the most overlooked space in your home could be the most considered Kohler Smart Toilet challenges that assumption. Their Vail Smart Toilet is a sculptural silhouette that isn't just intentional, it's a philosophy that design changes everything. The kohlervale Smart Toilet is sleek with a rounded shape that's more like architecture than just plumbing. And it goes beyond looks. The touchscreen controls and customizable cleansing features offer a level of comfort and cleanliness that exceeds expectations. It's all about elevating those ordinary daily rituals into something extraordinary through thoughtful design. Kohler has been pushing these boundaries for over 150 years, mastering that balance of stunning form and high performance function. That's a long time to get it right, and it shows in every detail. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart Toilets. Find out more@kohler.com
[14:43]
C
with no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply see capitalone.com bank capital1NA member FDIC. You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.