Over the course of the podcast, our guests have shared insights for how anyone can be a better human-- in love, in the workplace, in our communities, and beyond. But, how are these experts trying to be better humans in their own lives? Today’s episode is an anthology on this season’s most popular answer: by being more patient. Listen as sleep scientist Wendy Troxel, Hollywood executive Franklin Leonard, psychologist Guy Winch, and more share the rich and surprising benefits of practicing this age-old virtue. To learn more about "How to Be a Better Human," host Chris Duffy, or find footnotes and additional resources, please visit: go.ted.com/betterhuman
Ted audio collective.
I'm Chris Duffy, and you're listening to how to be a better human.
So at the end of every interview that I do for this show, I always ask our guests how they personally are trying to be a better human.
And I have to say it is probably my favorite part of getting to do this job that I get to ask them that question.
Its such an honor and a joy to get to talk to these incredible geniuses about their advice and their insights into what you and I should do to be better humans every day.
Thats incredible.
But its also really kind of amazing to get to hear firsthand how they themselves are still working on this, that its a process, and that theyre not like, up on some pedestal high above us, looking down from their state of perfection.
I really, really love that because, to be honest, my biggest fear when Ted asked me to host a podcast called how to be a better human was that people would somehow think that I thought that I had the answers to that question, how do you be a better human?
Because I really don't.
I mean, I want to be a better human, but I certainly am no expert.
And it has been an immense relief and honestly eye opening to me to see that even the experts who we do have on the show that they dont have all the answers either.
But they do always remind me that working on yourself isnt something you just do for you.
Its something that you do for the good of your relationships and your family and your community and everything beyond that.
One of the biggest trends that has come up when guests say what theyre working on is patience.
Heres what sleep scientist Wendy Troxell told me when I asked her how shes trying to be a better human.
I am trying to practice patience.
It is not a skill I come by naturally.
I'm trying to practice patience with myself, with my children, with my coworkers and other family members, and really recognize that sort of being willing to engage and participate in the process, whatever that process might be, and not rushing to the outcome.
I tend to be sort of very much task oriented and let's get it done and focus on efficiency in sort of all things in life.
But recognizing that sometimes just letting things be and letting things sort of transpire as they do somewhat organically, is necessary.