More than ever, we need to make time for joy. On this week's show, Manoush and TED's Head Curator Helen Walters explore talks that surprise, inspire, and delight.

Host Manoush Zomorodi and TED curator Helen Walters begin their conversation on joy with a look at an uplifting TED Talk given by Simone Giertz, the queen of purposely useless robots.

Next up in our exploration of joy: Manoush and TED curator Helen Walters discuss the talk of Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as social entrepreneur Andrew Youn, whose work in Sub-Saharan Africa has helped thousands lift themselves out of poverty. Before the break, we also hear from the mood-boosting talk given by blogger Tim Urban, who calls himself a master procrastinator.

Manoush and Helen Walters continue their look into Tim Urban's hilarious TED Talk, and end their conversation with TED speaker Sophie Scott, whose work focuses on why laughter -- and joy itself -- can be contagious.

Over the past weeks, we've been reaching out to TED speakers to ask how their lives have changed since COVID-19. On this episode, we hear from writer Pico Iyer, at his home in Nara, Japan.