Hey TED Talks Daily listeners, I'm Elise Hugh. Today we have an episode of another podcast from the TED Audio Collective handpicked by us for you. This time it's How to Be a Better Human, hosted by comedian Chris Duffy. We shared this conversation on the feed a few years ago, but I think it's so good,

we wanted to share it again.

February is Black History Month in the United States, and to mark the start of the month,

we want to consider why acknowledging and learning from history is so essential.

How do we know the history we learn is accurate?

Have you ever recalled a story only to have someone point out,

that's not how it went?

And what happens when what we misrepresent are our historical narratives?

David Ickard is a professor of African American and diaspora studies at Vanderbilt University.

In this episode from 2022, Ickard talks with host Chris Duffy about the societal and personal dangers of inaccurate narratives and uncovers the real story of one of history's most iconic figures.

If you want to hear more insights like this, listen to how to be a better human wherever you get your podcasts.

And just a little shameless plug before the conversation.

Chris Duffy is out with a new book called It Humor Me, How Laughing Can Make You More Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy.

If you are interested in hearing more from Chris about this book and how he has learned

to keep laughing through it all, mark your calendars for February 18.

That is when I will be speaking with him in front of a live TED audience for our first

TED Talks Daily Book Club interview of the year.

To learn more, an RSVP, which we hope you do,

visit go. ted.com slash membership. Okay, now on to Chris's conversation with Ickard. You're listening to How to Be a Better Human.

I'm your host, Chris Duffy.

Growing up, I remember learning a pretty standard by the book explanation of American history,

which means that now, as an adult, I'm frequently surprised to find out that the stories

...