Watch my TED Talk:
"How to Deal With Idiots"
Think you're failing to communicate? You're probably failing to connect. Listening may feel like a kind of surrender, but acknowledging others can be transformative. And arguing may feel like gridlock, but it can be the birthplace of connection. Whether you're discussing or debating, I believe connecting is almost always possible if you have a clear process. That is where I can help.
About Joshua Johnson
For more than 25 years Joshua Johnson has been an award-winning journalist, news anchor, talk show host, public speaker and innovative broadcaster.
He has earned a reputation for compelling conversation and unique insight, helping people from many walks of life connect in respectful and transformative ways. His talks combine humor, candor, empathy and edginess, with unflinching hope in a brighter tomorrow.
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Joshua's national programs have included Truth Be Told, a special public radio series on race; the live NPR talk show 1A, on which he was the founding host; and NOW Tonight, a nightly newscast on NBC News NOW.
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His latest independent project is The Resolution, a debate game to help everyday people have smarter, more meaningful arguments. Previously he created The Night Light, a program focused on democracy and connection. These programs, and his many speaking engagements over the years, have focused on easing America’s deep polarization. And Americans have been paying attention: 1A, for example, drew an audience of more than three million listeners a week on well over 300 NPR stations.
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In addition to using his skills professionally, he has also taught and trained others in various communication and media skills for years. Achievements include teaching podcasting as a Lecturer at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, providing interview skills training to the newsgathering staff at The Philadelphia Inquirer, training each class of interns at San Francisco’s KQED Public Radio, and introducing print journalists to public radio as the Operations Director of WLRN Miami Herald News.
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When he’s not working, the gym gets plenty of his time. He loves house and disco-inspired dance music: even does some amateur DJ mixes. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication, which named him its 2024 Communicator of the Year. He lives in Chicago.
Joshua's Signature Keynotes
Photo: Ryan Lash/TED
How to Deal With Idiots:
Connecting Through Conflict
"Idiots... are everywhere." That's how I began my 2026 TED Talk, taking a playful yet pragmatic look at interpersonal conflicts. The core idea: distancing yourself from people you can't stand makes it harder to resolve your differences. Moving closer works, if you know how. I laid out three tips in that talk: getting the other person's story, keeping your questions short (10 seconds if possible), and using your "mental microscope" to learn without judgment. Good advice... but easier said than done! I'll dive into each of those skills with practical guidance, simple skill-building exercises and insights to restore your confidence. Our differences can be the birthplace of discovery. As I said in my TED Talk, "You can learn a lot from an idiot... especially if you resolve never to act like one."
Humanity’s Best Hope: Leaders Who Listen
Broken friendships, estranged families: America is deeply divided, and we miss feeling connected. When political fault lines open, many organizations focus on how to respond. But shrewd leaders focus on what to ask, how to listen, and how to help others do the same. Let me equip you with a simple process, drawn from my 20+ years in broadcasting, to make taboo conversations humane, productive and fun. Learn to shift confrontations into meaningful connections: set attainable goals, craft effective questions, and defuse hostile encounters no matter the circumstances.
Listener Testimonial
"Joshua Johnson's voice is one that is necessary as we continue to navigate today's political climate. His take on everything from war to the White House sprinkled in with a bit of popular culture oftentimes causes me to have a driveway moment. Through years of listening to Joshua Johnson on NPR as well as MSNBC I have learned (still learning) to find my own voice."
Dee Dotson
viewer/paid subscriber
