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TED Talks DailyApr 1, 2026

5 practical ways to take control of your life | Jim VandeHei

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 5 practical ways to take control of your life | Jim VandeHei on TED Talks Daily.

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5 practical ways to take control of your life | Jim VandeHei mentions How to Change by Katie Milkman and Bewilderment by Richard Powers with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

3 books from this episode
How to Change
Katie Milkman

Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist and author of best-selling book,…

Bewilderment
Richard Powers

Richard Powers, in his book Bewilderment, says maybe the purpose of life is about leaving little pieces of ourselves behind in others.

Episode summary
You can't control the world — but you can control you. That's the mantra that took Axios CEO Jim VandeHei, a once "unremarkably unremarkable 20-year-old," all the way to launching companies and interviewing presidents. He breaks down a career's worth of observations into five deceptively simple things you can control, and explores why mastering them can change the trajectory of your life. Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How to Change
Katie Milkman

Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist…

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Bewilderment
Richard Powers

Richard Powers, in his book Bewilderment, says maybe the purpose of life is about leaving little pieces of ourselves…

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Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 5 practical ways to take control of your life | Jim VandeHei on TED Talks Daily.

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  • Referenced books include How to Change by Katie Milkman and Bewilderment by Richard Powers.
  • You can't control the world — but you can control you. That's the mantra that took Axios CEO Jim VandeHei, a once "unremarkably unremarkable 20-year-old," all the way to…

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How to Change by Katie Milkman and Bewilderment by Richard Powers are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

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Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer quote context, and better timestamp support rise first.

How to Change cover
How to Change
Katie Milkman

Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist and author of best-selling book, How to Change.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link
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Bewilderment cover
Bewilderment
Richard Powers

Richard Powers, in his book Bewilderment, says maybe the purpose of life is about leaving little pieces of ourselves behind in others.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link
Check price
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How to Change
TED Talks Daily · 17:29
Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist and author of best-selling book,…
Bewilderment
TED Talks Daily · 15:00
Richard Powers, in his book Bewilderment, says maybe the purpose of life is about leaving little pieces of ourselves behind in others.
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How to Change cover
Mentioned at 17:29
How to Change
Katie Milkman

Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist and author of best-selling boo…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link
Bewilderment cover
Mentioned at 15:00
Bewilderment
Richard Powers

Richard Powers, in his book Bewilderment, says maybe the purpose of life is about leaving little pieces of ourselves behind in others.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

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