Skip to content
Re:Thinking with Adam GrantRe:Thinking with Adam Grant

"Music is a life force!"

Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste @jonbatistemusic and Emmy-winning writer Suleika Jaouad have a unique creative partnership, and it’s not just because they’re married. In this episode, Adam sits down with the dynamic duo at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss the lessons they’ve learned from watching each other live and work. Suleika gives advice on overcoming writer’s block, Jon reframes music as a restorative practice, and Adam challenges each of them to describe the other’s creative process. Join us in person at a TED conference: https://tedtalks.social/events Become a TED Member to support our mission: https://ted.com/membership Subscribe to a TED newsletter: https://ted.com/newsletters Follow our podcasts! Podcasts: https://www.ted.com/podcasts Fixable: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/fixable How to Be a Better Human: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/how-to-be-a-better-human ReThinking with Adam Grant: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant TED Talks Daily: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-talks-daily TED Business: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted_business TED Health: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-health TED Tech: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-tech The TED Audio Collective is a collection of podcasts for the curious. The TED Audio Collective videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organiz...). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com.

Jon Batisteguest
May 23, 20260mWatch on YouTube ↗

CHAPTERS

  1. 0:00 – 0:15

    Music as energy: frequency, intention, and ideas becoming reality

    Jon Batiste frames music as a form of energy and frequency that carries intention. He argues that this intention can take root in the subconscious, rise into conscious thought as ideas, and ultimately manifest into tangible outcomes.

    • Music can be understood as energy and frequency, not just sound
    • Frequency both emits intention and plants seeds of intention
    • Intentions can sprout first in the subconscious, then the conscious mind
    • Ideas generated through this process can become real-world things
  2. 0:15

    Civil rights movement: music as the life force and soundtrack of collective action

    Batiste points to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement as an example of music’s power beyond entertainment. He describes music as both a soundtrack and an energizing force that infused marches, rides, and protests with resilience and cohesion.

    • Music preceded and supported the civil rights movement
    • It functioned as both soundtrack and a distinct “life force”
    • The music’s energy permeated marches, bus rides, and protests
    • Music helped shape the emotional and spiritual momentum of collective action
  3. A “superpower” reframe: music as spiritual practice, not mere entertainment

    He concludes by urging a broader view of music’s role: a tool for meaning-making and spiritual practice. This reframing positions music as something that can shape intention, community, and inner life—not just provide enjoyment.

    • Music’s impact expands when viewed beyond entertainment
    • Framing music as spiritual practice unlocks deeper power
    • Music can shape intention and inner states
    • This perspective emphasizes music’s cultural and communal significance

Get more out of YouTube videos.

High quality summaries for YouTube videos. Accurate transcripts to search & find moments. Powered by ChatGPT & Claude AI.