28 Feb 2026
30m

What to do when you’re told there’s nothing left to try | David Fajgenbaum and Kiah Williams

Podcast cover

TED Talks Daily

The conversation centers on living a purposeful life amidst uncertainty, featuring physician David Fajgenbaum and social entrepreneur Kiah Williams. They share personal experiences of overcoming extreme challenges to transform their lives and careers. Fajgenbaum discusses his near-death experience with Castleman disease, which led him to discover new uses for existing drugs, while Williams recounts growing up in poverty and her drive to address healthcare access disparities through her organization, Serum. Both emphasize the importance of taking action, even with limited information, and focusing on what truly matters. They advocate for "actionable hope," vision, a strong support system, and tackling challenges one step at a time to create meaningful change.

Outlines

Part 1: Origins, Personal Agency

Part 2: Healthcare Innovation, Systemic Change

Part 3: Resilience, Privilege, Strategy

Part 4: Philosophy, Impact, Final Reflections

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