© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Stop judging yourself and embrace your cringe

Part 3 of the TED Radio Hour episode So Awkward.

Journalist Melissa Dahl went on a mission, researching the nature of "cringe." She hoped to free herself from awkward moments. Instead, she learned from them.

About Melissa Dahl

Melissa Dahl is a freelance journalist who covers health and wellness. Her book is Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness. Previously, she was an executive director with BDG Media and at NY Magazine, as a senior editor for The Cut.

Melissa Dahl's stage performance is courtesy of the show Mortified. They organize stage shows across the country and also turn them into podcasts. Learn more at getmortifed.com.

This segment of the TED Radio Hour was produced by Matthew Cloutier and edited by Sanaz Meshkinpour. You can follow us on Facebook @TEDRadioHour and email us at TEDRadioHour@npr.org.

Copyright 2024 NPR

Manoush Zomorodi
Manoush Zomorodi is the host of TED Radio Hour.
Matthew Cloutier
Matthew Cloutier is a producer for TED Radio Hour.
Sanaz Meshkinpour