Templeton Ideas Podcast

Dr. De Cruz is a philosophy professor and Danforth Chair of Humanities at Saint Louis University. Helen holds doctorate degrees in philosophy as well as archaeology and art studies. Her research attempts to understand why humans engage in philosophy, religious reflection, mathematics, science, and art. She explores these themes in her new book Wonderstruck: How Wonder and Awe Shape the Way We Think. Helen joins the podcast to explain why activities like art, music, and spirituality are nearly universal among humans, even though they don’t seem necessary for survival.   Did the recent solar eclipse inspire awe in you? Discover the inspiring accounts of scientists and amateur astronomers in our article “The Value of a Dark Night Sky: Stargazing, Splendor & Science.” What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Dr. Dacher Keltner is a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley and the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center. He also hosts a podcast called The Science of Happiness. Dacher has written over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Dacher joins the podcast to discuss his personal experiences with awe, how awe relates to life and death, and the many ways people can cultivate awe in their daily lives. Have YOU ever gazed at the stars and felt humbled? Our story "What Stars and Saints Reveal About Awe" explains why. Read it here.  Producer's note: This episode marks the debut of the Templeton Ideas podcast, originally released in March 2023. We're re-releasing it for our new listeners and for those who have been with us from the start. We hope you enjoy it. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Dr. Francis Collins is the former Director of the National Institutes of Health and led the Human Genome Project to its successful completion in 2003. In his leadership, public speaking, and popular writing, including his bestselling book, The Language of God, Collins has demonstrated how religious faith can motivate and inspire rigorous scientific research. He was awarded the Templeton Prize in 2020. His newest book is entitled The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust. Francis joins the podcast to share his experience mapping the human genome, his journey directing the NIH, and how his life has been shaped by both scientific and spiritual exploration. Learn more about the intersection of faith and science in our article “What Can Science Say About the Study of Prayer?” on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Dr. Nagasawa is a global scholar who specializes in the philosophy of religion. After academic positions on three continents, in Australia, Canada, and the U.K., Yujin is now the Kingfisher College Chair of the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at the University of Oklahoma. He has published two new books this year– Global Dialogues in the Philosophy of Religion and The Problem of Evil for Atheists. Yujin joins the podcast to explain just why the problem of evil is so perplexing, not just for people who believe in God, but also for people who don’t.  Learn more about how philosophy tackles big questions in our article Philosophy vs Science: Just What CAN You Establish From The Comfort of Your Armchair? on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Dr. Walker is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist at Arizona State University, where she explores the origins of life, artificial life, and the detection of life on other worlds. At ASU, she has built a highly interdisciplinary research program and leads one of the largest theory groups in origins of life and astrobiology internationally. Her latest book Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence proposes an answer to the age-old question, “What is life?” Sara joins the podcast to explain how the search for alien life is related to the origins of life and whether we are more likely to find microbes on other planets or intelligent life.  Can minerals provide clues in the search for the origins of life? Find out in our story: “Nine Ways to Make a Diamond” by Nate Barksdale on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Ann Merchant is the Deputy Executive Director of Communications at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. She leads the institution’s creative engagement activities, including the Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program that connects entertainment industry professionals with top scientists and engineers. Since 2008, these collaborations have borne fruit in hundreds of films and TV series, including many from Marvel Studios and “The Big Bang Theory”. Ann joins the podcast to explain how Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts and other film creators have integrated scientific inspiration with creative storytelling.  Want to learn more about the intersection of imagination and science? Check out our story “Where Hollywood Meets The Science Community” by Alene Dawson on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Gretchen Rubin is a New York Times bestselling author, podcaster and entrepreneur who is known for her thought-provoking investigations into happiness and human nature.  She began her career in law, even clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, before pivoting to a career as a writer. Some of Gretchen's most popular books include The Happiness Project and Better Than Before. Her newest book is entitled Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Dr. Shannon Vallor is a professor at the University of Edinburgh, where she serves as chair of the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Her research explores how new technologies, especially AI, robotics, and data science, reshape human character, habits, and practices. She also advises policymakers and industry on the ethical design and use of AI. Her latest book, The AI Mirror: Reclaiming Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking, argues that AI can be a tool to enhance our humanity, not replace it. Shannon joins the podcast to discuss artificial intelligence, both what it is and what it could be if we step back and rethink what technology is for.  Are you curious about artificial intelligence? Don't miss out on our story "Predicting and Controlling Bad Actor Artificial Intelligence" by Alene Dawson on Templeton Ideas. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Andy Crouch is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, a business and non-profit accelerator that supports redemptive entrepreneurs. As the author of five books, he explores culture, power, technology, and the arts. His latest book The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World explores what it means to be a person, and how to flourish in the face of modern challenges. Andy joins the podcast to explain the concept of “effortless power”, and how we can enhance human dignity in the digital age. Have YOU ever wondered what it means to be human? Check out our story "Humanity 3.0" by Alene Dawson on Templeton Ideas.  Read more from Andy: “We Don’t Need Superpowers. We Need Instruments.” What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Dr. Seth is a Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. The author of over 200 research papers, Anil integrates psychology, philosophy, computer science, and neuroscience to explore how our brains generate subjective experiences. Outside the laboratory, Anil has a knack for communication, too. His TED Talk has reached nearly 15 million viewers, and his bestselling book Being You: A New Science of Consciousness takes a baffling topic and makes it relatable and engaging for general readers. Anil joins the podcast to explain why animals may be conscious, but artificial intelligence is not, and why, despite the potential for technological dystopias, he is optimistic about the future. Are you curious about consciousness? Don't miss out on our intriguing story "Can Digital Computers Ever Achieve Consciousness?" by Marcus Arvan on Templeton Ideas. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Scott Shigeoka is a fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and a lecturer at the University of Texas, Austin. He is also an international speaker and author whose new book is SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. Scott combines social science research and real-world experience into practical strategies to bridge cultural differences, build new relationships, and embark on transformative life experiences. Scott joins the podcast to explain the difference between deep curiosity and shallow curiosity, how inward curiosity can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, and what the world may look like if we all became a little more curious. Want to learn more about curiosity? Check out our story “Curiosity Has Two Faces” by Annelise Jolley on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Dr. Shep Doeleman is a professor at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard and the Smithsonian, where he studies supermassive black holes. He is the Director of the Event Horizon Telescope, a global array of radio observatories that produced the first-ever image of a black hole. He also leads Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative, which aims to establish black hole science as a new field of study. Shep joins the podcast to discuss his adventures in Antarctica, how you produce an image of an invisible object, and how his international collaboration gives him hope for humanity. Interested in learning more about black holes? Watch our speaker series, "The Story Behind the First Image of a Black Hole," featuring Dr. Shep Doeleman and Dr. Peter Galison on Templeton Ideas. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.   Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Liane Young is a professor at Boston College, where she directs the Morality Lab, which explores concepts like virtue, social norms, identity, and belief formation. Dr. Young’s current research focuses on theory of mind and emotions in moral judgment and behavior. Her insights and findings have appeared in The New York Times, NPR, and more. On this episode of the Templeton Ideas podcast, Liane joins Ben Carlson, director of strategic communication at the John Templeton Foundation, to explore why morality can be described as a moving target, the factors that influence moral judgements, and the role of intentions in everyday interactions. Want to learn more about curiosity? Check out our story Curiosity Has Two Faces by Annelise Jolley on Templeton Ideas.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.   Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.   

Professor Al-Khalili is a theoretical physicist at the University of Surrey, as well as a prominent author and broadcaster. Jim has written 14 popular books about science translated into 26 different languages. His latest book, The Joy of Science, applies the principles of science to our daily lives. Jim is a regular presenter of science documentaries, and he hosts the long-running weekly BBC Radio 4 programme, The Life Scientific. On this episode of the Templeton Ideas podcast, Jim explores the intersection of quantum mechanics and biology, the enduring mystery of the origin of life, and reflects on his journey as a science communicator. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Rabbi Held is a theologian, scholar, and educator. Named as one of the most influential rabbis in America, he is the President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at the Hadar Institute, which he co-founded in 2006 in New York City. He is the author of several books, including a biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel; and The Heart of the Torah, a collection of essays on the Hebrew Bible. His newest book is entitled Judaism is about love: Recovering the heart of Jewish life. Shai joins the podcast to discuss his family's complex relationship with Jewish tradition, the centrality of love in Judaism, and his advice for people feeling overwhelmed by societal challenges.  What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Dr. Nick Holton earned his doctorate in educational psychology from Michigan State University. After years of formal classroom teaching, he has expanded his efforts to work with schools, athletes, and leaders from around the world to enhance their performance and well-being. He is the Co-Founder of The Anti-fragile Academy and co-hosts the podcast FlourishFM, sponsored by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University.  Nick joins the podcast to explain that true human flourishing requires us to take on difficult challenges, experience adversity, and discover a sense of meaning and purpose to guide our growth. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics at George Mason University and serves as the director of the Mercatus Center. A dedicated writer and communicator of economic ideas, Tyler hosts the popular blog Marginal Revolution, and the podcast Conversations with Tyler. He is also the author of several bestselling books, including The Great Stagnation, Stubborn Attachments, and Talent. His latest project is a generative book entitled GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter? Tyler joins the podcast to share his ideas on education, economics, and progress as well as the potential of artificial intelligence and the importance of humility in politics. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.   Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.           

Jeffrey Rosen is the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts We the People, a weekly podcast of constitutional debate. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic. He was previously the legal affairs editor of The New Republic and a staff writer for The New Yorker. Rosen’s new book is The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. On this episode of the Templeton Ideas podcast, Jeff joins David Nassar, vice president of Strategic Engagement at the John Templeton Foundation, to delve into the influence of classical writers on the Founding Fathers, why virtue, defined as self-mastery, self-regulation, and the pursuit of the public good, is essential for the survival of a republic, and to reflect on the resurgence of interest in Stoic philosophy, particularly during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.   Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Dr. Murtazashvili is the founding director of the Center for Governance and Markets and a professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the school of public and international affairs. As the author of notable books about the political order of Afghanistan and economic development more generally, Jennifer studies communities, power, conflict and how they all intertwine. On this episode of the Templeton Ideas podcast, Jen joins Ben Carlson, director of strategic communication at the John Templeton Foundation, to discuss common misconceptions about Central Asia, the strength of bottom-up approaches to building democracies, and practical advice to employ in your own communities. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.  Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Philip Ball is a science writer based in the UK. With a degree in chemistry and a doctorate in physics, he served as an editor of the journal Nature for over 20 years. He has authored nearly 30 books on a wide range of scientific and historical subjects, including H2O: A Biography of Water, How to Grow a Human, and The Book of Minds. His newest book is entitled How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology. Philip Ball joins the podcast to discuss his 30-year journey of science writing. In his new book How Life Works, he refutes the popular metaphors that DNA is like a blueprint or instruction manual, and he contends that even the simplest organisms construct meaning from their complex environments. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.   Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.