199: Francis Collins: The Road to Wisdom in an Age of Distrust

Mar 10, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Francis Collins has led some of the most significant scientific initiatives of our time, including the Human Genome Project and the National Institutes of Health under three U.S. presidents. In his new book, The Road to Wisdom, Collins grapples with the erosion of public trust in science, the polarization of society, and the challenge of discerning truth in the modern age.

In this conversation, Collins shares insights from his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, his journey from atheism to Christian faith, and the importance of humility in the pursuit of knowledge. He reflects on his unlikely friendship with the late atheist Christopher Hitchens, the philosophical roots of truth skepticism, and the need for genuine dialogue across divides.

Join us as we explore how wisdom, truth, science, and faith intersect—and why curiosity and compassion might just be the antidote to our age of distrust.

Show Notes

Resources:

"The Road to Wisdom" by Francis Collins

Similar NSE episodes:

Quincy Byrdsong: Tuskegee, Healthcare, Justice

Jennifer Wiseman: How Science Produces Wonder

David Wilkinson: The (Not Really) War Between Science and Faith

Rachel Held Evans, Francis Collins, and Ed Larson: Faith, Science, Humility

PDF of Lee's Interview Notes

Transcription Link

Want more NSE? JOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and discounts on live shows

Great Feeling Studios, the team behind No Small Endeavor and other award-winning podcasts, helps nonprofits and brands tell stories that inspire action. If your organization has a message that deserves to be heard, start your podcast at helpmemakeapodcast.com.

See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sit… Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices