No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp

For Your Consideration: How God Works with David DeSteno

Feb 2, 2024

Renowned psychologist, David DeSteno, hosts a podcast called "How God Works" where he discusses the overlap between scientific research and teachings of faith. In one episode, DeSteno interviews journalist Nicholas Kristof about maintaining hope amid violence and war. He also talks to Roshi Joan Halifax about wise hope and fierce compassion. The episode explores the transformative power of hope, recognizing progress in solving global issues, building empathy, and choosing resilient hope. They also touch upon the connection between hope and fear, emphasizing the importance of community and acceptance in uncertain times.

35:52

Creator website

Episode guests

David DeSteno

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Quick takeaways

Hope can help us heal and create positive change in our lives and the world, even in the face of adversity like the pandemic, gun violence, and climate change.

Journalism done right can inspire hope by bearing witness to both the terrible realities and the potential for positive change, and by highlighting individual stories.

Deep dives

Maintaining Hope in Difficult Times

Amidst a rise in hopelessness in the US, it's important to recognize that hope is a choice we can make. Even in the face of adversity like the pandemic, gun violence, and climate change, hope can help us heal and create positive change in our lives and the world. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Christoff shares his experiences of covering tragic events while maintaining hope and a belief in people's inherent goodness. Roshi Joan Halifax emphasizes the importance of wise hope, which is not based on blind optimism, but on openness, empathy, and a recognition of the impermanence of life. By cultivating empathy, self-efficacy, and a deep understanding of our values, we can choose hope even in the midst of despair.

In Darkness, Choose Hope

00:55

Hope in Perspective: Progress is Possible

00:43

Introduction

4min

The Transformative Power of Hope

13min

Recognizing the Backdrop of Progress and Motivation to Solve Problems

2min

Building Empathy and Self-Efficacy, Choosing Resilient Hope

5min

Exploring the Nature of Hope and its Connection to Fear

2min

The Power of Wise Hope

11min

We're pleased on occasion to share with you an episode from other podcasts which we find important and helpful. You may have heard our episode with renowned psychologist David DeSteno, on his book How God Works. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Dave, and found his approach helpful and refreshing. On his podcast, by the same name—How God Works—Dave talks with religious leaders, scientists, and intellectuals from various fields and explores the overlap between scientific research and the teachings of various wisdom and faith traditions.

The episode we share today I find particularly helpful: one on hope, and the cultivation of hopefulness in a world marred by seemingly intractable violence and hostility. Dave interviews Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, who discusses ways he's learned to maintain hopefulness even while covering some of the most horrific instances of violence and war-making; and Roshi Joan Halifax, founder of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM, about the notion of wise hope, the equanimity it can bring, and the fierce compassion it can unleash.

We hope you enjoy this episode of How God Works and consider subscribing.

-Lee C. Camp