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, Deputy Executive Director of Communications at the National Academy of Sciences, is a creative force behind the Science & Entertainment Exchange. She discusses how filmmakers like Jon Spaihts merge scientific ideas with storytelling in popular culture. The conversation highlights the vital collaboration between scientists and screenwriters, exploring its impact on films like 'Minority Report' and 'Dune.' Merchant emphasizes the importance of engaging narratives in enhancing public understanding and fostering a deep appreciation for science.

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. Anil Seth, a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, discusses consciousness, AI, and the potential for technological dystopias. He explores the distinction between consciousness and intelligence, the complexity of conscious experiences, and the ethical considerations of studying consciousness. Despite potential challenges, he remains optimistic about the future.