Templeton Ideas Podcast

Scott Shigeoka, author of SEEK, discusses the power of deep curiosity for self-discovery and global change. He explores different types of curiosity, bridging cultural divides, and envisioning a world where curiosity leads to deeper connections and understanding.

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.

Nick Holton, Co-Founder of The Anti-fragile Academy, discusses the importance of facing challenges for personal growth. He explores societal pressures, education paradigm shifts, resilience through mythical figures, and embracing discomfort for growth. The conversation delves into the impact of emotional contagion, social networks, and rituals for well-being.

Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics, discusses education, progress, and AI. He explores the impact of artificial intelligence on society and the importance of humility in politics. The podcast delves into his intellectual journey, the transformative power of AI, and the challenges of building a sustainable civilization.

Jeffrey Rosen, CEO of National Constitution Center, discusses classical writers' influence on Founding Fathers, importance of virtue for republic survival, and resurgence of Stoic philosophy during crises like COVID. Podcast explores self-mastery, virtue, and political self-government, emphasizing character development and societal responsibilities. Rosen also delves into career journey, leadership role, and the pursuit of moral perfection amidst challenges.

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.

Science writer Philip Ball joins the podcast to discuss his 30-year journey of science writing and his new book 'How Life Works.' He challenges popular metaphors in science, like DNA as a blueprint, and explores the complexity of biology. They also touch on the guest's childhood, passion for writing, and the role of metaphors in understanding biology.