
Hunger for Wholeness
Story matters. Our lives are shaped around immersive, powerful stories that thrive at the heart of our religious traditions, scientific inquiries, and cultural landscapes. As Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein claimed, science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind. This podcast will hear from speakers in interdisciplinary fields of science and religion who are finding answers for how to live wholistic lives. This podcast is made possible by funding from the Fetzer Institute. We are very grateful for their generosity and support. (Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Ultraviolet: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC; Optical: NASA/STScI [M. Meixner]/ESA/NRAO [T.A. Rector]; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/K.)
Latest episodes

Sep 11, 2023 • 29min
What Franciscans and Vaishnavas Share with Swami Padmanabha (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: What Franciscans and Vaishnavas Share with Swami Padmanabha (Part 1)Our third season opens with a conversation between Ilia Delio and author and monk Swami Padmanabha. In part 1, Ilia asks Swami about Vaishnavism and what it is like to be a Hindu Monk in the West. They unpack how the sciences inspire theological insight and interface on their shared vision of the future of religious convergence.ABOUT SWAMI PADMANABHA"We have a commitment to our potential."Swami Padmanabha is an author, monk, and spiritual mentor. For the last 25 years, he has been following the devotional branch of Hindu monotheism known as Vaishnavism (often referred to as bhakti) while at the same time deeply engaged in interfaith dialogue, or what he calls “theological cross pollination.” Swami travels around the world each year as a retreat leader, public speaker, and community-builder. Being a valued scholar in his tradition, his work also includes hundreds of articles and seminars, as well as copious presentations in universities and academic circles. Swami Padmanabha´s first book, “Inherent of Inherited?”, was widely acclaimed by both practitioners and scholars of his tradition. At present, Swami is touring the US while presenting his second book, “Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion.” To learn more about Swami Padmanabha visit: http://swamipadmanabha.com.arSupport the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jul 31, 2023 • 31min
The Human Mystery, AI, and Art with Patrick Beldio (Part 2)
Ilia Delio and The Human Mystery, AI, and Art with Patrick Beldio (Part 2)In part 2 of her conversation with Patrick Beldio, Ilia asks “what, or who, is God?” and more about the mystery of being human. Patrick shares more about his teacher Meher Baba and how art, creativity and technology can all play a role in deepening the human spirit.*This the last episode of season 2 of Hunger for Wholeness, but we will return with season 3 in September 2023.ABOUT PATRICK BELDIO“Is it possible for creation to evolve matter without opposition, to progress without the crude means of alternating darkness and light?”Patrick Beldio earned a Ph.D. in religion and culture from Catholic University and an M.F.A. in sculpture from George Washington University. Some of his areas of academic research and teaching are interreligious studies, comparative theology, Hindu-Christian relations, Interfaith dialogue, religion and visual culture, religion and gender, with a focus on Franciscan spirituality, the Integral Yoga of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and Meher Baba and the Chishti lineage in the West. He is also a professional artist with a studio at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. His sculptures are in private and public collections across the USA including a monumental sculpture in the Sanctuary of Sufism Reoriented, Walnut Creek, CA. He has volunteered with many service projects including “Francis in the Schools,” which provides material, psychological, and spiritual support to children on the margins.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jul 24, 2023 • 28min
Catholicism and Sufism with Patrick Beldio (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: Catholicism and Sufism with Patrick Beldio (Part 1)Ilia Delio interviews religious scholar and artist Patrick Beldio. In Part 1, our guests explore Patrick’s religious journey, its varied traditions, and how he discovered, and settled into, Sufism. Ilia digs into what practicing Sufism looks like from a Western perspective, the mystic perspective, and wisdom of Patrick’s teacher, Meher Baba.ABOUT PATRICK BELDIO“Is it possible for creation to evolve matter without opposition, to progress without the crude means of alternating darkness and light?”Patrick Beldio earned a Ph.D. in religion and culture from Catholic University and an M.F.A. in sculpture from George Washington University. Some of his areas of academic research and teaching are interreligious studies, comparative theology, Hindu-Christian relations, Interfaith dialogue, religion and visual culture, religion and gender, with a focus on Franciscan spirituality, the Integral Yoga of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and Meher Baba and the Chishti lineage in the West. He is also a professional artist with a studio at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. His sculptures are in private and public collections across the USA including a monumental sculpture in the Sanctuary of Sufism Reoriented, Walnut Creek, CA. He has volunteered with many service projects including “Francis in the Schools,” which provides material, psychological, and spiritual support to children on the margins.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jul 17, 2023 • 33min
Affirmative Action and Planetary Solidarity with Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: Affirmative Action and Planetary Solidarity with Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Part 2)In part 2 of their conversation, Ilia Delio, Gabi Sloan and Grace Ji-Sun Kim explore the realities of white privilege and affirmative action from Grace’s international perspective while lamenting theological language's ability to capture the deepest part of our experiences. Are global justice and wholeness within reach? What does planetary solidarity look like for the individual? ABOUT GRACE JI-SUN KIM “In difficult times, we can only run on hope.”Grace Ji-Sun Kim was born in Korea, educated in Canada, and now teaches in the United States. She is the author or editor of 21 books, including Invisible, Hope in Disarray, Keeping Hope Alive, and Intersectional Theology, and is a Series Co-Editor for Palgrave Macmillan Series, “Asian Christianity in the Diaspora.” She has also served on the American Academy of Religion’s Board of Directors. She writes for Baptist News Global, Sojourners, Faith and Leadership, and Wabash Center, and has published in TIME, The Huffington Post, Christian Century, US Catholic Magazine, and The Nation. She is the host of the Madang podcast, which is hosted by the Christian Century, and is an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister. More of her writing and work can be found on her blog site: Loving LifeSupport the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jul 10, 2023 • 26min
Justice, Wholeness, K-Drama and Chi with Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: Justice, Wholeness, K-Drama and Chi with Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Part 1)Ilia Delio and Gabi Sloan are joined by Korean theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim. In part 1, they unpack Grace’s varied experiences with social justice, patriarchy, and technology spanning from Korea to the West and how she has struggled to fit Eastern ideas into her Western education. They discuss the role “wholeness” plays in the new world, and Grace’s plea for planetary solidarity. What must we change to promote a more just planet? ABOUT GRACE JI-SUN KIM “In difficult times, we can only run on hope.”Grace Ji-Sun Kim was born in Korea, educated in Canada, and now teaches in the United States. She is the author or editor of 21 books, including Invisible, Hope in Disarray, Keeping Hope Alive, and Intersectional Theology, and is a Series Co-Editor for Palgrave Macmillan Series, “Asian Christianity in the Diaspora.” She has also served on the American Academy of Religion’s Board of Directors. She writes for Baptist News Global, Sojourners, Faith and Leadership, and Wabash Center, and has published in TIME, The Huffington Post, Christian Century, US Catholic Magazine, and The Nation. She is the host of the Madang podcast, which is hosted by the Christian Century, and is an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister. More of her writing and work can be found on her blog site: Loving Life.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jul 3, 2023 • 36min
How the Universe Challenges Us with Neil deGrasse Tyson (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: "How the Universe Challenges Us" with Neil deGrasse Tyson (Part 2)In part 2 of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson, she is joined by Robert Nicastro and Gabi Sloan. Robert and Gabi ask Neil about how the universe challenges us to be better individuals, what we can learn from the cosmos about ourselves and the difficulty of public science education. Ilia digs deeper into the complex relationship between religion and science, and finally, Neil shares his critical thoughts about the religious fundamentalist voices in modern science.ABOUT NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON“The challenge for the human brain is to think on the same continuum as the thing it is that you're measuring. And that's near impossible for some people.” Neil deGrasse Tyson is a renowned astrophysicist, planetary scientist, and author. His research interests are broad, but include star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the structure of our Milky Way. In addition to dozens of professional publications, Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. His recent books are Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization and Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour. His newest book, To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery, is scheduled for release in September 2023. Tyson is the recipient of nine honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in their official naming of asteroid 13123 Tyson.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jun 26, 2023 • 27min
Star-struck and AI Futures with Neil deGrasse Tyson (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: Star-struck and AI Futures with Neil deGrasse Tyson (Part 1)Ilia Delio interviews astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson about science, technology and recent advances in AI. In part 1 of their conversation, Ilia asks Neil about the universe’s calling to him, and the importance of the night sky. Neil shares how he envisions the role of technology and AI in our daily lives, and the future of our society.ABOUT NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON“Everything we do, every thought we've ever had, is produced by the human brain. But exactly how it operates remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries, and it seems the more we probe its secrets, the more surprises we find.”Neil deGrasse Tyson is a renowned astrophysicist, planetary scientist, and author. His research interests are broad, but include star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the structure of our Milky Way. In addition to dozens of professional publications, Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. His recent books are Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization and Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour. His newest book, To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery, is scheduled for release in September 2023. Tyson is the recipient of nine honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in their official naming of asteroid 13123 Tyson.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jun 19, 2023 • 35min
Technology Troubles and Satisfying Hungers with Barbara Brown Taylor (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: Technology Troubles and Satisfying Hungers with Barbara Brown Taylor (Part 2)In the second part of this two part interview, Ilia continues her conversation with author and priest Barbara Brown Taylor. The two discuss the humanitarian challenges facing the world and church today, particularly those posed by technology and its allure of power and transcendance. In light of this, Barbara and Ilia predict the future of the institutional church, and what the religious communities of the future may look like.ABOUT BARBARA BROWN TAYLORBarbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. Her first memoir, Leaving Church, won an Author of the Year award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2006. Her next three books earned places on the New York Times bestseller list. Taylor has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia. Her latest book, Always a Guest, was released in October 2020 from Westminster John Knox Press.“Earth is so thick with divine possibility that it is a wonder we can walk anywhere without cracking our shins on altars.”Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jun 12, 2023 • 23min
Culture, Darkness and Pantheism with Barbara Brown Taylor (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: Culture, Darkness and Pantheism with Barbara Brown Taylor (Part 1) with Ilia Delio.In this episode, Ilia Delio interviews best-selling author and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor. Their conversation kicks off discussing Barbara’s book “Learning to Walk in the Dark,” the merits of darkness and challenges of contemporary culture. Ilia asks Barbara how her theology is informed by nature, what the future of our understanding of God looks like.ABOUT BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR“Earth is so thick with divine possibility that it is a wonder we can walk anywhere without cracking our shins on altars.”Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. Her first memoir, Leaving Church, won an Author of the Year award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2006. Her next three books earned places on the New York Times bestseller list. Taylor has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia. Her latest book, Always a Guest, was released in October 2020 from Westminster John Knox Press.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Jun 5, 2023 • 25min
Playfulness, Technology, Embodiment and Racism with Brie Stoner (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: Playfulness, Technology, Embodiment and Racism with Brie Stoner (Part 2) with Ilia Delio and Robert Nicastro.In the second part of Ilia’s interview with musician Brie Stoner, they share about wrestling with egos in both music and academia. They discuss the importance of insight, instincts, playfulness and embodiment and Ilia asks Brie how we can move beyond racism.“Power over always functions in a pyramid structure in which there are not enough places at the top. So it elicits fear, it cultivates fear, it propagates fear, it runs on fear. But the paradigm of communion runs on that rhizomatic view that we are all of us connected, and in a non-hierarchical way, our co-creating possibility through love and through the adventure of becoming.” (Brie Stoner in Hunger for Wholeness)ABOUT BRIE STONERBrie Stoner is a musician and songwriter who pulls from her multilingual and multicultural background in her indie dream-rock music. As a musician, Stoner has worked with producers Jay Bennett (Wilco) and most recently David Vandervelde (Father John Misty, Secretly Canadian) who produced her new album. Stoner’s music has also been featured by Victoria Secret, Orange is The New Black, The Affair, as well as many other international TV and film campaigns. As a writer, her work has been featured in “The Call To Unite: Voices of hope and Awakening,” a book featuring inspirational voices such as Oprah, Tim Shriver, Elizabeth Gilbert and many more. Brie was a co-host to the “Another Name for Every Thing” podcast which garnered millions of downloads, before launching her own podcast “Unknowing” in 2021, exploring the path of creative possibility in conversation with artists, authors, and activists. Her new single “Loved Me Like a Weapon” is out now! Her new album ME VEO will be out in late 2023.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org/podcast to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.