

Hunger for Wholeness
Center for Christogenesis
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.)
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2023 • 28min
What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1)In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.“We all share beauty. It strikes us indiscriminately… There is no end to beauty for the person who is aware. Even the cracks between the sidewalk contain geometric patterns of amazing beauty. If we take pictures of them and blow up the photographs, we realize we walk on beauty every day, even when things seem ugly around us.”ABOUT MATTHEW FOXMatthew Fox, Ph.D., is a spiritual theologian, an Episcopal priest, and an activist for gender justice and eco-justice. He has written 37 books that have been translated into other languages over 70 times. Among them are Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, and A Spirituality Named Compassion. His latest books are Naming the Unnameable: 89 Wonderful and Useful Names for God…Including the Unnameable God; Stations of the Cosmic Christ; and The Lotus & the Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity. He has contributed much to the rediscovery of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, and Thomas Aquinas as pre-modern mystics and prophets. Fox holds a doctorate in the history and theology of spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris. The founder of the University of Creation Spirituality in California, he conducts dozens of workshops each year and is a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning.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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

Oct 16, 2023 • 20min
What Evolution Has to Say about Technology with Steve McIntosh (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: What Evolution Has to Say about Technology with Steve McIntosh (Part 2)In part two of Ilia Delio’s conversation with integral philosopher Steve McIntosh they dig into Steve’s view of the current cultural climate and what’s preventing progress. What role does technology play in evolution and what does evolution tell us about technology? Plus, Steve tells Ilia his hope for our future.ABOUT STEVE MCINTOSH“Like life itself, culture is an evolutionary phenomenon.”Steve McIntosh, J.D., is a leader in the integral philosophy movement and author of the acclaimed books: The Presence of the Infinite—The Spiritual Experience of Beauty, Truth, & Goodness (Quest 2015), Evolution’s Purpose—An Integral Interpretation of the Scientific Story of Our Origins (SelectBooks 2012), and Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution—How the Integral Worldview Is Transforming Politics, Culture and Spirituality (Paragon House 2007). He currently works as president and co-founder of the integral political think tank: The Institute for Cultural Evolution. McIntosh’s innovative political thinking has recently been featured on NPR, The Daily Beast, The National Journal, The Hill, and in a wide variety of other media. He is the author of numerous influential political articles including Depolarizing the American Mind, and Why Centrism Fails and How We Can Better Achieve Political Cooperation.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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

Oct 10, 2023 • 32min
Who (or What) Guides Us Into the Future with Steve McIntosh (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: Who (or What) Guides Us Into the Future with Steve McIntosh (Part 1)In the first part of a conversation from the Whitehead-Teilhard conference, Ilia Delio sits down with integral philosopher Steve McIntosh. They discuss how holistic frameworks can inspire cultural evolution, and how religion and spirituality inform our development.“Like life itself, culture is an evolutionary phenomenon.”ABOUT STEVE MCINTOSHSteve McIntosh, J.D., is a leader in the integral philosophy movement and author of the acclaimed books: The Presence of the Infinite—The Spiritual Experience of Beauty, Truth, & Goodness (Quest 2015), Evolution’s Purpose—An Integral Interpretation of the Scientific Story of Our Origins (SelectBooks 2012), and Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution—How the Integral Worldview Is Transforming Politics, Culture and Spirituality (Paragon House 2007). He currently works as president and co-founder of the integral political think tank: The Institute for Cultural Evolution. McIntosh’s innovative political thinking has recently been featured on NPR, The Daily Beast, The National Journal, The Hill, and in a wide variety of other media. He is the author of numerous influential political articles including Depolarizing the American Mind, and Why Centrism Fails and How We Can Better Achieve Political Cooperation.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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

Oct 2, 2023 • 28min
How We Build and Scale Cherished Communities with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: How We Build and Scale Cherished Communities with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 2)In part two of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle, she asks why Homeboy Industries has been so successful in building and scaling such impactful work, and how (or whether) it can be replicated elsewhere. Then, they discuss the pros and cons of contemporary scientific outlooks, how they can help and how they can hurt, and what’s needed to cultivate hope for future progress.ABOUT FR. GREG BOYLE“The strategy of Jesus is not centered in taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place—with the outcast and those relegated to the margins.”Fr. Greg Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the White House named Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir. 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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

Sep 25, 2023 • 27min
How Wholeness Heals with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 1)
Hunger for Wholeness: How Wholeness Heals with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 1)In this episode, Ilia Delio begins her conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries. Ilia and Fr. Greg unpack the background of the now international organization and the challenges of rehabilitation. They interrogate popular views on “progress” and “growth,” and Fr. Greg shares his emphasis on “healing” and how that guides his views of social welfare and progress.ABOUT FR. GREG BOYLE“The strategy of Jesus is not centered in taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place—with the outcast and those relegated to the margins.”Fr. Greg Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the White House named Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir. 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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

Sep 18, 2023 • 29min
Why Social Justice Needs Religious Convergence with Swami Padmanabha (Part 2)
Hunger for Wholeness: Why Social Justice Needs Religious Convergence with Swami Padmanabha (Part 2)In Part 2 of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Swami Padmanabha, Ilia and Swami explore the relationship between religious convergence, inter-faith dialogue and social justice. They ask whether religion can possibly play a role in modern peace, and what affects the radical personal spirit can have on global wholeness.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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.

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 and Instagram 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 and Instagram 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 and Instagram 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 and Instagram for episode releases and other updates.