

Stories of Impact
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In every episode, we travel the world and dive deep into the intersection of spirituality and science on Stories of Impact, The American Writing Awards Science Podcast of the Year.
Every first and third Tuesday of the month, writer, performer, producer Tavia Gilbert and journalist Richard Sergay bring you a new conversation that offers uplifting explorations about the art and science of human flourishing.
This project was made possible through the generous support of a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation.
Every first and third Tuesday of the month, writer, performer, producer Tavia Gilbert and journalist Richard Sergay bring you a new conversation that offers uplifting explorations about the art and science of human flourishing.
This project was made possible through the generous support of a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 15, 2022 • 21min
Vint Cerf: How the Digital Age Is Reshaping Human Potential
This week we're bringing you a conversation about human flourishing with Vint Cerf, a man globally recognized as one of the "fathers of the Internet." In recognition for his extraordinary contributions to the creation of Internet technology, Cerf has been awarded a U.S. National Medal of Technology, the Turing Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And, drawing on his own experience with being hearing impaired, he's also known as a leading advocate for technology to be made accessible to people with a variety of abilities. Cerf's consideration of how humans can use digital technology to flourish is a natural extension of his lifetime of work as an engineer. Learn more: Vint Cerf Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Feb 1, 2022 • 20min
Deepak Chopra: How Wellbeing Supports a Flourishing Life
Our guest today is Dr. Deepak Chopra, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality. He is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, and the author of over 90 books translated into over forty languages. In addition to holding a number of positions at medical schools across the US, Dr. Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution for the last thirty years. Today's conversation explores the link between our minds and our physical health; between the way we decide to approach life, and the likelihood that we will flourish in our lives. Learn more: Dr. Deepak Chopra The Chopra Foundation Chopra Global Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Jan 19, 2022 • 38min
Profs. Guy Itzchakov & Netta Weinstein: What Deep Listening Makes Possible
Today, we're in conversation about the act of listening. Our guests are researchers Netta Weinstein, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Reading, and Guy Itzchakov, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Services at the University of Haifa. Profs. Weinstein and Itzhchakov are part of a research team working to develop a scientific understanding of what listening is, what its benefits are, and why it matters so much to our well-being. Learn more: Guy Itzchakov Netta Weinstein The Power of Listening in a Polarized World with Netta Weinstein and Guy Itzchakov (video by Richard Sergay) The Significance of Listening Well: Why the Listener is at the Heart of Social Agency by Netta Weinstein and Guy Itzchakov Templeton World Charity Foundation's Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Nov 30, 2021 • 28min
Mary Robinson: Why Climate Justice Is Central to Human Flourishing
Today, we're talking about a pursuit of well-being that impacts us all — climate health. Today's guest is Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and the first woman to hold that elected office and former United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights. Since Robinson's tenure as Ireland's President ended in 1997, she has continued to work tirelessly to promote gender equity, human rights, and, most recently and most intensively, climate justice. Robinson speaks about the interdependence of people, animals, and the environment, and the imperative that we safeguard the health of each in order to ensure a sustainable future for world citizens and our planetary habitat. Learn more: Mary Robinson The Elders Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future More about Constance Okollet "East Biloxi loses an icon. She shared MS Coast climate issues across the world." Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Nov 16, 2021 • 24min
Judith Jamison: How Movement Can Express the Soul
Today's guest is international superstar dancer/choreographer Judith Jamison. In 1964, at just 21 years old, Jamison made her dance debut in New York with the American Ballet Theater. She soon joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, eventually becoming the company's principal dancer, then its artistic director, and, since 2011, she's been artistic director emerita. Learn more: Judith Jamison Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Alvin Ailey Video: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Revelations Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Nov 2, 2021 • 22min
Wynton Marsalis: What Music and Listening Teach Us About Ourselves
In today's episode, we delve into how humans flourish through music and listening with internationally acclaimed musician, composer, and bandleader Wynton Marsalis. At the age of 60, after a long, international career, Marsalis identifies not only as a solo artist and a group leader, but as an educator and a leading advocate of American culture. Learn more: Wynton Marsalis Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Oct 19, 2021 • 25min
Laurie Santos & Arthur C. Brooks: What Science & Spirit Say About True Happiness
Today, we hear about human happiness from two of the world's foremost researchers on the subject: Dr. Laurie Santos and Dr. Arthur Brooks. Dr. Santos hosts The Happiness Lab, a podcast "that will forever alter the way you think about happiness." She's also a Professor of Psychology at Yale University and teacher of one of the most popular classes ever in Yale history: The Happiness Class, which tries to give students the keys to happiness and satisfaction. Dr. Brooks is a Harvard professor, social scientist, prolific bestselling author, and columnist at The Atlantic. Learn more: Laurie Santos The Happiness Lab podcast Arthur C. Brooks Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Oct 5, 2021 • 41min
The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson & Andreas Schleicher: How Education Can Lead to a Flourishing Life
In today's episode, we hear from The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, the first African-American woman to lead a top-ranked research university — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — and Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries who stimulate economic progress and world trade. These two global leaders in education speak of nuanced, experiential, community-centered learning opportunities offered within a moral and ethical framework as a key component of human flourishing. Our guests offer their insights on how education can support students' efforts to become the wisest, happiest, healthiest, and most capable version of themselves. Learn more: The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson Andreas Schleicher Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Sep 21, 2021 • 43min
Rev. Sue Phillips & Casper ter Kuile: Why Spiritual Practice Shapes Our Inner Lives
Today, we're delving into a discussion with Casper ter Kuile and Reverend Sue Phillips, two of the co-founders of Sacred Design Lab, which describes itself as a "soul-centered research and development lab." If you're thinking, "Wait, how can you do R&D on the soul?!", you'll want to hear what ter Kuile and Rev. Phillips have to say. Rev. Sue Phillips is a graduate of Colgate University and the Episcopal Divinity School, and she has served as a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. Casper ter Kuile holds a Masters of Divinity and Public Policy degrees from Harvard University, and also serves as a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. His book, The Power of Ritual was published in 2020. Learn more: Sacred Design Lab Casper ter Kuile Rev. Sue Phillips The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Sep 7, 2021 • 28min
Dr. Andrew Serazin: New Ideas That Support Human Flourishing
Our new season begins with scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropy leader Dr. Andrew Serazin, President of Templeton World Charity Foundation. Dr. Serazin discusses TWCF's latest initiative, the Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing, which will enable researchers to discover new knowledge, develop new tools, and launch new practices or interventions that make a lasting impact on human flourishing. Learn more about the Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing initiative. Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts More about this episode Read the transcript of this episode Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Comments, questions and suggestions info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation


