What is the true purpose of religion? How can we find peace within our own faith when some of what has been institutionalized appears to be incongruent with 21st century values? How do we engage with and reform rigid cultural boundaries that prevent us from living a life of our choosing? And what habits can we cultivate that help bring congruence to our own beliefs, emotions, intellect, and faith?

Find out from former Wall Street Journal reporter, Asra Nomani, as she recounts her struggle-filled yet inspiring journey of finding hope in the midst of tragedy, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Asra Nomani is an acclaimed journalist, researcher, author, speaker, civil rights leader and an award-winning educator in journalism. She has taught journalism at Georgetown University, reported for the Wall Street Journal, and currently serves as Senior Contributor for The Federalist, and as Senior Fellow in the Practice of Journalism for the Independent Women's Network. An expert in investigative reporting, writing, editing and storytelling, Asra has written several books including Standing Alone: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam, Tantrika: Traveling the Road of Divine Love, and Woke Army, the Red-Green Alliance that is Destroying America's Freedom. She is the co-founder of the Muslim Reform Movement, a global coalition of Muslim reformers, dedicated to peace, human rights and secular governance. Her work has been featured on both national and international media outlets including The Washington Post, New York Times, TIME, PBS, CNN, BBC and Fox.

In this episode, Asra reveals:

1. The true purpose of religion
2. A habit that can help bring congruence in our own beliefs, emotions, intellect, and faith
3. How to address and reform rigid cultural boundaries that prevent us from living a life of our own choosing