The Gray Area with Sean Illing

How to make meaning out of suffering

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Vox’s Sean Illing talks with David Wolpe, senior rabbi of the Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, about the role and nature of God, how religion and spirituality can address our modern problems, and how to make sense and meaning out of the suffering and pain we experience. This episode was recorded in the summer of 2020 and first appeared as part of the Future Perfect series The Way Through.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: David Wolpe (@RabbiWolpe), senior rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles

References: 

  • "Religion without God: Alain de Botton on 'atheism 2.0'" by Sean Illing (Vox; Feb. 24, 2018)
  • Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times by David Wolpe (Penguin Random House; 2000)


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    This episode was made by: 

    • Producers: Jackson Bierfeldt & Erikk Geannikis
    • Editor: Amy Drozdowska
    • Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall
    • VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson

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