We live in an anxious age where many of us struggle with anxiety and worry. But can anxiety be an opportunity for personal growth and development? Author and speaker Curtis Chang, who has struggled with anxiety for many years, discusses how anxiety can become a hidden opportunity for emotional and spiritual growth.

The longing for deep connection and intimacy runs deep in every human heart. Yet marriage and long-term relationships can be quite difficult while also being deeply rewarding. Dorothy Greco has been writing about marriage for many years and shares about her own experiences and insights to help couples continue growing while navigating the challenges of life in a lasting partnership.

All of us go through challenges in our lives, but not all of us write songs that capture these seasons. For over 40 years, Bob Bennett has been writing, singing and performing songs that chronicle his own life journey with authenticity and hope amidst surprises and disappointments. On this episode of Intersections, Bob's reflections on his craft are interspersed with some of his most memorable songs.

How do you build and develop healthy leaders–in government, business, and community initiatives?  Karen Howells, an executive coach and organization development consultant for over 30 years, shares about how she helps develop principled leaders in a world where social goodwill and trust is essential for flourishing.

Each spring for hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of years, the three great Abrahamic monotheistic faiths observe significant holidays in their traditions. In Judaism, it is the festival of Passover; in Christianity, it is Easter, and in Islam, it is Ramadan (though the exact dates for Ramadan change each year). In the spring, these faiths remember foundational stories in their traditions which are told over and over again each year. These are more than simple tales; they are grand spiritual narratives that they believe connect them to a larger purpose and a supreme destiny. Four spiritual leaders from one community in California reflect on these timeless stories of the season: Jewish Rabbi Eli Cohen, Muslim leader Ihab Saud, and Christian pastors Richard Gotthardt and Andy Lewis share these ancient stories and how these narratives shape their lives and values today.

Skillful communicators can have a way of identifying underlying contemporary challenges while articulating a compelling vision for a world that could be.  Anne Snyder uses language to speak into the issues of our time through a focused social, cultural and spiritual lens. Her work combines poignant social criticism with a transcendent hope that embraces a future of justice, beauty, and redemption. Anne discusses the work she does and the values and beliefs that inform her writing. She is Editor-in-Chief of Comment Magazine, author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Renewing our Social and Moral Landscape, and a senior fellow with the Trinity Forum.

Listen to a brief overview of the Intersections Podcast.

A variety of indicators point out that many people are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety from work, political polarization, and worries about the future. This ongoing pressure impacts people's daily lives and can result in deepening despair and discouragement. Is it possible to regularly recalibrate our busy lives so we can find a depth and richness to make positive contributions to others? Janice McWilliams, writer, speaker, and therapist, discusses the importance of integrating practices that can renew and invigorate our emotional and spiritual lives.

Abel Mikulama has been addressing the areas of climate change, conservation and sustainable development for many years. He was born in Malawi and is a graduate of the Coastal Science and Policy program at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he worked on projects to  prevent deforestation. He is a Program Associate at the Center for Effective Global Action at the University of California at Berkeley where he works on sustainability and climate change issues. Abel discusses his projects supporting developing countries and the beliefs that undergird his work.

In all different cultures around the world, it appears that humans are passionate about their spiritual beliefs.  It seems that we have a propensity to be religious–to have some kind of spiritual perspective and distinct spiritual practices that inform and shape how we live our lives. Laurie Schlaepfer, a professor of world religions, discusses the common questions that all religions answer.