Not all chills come from cold autumn nights amid the eerie Halloween season. Sometimes it’s the mystery of the unknown. But what if the unknown wasn’t something to fear, but something that could bring peace, meaning, and connection? 

This episode, we’re exploring spiritual well-being; a kind of well-being that’s definitely not spoken about enough, almost like those who avoid mentioning ghosts just in case it one appears. Spiritual well-being can feel just as intangible; something you sense but can’t always explain. It’s woven into our values, our sense of purpose, and even the quiet moments when we look for meaning beyond ourselves. But how do we define it? What shapes it? Is it the same as religiosity, or do they intersect? Does culture play a role? So many questions, and we’re here to unravel the mysterious aura of spiritual well-being. 

In this Halloween season special episode, our host Susu B. sits down with Dr. Cindel White, Assistant Professor in Social and Personality Psychology at York University and leader of the Culture and Belief Lab. Together, they dive into the psychology of religion and spirituality, the cultural roots of belief, and how embracing curiosity about the unknown can help us feel more grounded, all from a researcher’s perspective. 

By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll see that you put the meaning into spirituality and that it has no limits, just like the sky you can sit under, pondering, “What are we?” which, in its own way, is practising spiritual wellness. 

Resources:

• https://www.yorku.ca/scld/student-engagement/club-policies-and-guidelines/multi-faith-space/ 
• Faith Based organisations: https://yuconnect.yorku.ca/club_signup?category_tags=6551649&group_type= 
• https://www.yfswellness.ca/mental-health