David Goyer is a screenwriter, director, and producer best known for his role in films like Blade, Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight trilogy, in which he redefined superhero storytelling. Goyer has also brought Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation novels to television and introduced science-infused, thought-provoking narratives to the big screen. With decades of experience in Hollywood, he continues to push the boundaries of storytelling. Goyer joins the podcast to discuss the fine line between being a hero and being a villain. 

Through books and film, we hear the stories of fascinating characters whose lives take many twists and turns. But if you were the subject of a film, how would you narrate your life? To find out more, check out our essay: “Your Hero’s Journey: The Key to Unlocking Meaning in Your Life”

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Dr. Meghan Sullivan is an ethics professor at the University of Notre Dame. Her research examines the ways philosophy contributes to a good life and the best methods for cultivating philosophical thought. Her latest book, The Good Life Method, is based on her wildly popular introductory philosophy course called “God and the Good Life”. The book invites us to question our priorities, explore the underpinnings of virtue, and ask what commitments we should make to lead a meaningful life. Meghan joins the podcast to discuss if studying philosophy can actually make you a better person.

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Dr. Larry Temkin is a moral philosopher at Rutgers University. His four-decade career in ethics, social, and political philosophy has regularly focused on questions of human inequality. His newest book, Being Good in a World of Need, reveals that many of our efforts to help the world’s neediest people fall woefully short of our expectations. Larry joins the podcast to explain why we may need to rethink how to do good in the world.

To build a better society, what are the best opportunities and respective roles for the non-profit, for-profit, and government sectors? Find out in our new story by Alene Dawson, entitled “Pursuing the Good.”

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Dr. Michael Muthukrishna is a professor of Economic Psychology at the London School of Economics. His research explores the processes that underlie culture and social change, as well as what makes humans so distinctive from other animals. Michael’s latest book is entitled A Theory of Everyone: The New Science of Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going. Michael joins the podcast to discuss the four fundamental laws of life that govern every human society and form of life.

Have you ever grown weary of the status quo and wondered what it might be like to live in a different era or place in human history? If this is you, check out our story: Çatalhöyük: A City of Gardeners, Hippies, and Home Decorators, Circa 7000 BC

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Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela is a professor and influential former member of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was created to address the injustices of apartheid. She was awarded the 2024 Templeton Prize for her insight into trauma and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. She also developed a model for social healing in the aftermath of conflict, which she calls “the reparative quest.”

Her award-winning book A Human Being Died That Night recounts her conversations with Eugene de Kock, the former commander of state-sanctioned death squads, and she builds a case for the possibility of remorse, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Pumla joins the podcast to explain why we can’t just “forgive and forget” and how her encounters with Eugene DeKock led her to develop the concept of “the reparative quest.” 

How can we learn to view someone who has hurt us as not a monster, but a human being? Find out in our story: “Beyond Forgiveness: The Reparative Quest in South Africa”

Dr. Reich is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. His lab analyzes the DNA of ancient human remains to better understand major human migration patterns, adaptations, and population mixing throughout prehistoric and more recent eras. David’s book, Who We Are and How We Got Here, explores the deep history of humanity and how the discoveries of ancient DNA challenge the popular stories we tell about the past. David joins the podcast to explain why every human outside of Africa has some Neanderthal ancestry and how human migration patterns for tens of thousands of years have reshuffled populations and cultures over millennia. 

Did you know that no two people will ever develop the same way? Find out why in our story: The Trillion Terrible—or Terrific—Typos in Your Brain

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Dr. VanderWeele is the Director of Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program and Co-Director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion. He holds degrees in mathematics, philosophy, theology, finance, and biostatistics from the University of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University. Tyler’s research spans epidemiology, the science of happiness and human flourishing, and the study of religion and health. Tyler’s latest book, A Theology of Health: Wholeness and Human Flourishing, explores the concept of health and well-being from a more holistic perspective, including the physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions of humanity. Tyler joins the podcast to explain what it means to be healthy, and the difference between the health of the human body and the health of a whole person.

Could our spiritual and religious practices be as critical to our health as diet and exercise? Find out in our story “When Therapists Prescribe Prayer”

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Dr. Colwell is an anthropologist, editor, and author of over a dozen books. He received his doctorate from Indiana University and was the Senior Curator of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for over a decade. He is currently the editor-in-chief of SAPIENS, a digital magazine that makes anthropology accessible to everyone. Chip’s latest book is entitled So Much Stuff: How Humans Discovered Tools, Invented Meaning, and Made More of Everything. Chip joins the podcast to explain how we came to live in a society where no matter how much money we spend, it’s never enough and why the average human has accumulated so many personal possessions.

What if true happiness isn’t tied to the latest trends? What if fulfillment is found somewhere else? Find out in our story “Your Hero’s Journey: The Key to Unlocking Meaning in Your Life.” 

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Shadi Hamid is a columnist and Editorial Board member at The Washington Post and a research professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller Seminary. He has authored several books, including The Problem of Democracy and Islamic Exceptionalism. Hamid is also the co-founder of Wisdom of Crowds.

Dr. Samuel Kimbriel is a political philosopher, author, and founding director of Aspen’s Philosophy & Society Initiative. He is the author of Friendship as Sacred Knowing: Overcoming Isolation. He writes widely on solidarity, ideology, democracy, power, and trust for outlets including The Washington Post and BBC. Kimbriel is Contributing Editor at Wisdom of Crowds.

In this special episode of Templeton Ideas, Shadi and Samuel join David Nassar, VP of Strategic Engagement at the John Templeton Foundation, to discuss what makes for a good society, where beliefs come from, and how disagreement can help us grow.

What’s the key ingredient to accepting differences? Listening. Find out why in our article “To Cultivate Humility, Lend an Ear.” 

Want to hear more Templeton Ideas? Listen to David Nassar’s interview with Jeffrey Rosen, President of the National Constitution Center “What the Founders of America Can Teach About Happiness”

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Dr. De Cruz is a philosophy professor and Danforth Chair of Humanities at Saint Louis University. Helen holds doctorate degrees in philosophy as well as archaeology and art studies. Her research attempts to understand why humans engage in philosophy, religious reflection, mathematics, science, and art. She explores these themes in her new book Wonderstruck: How Wonder and Awe Shape the Way We Think. Helen joins the podcast to explain why activities like art, music, and spirituality are nearly universal among humans, even though they don’t seem necessary for survival.  

Did the recent solar eclipse inspire awe in you? Discover the inspiring accounts of scientists and amateur astronomers in our article “The Value of a Dark Night Sky: Stargazing, Splendor & Science.”

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