Templeton Ideas Podcast

Eboo Patel is a civic leader, author, and Founder of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Eboo served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote speeches, and has written several books. His most recent book, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy, argues for the necessity of institution-building for those of us dedicated to refounding America as a just and inclusive democracy. Eboo joins the podcast to discuss the roots of his own love-based activism, how social change actually works, and why so many influential social activists have been people of faith.

Dr. David Sloan Wilson is an evolutionary biologist and professor emeritus at Binghamton University. During his career, David started the Evolutionary Studies program at Binghamton to unify diverse disciplines under the theory of evolution. He also co-founded the Evolution Institute, advanced multilevel selection theory, and is a prominent proponent of group selection in evolution. David joins the podcast to discuss the theory of group selection, the advantages of ultra-social "super organisms," and why it's important to create an alignment between the way that we think about spirituality intellectually and the way we feel it experientially.

Jennifer Wallace is an accomplished journalist who frequently contributes to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. A graduate of Harvard, Wallace began her professional career at CBS "60 Minutes," and is currently a Journalism Fellow at the The Center for Parent and Teen Communication at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Jennifer's new book is entitled Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It. Jennifer joins the podcast to discuss the concept of "mattering" and the origins of the toxic achievement culture — and how those caught in its cycle can begin to step off the hamster wheel.

Dr. Tara Isabella Burton is an author of both fiction and nonfiction, whose works have appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. Her new book Self-Made: Curating Our Image from Da Vinci to the Kardashians explores self-makers throughout history who've set themselves apart from conventional society, from Renaissance geniuses to Instagram stars. Tara received her doctorate in theology from Oxford in 2017. Tara joins the podcast to discuss self-making in contemporary society, the definition of dandyism, and the mysterious "it factor" associated with both modern and historical celebrities.

Dr. Mona Siddiqui is a professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, as well as an Assistant Principal for Religion and Society. Her research interests include Islamic jurisprudence, ethics and Christian-Muslim relations. Among her many publications, she has published books exploring gratitude, hospitality, and faith. Dr. Siddiqui is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, holds six honorary doctorates, and is a frequent commentator on BBC Radio. Mona joins the podcast to discuss the importance of hospitality as a facet of spiritual life, the impact of the pandemic on our ability to practice hospitality, and her advice for cultivating gratitude and hope.

Dr. Ethan Kross is a psychologist, author, and professor at the University of Michigan, where he is the founder and director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory. His research focuses on emotional regulation and the benefits of mastering one's inner voice. Ethan is the author of international bestseller Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It. Ethan joins the podcast to discuss the advantages and potential pitfalls of introspection, the relationship between goal-setting and self-control, and why all emotions are useful if experienced in the right dosages.

Dr. Robert Hazen is a mineralogist and astrobiologist based at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory and George Mason University. His research interests focus on life's origins, mineral evolution, and mineral ecology. Hazen, who also had a 40-year career as a professional trumpeter, has authored more than 400 articles and 25 books on science, history, and music. Robert joins the podcast to discuss the co-evolution of life and minerals, the stories rocks can tell us if we learn to read them properly, and why humans are drawn to the search for life outside of our planet.

Dr. Carol Graham is interim vice president and director of the Economic Studies program at Brookings, a professor at the University of Maryland, and a Senior Scientist at Gallup. She has spent much of her career studying happiness and wellbeing around the world. Carol joins the podcast to discuss what she calls 'deaths of despair' and explains why cultivating hope is essential for societies mired in deeply entrenched problems. Her latest book, The Power of Hope: How the Science of Well-Being Can Save Us from Despair, is available now.

Dr. David DeSteno is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University, where he also runs the Social Emotions Group. Throughout his career, Dave has studied the ways in which emotions guide decisions and behaviors fundamental to social living. On his podcast, How God Works, Dave explores the science behind spirituality, specifically considering what we can learn from the careful study of spiritual practices. Dave joins the podcast to discuss how religion "scooped" his scientific findings by thousands of years, why religious rituals are so effective, and what he believes we can gain by talking about science and religion together.

Dr. Philip Goff is an associate professor of philosophy at Durham University, who researches philosophy of mind and consciousness with a specific focus on how to integrate consciousness into a scientific worldview. His popular book, Galileo's Error, posits the theory of panpsychism as a plausible explanation for human consciousness. Philip joins the podcast to discuss his lifelong struggle with the problem of consciousness, the relationship between panpsychism and physics, and why he believes there is good philosophical reason to be optimistic about the future of our world.