Priya Parker believes that “Gatherings aren't just events, they are moments that remind us of who we are, who we have been, and who we might become.” For this Wiser Conversation we discuss how we can make gatherings even more meaningful, despite so many of us being apart.

Parker, author of bestselling book The Art of Gathering, makes a pretty strong argument for reassessing the way we meet each other, to give more intention, meaning, and life into the moments we spend together. Parker who trained in the field of conflict resolution, and has spent 15 years helping leaders and communities have complicated conversations about community, identity and vision at moments of transition.

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How can ritual aid purpose?

In our time, what rituals are worth pursuing, regardless of a secular or religious worldview? In this Wiser Conversation we speak with Sasha Sagan, a filmmaker, speaker and author of 'For Small Creatures Such As We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World'.

Our new mini-episode reflects on how best to create special moments of reflection and space in the everyday.

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How can we to heal and renew? In our mini-episode with Dr Hinemoa Elder we reflect on elements of cancel culture and what role monuments play in society. 

Dr Hinemoa Elder is a psychiatrist, researcher, Māori language advocate and author of the book on indigenous wisdom, ‘Aroha’, which translates to Love in English.

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What can we learn from Zen?

In this mini episode we dive into a discussion with Rev. Takafumi Kawakami about the concept of self and how we see ourselves in the bigger picture.

This valuable insight reflects on Buddhism and the philosophy of David Hume to understand how we can better make sense of our interdependence upon what's around us.

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What are we here for? Whether you're a believer, an atheist or non-plussed, it's a fascinating time to consider the biggest of bigger pictures with a contemporary figure who has debated these issues with the most prominent minds of our time.

Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. He has debated Richard Dawkins on “The God Delusion” and on “Has Science buried God?”.

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In our latest mini episode psychologist Dr. Susan David recalls the work of Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor who created a whole philosophy on how to live a meaningful and build meaningful life.

Dr. David is one of the world’s leading management thinkers and a Harvard Medical School psychologist. Her #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Emotional Agility describes the psychological skills critical for thriving in times of complexity and change and her TED talk has had almost 7 million views.

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What did you learn from the pandemic? 

During our conversation with Naomi Klein in 2020 she talks about the “tremendous inequalities” between the “quarantined class, the people who have the luxury to stay at home” and “the people who are really keeping whole world going”.

She believes it’s important to reflect on lessons from the pandemic. Our mini-episode with Naomi Klein is a five minute outtake from our conversation with the iconic author of 'No Logo' and 'On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal' as a reminder to stay in touch with what we really value.

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What could we learn from 2020? Let's not forget it's still important to slow down and relish in being still. Join us for our outtakes from the conversation with Pico Iyer, the author of The Art of Stillness, revered by the New Yorker as a “spiritual and intellectual adventurer”.

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How can we rethink religion through a lens of progressive science and evolutionary consciousness?

A major schism is likely for the church unless structural issues such as imperial politics, ancient metaphysical and philosophical principles are addressed. The church needs to make a radical decision "towards a new ecclesial structure" our guest Ilia Delio, PhD argues.

Sister Delio is an acclaimed theologian and ground-breaking author of twenty books in the area of science and religion, exploring themes of evolution, physics and neuroscience.

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