Heather Templeton Dill (Legacy)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
Heather is the President and CEO of the John Templeton Foundation, one of the world’s largest funders of research at the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. Over the past decade, she has helped broaden the Foundation’s global reach while championing topics such as intellectual humility, the psychology of purpose, and human flourishing. She is also the granddaughter of Sir John Templeton, whose legacy continues to shape the Foundation’s mission. Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us...
info_outline
Agnes Callard (Socrates)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
Agnes is a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, where she specializes in ancient philosophy and ethics. Her early studies instilled in her a deep fascination with Socrates, which ultimately led to the publication of her newest book, Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life. In addition to her scholarly work, she also writes for popular outlets like The New Yorker, the Atlantic, New York Times, and Harpers. Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: , , , and...
info_outline
Robin Dunbar (Origins of Religion)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is a British anthropologist and professor with a special interest in primate behavior and evolution. He is perhaps best known for formulating “Dunbar’s Number”, which states that among humans, there is an upper limit of about 150 people with whom we can maintain stable social relationships. Among his many books, he recently published , in which he explores the deep history of human spirituality and its expression in both small-scale and large-scale societies. He joins the podcast to discuss the origins of religion and religion's purpose in our societies. Join our growing community...
info_outline
Damon Centola (Social Change)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is a professor of communication, sociology, and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on how ideas transmit and transform societies through network theory and behavior change. He has explored these ideas in two popular books: and . Damon joins the podcast to discuss the most effective approaches to social and behavior change. Why is it so difficult to make meaningful, positive changes in our personal lives that last more than a few weeks? Explore this question in our essay by Alene Dawson, “.” Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be...
info_outline
David Brooks (Human Connection) | From the Archive
Templeton Ideas Podcast
David Brooks is a political and cultural commentator who has written an Opinion column for the New York Times for two decades. His essays have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and more. He is also the author of several books, including The Social Animal, The Road to Character, and The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life. David’s newest book, How to Know a Person is a practical guide to fostering deeper connections at home, work, and throughout our lives. David joins the podcast to discuss the social and relational crisis in our society, why it’s...
info_outline
Olga Khazan (Enhancing Personality)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is an author and staff writer at The Atlantic, where she publishes stories on health, social science, psychology, and other thought-provoking topics. In 2020, she published her first book, , which draws on her experiences as both an immigrant and a natural introvert. Olga’s latest book, , chronicles her year-long personal experiment to reshape her personality. Olga joins the podcast to discuss how she intentionally became more extroverted and how becoming a parent can change our personalities. Does being a parent make you miserable, happy, or is that the wrong question entirely?...
info_outline
Ross Douthat (The Importance of Belief)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is a New York Times columnist who writes about religion, society, and moral values. He is also the author of several thought-provoking books, including Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics, and a memoir of his personal struggle with a debilitating sickness, The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery. His latest book is Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. Ross joins the podcast to discuss how decadence is shaping society and whether religion has a vibrant future. Why do so many people pray? Does it really work? And if so, in what way? Explore these questions and more...
info_outline
Brian Greene (Ultimate Reality)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is a Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University. His research has significantly contributed to the advancement of string theory, and he is widely regarded as one of the world's leading science communicators. As a best-selling author, co-founder of the World Science Festival, and frequent guest on prominent television programs and films, Brian has a remarkable ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to audiences across the globe. His latest book, , is a fresh look at the cosmos. Brian joins the podcast to explore the fundamental nature of reality. What is...
info_outline
Tanya Luhrmann (Divine Encounter)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
is a professor of anthropology at Stanford University. Her work focuses on the edge of experience: voices, visions, and the world of the supernatural. From Chicago to London, and from India to Ghana, she has studied Zoroastrians, Evangelical Christians, Orthodox Jews, and people who practice magic. Two of her notable books include and . Tanya joins the podcast to discuss how people cultivate relationships with the divine in their everyday lives. Why is God imperceptible to some people, but not others? Could God really be speaking to some, but remain silent to others? To explore this mystery,...
info_outline
David Goyer (Heroes)
Templeton Ideas Podcast
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...
info_outlineAndy Crouch is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, a business and non-profit accelerator that supports redemptive entrepreneurs. As the author of five books, he explores culture, power, technology, and the arts. His latest book The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World explores what it means to be a person, and how to flourish in the face of modern challenges. Andy joins the podcast to explain the concept of “effortless power”, and how we can enhance human dignity in the digital age.
Have YOU ever wondered what it means to be human? Check out our story "Humanity 3.0" by Alene Dawson on Templeton Ideas.
Read more from Andy: “We Don’t Need Superpowers. We Need Instruments.”
What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review!
Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world.
Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.