David Brooks (Human Connection) | From the Archive
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 better to be an illuminator than a diminisher, and his practical advice on how we can become better people. Producer’s note: This special episode was originally published in the early days of the Templeton Ideas podcast in November 2023. We hope you enjoy it. Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
--------
42:33
Olga Khazan (Enhancing Personality)
Olga Khazan 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, Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World, which draws on her experiences as both an immigrant and a natural introvert. Olga’s latest book, Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change, 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? Explore these ideas and more in an essay by psychologist Kendra Thomas entitled “Parenting is About Hope, Not Happiness.” Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
--------
32:20
Ross Douthat (The Importance of Belief)
Ross Douthat 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 in an essay by psychologist Frank Fincham, “What Can Science Say About the Study of Prayer?” Join our growing community of 140,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
--------
32:59
Brian Greene (Ultimate Reality)
Brian Greene 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, Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe, is a fresh look at the cosmos. Brian joins the podcast to explore the fundamental nature of reality. What is “Nature”? Is it an idea, a force, a physical reality, or a god? How does a universe come to exist in the first place? To explore this mystery, check out our essay by Manil Suri, entitled “Mathematics Can Do Anything But This.” Join our growing community of 45,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
--------
38:22
Tanya Luhrmann (Divine Encounter)
Tanya Luhrmann 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 When God Talks Back and How God Becomes Real: Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others. 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, check out our essay by Joshua Moritz, entitled “Waiting on the Invisible God.” Join our growing community of 45,000+ listeners and be notified of new episodes of Templeton Ideas. Subscribe today. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
The Templeton Ideas Podcast is a show about the most awe-inspiring ideas in our world and the people who investigate them. We sit down with thinkers like Gretchen Rubin, Ethan Kross, and David Brooks to explore how their work has transformed their lives — and how it may transform yours. These thoughtful conversations will take listeners on a journey through psychology, philosophy, physics, and more.
The Templeton Ideas Podcast is a project of the John Templeton Foundation.
Australia