Intersections Podcast

We live in an anxious age where many of us struggle with anxiety and worry. But can anxiety be an opportunity for personal growth and development? Author and speaker Curtis Chang, who has struggled with anxiety for many years, discusses how anxiety can become a hidden opportunity for emotional and spiritual growth.

The longing for deep connection and intimacy runs deep in every human heart. Yet marriage and long-term relationships can be quite difficult while also being deeply rewarding. Dorothy Greco has been writing about marriage for many years and shares about her own experiences and insights to help couples continue growing while navigating the challenges of life in a lasting partnership.

All of us go through challenges in our lives, but not all of us write songs that capture these seasons. For over 40 years, Bob Bennett has been writing, singing and performing songs that chronicle his own life journey with authenticity and hope amidst surprises and disappointments. On this episode of Intersections, Bob's reflections on his craft are interspersed with some of his most memorable songs.

How do you build and develop healthy leaders–in government, business, and community initiatives?  Karen Howells, an executive coach and organization development consultant for over 30 years, shares about how she helps develop principled leaders in a world where social goodwill and trust is essential for flourishing.

Each spring for hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of years, the three great Abrahamic monotheistic faiths observe significant holidays in their traditions. In Judaism, it is the festival of Passover; in Christianity, it is Easter, and in Islam, it is Ramadan (though the exact dates for Ramadan change each year). In the spring, these faiths remember foundational stories in their traditions which are told over and over again each year. These are more than simple tales; they are grand spiritual narratives that they believe connect them to a larger purpose and a supreme destiny. Four spiritual leaders from one community in California reflect on these timeless stories of the season: Jewish Rabbi Eli Cohen, Muslim leader Ihab Saud, and Christian pastors Richard Gotthardt and Andy Lewis share these ancient stories and how these narratives shape their lives and values today.

Skillful communicators can have a way of identifying underlying contemporary challenges while articulating a compelling vision for a world that could be.  Anne Snyder uses language to speak into the issues of our time through a focused social, cultural and spiritual lens. Her work combines poignant social criticism with a transcendent hope that embraces a future of justice, beauty, and redemption. Anne discusses the work she does and the values and beliefs that inform her writing. She is Editor-in-Chief of Comment Magazine, author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver's Guide to Renewing our Social and Moral Landscape, and a senior fellow with the Trinity Forum.

Listen to a brief overview of the Intersections Podcast.

A variety of indicators point out that many people are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety from work, political polarization, and worries about the future. This ongoing pressure impacts people's daily lives and can result in deepening despair and discouragement. Is it possible to regularly recalibrate our busy lives so we can find a depth and richness to make positive contributions to others? Janice McWilliams, writer, speaker, and therapist, discusses the importance of integrating practices that can renew and invigorate our emotional and spiritual lives.

Abel Mikulama has been addressing the areas of climate change, conservation and sustainable development for many years. He was born in Malawi and is a graduate of the Coastal Science and Policy program at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he worked on projects to prevent deforestation. He is a Program Associate at the Center for Effective Global Action at the University of California at Berkeley where he works on sustainability and climate change issues. Abel discusses his projects supporting developing countries and the beliefs that undergird his work.

In all different cultures around the world, it appears that humans are passionate about their spiritual beliefs. It seems that we have a propensity to be religious–to have some kind of spiritual perspective and distinct spiritual practices that inform and shape how we live our lives. Laurie Schlaepfer, a professor of world religions, discusses the common questions that all religions answer.

Dr. Falk has been an accomplished biologist for over 40 years and has been a researcher, university instructor and author. His unique approach as a biologist caused some controversy at the religious academic institution where he taught. Dr. Falk discusses his work, how he reconciles his spiritual beliefs with science, the controversy that almost resulted in losing his position, and his ethical concerns about current genetic research.

Local journalism is facing an existential crisis: A variety of forces are pressing in on small-town newspapers that may soon make them obsolete. Don Miller has been a local journalist in California for almost 4 decades and he discusses his experiences, concerns and beliefs about the challenges currently facing local publications around the country.

How does faith intersect with politics and social change? When he was a pastor, Barney Wiget never addressed those issues in the hundreds of sermons he preached. However, personal life challenges led to a dramatic change in how he understands his faith and the lessons he draws from the life of Jesus. In our conversation, we discuss Jesus' ethics in the Sermon on the Mount--probably the most famous discourse in human history--and how they can, and do, speak to the unique times we are living through in our country.

Working in a Pediatric Emergency Room, and deploying to natural and man-made disasters, Katie Nees has worked closely with children facing life-threatening traumas. She has been present with children and their families as they face the nightmares that others only hear and read about. How do young people respond to trauma, and how can one be a healing presence in those harrowing situations? Katie discusses how children can process and grow through trauma and how her beliefs are both challenged, and strengthened, through these experiences.

The medium of film can transport us to imagined places, as well as deepen our awareness and understanding of the world in which we find ourselves. Turning a documentary lens to complex historical events and figures requires an ability to navigate tensions between underlying values and beliefs. Martin Doblmeier, who has been making documentaries for public television for decades, reflects on his work highlighting human values and the people and events that have shaped our lives.

What is the relationship between the human senses and the creative process? Songwriter and performer Ken Medema, unable to see from birth, creates songs and stories that speak to the human experience. From his work as a music therapist with troubled teens to crafting songs supporting political revolution in central America, Ken discusses his improvisational style and his process of creating visionary songs that draw from an unseen inner passion.