Podcasts about human flourishing

We're finishing up our sermon series, "Human Flourishing," where we took a journey through the book of Genesis to unpack God's original plan— for humanity to flourish.  We're grateful for every person who's ever set foot in our Midtown location, and we pray that the moments that happened there continue to produce movements in our lives. Join us as we continue our movement on Sundays at The Moon (1105 E. Lafayette St). New space, same God, same mission.

Feeling lonely, stressed, unmotivated or anxious about the future? You're not alone. These are ordinary human experiences, but psychologist Dr. Clay Routledge says we're increasingly treating them as symptoms of illness. He's Vice President of the Archbridge Institute, Director of the Human Flourishing and a leading researcher on the science of nostalgia as a way to build resilience. But he believes our culture is moving in the opposite direction. In a recent essay for the New York Times he argues that by medicalizing everyday struggles, we're undermining our ability to cope with life's inevitable ups and downs. Instead of viewing discomfort as something to be eliminated, he says it can be the very thing that helps our mental health in the long run. Dr. Clay Routledge chatted to Jesse.

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

In this episode of I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell sits down with Dr. Matisa Wilbon at the 2026 National Fatherhood Summit for a thoughtful conversation on human flourishing, fatherhood, co-parenting, and emotional wellness. The conversation begins with the idea of human flourishing, drawing from the framework of happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships. Kenneth and Dr. Wilbon then place that concept inside the developing framework of Co-Parenting Maturity™, asking what it looks like when fathers and co-parents are not only functioning, but truly flourishing. Together, they explore how fathers often enter fatherhood programs carrying barriers connected to child support, custody, parenting time, legal issues, relationship strain, grief, fear, shame, and systems that may not always see them as whole human beings. But this conversation does not stay in the deficit. It pushes toward hope, joy, maturity, resilience, mindfulness, steadiness, covenant, partnership, and the emotional health required to keep children at the center. This episode explores: • What human flourishing means in the context of fatherhood • How Co-Parenting Maturity™ connects to resilience, mindfulness, and steadiness • Why co-parenting must remain child-centered • How communication can either block or build understanding • Why fathers need to be honored as whole human beings • The difference between happiness and joy • How systems can disrupt fathers' ability to flourish • Why maturity includes learning to find joy beyond barriers • How gratitude, perspective, and emotional wellness can shift fatherhood practice • What “co-parenting flourishing” might mean for fathers, mothers, children, and families Kenneth and Dr. Wilbon also reflect on the importance of language. Words like repair, recovery, rebuilding, maturity, joy, and flourishing matter because they shape how fathers see themselves and how programs support them. Rather than treating fathers as broken, the conversation invites us to see fathers as worthy, resilient, capable, and still becoming. One of the central ideas in this episode is that fathers are not simply program participants. They are human beings with feelings, fears, hopes, dignity, relationships, and children who need the best of them. When fathers flourish, families are strengthened. When co-parents mature, children benefit. When joy becomes part of the work, the conversation moves beyond crisis and toward transformation. This episode is for fathers, mothers, co-parents, practitioners, researchers, faith leaders, family-serving organizations, and anyone interested in the future of fatherhood, family wellbeing, and healthy co-parenting.

Glenn welcomes back Delano Squires, director of the Heritage Foundation's DeVos Center for Human Flourishing, to discuss his new book, The Vanishing Black Family: How Welfare and Feminism Made Marriage Optional and Children Vulnerable. Squires argues that failures of black political and religious leadership, combined with a welfare system that has done more harm than […]

Eric Beinhocker is a professor at the University of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government and the founder and executive director of the Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School (INET Oxford), a research center dedicated to applying innovative economics to major societal challenges. He is also Chairman of the Science Board at the Santa Fe Institute. Prior to his academic career, Beinhocker spent three decades as a technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. He is the author of The Origin of Wealth: The Radical Remaking of Economics and What It Means for Business and Society.  The Collapse of Neoliberalism The "Market Humanism" Synthesis From Homoeconomicus to Homo Sapiens Markets as Evolutionary Engines Value as Problem-Solving The Structural Reality of Inequality "Middle-Out" vs. "Trickle-Down" Growth The State as a Market Shaper Macrocosm: Modelling the Economy with AI Human Skills in the Age of AI 

David Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Agape Child & Family Services has spent decades leading one of Memphis' most respected organizations serving vulnerable children and families. Recently, David was asked to join the Human Flourishing Initiative in Shelby County, a collaborative effort launched by Governor Bill Lee to strengthen families and communities across Tennessee.

Adam Lane Smith sits down with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, psychiatrist, medical ethicist, and author of Making the Cut, to break down what modern psychiatry is getting catastrophically wrong, why the chemical imbalance model is not just incomplete but actively harmful, and what actually heals people when medications and therapy alone are not enough. What you will learn in this video: 1- Why reducing mental illness to a chemical imbalance in the brain has produced a generation of people who believe they will never get better  2- Why psychiatrists are seeing numbers on a sheet instead of people and what the system that created that looks like from the inside  3- Why physical activity four times a week is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression and why nobody tells patients that  4- Why relationships are the single strongest predictor of outcomes even in the most severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia  5- Why people in third world countries with schizophrenia often do better than people in industrialized nations and what that reveals  6- Why modern life has become voluntary solitary confinement and why dopamine binges have replaced human connection  7- Why the loneliness epidemic cannot be solved by more therapists and what actually has to happen instead  8- What Dr. Kheriaty would change about American psychiatry if he had absolute power and control If you have ever been handed a prescription and sent home and felt like something essential was being missed, this conversation will show you exactly what that something was.

Host Michael Taft talks with neuroscientist Ruben Laukkonen about what extreme physical suffering can reveal about meditation, and why awakening may be less a grand attainment than “the grand disappointment.” They explore disenchantment, grace, synchronicity, and the possibility that faith arises naturally from our embeddedness in realities too large for us to comprehend. Ruben describes the strange authority of insight—how ideas can seem to arrive from elsewhere, why their felt intensity sometimes tracks their accuracy, and how the same process can produce compelling false revelations. They also discuss psychedelics, embodied creativity, the “mastery of mania,” and Ruben's research suggesting that meditation increases the brain's signal-to-noise ratio, with posture functioning as a kind of built-in neurofeedback system. The conversation concludes by asking whether AI has Buddha nature, whether a machine must be conscious to express wisdom and compassion, and whether artificial intelligence might become a means of scaling wisdom—or its opposite—throughout human culture.Ruben Laukkonen is a neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, where he is a senior researcher in the Department of Psychiatry, a fellow at Linacre College, director of the Flourishing Intelligence Program, and co-director of the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing. His research seeks an empirically grounded and experientially authentic understanding of meditation, insight, consciousness, and nonduality. His current work also explores how brain dynamics and contemplative wisdom might contribute to safer and more efficient artificial intelligence. Ruben has an eclectic contemplative background, including Zen, Advaita, and Theravāda, and was authorized to teach Vipassanā in 2024.Find out more at https://rubenlaukkonen.com/You can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

In today's interview, Spencer Dalke sits down with Chuck Coker to explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and spiritual growth. Drawing from hundreds of research studies and decades of personal investigation, Coker argues that the human brain is designed to flourish most fully when living faith becomes an active part of a person's life. The conversation examines how trust, discipleship, community, and spiritual practices shape the brain, while also exploring concepts such as emotional intelligence, spiritual maturity, and the transformative role of the Holy Spirit. Coker explains how biblical principles of mentorship, accountability, and fellowship align with modern research on human development, and why isolation, anxiety, and unhealthy habits can hinder both emotional and spiritual growth. Ultimately, the discussion offers an encouraging vision of discipleship as a lifelong process of becoming more Christlike, as God uses relationships, faith, and intentional spiritual formation to transform both the heart and mind.  Featured work: A God-Shaped Mind: The Neuroscientific Path to Spiritual Maturity  Connect with Chuck Coker at ChuckCoker.com or CWCoker@LifeThrive.com.  For more faith-filled, Gospel-centered content, download the Pilgrim Radio app today on Google Play and Apple, or stream at PilgrimRadio.com. 

Host Andrew Camp welcomes back psychologist and author Richard Beck to discuss Beck's recent book on reading the Bible through a hermeneutic of love amid conservative and progressive polarization. Beck describes his journey from a Churches of Christ fundamentalist background through deconstruction and reconstruction, arguing both left and right need better strategies that resist confirmation bias. He frames love as a tension between particular obligations (family, place, patriotism) and universal duties (hospitality to strangers), noting social media intensifies a “digital universal” that can distract from local needs. Beck draws on attachment theory, contending “you can't read the Bible scared” and that secure attachment requires confidence that God is unconditionally for us and distinct from harm done by church or family. He emphasizes moral self-criticism via the prophets, defines love Christologically as sacrificial, transgressive kindness, and grounds hope in God and eschatology, ending with a prison story of an inmate praying for his victim as a model of bringing moral blind spots into view.Richard Beck is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Abilene Christian University and is the Senior Fellow of the Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing. Richard also teaches in the Doctor of Ministry programs at Fuller Theological Seminary and Abilene Christian University. He is the author of a number of books, most recently The Book of Love, and The Shape of Joy. Richard serves as a prison chaplain at the maximum-security French Robertson unit and has written and spoken extensively about his experiences working among the incarcerated.Follow Richard Beck on Substack: @richardbeckListen to my previous conversation with Richard Beck on The Biggest TableFollow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.  (00:00) - Reading Scripture as Love (06:45) - Particular vs Universal Love (13:35) - Secure Attachment and Grace (33:13) - Loving the Awkward Enemy (36:28) - Charitable Listening Across Politics (48:05) - Hope and the Narrow Way

Host Dr Russell Thackeray interviews Sydney-based psychologist, former HR/leadership development director, and secular Buddhist teacher Lenore Lambert about her work Flourish Personal Growth and her “People Against Rushing” (PAR) intentions: a 20% time buffer, blank diary spaces, and “be where you are.” Lambert outlines her “nine elements of human flourishing,” adding safety factors to Seligman's model: material security, autonomy, ease with uncertainty, and belonging, plus pleasure, engagement/flow, achievement, connection, and contribution. They discuss resilience as bouncing back/forward from setbacks, the risks of overdoing any element (especially money, power, and status), and research on “maximisers” vs “sufficers.” Lenore emphasises flourishing as both content and process, using learning, mindfulness, and Buddhist insight to reduce reactivity and respond rather than react. She directs listeners to flourishpersonalgrowth.com and suggests downloading her free self-assessment to improve the lowest-scoring element.00:00 Welcome From Sydney00:57 Background And Work02:57 People Against Rushing04:36 Neurodiversity And Difficulty05:24 Nine Elements Of Flourishing08:36 Building The Model10:35 Resilience And Setbacks11:52 Money Status And Meaning15:38 Workplace Leadership Effects16:26 Sufficiency Versus Maximising18:00 Paradox of Choice19:08 Perfectionism and Maximisers20:01 Learning as Resilience20:35 Flourishing Process Model22:09 Who Defines Flourishing24:33 Happiness Myth Spectrum27:32 Contentment and Comparison29:18 Tools Programs and Website30:26 Feelings as Body Sensations33:33 Buddhist Nonreactivity Practice37:15 How to Engage and Next Steps38:26 Final Task and FarewellYou can contact us at info@qedod.comResources can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com

Episode Topic: The Role of JoyCameron Kim is assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University and Laura Dunham is dean of the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. Listen in for a conversation about the nature of joy with these authors that contributed to the spring 2026 edition of the Virtues & Vocations: Higher Education for Human Flourishing magazine.Featured Speakers:Cameron Kim, Duke UniversityLaura Dunham, University of St. ThomasRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/d0d413.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Virtues & Vocations.Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu.Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

Democracy isn't just something we vote for once every few years, it's something we build together, in our neighborhoods, city halls, and everyday relationships. Corinna Bellizzi is joined by Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of PolicyLink and host of Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life, who has spent more than 50 years working at the intersection of racial equity, housing, and civic life. Angela reflects on how growing up during segregation shaped her understanding of community and leadership, explains why she defines democracy as "co-governance for human flourishing," and makes the case that America may be ready for a third founding. She also shares how tools like civic assemblies and participatory budgeting can restore civic life, and why joy has to remain at the center of any vision for real change. COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT: https://caremorebebetter.com/reimagining-democracy-with-angela-glover-blackwell About Guest: Angela Glover Blackwell has spent over 50 years working at the intersection of racial equity, housing, and civic life. As the founder of PolicyLink and host of the podcast Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life, she provides a roadmap for rebuilding our communities. In this episode, we discuss why true democracy requires co-governance and active participation from every citizen. We explore how to cultivate joy in our activism and why local leadership is the key to national change. You'll learn how to navigate the complexities of our changing demographics while building a future where everyone can reach their full potential. Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-glover-blackwell  Guest Website: https://policylink.org Guest Social: https://www.youtube.com/policylink  PODCAST: Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life On PolicyLink.com On Spotify On Apple Podcasts Chapter Markers 00:00 — Introduction: Bioneers, PolicyLink, and Reimagining Democracy 05:45 — Early Lessons in Segregation and Resilience: Growing Up in 1950s St. Louis 12:30 — Founding PolicyLink: Bridging Community Work and National Policy 18:15 — Recreating Civic Life: Civic Assemblies, Participatory Budgeting, and Mutual Aid 26:40 — Democracy as Co-Governance for Human Flourishing 33:00 — The Third Founding: Why the Nation's Mechanisms Have Outgrown Themselves 38:00 — Joy in Activism: Adrienne Maree Brown and What Los Angeles Taught Angela 44:10 — Patience, Impatience, and Why We Must Stop Being Nostalgic for a Time That Never Was 50:00 — Season 2 of Reimagining Democracy: Atlanta, the Curb Cut Effect, and Hartsfield-Jackson 58:00 — Hope Is a Discipline: Answering the Listener Who Has Lost Faith 64:00 — The Third Founding, Future Cities, and What Comes Next BUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER: Together, we planted 36,044 trees in 2025 through our partnership with ForestPlanet. We screamed past our goal of planting 20,000 trees thanks to subscribers like you! CAUSE PARTNER: If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner — Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Follow Care More Be Better on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you've struggled with questions about God, suffering, or whether faith can make sense of the world's brokenness, you're not alone. Poet Christian Wiman joins Amy Julia Becker to talk about pain, joy, doubt, and the lifelong hunger for God. Together, they explore a faith honest enough to hold both questions and hope.S10 E10:00:00 The Genesis of Glimmerings04:41 Navigating Differences in Faith12:24 The Role of Personal Encounters18:45 The Intersection of Suffering and Longing for God23:33 The Relationship Between Love, Suffering, and Hope36:37 Sustaining Faith in Everyday Life39:53 Cutting Through the Noise: Faith Beyond DifferencesMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Glimmerings: Letters on Faith Between a Poet and a Theologian by Miroslav Volf and Christian Wiman My Bright Abyss by Christian WimanMiroslav Volf on Reimagining the Good Life: The Cost of Ambition_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Christian Wiman is the Clement-Muehl Professor of the Arts at Yale Divinity School. He is the author, editor, or translator of fifteen books, including Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair and Hammer Is the Prayer: Selected Poems.  His work appears regularly in Harper's, The New Yorker, and Commonweal.More about Chris: https://divinity.yale.edu/profile/christian-wimanGlimmerings: Letters on Faith Between a Poet and a TheologianWe want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

Dr. Melissa Grill-Petersen, DC, MS, BCHH, is the founder and CEO of Human Longevity Global and co-founder of Peptide University, and in this episode she breaks down peptides in plain terms: naturally occurring signaling molecules that instruct the body's existing pathways rather than replace them. She and Freddie dig into why peptide quality of effect depends on foundational health — cell membrane integrity, nutrient status, hormone balance — and why she sees peptides as one input among many, not a shortcut around the basics. The conversation also covers the "exposome," the case for designing environments (cities, workplaces, healthcare systems) around healthspan rather than sick-care, and the emerging economic argument for longevity research reframed around health-adjusted life years. Beyond the science, Dr. Melissa shares the personal story that shaped her mission — watching her mother's cancer go into remission through an intensive lifestyle shift, then return after returning to old patterns — and how that experience shaped her belief that inputs, not just genetics, drive health outcomes. The episode closes with a quick-fire round on her favorite peptide for cell membrane support and where peptide delivery research is headed next. A candid, systems-level look at longevity, personal responsibility, and human flourishing from one of the field's most recognized educators. Episode Highlights 00:00 Intro and welcome to Dr. Melissa G Petersen 09:36 Mom's cancer diagnosis and the power of changing inputs 10:01 Mind-body medicine, remission, and relapse 11:23 Processing trauma, meaning, and purpose 13:22 Wholeness, healing, and releasing what is not ours 29:43 Macro to micro: where health really starts 34:24 Healthspan vs lifespan 36:37 The economics of extending healthspan 38:03 Exposome, environmental inputs, and upstream design 43:06 Foundational habits: food, sleep, light, connection, purpose 46:45 Where to start: overload vs undernourishment 50:36 The flexibility principle in centenarians 56:25 Peptide University, education, and safe use 72:17 Peptides, supplements, and foundational substrates 79:21 Final message: wholeness, purpose, and potential Connect with Dr. Melissa Peterson Join Peptide University: https://mypeptideuniversity.com/ Use Code Freddie10  Upgrade Your Health LightPathLED: https://lightpathled.pxf.io/c/3438432/2059835/25794 Code: beautifullybroken Silver Biotics Wound Healing Gel: https://bit.ly/3JnxyDD 30% off with Code: BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN MaxGen Labs: https://maxgenlabs.com/BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN CONNECT WITH FREDDIEWork with Me: https://www.beautifullybroken.world/biological-blueprintWebsite and Store: (http://www.beautifullybroken.world) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/freddie.kimmelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beautifullybrokenworld Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

Jeff Kim shares how faculty can use video in our teaching and make it sustainable on episode 631 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode You raise what you praise. So through these vlogs, you’ll see me not complaining, but actually praising a lot. -Jeff Kim Sometimes people can feel a little bit wary about being on social media; they know that the way that I’m going to produce the video is going to be in such a way that’s uplifting. -Jeff Kim A vision that I have for my channel is helping students to find out what they’re good at so that they can do good with it. -Jeff Kim Resources Dr. Jeffrey Kim, Irvine Unified School District Board of Education The EdFamily YouTube Channel E222: How to create YOUR YouTube Video in 5 Easy Steps EdFamily with Dr. Jeff Playlist: Cambridge Virtual Academy (CVA) EdFamily with Dr. Jeff Playlist: Education for Love and Wisdom Book EdFamily with Dr. Jeff Playlist: Understanding the Roots of Saigu EdFamily with Dr. Jeff Playlist: BTS — Behind the Scenes on the School Board Mendez Freedom Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, April 14, 2026 (Sylvia Mendez Day) E427: Seoul Station to Busan, Korea by KTX Train (Day 8) — Jeff’s Most Viewed Video Cambridge Virtual Academy, Anaheim Union High School District Korean American Studies Course at Anaheim Union High School District (EdSource) Mendez Freedom Trail Brings Landmark Desegregation Case to Life for OC Students (OCDE Newsroom) Mendez Tribute Monument Park and Freedom Trail (City of Westminster) Sylvia Mendez (Britannica Biography) Mendez v. Westminster: The Final Ruling, 75 Years Later (OCDE Newsroom) OCDE (Orange County Department of Education) Education for Love and Wisdom: Effective Teachers for Challenging Times, by Jeff Hittenberger, Pamela Tupy Scott, Andrew Ntzouras, Renee Rose, Alexander Lin, Jeffrey Kim, Joanne Van Boxtel, Megan Chaney, Rebecca Spady, Glen Warren, Christine Hittenberger-Corbin, Seon Chun-Burbank Education for Love and Wisdom Podcast Love, Wisdom, and Human Flourishing in Education, with Jeff Hittenberger (Teaching in Higher Ed Episode 541) Vanguard University School of Education California State University, Fullerton — College of Education Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE) Asian Pacific Islander School Board Members Association (APISBMA) Think Media on YouTube Alan Levine — CogDogBlog Civic Access Pouch 2L (Evergoods) POD Conference Fumbling and Evergoods Access Pouch (YouTube) Poll Everywhere

Send us Fan MailWhat if God's calling isn't something we discover in one dramatic moment, but something we live out every day?In this episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart sits down with Dr. Susan Maros—professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, author, and leadership scholar—to unpack some of the most common misconceptions about calling, purpose, and vocation.Together they explore how our families, churches, cultures, and life experiences shape our understanding of God's invitation. They discuss agency, leadership, women in ministry, burnout, discernment, and why faithfulness—not extraordinary achievement—is often the truest measure of a life well lived.Whether you're discerning your next step, questioning your purpose, or simply longing to live more intentionally, this conversation offers practical wisdom and deep encouragement for every season of life.In this episode: Understanding God's call in everyday life  Why faithfulness matters more than extraordinary success  Recognizing recurring patterns of purpose  Agency, leadership, and human flourishing  Women and leadership in the Church  Discernment through life's changing seasons  Becoming the person God is forming you to be Featured Resources

There's a lot of talk recently about whether AI can be considered a person. But the more serious question might be whether people are becoming too much like AI—learning to live without real connection. To keep our distance. To avoid vulnerability. To convince ourselves that we don't need anyone. In this episode, Dr. Greg continues the series on avoidance by turning to schizoid personality: the pattern where the wish for connection hasn't just been buried by fear, but has gone quiet altogether. Drawing on the personalism of St. John Paul II, he shows why we stay made out of relationship, for relationship—even when the desire seems gone. Key Topics: Why "I don't need anyone" can be a wound dressed up as strength How the desire for connection can go so quiet it reads as no desire at all What that flood of relief when plans fall through is actually telling you How being neglected early teaches you to neglect yourself—and call it your personality Why "self-help" was never going to be enough, and real healing needs another person Why fearing closeness and feeling indifferent to it look identical from the outside but run on opposite engines  Learn More: Previous episode in this series on avoidance: Ep. #286: A Mental Tug of War: Inside the Avoidant Mind and the Burden of Being Known Previous episode on attachment theory: Ep. #63: Attachment Theory: What It Is, What It Isn't, and How It Affects Your Relationships Previous episodes on parts work (IFS): Ep. #34: A New Theory! w/ a Catholic Lens Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Thoughts? w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski Start of the Being Human series on the Antisocial Defense Patterns: Ep. #281: Control or Be Controlled: The Devastating Wounds Behind Antisocial Behavioral Patterns Start of the Being Human series on the Histrionic Defense Patterns: Ep. #274: To Be Loved Is to Perform: Inside the Histrionic Compulsion for Attention and Validation Start of the Being Human series on the Borderline Defense Patterns: Ep. #269: BORDERLINE: The Push-Pull Between a Fear of Abandonment and Annihilation Start of the Being Human series on the Dependent Defense Patterns: Ep. #265: Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing Start of the Being Human series on the Narcissistic Defense Patterns: Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

When a child grows up with a sibling with a disability, what defines their childhood? Author Brian Trapp reflects on life with his twin brother with cerebral palsy. Brian shares how his childhood was a source of unexpected gifts, deep connection, and lifelong formation. He joins Amy Julia Becker to consider:Limits of labels like “glass child” and “mental age”Family and flourishing togetherThe complexity of identitySibling and caregiving relationshipsRange of Motion by Brian TrappS10 E9: 00:00 The Bond of Brotherhood: Growing Up with Disability 08:55 Glass Child Syndrome and Sibling Experiences 18:23 Analogies for Family Life with Disability 23:27 The Complexity of Identity within Relationships and Caregiving 32:07 Fiction vs. Memoir: Exploring Personal Narratives 35:31 Understanding Mental Age and Its Implications 40:23 Reimagining Disability: A House of LaughterMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Cognoscenti essay by Brian Trapp: My twin brother was disabled, but I don't consider myself a 'glass child'Julia Miele Rodas' essay: “Limited Visibility; Or Confessions of a Satellite”Range of Motion: A Novel by Brian Trapp_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Brian Trapp is the author of Range of Motion. He is director of Disability Studies at the University of Oregon, where he also teaches creative writing and edits the Northwest Review. His essay about being a sibling to his twin brother Danny was featured on NPR's Here and Now. Find out more at: https://briantrappwriter.com/__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

His People – 07/10/2026 – Kelly Kapic | on how inefficiency promotes human flourishing. For more faith-filled, Gospel-centered content, download the Pilgrim Radio app today on Google Play and Apple, or stream at PilgrimRadio.com. 

In this not-to-miss episode of Do Good to Lead Well, I am joined by Marcus Buckingham—the world's foremost expert on human strengths and engagement—for a candid, data-rich conversation about bringing love into leadership. Drawing on his latest book, Marcus redefines love for the modern workplace: not as romance, but as an intentional design for human flourishing and extraordinary results.Our conversation begins with the deeply personal, as Marcus shares the vulnerability and lessons he learned after selling his beloved company, sparking a compelling case for why “designing love in” must be at the core of modern organizations.He also directly challenges the widespread myths that love makes organizations weak or leaders soft. Instead, tough love emerges as a vital force; sometimes the most loving thing a leader can do is share hard truths or make difficult calls. This episode dives into the real-world consequences of unloving practices like inefficient handoffs or unmanageable spans of control, offering concrete strategies for leaders to build truly vibrant, trust-filled cultures.Whether you're a CEO who wants to transform your organization a team leader wanting to create an environment where you people flourish, this episode provides an evidence-based blueprint. Discover why love is the ultimate performance driver and how you can start designing it into how you lead today.What You'll Learn- The power of love at work.- Redefining love in organizations.- From 'OK' to 'I Love It': The J-Curve of Experience.- Tough love: The role of accountability.- What are loving and unloving practices at work?- The ABCs of leading with love (Authenticity, Beliefs, Customs)Podcast Timestamps(00:02) - Introduction and Origin Story(02:17) - Vulnerability and Lessons from Selling a Business(06:00) - The Business Case for Designing Love In(11:22) - Defining Love in Organizations(17:11) - The Critical Importance of “Fives”(23:18) - Loving and Unloving Workplace Practices(32:11) - Tough Love and Accountability(36:17) - The ABCs of Leading with Love(44:02) - Rebuilding Trust and The Five Feelings of Love(51:07) - The Future of Designing Loving ExperiencesKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Human Performance, Gallup, StrengthsFinder, Business Case for Love, Organizational Culture, Employee Engagement, Workplace Love, Trust, Team Building, Positive Experiences, Spans of Control, Loving Handoffs in Customer Service, Customer Loyalty, Authenticity, Tough Love, Human Flourishing, Loving and Unloving Practices, CEO Success

Difference exposes our tendency to rank people as “better” or “worse.” Theologian Brian Brock, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore a life rooted in connection, creatureliness, and love. They consider:Social hierarchy and disability stigmaDietrich Bonhoeffer, community, and moral responsibilityHuman worth and personhoodJoining Creation's PraiseS10 E8:00:00 Introduction: Joining Creation's Praise04:35 Human Beings Are Creatures11:57 Human Exceptionalism and Disability16:00 Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Disability, Moral Responsibility, and Community21:19 Euthanasia and Historical Context24:07 Creation, Redemption, and Human Worth32:22 Understanding Personhood in Modern Ethics40:59 Reimagining the Good Life Through CreationMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness by Brian Brock_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Brian Brock (DPhil, King's College, London) is Chair of Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He has written scholarly works on the use of the Bible in Christian ethics, the ethics of technological development, the theology of disability and the doctrine of creation. He is founder and managing editor of the academic monograph series T&T Clark Enquires in Theological Ethics, is Managing Editor of the Journal of Disability and Religion and President of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics. He is also a husband and father of three children, including Adam, who is 21, a delightful human being with Down's Syndrome and autism. His most recent book is Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness.Professor Brian Brock | The University of Aberdeen__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish.  

I interviewed XR Pioneer Tom Furness about Luminara, Institute Institute of Light that he announced at on June 17th, 2026 during his 1:35p session at Augmented World Expo. He describes the vision on their website as "Luminara is a non-profit research, learning, and humanitarian initiative exploring how emerging technologies, human consciousness, creativity, compassion, and service can work together to uplift humanity." They'll be investigating how to cultivate human flourishing through various research and collaborations to explore human potential through the lens of immersive technologies. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

Can you actually grow better with age?In this reflection on Psalm 92, John Ortberg is joined by his wife, Nancy Ortberg, for a warm and thoughtful conversation about lifelong spiritual growth.Together they explore the psalm's remarkable promise:"They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green."From stories of nursing patients to reflections on curiosity, hospitality, and John's grandmother Gladys, this episode offers a hopeful vision of aging with joy, purpose, and enduring vitality.This episode explores:- Psalm 92 and flourishing in old age- Staying spiritually fresh and curious- Abraham and Isaac with fresh perspective- The generosity of God in the parable of the sower- Hospitality, gratitude, and living in the present- Becoming the kind of person others long to emulateScriptures:- Psalm 92:12–15- Genesis 22- The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8)#Psalm92 #JohnOrtberg #NancyOrtbergTurner #SpiritualFormation #AgingWell #HumanFlourishing #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #Psalms #KeepGrowing

S10 E7—Saying "I'm sorry" isn't enough to repair personal or institutional harm. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of On Repentance and Repair, joins Amy Julia Becker to share an ancient framework for repentance and repair that challenges our culture's obsession with quick apologies. Together they discuss forgiveness, institutional responsibility, and breaking cycles of harm.00:00 Defining Repentance and Repair04:29 The Current State of Repentance in Society07:10 Maimonides' Process of Repentance17:00 The Influence of Distorted Protestantism on American Culture22:50 The Complexity of Forgiveness and Purpose of Repentance28:45 Institutional Harm and the Challenges of Repair41:59 Repentance as a Path to a Good LifeMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg is the award-winning author of eight books who now makes her primary writing home at LifeIsASacredText.com She has received the Lives of Commitment Award from Auburn Seminary, and the Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award from the human rights organization T'ruah, was named by Newsweek as a “rabbi to watch,” and as a “faith leader to watch” by the Center for American Progress.Her newest book, On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World is a National Jewish Book Award winner and an American Library Association's Sophie Brody Honor Book. It was hailed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley as “A must read for anyone navigating the work of justice and healing.”  __We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

In this episode of Varn Vlog, we sit down with Sam Badger to explore the moral philosophy hidden within Marxian theory. While Karl Marx is famously derisive of "moralism," this discussion unpacks how his work actually outlines a robust "Ethics of Human Flourishing"—a vision of human liberation rooted in the realization of our creative and social potential beyond the constraints of capital.We delve into Sam's latest research, comparing Marx's views on character development and well-being with Aristotelian ethics, while highlighting how Marx's focus on labor and class status creates a unique framework for modern social movements.Key Topics Covered:The Ethics of Character: How Marx defines the "good life" through the lens of historical context and labor.Alienation and Well-being: The impact of capitalist structures on individual development and freedom.Beyond Aristotle: Why Marx's version of flourishing is inclusive of the working class, unlike classical elite-focused ethics.Modern Social Movements: Using Marx's ethical framework to address today's economic and social inequalities.Referenced Work:Book Citation: Badger, Sam. Karl Marx's Ethics of Human Flourishing. 1st ed. New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2026. (ISBN: 9798216251026).Connect With the Guest:Sam Badger's Substack: sambadger.substack.comSend us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer 

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. 

Pam King is back, and this conversation moved at the pace it wanted to. She runs the Thrive Center at Fuller Theological Seminary, and the framework she has built there is the most useful integration of psychological science and Christian theology I have come across — six facets that spell THRIVE, with a telos she calls the reciprocating self. We started with Stanford and seminary and ended with how the church is asking nine-year-olds to defend their interpretation of Torah when what they actually need is a fifth adult who knows their name. In between: the difference between flourishing and thriving, the Altadena fires Pam watched from her office window, how Winnicott's good enough mother maps onto how children come to relate to God, what Mark Labberton's seminary depression taught him about liturgy, why I rebuilt our confirmation class around questions instead of doctrines, and the prayer I have been praying with my daughter Khora since she was an infant. You can check out her previous visit on the podcast here. Books we touched on: The Reciprocating Self: Human Development in Theological Perspective, with Jack O. Balswick and Kevin S. Reimer. Her foundational telos book. Thriving with Stone Age Minds: Evolutionary Psychology, Christian Faith, and the Quest for Human Flourishing, with Justin L. Barrett. The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. Join our online class – THE FUTURE OF RELIGION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tripp and Ilia Delio are teaming up for a brand-new four-week online class, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Future of Religion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— for everyone who's read the books, asked the questions, and realized the faith they inherited doesn't quite fit anymore. Together they'll trace religion's evolutionary arc and map what's emerging on the other side. Includes 4 video lectures, 4 live Q&As (replays available), and a community of fellow travelers. Donation-based, pay what you're able (including $0). Live sessions start this month — register at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefutureofreligion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruben is the director of the Flourishing Intelligence Program (FLIP) at Linacre College, University of Oxford. Ruben is also co-director of the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, a Senior Researcher within Oxford's Department of Psychiatry, and fellow at Linacre College. Ruben has made significant theoretical and empirical contributions to the cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, meditation, and insight. His work also reveals a pathway towards better and safer artificial intelligence based on the science of consciousness and contemplative wisdom. Ruben has an eclectic contemplative background, including Zen, Advaita, and Theravada, and his first-person inquiry into the nature of reality continues to deeply inform his scientific research, and vice versa.

S10 E6—Is disability a tragedy to overcome, a burden to bear, an inspirational lesson for everyone else? Or is there a different story to tell, and who gets to tell it? Craig Thomas, co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, joins Amy Julia Becker to discuss That's Not How It Happened, his novel written from nearly two decades of growing up with a son with a rare genetic condition. Together they explore: Disability representationOverprotective parentingIndependence and agencyThe power of authentic storytelling00:00 The Story Behind "That's Not How It Happened"08:15 Character Perspectives and Empathy in Storytelling10:50 Disability and Family Dynamics: Parents and Siblings15:26 Exploring Agency, Independence, and Shared Humanity20:55 The Complexity of Emotions in Disability Narratives27:42 Challenging Myths Around Disability29:30 The Importance of Authentic Disability Representation in Media38:45 Reimagining Life with DisabilityMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Novel: That's Not How It Happened by Craig ThomasTV Show: How I Met Your MotherMovie: Champions_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Craig Thomas is the co-creator of the Emmy-winning comedy series How I Met Your Mother. His prose has appeared in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, McSweeney's, and The Iowa Review. He lives in New York City with his wife, Rebecca, his daughter, Celia, and his son, Elliot, whose unique journey has had a huge impact on his life and work. That's Not How It Happened is his first novel.https://www.instagram.com/craigtthomas/ and https://craigthomaswriter.com/__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

In the Season 6 finale of Health Calls, host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka reflect on the theme “United for Change” through a clip show featuring top voices in Catholic healthcare.  Drawing from insights shared at the Catholic Health Association Assembly, Brian and Josh highlight how unity, collaboration and Catholic social teaching are transforming care delivery across the United States. Clips from six different episodes underscore the importance of listening deeply, valuing lived experience and addressing social determinants of health such as housing, food insecurity and mental health. From parish nurse programs to community partnerships and immigrant advocacy, these conversations illustrate how Catholic healthcare can elevate human flourishing by working collaboratively, building trust and centering the dignity of every person. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.

In this powerful conversation, Delano Squires, Director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Human Flourishing at The Heritage Foundation and author of The Vanishing Black Family, breaks down the dramatic collapse of the Black family — from stable two-parent homes in the 1940s-1950s to today's 70% out-of-wedlock birth rate. Delano explains how slavery deformed but did not destroy the Black family, but how the combination of 1960s welfare policies and new ideologies worked to undermine it.CHAPTERS:(00:00 Introduction)(01:45 The 1986 Bill Moyers Documentary)(04:20 Why Delano Wrote This Book Now)(08:10 The Black Family Before the 1960s – Surprisingly Stable)(13:40 Slavery's Real Impact vs. Welfare & Feminism)(19:55 The Economic Argument – Jobs vs. Culture)(26:40 Why the “Marriageable Men” Theory Falls Short)(32:15 Restoring the Black Family – The Multi-Generational Plan (Church, HBCUs & More))(42:50 Final Thoughts)DELANO SQUIRES LINKS:

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. We apologize that today's scripture reading was not recorded. Our scripture reading came from Genesis 2:18-25.

How do the places we inhabit shape our sense of meaning, connection, and well-being?In this episode, Monica sits down with architect, author, and placemaker Dr. Phill Tabb for a wide-ranging conversation on the relationship between place, spirituality, and human flourishing. Together, they explore how thoughtful design, biophilia, ritual, awe, and sensory experience can help create environments that support deeper connections to ourselves, to one another, and to the natural world.The conversation also examines the role of mythology, storytelling, and creative practices in shaping our experience of place. From the symbolism embedded in communities and cities to the power of observation, sketching, and reflection, Phill shares insights drawn from decades of research and practice.Whether you're interested in design, wellness, spirituality, or the human need for belonging, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how place influences the way we live, feel, and connect.Show NotesWellness Architecture and Urban DesignSpiritual Wellness and the Built EnvironmentPlacemaking Through Myths, Experience and DrawingThin Places, Sacred Architecture, and Biophilic Patterns with Dr. Phill TabbPlace Drawing as a Sacred Practice by Phillip TabbAs Serenbe exhibition will show, architect Phill Tabb's art always starts with nature (ARTS ATL)Biophilia, placemaking, spiritual wellness, thin places, architecture, wellness design, nature connection, awe, ritual, human flourishing, sense of place, mythology, storytelling, community design, biophilic design, creativity, drawing, journaling, mindfulness, well-being, environmental psychology, sacred spaces, intentional living, place attachment, connection to nature, personal growth, reflective practice, healthy communities, design for wellness, meaning and purposeBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

S10 E5—Where does racism come from? Many of us assume it's rooted in hatred or fear, but what if it's actually rooted in greed? As we approach Juneteenth, a day that commemorates freedom while reminding us of the work still before us, pastor and historian Malcolm Foley, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to talk about his book The Anti-Greed Gospel. He traces the roots of racism to economic exploitation and invites the church to respond with solidarity, truth-telling, and tangible love.00:00 Introduction to the Link Between Greed and Racism10:56 Ida B. Wells and the Power of Economic Appeals18:11 The Cycle of Exploitation and Status22:54 Creative Resistance to Exploitation, Violence, and Lies29:05 Economic Solidarity in Contemporary Church35:23 Examples of Creative Anti-Violence in ActionMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward by Malcolm FoleyBook of RevelationMatthew 6:24Acts 2 and 4Philippians 2_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Malcolm Foley (PhD, Baylor University) is a pastor, historian, and speaker who serves as special adviser to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University. He has written for Christianity Today, The Anxious Bench, and Mere Orthodoxy. Foley copastors Mosaic Waco, a multicultural church in Waco, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Desiree.Insta & threads: @revdocmalc@BrazosPressWe want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Douglas Novotny, a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience and over 15 years of teaching and supervising therapists. Together, we explore a deceptively simple question: What do we mean when we say "culture"? Over time, the meaning of culture has shifted dramatically. Once centered around shared values, traditions, and ways of living, culture is increasingly discussed through categories, identities, and labels. Dr. Novotny examines how these changes influence psychology, education, relationships, and the broader social fabric. In this episode, we discuss: How the definition of culture has evolved over time The difference between person-centered and label-centered thinking Why identity and belonging matter for human flourishing The impact of modern culture debates on psychology and education How communities can foster connection despite differences What "positive-sum thinking" means and why it matters today Drawing from decades of clinical experience, interdisciplinary training, and his work through Your Positive Sum, Dr. Novotny offers a thoughtful perspective on how we can move beyond division and build healthier relationships, stronger communities, and a more constructive public conversation. This episode is for anyone interested in psychology, culture, identity, education, leadership, and the future of human flourishing.   Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link.  TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST We hope you enjoy this episode. Today's show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening.. If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

Schrödinger's Cat and... What happens when one of the architects building the most powerful technology in human history opens his book, not with a triumph of science, but with the story of a baby girl who never walked, never talked, never fed herself, and died at the age of eleven, and asks with full scientific seriousness whether she was flourishing? A note before we begin: This episode discusses the life and death of a profoundly disabled child, end-of-life reflections, and the ethics of emerging technology. Andrew handles all of it with care. That baby girl's name was Angela. The man asking the question is Professor Andrew Briggs, Emeritus Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford, co-founder of Quantrolox, and author of Human Flourishing and The Penultimate Curiosity. . He leads a global initiative connecting 85 million people across 165 countries on science and faith. He has spent four decades at the bleeding edge of quantum computing, and every one of those decades asking the question his peers tend to skip: not can we build it, but what is it actually for? . In this episode, Dov sits down with Andrew to put the question almost nobody in Silicon Valley is willing to ask on the table. We are racing toward a world where machines will outperform humans across entire categories we once thought made us irreplaceable, and Andrew himself admits that, with AI, the stable door is closing after the horse has bolted. His hope is that with quantum computing, we still have a small window to ask before the door slams again. What are you seeking to optimize? And where do those values come from? . Then the conversation goes somewhere unexpected. Dov pushes Andrew on Palantir and the ethical Rubicon of selling powerful technology to people whose values you do not share. Andrew doesn't dodge it. He talks about the three dimensions of flourishing, the score function his Oxford lab obsesses over, and why the hardest place any of us can start is not the company, not the policy, but our own heart. That baby girl's name was Angela. The man asking the question is Professor Andrew Briggs, Emeritus Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford, co-founder of Quantrolox, and author of Human Flourishing and The Penultimate Curiosity. He leads a global initiative connecting 85 million people across 165 countries on science and faith. He has spent four decades at the bleeding edge of quantum computing, and every one of those decades asking the question his peers tend to skip: not can we build it, but what is it actually for? In this episode, Dov sits down with Andrew to put the question almost nobody in Silicon Valley is willing to ask on the table. We are racing toward a world where machines will outperform humans across entire categories of what we used to think made us irreplaceable, and Andrew himself admits that with AI, the stable door is shutting after the horse has bolted. His hope is that with quantum computing, we still have a small window to ask before the door slams again. What are you seeking to optimize? And where do those values come from? Then the conversation goes somewhere unexpected. Dov pushes Andrew on Palantir and the ethical Rubicon of selling powerful technology to people whose values you do not share. Andrew doesn't dodge it. He talks about the three dimensions of flourishing, the score function his Oxford lab obsesses over, and why the hardest place any of us can start is not the company, not the policy, but our own heart. And one piece of trivia for the curious: Schrödinger lived twelve doors down from Andrew, and the cat had a name… You'll have to listen to find out  Inside this conversation: The Angela question that should awaken something dormant in everyone who measures life by merit Why the most dangerous part of AI is not the algorithm, it is the score function the algorithm is optimizing for, and what that means for everything you use every day The Palantir question Andrew refused to dodge, and what he says about selling powerful tools to people whose values you do not share The three dimensions of human flourishing, material, relational, transcendent, and the one modern Western culture has most catastrophically neglected Why Andrew, a serious scientist, believes the resurrection of Jesus is the most solid ground for hope, and how he holds that alongside building the future If you came here for techno-utopian hype, this is the wrong podcast. If you came because you have been quietly wondering what, exactly, we are progressing toward, and whether anyone at the top of the room is asking that question with you, then press play. Connect with Andrew Briggs: Personal website: https://andrewbriggs.org/ Company: https://quantrolox.com/ Books: https://thepenultimatecuriosity.com/ (type it without spaces, or you will get redirected to Amazon) Latest book: Human Flourishing (co-authored with Michael Reiss) Connect with Dov Baron: https://dovbaron.com/ dov@dovbaron.com Rate, review, and send this episode to the most thoughtful builder you know. That is how the algorithm finds the people who still ask why. #HumanFlourishing #AndrewBriggs #QuantumComputing #TheDovBaronShow #ConsciousLeadership Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Schrödinger's Cat and... What happens when one of the architects building the most powerful technology in human history opens his book, not with a triumph of science, but with the story of a baby girl who never walked, never talked, never fed herself, and died at the age of eleven, and asks with full scientific seriousness whether she was flourishing? A note before we begin: This episode discusses the life and death of a profoundly disabled child, end-of-life reflections, and the ethics of emerging technology. Andrew handles all of it with care. That baby girl's name was Angela. The man asking the question is Professor Andrew Briggs, Emeritus Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford, co-founder of Quantrolox, and author of Human Flourishing and The Penultimate Curiosity. . He leads a global initiative connecting 85 million people across 165 countries on science and faith. He has spent four decades at the bleeding edge of quantum computing, and every one of those decades asking the question his peers tend to skip: not can we build it, but what is it actually for? . In this episode, Dov sits down with Andrew to put the question almost nobody in Silicon Valley is willing to ask on the table. We are racing toward a world where machines will outperform humans across entire categories we once thought made us irreplaceable, and Andrew himself admits that, with AI, the stable door is closing after the horse has bolted. His hope is that with quantum computing, we still have a small window to ask before the door slams again. What are you seeking to optimize? And where do those values come from? . Then the conversation goes somewhere unexpected. Dov pushes Andrew on Palantir and the ethical Rubicon of selling powerful technology to people whose values you do not share. Andrew doesn't dodge it. He talks about the three dimensions of flourishing, the score function his Oxford lab obsesses over, and why the hardest place any of us can start is not the company, not the policy, but our own heart. That baby girl's name was Angela. The man asking the question is Professor Andrew Briggs, Emeritus Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford, co-founder of Quantrolox, and author of Human Flourishing and The Penultimate Curiosity. He leads a global initiative connecting 85 million people across 165 countries on science and faith. He has spent four decades at the bleeding edge of quantum computing, and every one of those decades asking the question his peers tend to skip: not can we build it, but what is it actually for? In this episode, Dov sits down with Andrew to put the question almost nobody in Silicon Valley is willing to ask on the table. We are racing toward a world where machines will outperform humans across entire categories of what we used to think made us irreplaceable, and Andrew himself admits that with AI, the stable door is shutting after the horse has bolted. His hope is that with quantum computing, we still have a small window to ask before the door slams again. What are you seeking to optimize? And where do those values come from? Then the conversation goes somewhere unexpected. Dov pushes Andrew on Palantir and the ethical Rubicon of selling powerful technology to people whose values you do not share. Andrew doesn't dodge it. He talks about the three dimensions of flourishing, the score function his Oxford lab obsesses over, and why the hardest place any of us can start is not the company, not the policy, but our own heart. And one piece of trivia for the curious: Schrödinger lived twelve doors down from Andrew, and the cat had a name… You'll have to listen to find out  Inside this conversation: The Angela question that should awaken something dormant in everyone who measures life by merit Why the most dangerous part of AI is not the algorithm, it is the score function the algorithm is optimizing for, and what that means for everything you use every day The Palantir question Andrew refused to dodge, and what he says about selling powerful tools to people whose values you do not share The three dimensions of human flourishing, material, relational, transcendent, and the one modern Western culture has most catastrophically neglected Why Andrew, a serious scientist, believes the resurrection of Jesus is the most solid ground for hope, and how he holds that alongside building the future If you came here for techno-utopian hype, this is the wrong podcast. If you came because you have been quietly wondering what, exactly, we are progressing toward, and whether anyone at the top of the room is asking that question with you, then press play. Connect with Andrew Briggs: Personal website: https://AndrewBriggs.org Company: https://Quantrolox.com Books: https://ThePenultimateCuriosity.com (type it without spaces, or you will get redirected to Amazon) Latest book: Human Flourishing (co-authored with Michael Reiss) Connect with Dov Baron: https://DovBaron.com dov@dovbaron.com Rate, review, and send this episode to the most thoughtful builder you know. That is how the algorithm finds the people who still ask why. #HumanFlourishing #AndrewBriggs #QuantumComputing #TheDovBaronShow #ConsciousLeadership

In our new sermon series, "Human Flourishing," we're taking a journey through the book of Genesis to take a closer look at God's original plan— for humanity to flourish. Join us for week two with JT Escobar, as he reframes the importance of "no."

S10 E4—Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you had made different decisions a long time ago? Author Karen Swallow Prior joins Amy Julia Becker for a conversation about regret, human limitations, and her experience of not having children. Together, they explore what it means to face the losses of the past while remaining open to the unexpected opportunities and possibilities that can emerge alongside them.00:00 Introduction to Personal Narratives04:22 Navigating Infertility and Ethical Dilemmas07:10 The Role of Faith and Community in Decision-Making11:01 Control, Risk, and Reproductive Technologies17:30 The Intersection of Calling and Life Choices20:57 Navigating Regret, Limits, and Choices25:07 Historical Context of Childlessness29:07 Imagination and Reality in Family Dynamics37:25 Reimagining the Good Life Without ChildrenMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Christianity Today essay by Karen Swallow Prior: “The Birds and the Bees, Babies and Me”Institute for Family Studies essay by Amy Julia Becker: “Confessions of a Middle-Aged Mother”You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful by Karen Swallow PriorThe Midnight Library by Matt Haig_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Karen Swallow Prior, Ph.D. is the 2025-26 Karlson Scholar at Bethel Seminary. She is a popular writer and speaker, a contributing writer for The Dispatch, and a columnist for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vox, The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and many other places. Her most recent book is You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful (Brazos 2025).CONNECT with Karen: karenswallowprior.comFacebook: Karen Swallow PriorInstagram: karenswallowpriorX: @KSPrior Substack: @karenswallowprior__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

Author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins us to explore “the mattering instinct,” the deeply human need to feel significant, worthy, and justified in our own eyes. From “mattering projects” and morality to fame, incels, AI, and entropy, this conversation dives into the psychological and philosophical forces shaping how we search for meaning and purpose in our lives. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Rebecca Goldstein [7:12] What is the “Mattering Instinct”? [11:57] Why Mattering Creates Conflict [15:11] Depression, Despair, and Significance [26:42] The Four “Mattering” Types [32:34] Fame, Recognition, and Validation [41:38] Incels, Radicalization, and the Search for Meaning [46:19] Ethics, Entropy, and Human Flourishing [51:59] Desert Island Music [59:17] Grooving Session: Defining Mattering ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Rebecca The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein  Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love

(16) Ryan Streeter discusses human flourishing, defining it as the fulfillment of potential through purpose and upward mobility. He argues that dynamic societies improve job satisfaction for hourly workers by providing more options. Conversely, stagnation in Europe results from heavy regulation and a declining cultural valuation of entrepreneurs.

This week on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I sit down with bestselling author Eric Ries for a timely and thought-provoking conversation about leadership, mission, and the growing crisis of short-term thinking in business.Eric first transformed the entrepreneurial world with The Lean Startup. In his latest book, Incorruptible, he tackles a new challenge: why so many organizations lose sight of their purpose, compromise their values, and drift away from the very mission that made them successful in the first place.Together, we explore why many traditional business “best practices” are no longer serving leaders, employees, or society — and what it takes to build organizations that can withstand the pressures of short-term performance, protect trust, and stay anchored in their values over time.Through powerful stories, real-world examples, and surprising data, listeners learn how organizations can defend their mission, outlast competitors, and resist the economic “gravity” that pulls so many companies into compromise. From redefining profit as human flourishing to making trust and love into competitive advantages, the episode offers a blueprint for building companies that not only succeed financially, but endure.Whether you're a founder determined to preserve your mission, or an executive seeking to build a culture of integrity, this episode is packed with practical guidance and inspiration. Tune in to discover what it truly means to become an incorruptible force for the good of your business and the good of humanity.What You'll Learn- The perils of “best practices.”- Corruption isn't just a crime – It's losing your purpose.- How the moral logic of capitalism has been lost.- Redefining profit: Maximizing human flourishing.- Mission (not money) makes companies endure.- Trust and love are competitive advantages.- Governance isn't boring. It's your organization's DNA.- Does growth kill mission? The risk is real. The reality does not have to be.- You can build incorruptible companies: An evidence-based business case.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) - A Special Topic and Guest(01:49) - From the Lean Start-up to Incorruptible(04:07) - Defining and Diagnosing Corruption(08:32) - The Moral Logic of Capitalism and Value Creation(13:03) - Redefining Profit and Human Flourishing(19:15) - Mission Drift and Protecting Organizational Purpose(22:01) - Outliers: Exceptional Companies and New Best Practices(25:29) - Financial Gravity, Longevity, and Employee Ownership(30:00) - Trust as Organizational Currency(34:23) - The Long Term Stock Exchange and Long-Termism(35:20) - Love, People-First Leadership, and Real Competitive Advantage(41:23) - Governance, Board Dynamics, and Creating Incorruptible Organizations(44:46) - Lessons from Case Studies: Zita Cobb and Beyond(49:16) - Closing Reflections and Practical ResourcesKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Incorruptible, Integrity, Do Good to Lead Well, Long Term Thinking, Effective Governance, Market Reform, Lean Startup Method, Company Culture, Avoiding Short Term Thinking, Corruption, Capitalism, Value Creation, Shareholder Primacy, Business Ethics, Corporate Mission, Profit Redefinition, Human Flourishing, Stakeholder Alignment, Organizational Trust, Financial Gravity, Mission Controlled Companies, Organizational Character, CEO Success