Best David DeSteno Podcasts (2024)

1
How to craft the work-life balance you deserve 14:30

2h ago14:30

14:30

Most of us would like to find meaning in the work we do, but many of us are burnt out or stressed at our jobs. In this episode, an international mental wellness educator, a former journalist turned meditation advocate, and the author of the literal book on millennial burnout share why –and how– we can rethink our relationship to work and stress ent…

1
Transcendence (2021) 26:38

4h ago26:38

26:38

We've had a lot of new listeners join us of the past year, so while we're hard at work on our next season, we thought we'd share some favorites you might have missed from the archives. For centuries, many cultures have used psychedelics to induce mystical states. And while in the US they’ve mostly been used as recreational drugs, interest in their …

1
How to get into nature and out of your head 14:32

3h ago14:32

14:32

Think of the last time you were in nature. How did it make you feel? This week, a forager, a cave diver, a birding enthusiast, and science writer share why connecting with nature is so illuminating and how to benefit from more outside time this summer.By TED and PRX

1
How to be civil even if you disagree (w/ Alexandra Hudson) 27:45

14d ago27:45

27:45

What does it mean to be civil with others – and why does this value often feel at risk? Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, says that civility is very different from being polite – but that it might be the key to building back positive relationships across differences in society. This…

1
A Holiday From Tech Addiction (2022) 38:31

17d ago38:31

38:31

We've had a lot of new listeners join us of the past year, so while we're hard at work on our next season, we thought we'd share some favorites you might have missed from the archives. Since this episode was first published, the Surgeon General has issued an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health, and, more recently, call…

1
How to make grassroots political change (w/ Katie Fahey) 31:52

23d ago31:52

31:52

What can you do when a problem feels too daunting to take on? Enlist some help. Political issues can often feel too difficult to solve, but Katie Fahey–the founder of the grassroots organization Voters Not Politicians and executive director of the democratic reform organization The People–says we have more power than we think. This week, she talks …

1
How to have a say in how society is built w/ Tessza Udvarhelyi 37:30

12d ago37:30

37:30

No matter who you are or where you live, political choices influence your life. Hungarian activist and academic, Tessza Udvarhelyi, emphasizes that anyone, whether or not they work in politics, has collective power. This week, she joins Chris to discuss her work fighting for democracy under an increasingly authoritarian government, why affording po…

1
Why spirituality is important in our increasingly secular world (w/ David DeSteno) 38:53

1M ago38:53

38:53

Faith has always been a strong force in human history – but in modern times, it may feel antiquated to have it. Psychology professor and author David DeSteno has conducted research exploring questions about the benefits of faith, and in this episode he shares his findings, and why he believes even in the age of science, we shouldn’t leave spiritual…

1
How God Works Survey! 0:32

1M ago0:32

0:32

Hey Listeners, as we plan future seasons, we'd love to know what you appreciate most about the show... and what you think we can improve or would like to see us cover. If you have five minutes to spare, please consider responding to our audience survey. Thanks!By PRX

1
How to be brave when family life gets tough (w/Kelly Corrigan) 37:38

26d ago37:38

37:38

Every person, no matter how ordinary, has to occasionally summon extraordinary bravery to get through life’s challenges. If you haven’t already had one of those moments, you will at some point. Because, hey, Kelly Corrigan says, that’s life. Kelly shares her trademark wit and wisdom in this week’s conversation about how to hold ourselves, our famil…

1
The art of paying attention (w/ Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman) 36:22

1M ago36:22

36:22

If you found yourself doodling or writing a lot as a child but then lost the hobby as you grew up, Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman want to help you recapture your spark. Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator, the author of “How to Say Goodbye”, and the creator of Draw Together, an art and learning community. Laurel Braitman is a TED Fellow, the…

1
The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US 39:09

2M ago39:09

39:09

Hey Listeners, we also want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out our audience survey and be a part of shaping future seasons. Anger, loneliness, and despair are hitting record levels in the US. Our social and political fabrics are fraying. Is the turn away from religion in the US part of the problem? And if so, might a spiritual …

1
The meaning of embodiment w/ Prentis Hemphill 37:35

1M ago37:35

37:35

We often forget that our bodies and minds are fundamentally connected. But so much of our day-to-day lives are influenced by the state of our bodies. The mind-body connection is at the heart of the work of this week’s guest, Prentis Hemphill. Prentis is a therapist, somatics teacher, author, and the founder of The Embodiment Institute. Prentis join…

1
Live Event: Can Religion & Science Get Along in the 21st Century? 50:08

2M ago50:08

50:08

Science and religion can often seem at loggerheads. But does it have to be that way? Dr. Francis Collins, one of the world’s leading scientists, doesn’t think so. As an internationally renowned geneticist, a recent past director of the US National Institutes of Health (where he helped guide the U.S. response to COVID), and an avowed Christian, he’s…

1
How to stay grounded in an increasingly artificial world (from The TED AI Show) 29:12

2M ago29:12

29:12

Today, we’re sharing the first episode of the newest TED Audio Collective Podcast – The TED AI Show. Now before you think, “wait, isn’t artificial intelligence the opposite of being human?”, know that we are wondering that too! That’s what’s nice about The TED AI Show. It asks: how is AI shaping human stuff? Join creative technologist Bilawal Sidhu…

1
How to follow the laws of nature (w/ Nonette Royo) 33:20

2M ago33:20

33:20

What is your relationship with the planet we live on? As a human rights lawyer and environmental activist, Nonette Royo is trying to make us all live more symbiotically with nature. She works hard to listen to indigenous peoples around the world to help them control the land they live on and have a voice in policies and decisions that combat climat…

1
How God Works… for Animals? 36:46

3M ago36:46

36:46

When it comes to how we treat other animals, humanity’s track record is spotty at best. Has it always been that way? And how do the beliefs we hold about animals shape how we treat them? Are they really as different from us as Western culture has long suggested? Join Dave as he speaks with anthropologist Dave Aftandilian about how different religio…

1
How to give and receive good advice (w/ Hola Papi’s John Paul Brammer) 36:02

3M ago36:02

36:02

Have you ever wished someone would just help you figure out your life? John Paul Brammer’s job is to do exactly that – he’s the writer behind the hit advice column Hola Papi. John has helped all kinds of people on topics as niche as figuring out what to do when your boyfriend pretends to be Latino to as common as answering the age-old question of h…

1
Re-release: How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries (with Ebony Roberts) 32:59

3M ago32:59

32:59

When you think of your home or your childhood, what comes to mind? Did you feel cared for and loved? Did you trust that your parents were always doing what’s best for you? Whether you are a parent or a child, healthy communication is one of the most important aspects of an intentional relationship with your family. Today’s guest, Ebony Roberts, is …

1
How to laugh at yourself (w/ Nuar Alsadir) 35:33

3M ago35:33

35:33

Poet and psychoanalyst Nuar Alsadir believes there’s a thin line between comedy and the self-discovery often found in therapy offices. In this episode, Nuar joins Chris and talks about her book Animal Joy: A Book of Laughter and Resuscitation. They discuss the power of laughter, what it means to let yourself look like a fool occasionally, how to br…

1
Modern Witchcraft 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

Do you feel connected to nature’s rhythms and the peace that they provide? Are cooking, crafting, or other small daily rituals a form of spell work or spirituality for you? If you’re a witch, the answers are a definite yes. Long in the shadows, Wicca and witchcraft are now on the rise. Join Dave as we explore what’s driving interest in these religi…

1
How to build resilience through architecture (w/ Alyssa-Amor Gibbons) 34:06

3M ago34:06

34:06

Millions of people around the world are displaced by the enhanced natural disasters brought on by climate change, and sometimes, our economically driven world makes us feel powerless. Alyssa-Amor Gibbons knows about climate devastation and its effect on community first hand – but she thinks we can tap into our resilience through the power of design…

1
Tiny Religions 37:44

4M ago37:44

37:44

Ever heard of the Bartonian Metaphysical Society? How about the Druze? If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t. On this episode, we ask: What’s it like to be a member of a tiny religion in a world dominated by “Big God”? From the early days of new religious movements to the precarious old age of ancient faiths, join Dave as we explore the …

1
How to find food in your own backyard (w/ Alexis Nikole Nelson) 37:02

4M ago37:02

37:02

It’s easy to forget that the packaged lettuce you bought from the store originally grew out of the ground – but it did! What if you could cut out your trips to the store – and get more food right from your own backyard? Foraging is a fantastic way to reconnect to your natural environment and Alexis Nikole Nelson is an outdoor educator, food writer,…

1
How to develop the habits you want – and get rid of the ones you don’t (w/ James Clear) 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

We all have habits - the good and not-so good kind. But can we use them to our advantage? In this week’s episode, Chris is joined by James Clear, entrepreneur and author of #1 New York Times bestseller, “Atomic Habits”, for a conversation about the power of habitual behavior. They discuss the science of habit formation, how to understand the forces…

1
How to find “your thing” (or your many things) – (w/ Constance Hockaday) 33:44

4M ago33:44

33:44

Some people are born knowing exactly what they want to do with their life – and because of that, they’re able to get to the top of their field. But most of us have multiple passions and identities, making it difficult to visualize our own unique paths.. So, how do we explore who we are and what we love to do in our careers and in our lives? This we…

1
U.F.Whoa! 34:05

4M ago34:05

34:05

Religion is often about powerful beings coming down from the skies and humans yearning to go up to join them. Does that mean we can swap aliens in for God? More and more people seem to think so. In fact, many spiritually-minded people are looking to UFOs as opportunities to commune with enlightened alien teachers. Some believe they’re even aliens t…

1
How to find wisdom and wholeness in a modern world (w/ Krista Tippett) 36:49

4M ago36:49

36:49

Keeping hope and courage alive before the many pains and promises of the world can be tough. So how do you do it? Journalist and host of podcast On Being, Krista Tippett, has spent a career interviewing some of the world's wisest people in search of answers to that question. Krista shares with Chris her thoughts on how to coexist with life’s existe…

1
How to get workplace gender equity now (with Sara Sanford) 36:27

5M ago36:27

36:27

There are more opportunities for women in the workplace today than there ever have been. But with stagnant wage gaps, limited parental leave, and enduring bias in recruitment, have modern businesses changed THAT much?? Gender equity expert Sara Sanford says there's work to do–and in this episode, she shares how she developed a certified playbook th…

1
The Power of Pilgrimage 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

What makes a trip a pilgrimage? And why have people from across the globe made these treks for millennia? Is it the destination that makes these journeys so important to so many cultures? Or is it the community and meaning-making that happen along the way? And how are people changed by the experience after they come home? Join Dave as he talks with…

1
What to do when the truth isn’t enough to be believed (w/ Dina Nayeri) 36:22

5M ago36:22

36:22

Stories are such a powerful human invention that even the fictional ones can feel completely true. Dina Nayeri is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work highlights just how influential the stories we tell can be – and what is at risk when the truth isn’t valued. Dina speaks from her experience as a storyteller and former refugee about the im…

1
How to cultivate the skill of happiness (w/ Dan Harris) 32:46

5M ago32:46

32:46

If you’ve ever felt apprehensive about trying something seemingly woo-woo to improve your mental health (like meditation, mindfulness, or simply touching grass) you're not alone. Dan Harris was a mindfulness skeptic anchoring on ABC News when an on-air panic attack sent him into a journey that had him searching for what constitutes well-being. Dan …

1
Is War Holy? 32:58

5M ago32:58

32:58

Is religion a source of conflict, or a way to end it? From the tragic situation in the Middle East to rising Christian Nationalism in the US, it might seem the former. But for faiths that emphasize love, compassion, and forgiveness, might the latter also be true? Join Dave as he talks with theologian Miroslav Volf about how religion blurs with poli…

1
How to find connection –and love– in everyday life (w/ Barbara Fredrickson) 32:12

5M ago32:12

32:12

Romantic love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – at least that’s one way positive psychologist Barbara Fredrickson puts it. Barbara’s decades of research suggest that emotions outside of our narrow definition of love are just as important to our well-being. In this episode, Barbara shares what to look for when we want to broaden our experience of po…

1
Season 6 Trailer 1:49

5M ago1:49

1:49

Join us for Season 6 of How God Works, starting next week!By PRX

1
Re-release: Why love –and therapy– means going in a direction you don’t yet know (w/ Dr. Orna Guralnik) 35:33

5M ago35:33

35:33

In her critically acclaimed Showtime docuseries, Couples Therapy, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik thinks deeply about relationships, emotions, and connection. In this episode, Dr. Guralnik explains why she believes psychoanalysis helps us love better, dispels myths about the right time to go to therapy, and gives tips on h…

1
How to be good enough in America (w/ Wajahat Ali) 35:16

6M ago35:16

35:16

If there's one thing this show believes in, it's that finding joy and comedy in life is essential when being human gets tough. Wajahat Ali is a writer who knows this well. His charming and powerful stories bring to light the funny -- and difficult truth-- of life outside of the mainstream. Chris hears from Wajahat about his experiences as a brown M…

1
How to discover your authentic self -- at any age (w/ Bevy Smith) 32:10

6M ago32:10

32:10

Wanting to “find yourself” isn’t something that only happens in coming-of-age movies – anyone, at any age, can wonder what it’d be like to have a different life. Bevy Smith knows this. A self-described late bloomer, Bevy shares what she’s learned from changing careers at the age of 38, and retells the story of how she completely uprooted her life t…

1
How to make generosity contagious (w/ Chris Anderson) 36:59

6M ago36:59

36:59

If you’ve ever opened up social media in the hopes that it would cheer you up only for it to leave you upset, angry, or tired, you are not alone. So what if we could turn that special power the internet has to change our emotions – and use it for good? The head of TED, Chris Anderson, joins Chris Duffy to talk about why he believes in what he calls…

1
How God Works Presents: No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 49:30

6M ago49:30

49:30

Hey How God Works listeners! While we’re hard at work on Season 6, we’d like to invite you to check out No Small Endeavor, a podcast that explores what it means to live a good life, hosted by professor of theology and ethics Lee C. Camp.By PRX

1
Why you should start thinking about death (w/ Alua Arthur) 34:38

6M ago34:38

34:38

There’s a saying about two things that are inevitable in this world, and Alua Arthur wants to help you think about one of them with less fear. No, she’s not a tax professional – she’s a death doula, a person who supports dying people and their loved ones. A former lawyer, Alua shares what we can all learn when we purposefully think about the end of…

1
How to think critically about history -- and why it matters (w/ David Ikard) (Re-release) 28:24

7M ago28:24

28:24

Have you ever recalled a story only to have someone point out "that's not how it went"? Well, what happens when what we misrepresent are our historical narratives? David Ikard is a Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. In this episode, he talks about the societal and personal dangers of inaccurate history know…

1
Finding Hope in Dark Times 34:29

7M ago34:29

34:29

Surveys show feelings of sadness and despair peaked in 2023. So as we look to the new year, it's understandable why any of us might be feeling pessimistic, even hopeless. But these feelings aren't written in stone. We always have a choice. It's in these darkest of times, when all feels lost, that hope helps us find our way...not just to heal oursel…

1
Re-release: How to lead a happier, more fulfilling life (with Dr. Robert Waldinger) 28:35

7M ago28:35

28:35

What makes YOU happy? Dr. Robert Waldinger is the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, an 83-year-old project that tracks how life experience across decades affects health and wellbeing in middle age and beyond. Robert shares the surprising things he’s learned about what makes a meaningful life and what to do --or avoid-- in order to…

1
Religion & Mental Health Part 2: Addiction 36:13

8M ago36:13

36:13

When it comes to treating addiction, twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are some of the most often used in the US. But while twelve-step programs have several components, one of the most central is surrendering control to a higher power. But how important is that idea? Does relying on a divine influence help or hurt? And might there be …

1
Religion & Mental Health Part 1: Psychotherapy 31:22

8M ago31:22

31:22

For most of the past 200 years, religion and psychiatry didn’t get along too well. Or so the story goes. But if you go back far enough, the two have more in common than you might think. On this episode, we’ll hear about the deep history of integrating spirituality into mental health treatments, and how it’s being rediscovered today at some of the w…

1
Re-release: How learning about indigenous foods can open up your worldview (with Sean Sherman) 29:59

8M ago29:59

29:59

What’s your favorite dish — and what culture originated that recipe? Whether you’re thinking about grilled cheese, burritos, curry, pho… (we would go on but we are getting too hungry) trying something delicious opens you up to new experiences and conversations. Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota, is a chef and food educator who focuses on revitalizing and…

1
Every Breath You Take 39:25

9M ago39:25

39:25

It’s no accident that the Hebrew word for breath is the same as the word for spirit (ruach). Breath doesn’t just give us life: it helps regulate everything from vital organ functions to cognition and emotional states. That’s why spiritual traditions the world over incorporate it as a practice to help heal body and mind and walk the path towards pea…

1
Lessons from 102-year-old swimmer Maurine Kornfeld 24:01

9M ago24:01

24:01

Maurine “Mighty Mo'' Kornfeld will soon turn 102 years old, and most days, you can catch her doing laps in a Los Angeles public swimming pool. And that’s not just because she regularly competes in – and wins – world swimming championships! It’s because she loves being in the water, despite only picking up swimming as a hobby well into her sixties. …

1
Touching the Transcendent 34:11

9M ago34:11

34:11

We’ve all heard of spiritual experiences – moments of feeling intense awe and deep love and connection. People who’ve had them – and it’s a lot more than you might think – see them as some of the most profound moments of their lives. Moments that change them for the better in enduring ways. But what’s going on in our brains when these experiences h…

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David DeSteno Podcasts

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