Templeton Ideas Podcast

Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Chief Scientist of the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation. As a professor for 25 years at Cal Tech, he pioneered research on the neural basis of consciousness, and he has advanced one of the leading theories of consciousness called Integrated Information Theory. Among his many publications, Christof's most recent book is enti...

Albert-László Barabási is a professor of network science and physics at Northeastern University. He has pioneered the study of complex networks, discovering that most systems are not randomly structured, but contain highly connected hubs. He has authored popular books such as Linked: The New Science of Networks; Bursts: The Hidden Pattern Behind Everything We Do; and most recently, The Science of...

Susan Schneider is a philosophy professor at Florida Atlantic University, and the founding director of the Center for the Future of AI, Mind, & Society. She has also worked at NASA as the chair of Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation. Susan's book, Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind, explores whether advanced AI systems could become conscious, and how we might design wa...

Simon Conway Morris is a paleontologist at the University of Cambridge . His research has illuminated the history of convergent evolution–the recurrence of similar biological features such as vision, wings, and even intelligence across vastly different evolutionary lineages. Through his popular books Life's Solution , The Runes of Evolution , and From Extra-terrestrials to Animal Minds , he makes...

Dr. Shannon Vallor is a professor at the University of Edinburgh, where she serves as chair of the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Her research explores how new technologies, especially AI, robotics, and data science, reshape human character, habits, and practices. She also advises policymakers and industry on the ethical design and use of AI. Her lat...

Dr. Philip Goff is an associate professor of philosophy at Durham University, who researches philosophy of mind and consciousness with a specific focus on how to integrate consciousness into a scientific worldview. His popular book, Galileo's Error, posits the theory of panpsychism as a plausible explanation for human consciousness. Philip joins the podcast to discuss his lifelong struggle with th...

Jennifer is an accomplished journalist and a best-selling author. Jennifer's first book, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic, sounded the alarm about a troubling trend in our society. She has followed up with a new book entitled Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, which offers an alternative to precarious, achievement-based identities, and shows how to...

Chris Duffy is an award-winning comedian, writer, and podcast host. He currently hosts the TED program How to Be a Better Human and gave a popular TED talk entitled, "How to Find Laughter Anywhere." Chris recently expanded his comedic repertoire by publishing a new book called Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy. Chris is also a former fifth-grade teach...

Dr. Seth  is a Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. The author of over 200 research papers, Anil integrates psychology, philosophy, computer science, and neuroscience to explore how our brains generate subjective experiences. Outside the laboratory, Anil has a knack for communication, too. His  TED Talk  has reached nearly 15 mill...

Angela Duckworth is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studies human character traits that lead to high achievement. She authored the bestselling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance , and her related TED Talk has been viewed over 37 million times. In 2013, Angela received the coveted MacArthur Genius Award. She is also the co-founder of Character La...

Michael McCullough is a psychology professor at UC San Diego who explores the ways our evolutionary past illuminates how humans today think, feel, and behave. For 25 years, he has pioneered experimental work on forgiveness, gratitude, empathy, religion, and morality. With the support from the Templeton philanthropies, he directs an international effort to better understand the role of gratitude in...

Olga Khazan  is an author and staff writer at The Atlantic, where she publishes stories on health, social science, psychology, and other thought-provoking topics. In 2020, she published her first book,  Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World , which draws on her experiences as both an immigrant and a natural introvert. Olga's latest book,  Me, But Better: The Science and Promise...

Jason Marsh is the executive director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC-Berkeley. Greater Good is committed to sharing science-based insights with educators, parents, and other professionals to foster meaningful lives and a thriving society. In recent years, Greater Good has received grants from the John Templeton Foundation to engage and promote virtues such as intellectual humility and lo...

Colin Allen is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he specializes in cognitive science, particularly animal cognition and artificial intelligence. Among his many publications, Colin has authored books such as Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right From Wrong. In his efforts to study diverse intelligences, Colin received Templeton funding for a project cal...

Vera is a professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California . As a cosmologist, she studies the entire universe as a physical system. In doing so, she explores the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and the birth of the universe.  Vera is the project leader of a new $4M grant from the John Templeton Foundation that will bring together astrophysicists, computer scientists...

Timothy Dalrymple is the new president of the John Templeton Foundation. Before assuming this role, he served as CEO of Christianity Today . Tim has led several innovative media ventures and worked closely with writers, scholars, and philanthropists to elevate ideas that enrich public life. A former national champion gymnast turned philosopher of religion, he holds degrees from Stanford, Princeton...

David Goyer  is a screenwriter, director, and producer best known for his role in films like  Blade ,  Batman Begins , and  The Dark Knight  trilogy, in which he redefined superhero storytelling. Goyer has also brought Isaac Asimov's iconic  Foundation  novels to television and introduced science-infused, thought-provoking narratives to the big screen. With decades of experience in Hollywood, he c...

Kelly is the author of four New York Times bestselling memoirs , including Glitter and Glue , Lift , and The Middle Place , which take ordinary events and relationships and make them come alive in funny, memorable prose. Kelly hosts the podcast "Kelly Corrigan Wonders," and the PBS television show "Tell Me More", which have received grants from the John Templeton Foundation . She has also given a...

Kwame Appiah is a professor of philosophy and law at New York University. Over his long career he has written about topics including political philosophy, ethics, literature, African and African-American studies. As the author of more than 20 books, his notable works include Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers and The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen . His newest book, and the...

Miroslav Volf is a theology professor and director of the Center for Faith and Culture at Yale University . His writing and teaching explore how Christian theology relates to culture, politics, and world religions. He has written and edited more than 20 books, including Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most . His newest book, which we will be discussing, is entitled The Cost of Ambition:...

Mark Moffett is an explorer, naturalist, and photographer who has traveled to more than a hundred countries to document new species in extremely remote places. He takes a special interest in insect societies, especially ants. Affectionately known as Dr. Bugs, Mark has published extensively in outlets like National Geographic and been a frequent guest on TV and Radio, including Stephen Colbert, Con...

Kaitlin Yarnall is the Chief Storytelling Officer at the National Geographic Society, one of the largest funders of individual storytellers and journalists in the world. A cartographer by trade, Kaitlin travels the world helping NatGeo Explorers—exceptional individuals in their fields—share their work in science, exploration, and education with millions of people. She joins the podcast to discuss...

Simran Jeet Singh is a professor of religious history at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is also a senior advisor at the Aspen Institute and host of the podcast Wisdom & Practice. Simran is the author of three books, including  The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life , which introduces readers to the religious tradition of Sikhism and its practical relevance for...

David Bentley Hart is a scholar with wide-ranging interests in philosophy, theology, religions, and culture. He is the author of hundreds of literary essays and more than twenty books. Our conversation today focuses on two in particular; the first is  The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, and Bliss ; and the second is David's most recent work entitled All Things Are Full of Gods: The Myster...

Heather is the President and CEO of the John Templeton Foundation, one of the world's largest funders of research at the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. Over the past decade, she has helped broaden the Foundation's global reach while championing topics such as intellectual humility, the psychology of purpose, and human flourishing. She is also the granddaughter of Sir John Templeto...