How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

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Spirituality

Religion

Mental Health

Ufos

Artificial Intelligence

Consequences Of AI Development

Hope

Technology and Society

Ethics

Human Values

Recovery Programs

Addiction

Social Justice

Metaphor In Technology

Philosophy Of Mind

Pilgrimage

Extraterrestrial Beings

Social Connection

12-Step Programs

Virtue Ethics

While religion and science often seem at odds, there’s one thing they can agree on: people who take part in spiritual practices tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The big question is: Why? In How God Works, professor Dave DeSteno takes us on a journey to find out how spirituality impacts our minds and bodies, as well as the world in which we live.

He speaks to leading scientists an... more

268 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	96	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

The Friendship Cure

We say friends are what make life worth living. But if that’s true, why are so many of us struggling to find and keep them these days? And what can we do to cultivate better friendships?

Join us as we talk to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger about the... more

5 Oct 2025 • 40 min

Season 9 Trailer

Join us for Season 9 of How God Works, starting next week!

28 Sep 2025 • 1 min

Healing Rituals: There's Power in Belief (From the Archive)

We will be back with a whole new season of How God Works on October 5th. In the meantime, we wanted to share some of our favorite episodes from the archives.

A majority of people in the US believe that faith can heal. And while there isn’t any stro... more

14 Sep 2025 • 35 min

Midlife: Leaning Into the Change (From the Archive)

We'll be back with a whole new season of How God Works on October 5th. But in the meantime, we wanted to share some of our favorite episodes from the archives.

Data shows that for many people, happiness takes a big dip around 50. But aging doesn’t h... more

2 Sep 2025 • 36 min

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Number of Listeners

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Recent Guests

Dr. Robert Waldinger

Director of the Harvard Study on Adult Development

Harvard University

Episode: The Friendship Cure

Samuel Kimbriel

Philosopher and founding director of the Aspen Institute's Philosophy & Society program

Aspen Institute

Episode: The Friendship Cure

Erik Vance

Science writer and editor for the New York Times

Episode: Healing Rituals: There's Power in Belief (From the Archive)

Alia Crum

Stanford psychologist specializing in the placebo effect

Stanford University

Episode: Healing Rituals: There's Power in Belief (From the Archive)

Arthur Brooks

Harvard professor, columnist for The Atlantic, and social scientist focused on happiness and midlife transitions.

The Atlantic

Episode: Midlife: Leaning Into the Change (From the Archive)

Swami Tyagananda

Hindu chaplain at Harvard and MIT, leading public talks about Hinduism and spirituality.

Harvard and MIT

Episode: Midlife: Leaning Into the Change (From the Archive)

Michelle Teyez

A scholar of Mexican-American studies at the University of Arizona

University of Arizona

Episode: HGW Presents: How Rituals Help Us Process Grief (The Science of Happiness)

Matthew Sandoval

A leading expert on Day of the Dead

Episode: HGW Presents: How Rituals Help Us Process Grief (The Science of Happiness)

Rainn Wilson

Actor and author, known for his role in The Office and the co-founder of SoulPancake

SoulPancake

Episode: HGW Presents: Kelly Corrigan Wonders (with Rainn Wilson)

Host

Dave DeSteno

Professor focusing on the intersection of spirituality and science.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 268 ratings

A lens I didn’t know I needed
I grew up Pentecostal but I distanced myself from practicing religion over the years. I find many of the episodes spark my curiosity about faith and spirituality.
Apple Podcasts
5
Passenger 2025
United States3 months ago
Enlightening
Finally - Voices of reason discussing fascinating topics of faith through a scientific lens. No judgement & no preaching.
Apple Podcasts
5
NeneNonis
United States8 months ago
Fluff
So many words, so little said
Apple Podcasts
1
mhaliett
United States9 months ago
Yule log
Yes, I remember channel 11’s burning Yule log!
Apple Podcasts
5
Ginagina Smith
United States10 months ago
How God works…for animals
Excellent episode, as a Cherokee myself, I love that the anthropologist brought Cherokee stories to illustrate points.
Apple Podcasts
5
Trackerdoc
United Statesa year ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Certain critiques suggest some episodes may lack depth, but overall, the quality of content is well-regarded.

Many express gratitude for the lack of judgment in exploring complex themes, making it relatable for diverse audiences.

Listeners appreciate the balanced discussions on spirituality and science, highlighting the depth and insightfulness of the topics covered.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#66	United States/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#69	Canada/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#118	United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#170	Australia/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#184	Italy/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#241	Germany/Society & Culture/Philosophy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Friendship Cure

Q: If it's so important to us, and we know it's important for our health and our well-being, why is it so hard to get right?

The challenges lie in our societal structure and personal choices, which often create barriers to forming genuine connections.

Midlife: Leaning Into the Change (From the Archive)

Q: Do you feel happy or do you feel more fulfilled? How has it changed what you do in life?

My life is richer because I'm thinking about the things that actually matter more.

Midlife: Leaning Into the Change (From the Archive)

Q: What evidence is there that if I do this, that 10 years from now, I'm going to be happier and not feel like a washed up has been?

If you really get on your crystallized intelligence curve and exploit what you're truly good at, you won't be a washed up has been.

HGW Presents: How Rituals Help Us Process Grief (The Science of Happiness)

Q: How does Dia de los Muertos help children cope with grief and loss?

It helps children understand impermanence and manage the reality of death without fear.

HGW Presents: How Rituals Help Us Process Grief (The Science of Happiness)

Q: How do you think about the cultural evolution of Dia de los Muertos?

The Day of the Dead has become a global phenomenon, incorporating various cultural traditions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the intersection of spirituality and science, particularly exploring how spiritual practices can improve mental and physical well-being. Central topics include the placebo effect, the role of belief in healing, and the psychological benefits of community rituals like prayer and grief processing. By featuring a diverse range of guests from various fields, such as psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality, the discussions aim to bridge science and religion to address significant life challenges. Listeners are likely to appreciate the nuanced exploration of these themes that emphasizes the constructive aspects of spirituality, regardless of one's religious background.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. On Being with Krista Tippett
2. A Slight Change of Plans
3. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
4. Kelly Corrigan Wonders
5. The Science of Happiness

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 96 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr. Robert Waldinger
2. Samuel Kimbriel
3. Erik Vance
4. Alia Crum
5. Arthur Brooks
6. Swami Tyagananda
7. Michelle Teyez
8. Matthew Sandoval

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