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Artwork for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

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Spirituality
Religion
Mental Health
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Consequences Of AI Development
Hope
Ethics
Human Values
Technology and Society
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Addiction
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Extraterrestrial Beings
12-Step Programs
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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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes106Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

Latest Episodes

We’ll be back on March 15 with an all-new season of How God Works! In the meantime, we’re excited to share one of our favorite episodes — our very first live event.

If you ask people what they think about religion, you often get one of two answers: ... more

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A brand-new season of How God Works returns March 15! In the meantime, we’re revisiting a powerful episode from our archive that feels particularly relevant today. 

Anger, loneliness, and despair are hitting record levels in the US. Our social and p... more

YouTube

Feeling that our life is meaningful - that we add value to the world and are valued by the people around us, isn’t just a good feeling, it's a fundamentally necessary one. In fact, the need to matter is a universal human motive, second only to the ne... more

YouTube

For many people, the word “sin” is associated with harsh judgment and shame. Or, it’s used to talk about guilty pleasures like consuming decadent desserts... But is this concept as harmful or outdated as it seems?

Join Dave as he talks with Elizabet... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Krista Tippett
Host of On Being, explores enduring questions about spirituality.
On Being
Episode: The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US (From the Archive)
Chris Murphy
United States Senator from Connecticut addressing spiritual crisis in America.
US Senate
Episode: The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US (From the Archive)
Jennifer Wallace
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author
Episode: Mattering
Patty Van Cappellen
Duke researcher specializing in spirituality and its effects
Duke University
Episode: Mattering
Dina Nayeri
Award-winning novelist, essayist, and memoirist
Episode: The End of the World As We Know It
Kim Haines-Eitzen
Professor of ancient Mediterranean religions at Cornell
Episode: The End of the World As We Know It
Geshe Thabke
A Tibetan Buddhist monk who specializes in dream yoga.
Episode: Dream Yoga
Ken Paller
Neuroscientist specializing in lucid dreaming research and its applications.
Northwestern University
Episode: Dream Yoga
Robin Nusslock
Neuroscientist involved in Tibetan dream yoga research.
Northwestern University
Episode: Dream Yoga

Host

Dave DeSteno
Host and professor of psychology exploring the impact of spirituality on well-being and human behavior.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 293 ratings
  • Listening for over a year

    So I think the podcast is ok, seems to have a lot of filler material while missing some key takeaways. Sometimes it seems the focus is on someone who is an extremophile from a religious standpoint, which misses the larger audience which is closer to the middle.

    I would seriously change the name of this podcast. Really? Are you saying you know how God works?

    works??

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Cornell Big Red
    United Statesa month ago
  • Glad I found you!

    I don’t remember how I found How God Works, but I’m so glad I did.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    llamalovin'chil
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States8 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 Statesa year ago
  • Fluff

    So many words, so little said

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mhaliett
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the insightful integration of science and spirituality, appreciating the depth of discussions without judgment or preaching.
Feedback highlights the enriching content that resonates with personal experiences and fosters curiosity about faith and spirituality.
Some mention a desire for more specific guidance rather than abstract discussions, reflecting a critical view of content density.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US (From the Archive)
Q: I'm wondering, when you're looking for helping people find meaning, find true joy, are you suggesting that maybe the free market isn't enough, and that maybe we should look to kind of older, more ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions for how to actually do that job to make life better for people?
Senator Murphy discusses how the focus on individualism has overshadowed the importance of collective good, raising questions about how to rebuild community in America.
The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US (From the Archive)
Q: I want to focus on your use of the term spiritual crisis or spiritual decline. And I know you kind of mean that in a non-specifically denominational or religious sense. But I'm wondering, why did you choose that term?
Senator Chris Murphy explains that a swift shift in American society has disconnected people from their identities and meaning, leading to a widespread sense of powerlessness and disconnection.
The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US (From the Archive)
Q: I'm wondering, how did you go from there, from that political arena to kind of thinking about these deeper questions in life, the spiritual, the philosophical, and the theological?
Krista Tippett reflects on how her experiences as a foreign correspondent influenced her interest in deeper human questions, leading her to explore spirituality and meaning.
Mattering
Q: What does it mean to matter?
Mattering is the need to feel valued and to contribute to the world.
Rethinking Sin (From the Archive)
Q: So when you think about sin, how do you think about forgiveness?
The concept of sin without forgiveness can lead to despair; they must be held together for understanding and personal growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A fascinating exploration of the intersection between spirituality and science takes listeners on an insightful journey through personal stories and expert interviews. The content spans various traditions and practices, examining how spiritual beliefs and rituals can contribute to enhanced health, well-being, and happiness. Highlighting the benefits of spirituality on mental and physical health, the discussions involve leading figures from diverse fields including neuroscientists, philosophers, and religious leaders. Each episode invites listeners to consider the implications of spiritual practices, encouraging a broader understanding that bridges gaps between different faiths and scientific perspectives.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Hidden Brain
2. On Being with Krista Tippett
3. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
4. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
5. Kelly Corrigan Wonders

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 106 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. Krista Tippett
2. Chris Murphy
3. Jennifer Wallace
4. Patty Van Cappellen
5. Dina Nayeri
6. Kim Haines-Eitzen
7. Geshe Thabke
8. Ken Paller

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