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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
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Artificial Intelligence
Consequences Of AI Development
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Technology and Society
Ethics
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Extraterrestrial Beings
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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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes96Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

Latest Episodes

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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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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