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How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

PRX 122 episodes Nov 1, 2026

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality explores why spiritual practices are linked to longer, healthier, and happier lives. Host Dave DeSteno talks with scientists, philosophers, religious thinkers, and other leaders about how spirituality affects the mind, body, and society. The show examines lessons from the world’s faith traditions and considers how people can adapt spiritual practices to their own lives, whether or not they hold religious beliefs. It focuses on finding common ground across divides between science and religion and between different faiths.

Episodes

Faith and Fashion
Faith and Fashion Nov 1, 2026 38:04 Let's face it, religion isn't known for being particularly fashion-forward. Many might even say they’re directly opposed—vice and virtue, decadence versus humility, maximalism versus modesty. But lately, scholars from both the fashion world and Christian theology are arguing that maybe the story isn't quite so simple. On this episode, we’ll talk to the pastor, theologian, and professor Ro
Economic Inequality
Economic Inequality Oct 18, 2026 44:29 Money may not buy happiness. But it turns out that the way it’s distributed can affect everything from happiness and a sense of meaning to physical health and mortality. On this episode, we’ll explore the role economic inequality plays in the wellbeing of individuals and societies, and ask how religion fits into the picture. We’ll talk to psychologist Keith Payne about how our sense of wh
One Nation... Under God?
One Nation... Under God? Oct 4, 2026 51:57 The United States is a country founded on the separation of church and state. But what did the founders really mean by that? Should religion be banished from public life and policy debates? Or could it serve a purpose in the pursuit of happiness and freedom for all? On this episode, recorded during the Aspen Ideas Festival, we'll explore what the US founding fathers really thought about t
Rethinking Purpose
Rethinking Purpose Sep 20, 2026 41:42 These days, it seems like advice for how to “find your purpose” is everywhere. But what if purpose isn’t some hidden answer waiting to be found? And what if anxiously searching for our one true calling actually makes it harder to live with purpose?On this episode, we explore some other approaches to the problem. Clinical psychologist Ross White tells us about how psychological flexibility
Season 11 Trailer
Season 11 Trailer Sep 13, 2026 03:18 Join us for Season 11 of How God Works, starting next week!
HGW Presents: Oh God Now What
HGW Presents: Oh God Now What Aug 23, 2026 45:18 How God Works will be back with all new episodes in September. In the meantime, we're excited to feature an episode from our friends at Oh God Now What, hosted by Niala Boodhoo.*In the debut episode, "Voting Your Morals," host Niala Boodhoo welcomes public theologian Curtis Chang and Rabbi Jill Jacobs. Using their expertise as religious thought leaders, they help us navigate aligning beli
Bonus Episode: God, Code, and Consciousness (Aspen Ideas)
Bonus Episode: God, Code, and Consciousness (Aspen Ideas) Aug 2, 2026 45:35 As humans increasingly turn to AI for moral guidance and answers to life’s biggest questions, the lines between technology and religion are blurring—even leading some in Silicon Valley to wonder if AI might have a spiritual life of its own or be destined to change the world’s religious landscape. What does the impulse to see a god in the machine reveal about our enduring hunger for meanin
Aliens and Spirituality (Encore Presentation)
Aliens and Spirituality (Encore Presentation) Jul 12, 2026 34:48 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 themselves, sent here to prepare us for a
Searching for Signs
Searching for Signs Jun 21, 2026 44:31 Throughout history, humans have searched for signs and symbols to help them navigate uncertainty. From ancient Chinese divination texts and Greek oracles to astrology, tarot cards, and modern occult practices, divination has appeared in nearly every culture on Earth. And while some might think of these practices as relics of a more superstitious age, divination turns out to be far more ce
Humor and Judaism: A Conversation with Robby Hoffman
Humor and Judaism: A Conversation with Robby Hoffman Jun 7, 2026 37:06 According to a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, more American Jews cite having a sense of humor as important to their Jewish identity than things like keeping kosher and studying Torah. Humor has long been associated with Jewish identity—from Jerry Seinfeld to Mel Brooks, Adam Sandler to Joan Rivers.On this episode of How God Works, we'll talk with the latest member of the long tradition
Rethinking Sin… Again
Rethinking Sin… Again May 24, 2026 01:02:59 We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. But why do some people seem to struggle so much more than others when it comes to avoiding harmful behavior? And what does it mean for how we think about blame and accountability if the answer has something to do with our genes?On this episode, we’re rethinking sin from the perspective of behavioral genetics. We’ll talk to psychologist Kathryn Pai
Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina May 10, 2026 58:20 We’ve always assumed that if there IS a God, that God made us. But what if it ends up being the other way around… and we’re already further along than we think? Artificial intelligence is now offering moral advice, generating new forms of scripture, even simulating conversations with the divine. For some users, the line between useful tool and spiritual authority is already starting to bl

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