Podcasts: 10 Years Later

Tom Collins is a longtime teacher of world history, philosophy, and religious studies. He taught some of the first courses on the universe story at independent schools across the United States. Ten years ago, Tom spoke with Journey co-author Mary Evelyn Tucker about the transformative power of teaching the universe story to young people. In this episode, Sam and Tom continue the conversation on how integral story can shape the future of education.

In our latest episode, Sam King speaks with Dr. Missy Lahren about her groundbreaking work in integral education and environmental law. Trained in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Dr. Lahren published a middle school curriculum for Earth Day bridging Earth science with philosophy, rights of nature, and activism. As a lawyer she also serves on the boards of Planetary Advocates, Eleanor Lives, and the Earth Law Center, where she works on rights of nature campaigns around the world.

In this episode, Sam King discusses Indigenous cosmology with Tiokasin Ghosthorse of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation in South Dakota. An award-winning musician and activist, Tiokasin is the Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of “First Voices Radio.” He was also nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize by the International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy.

Ursula Goodenough is a retired professor of biology at Washington University, where her research and teaching focused on cell biology and evolution. Her influential book, The Sacred Depths of Nature, explores the religious potential of our science-based understandings of the natural world.

In this episode, Sam King speaks with Dr. Goodenough about the origins of life, the awareness of cells, and the ethical promise of religious naturalism.

Sarbmeet Kanwal is an award-winning educator and pioneer in novel ways of teaching quantum physics and astronomy. In 2019, Dr. Kanwal gave a TEDx talk on our new origin story titled “Chaos to Cosmos.” Sarbmeet is a follower of the Sikh religion and a longtime board member of the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought, where he has helped initiate several interfaith projects including an award-winning youth leadership program, Mobilizing our Students for Action to build Interfaith Community (MOSAIC).

Jennifer Morgan is an award-winning author, storyteller, educator and president of the Deeptime Network, an online educational network that offers webinars and professional development for teachers. Her award-winning Universe Story Trilogy is used in classrooms around the world, particularly in Montessori schools inspired by a cosmic vision across all levels. For over twenty years Jennifer has been giving programs throughout the US and other countries for students of all ages; professional development for teachers; and leading retreats. She believes that cosmology stories profoundly shape our relationships, work, play, culture, and institutions.

In our latest episode of the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast, Sam King speaks with Dr. Karim Ahmed, an internationally recognized expert in the fields of environmental science, natural resource management, technology assessment, and public health.

Dr. Ahmed focuses on how climate change and global warming impact human health and natural ecosystems, and on mitigation and adaptation approaches to address them.

In the episode, Dr. Ahmed describes his writings on the origins of life, his leadership in atmospheric ozone pollution, and his cutting edge research in climate science.

“Let's hope our species will live long enough to enjoy where this journey is taking us,” he says. “I hope we're responsible enough to save our species and all others from extinction.”

Our latest episode of the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast features Dr. Dan Spencer, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies at the University of Montana. Professor Spencer’s teaching and research focuses on ecological ethics, ethical issues in ecological restoration, ecology and religion, and globalization, justice, and environmental issues in Latin America and the global economy. Professor Spencer has used the Journey of the Universe book and film extensively in his classes to help students find their place in the larger cosmos. “I try to help students understand that the Earth is not a static stage on which the human drama takes place; but a dynamic, evolving, living Earth, part of a living solar system, part of a living Universe, and that we are a part of it.”

In this episode, Sam King speaks with Dr. Theodore Richards, an educator, writer, and philosopher. He is the founder of The Chicago Wisdom Project (now Wisdom Projects, Inc.) and editor of the online magazine and podcast ReImagining. His work is dedicated to re-imagining education and creating new narratives about our place in the world. He is the author of eight books and numerous literary awards, including two Nautilus Book Awards and three Independent Publisher Awards. His most recent book, Reimagining the Classroom, was released in December 2022.

In this episode of the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast, Sam King speaks with Tom Spiritbringer about his work to create a new model of Time inspired by the Universe Story.

In this episode, Sam King speaks with Beth Norcross, the founding director of the Center for Spirituality in Nature. Beth regularly speaks, teaches and writes about the importance of immersion in nature as an essential way to encounter the Divine Mystery and to foster a healthy relationship with Earth. Beth is adjunct faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she has developed and taught courses on eco-spirituality and eco-theology. Along with colleagues Laurel Kearns and David Rhoads, Beth co-founded the Green Seminary Initiative, dedicated to infusing care for the Earth into theological education.

Sam King speaks with Brian Thomas Swimme about his most recent book, Cosmogenesis: An Unveiling of the Expanding Universe (2022). Brian Thomas Swimme is a professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he teaches evolutionary cosmology. He is the author of many books and the producer of three DVD series. Together with Mary Evelyn Tucker, he created the Emmy Award-winning Journey of the Universe film, book, and multimedia project. These works draw together scientific discoveries in astronomy, geology and biology, with humanistic insights concerning the nature of the universe.

In this episode of the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast, Sam King speaks with Jason Brown, lecturer in the Humanities and the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. He speaks about his wide-ranging research and teaching with trees and forests at the intersection of religion, anthropology, and ecology.