Science and religion can often seem at loggerheads. But does it have to be that way? Dr. Francis Collins, one of the world’s leading scientists, doesn’t think so. As an internationally renowned geneticist, a recent past director of the US National Institutes of Health (where he helped guide the U.S. response to COVID), and an avowed Christian, he’s a leading voice for how and why belief in God can be rational, and for a greater openness to science among Evangelical Christians.

In a special live interview, Dave talks with Francis about his journey from skeptic to believer, why he thinks science and religion aren’t incompatible, what New Atheists like Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker get wrong in their battles against religion, and the ways in which religion can help (e.g. reducing suffering) or hinder (e.g. resistance to COVID vaccines) people’s health. For much of human history, religion and science coexisted and even learned from one another. Join Dave to explore how that can still be true.

Francis Collins is the founder of BioLogos, which is dedicated to showing how science and faith can work hand in hand. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Language of God.

When it comes to how we treat other animals, humanity’s track record is spotty at best. Has it always been that way? And how do the beliefs we hold about animals shape how we treat them? Are they really as different from us as Western culture has long suggested?

Join Dave as he speaks with anthropologist Dave Aftandilian about how different religious traditions may play a role in influencing the way people relate to other animals, and with biologist turned wildlife filmmaker and writer Tom Mustill about what the latest advances in science are revealing about animals’ internal lives.

Dave Aftandilian is founding Director of the Human-Animal Relationships program at Texas Christian University, and the lead editor of the recently published Animals and Religion. Find out about his other publications and activities here. The storytellers Dave mentions during the episode are Mary Ulmer Chiltoskey and Basil Johnston. And the audio of Koyukon people talking about animals and hunting is from the excellent documentary series Make Prayers to the Raven, available on YouTube.

Tom Mustill is the author of How To Speak Whale: The Power and Wonder of Speaking To Animals. Find out more about his other work, including several films and a podcast, on his website. Thanks again to Tom for sharing his recordings of whale song with us for this episode.

For listeners interested in reading more about animal welfare, we recommend checking out Vox writer Kenny Torrella’s work. If you’re wondering where to donate to help reduce animal suffering, start here.

Also, here are two recent New York Times articles on topics related to this episode:

• Scientists Find an ‘Alphabet’ in Whale Songs

• How Do We Know What Animals Are Really Feeling?

Do you feel connected to nature’s rhythms and the peace that they provide? Are cooking, crafting, or other small daily rituals a form of spell work or spirituality for you? If you’re a witch, the answers are a definite yes.

Long in the shadows, Wicca and witchcraft are now on the rise. Join Dave as we explore what’s driving interest in these religions and dispel some of the stereotypes around them. We’ll talk to Thorn Mooney, a Wiccan high priestess and religious studies scholar about what it means to be a witch and why many people find it empowering, and with Hannah Hawthorn, one of the original WitchTokers, about her spiritual journey from Evangelical Christian to Pagan Witch, and how social media is shaping the practice of witchcraft today.

Thorn Mooney is the author of several books, including the forthcoming Witches Among Us: A Concise Guide to Contemporary Witchcraft and Wicca (Llewellyn, October 2024). Learn more about her practice and other writings on her website and YouTube channel.

Hannah Hawthorn has been sharing her practice online since 2020. Learn about her practice and find links to all her social media on her website. Find out about her book The Magick of Birthdays: Rituals, Spells, and Recipes for Honoring Your Solar Return, here.