As Project Manager for the Emmy Award-winning Journey of the Universe project at Yale, Sam hosts the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast, where he engages leading scientists, artists, spiritual leaders, and environmentalists in conversations on what it means to be woven into the 13.8-billion-year story of the cosmos—and our responsibility to care for the Earth for future generations. His guests have included a Nobel Laureate, bestselling authors, influential climate scientists, pioneers in the Rights of Nature movement, Indigenous leaders, and other changemakers shaping a more just and sustainable world.
“What we need to do is to take on the realization that a form of intelligence pervades the Universe from the beginning. It relates to human intelligence but it’s more powerful because it gave birth to human intelligence.”
In this episode, 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, in San Francisco, where he teaches evolutionary cosmology to graduate students in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program. He received his Ph.D. (1978) from the department of mathematics at the University of Oregon for work with Richard Barrar on singularity theory, with a dissertation entitled “Singularities in the N-Body Problem.”
Swimme’s published work portrays the 14 billion year trajectory of cosmogenesis “as a spellbinding drama, full of suspense, valor, tragedy, and celebration.” His work includes The Universe is a Green Dragon (1984), The Universe Story, written with Thomas Berry (1992), The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos (1996), Journey of the Universe, written with Mary Evelyn Tucker (2011), and Cosmogenesis (2022). Swimme is the producer of three DVD series: Canticle to the Cosmos (1990), The Earth’s Imagination (1998), and The Powers of the Universe (2004). Swimme teamed with Mary Evelyn Tucker, David Kennard, Patsy Northcutt, and Catherine Butler to produce Journey of the Universe, a Northern California Emmy-winning film released in 2011. These works draw together scientific discoveries in astronomy, geology and biology, with humanistic insights concerning the nature of the universe.
In this episode, Sam King speaks with Beth Norcross, the founding director of the Center for Spirituality in Nature in Arlington, Va. Beth is most at home, and at peace, in the natural world, where she loves to share her passion and affection for both Earth and Spirit with others. She regularly speaks, teaches and writes about the importance of immersion in nature as an essential way to encounter the Divine Mystery deeply and intimately, and to foster a healthy relationship with Earth. After receiving a B.A. in mathematics and a Master of Forestry from Duke University, Beth spent the early part of her career working as professional staff for the U.S. Senate National Parks and Forests Subcommittee. After leaving the Senate, Beth worked as Vice President of Conservation for American Rivers, then returned to school to study the interface between ecology and theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. There she completed Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry degrees, specializing in eco-spirituality. Beth is adjunct faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., 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. Beth is the author of Inside Out: Practices for Going Deeper in Nature and Start SINGing: How To Form Your Own Spirituality in Nature Group. She has written articles and developed educational materials on deepening spirituality through nature, including a video education series through Wesley Seminary – Nature, Our First Way of Knowing God and a 6-part interactive video course, The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees: Insights from Our Elders, co-written with Leah Rampy and filmed by award-winning filmmaker, Jane Pittman, both released in 2021. She also wrote popular Christian and inter-spiritual study guides to Ken Burns’ film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” When speaking and leading workshops, Beth engages audiences with thoughtful spiritual guidance and specific practices for experiencing first-hand the spaciousness, peace and healing the natural world offers.
As the threat of nuclear war re-emerges on the global stage, it is more important than ever to understand the nature of nuclear weapons, the geopolitical and technological risks we face, and the unimaginable human and ecological consequences of their use. In this episode, Sam King speaks with Dr. Ira Helfand, MD, who serves on the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He is also immediate past president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)—founding partner of ICAN and itself the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985—and co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, IPPNW’s US affiliate.
“We’ve been given the opportunity to save the world,” Dr. Helfand says. “I hope people will approach this huge task with that spirit.”
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.
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.
Sarbmeet Kanwal is an award-winning educator and pioneer in novel ways of teaching quantum physics and astronomy. Dr. Kanwal holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the California Institute of Technology. His aptitude for explaining intricate scientific concepts in everyday language has made him a sought-after speaker among both science and non-science communities. 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). In recent years, Dr. Kanwal has been assisting in teaching courses on the New Cosmology and “Quantum Wisdom: Essential Insights from a Revolutionary Science” through the Deeptime Network.
In this episode, 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 this wide-ranging conversation, 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.”
This episode 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.”
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 Universe Story Trilogy — Born With a Bang, From Lava to Life, Mammals Who Morph — is used in classrooms around the world, particularly in Montessori schools inspired by a cosmic vision across all levels. They have received numerous awards (including Learning Magazine’s Teachers Choice Award) and endorsements from renowned scientists, educators and thinkers including, among others, Jane Goodall, Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Nobel Laureate Leon Lederman, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, and Neil de Grasse Tyson (Director, Rose Center, AMNH).
For over twenty years Jennifer has been giving programs throughout the US and other countries for students of all ages from elementary to college-age; professional development for teachers; and leading retreats. Before that, she was director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and served on the national Organic Trade Association board. Jennifer has a B.A. in Theology, University of San Francisco, and an M.B.A., Rutgers University. Jennifer consulted with numerous physicists, biologists and anthropologists regarding science concepts and, over time, bedtime conversations with her son turned into books. “Science is handing us an origin story,” she says, “and we’ve only barely begun to understand its mythic dimensions.” She believes that cosmology stories profoundly shape our relationships, work, play, culture, and institutions.
In this episode, Sam King speaks with Jason Brown, Ecological Chaplain and 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.
In this 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 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 has received degrees from various institutions, including the University of Chicago and The California Institute of Integral Studies, but has learned just as much studying the martial art of Bagua; teaching in various settings and students; and as a traveler from the Far East to the Middle East, from southern Africa to the South Pacific. 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. He lives on the south side of Chicago with his wife and three daughters.
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.
