In this NeuroFaith episode, Dr. Joanne Tsang, an associate professor of psychology at Baylor University, discusses her research on gratitude and its connections to social psychology, religion, and moral emotions with Dr. Curt Thompson. Dr. Tsang illustrates her journey into the field, emphasizing her interest in the intersection of psychology and religion. She particularly focuses on how gratitude and forgiveness play significant roles in helping behaviors. She highlights the importance of incor...
Aug 23, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Connie Svob, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. Dr. Svob's research focuses on how memories of life events are shaped and passed down through generations. She looks at how memory, including dreams and involuntary memories, can be affected by trauma, loss, and spirituality. Dr. Svob discusses the idea of memory being a constructed rather than a stored thing, showing how our emotions, identities, and...
Aug 14, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of the NeuroFaith podcast, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Robert Enright, a licensed psychologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Enright, a pioneer in the study of forgiveness, shares his journey from focusing on justice within moral development to exploring the concept of forgiveness. Despite facing opposition from the academic community on the subject of forgiveness, Enright persisted. Driven by the belief that forgiveness could benefit those suffer...
Aug 07, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Elizabeth Hall, a professor of psychology at Biola University. She specializes in understanding suffering, mothering, sexism, and embodiment and draws from her personal experiences, including a battle with cancer. Her work focuses on how suffering disrupts our established systems of meaning and the process of integrating these experiences into a broader worldview. Dr. Hall emphasizes that finding meaning in suffering does not eliminate ...
Aug 01, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson talks with Michael John Cusick, CEO and Founder of Restoring the Soul, about the deep connection between personal experiences and professional work in counseling and spiritual care. Michael shares personal stories about his struggles with alcohol abuse and sexual addiction and explains how these experiences have shaped his career and his approach to helping others. During this episode, Dr. Curt and Michael discuss the misconceptions about love wit...
Jul 24, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Diane Langberg, a renowned clinical psychologist with over 50 years of experience, particularly in the fields of trauma and abuse. Dr. Langberg discusses her journey into the field, beginning at a time when trauma was not yet a recognized area of study. She shares her experiences with early clients, including a college student who disclosed childhood sexual abuse and Vietnam veterans exhibiting similar trauma symptoms. Dr. Langberg ...
Jul 17, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 1
It seems like at some point, everyone hits a time where they don't enjoy their work like they used to. Even worse, maybe one finds they've gotten worse at their job instead of improving. Is there any science that backs this phenomenon up? What does this mean for those on the second half of their career? Curt is joined on this episode by Dr. Arthur Brooks, professor at Harvard University to talk about different learning styles, high achievement, and how everyone should be thinking about their pur...
Jul 12, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 6
It seems that most people live in one of two worlds, all heart or all brain. Christians can also be harsh toward emotions, painting them as borderline useless. Jon Collins, co-founder of BibleProject, and his wife Tristen Collins, LPC, join Curt to talk about why emotions matter to God and how our emotions can show our humanity. Learn more about their work at whyemotionsmatter.com. Presented by Q Ideas.
Jun 28, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 5
There's been conversations for years about how Christians can integrate faith and work. But does workplace spirituality actually matter? Are some people a better spiritual fit for a workplace than others? Does seeing meaning in work affect performance? This week, Curt talks to Dr. Peter Hill, of Biola University, to talk about the psychology of spirituality in the workplace. Presented by Q Ideas.
Jun 22, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This week, we're talking about children and brain development. How do they perceive God? Can kids encounter bigger ideas than they're typically given credit for? What can we do to shepherd our kids' minds and faith in way that leads to a robust and resilient discipleship to Jesus? Curt talks about these ideas and more with Dr. Justin Barrett, founder of Blueprint 1543, on this week's episode. Learn more about Dr. Barrett's work at www.blueprint1543.org. Presented by Q Ideas.
Jun 14, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 3
How is meaning-making attached to learning? Are these ideas that parents and teachers should be thinking about as they work to form the next generation? Join Dr. Curt Thompson and Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, of University of Southern California, explains how children make meaning and sense of the world. Presented by Q Ideas.
Jun 07, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Patience seems to be sorely lacking as a virtue in contemporary conversations. Moreover, many seem to believe that being patient is implying passivity or disengagement. Is that true? Should we even try to cultivate patience? This week, Curt talks to Dr. Sarah Schnitker from Baylor University about virtue formation, patience and flourishing. Presented by Q Ideas.
May 31, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 1
There has been a long-standing stigma against receiving mental health care. This is even more prevalent in minority communities who have long been pushed to the margins. This week, Dr. Aderonke Pederson joins us to talk about overcoming and aiding in mental health stigmas. Presented by Q Ideas.
Apr 05, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Most people experience some sort of struggle with God, even nonreligious people. What does it do in our brains to be angry at God? Or to perceive that God is angry at you? Is it possible to move past these struggles and into greater flourishing? This week, Curt talks to Dr. Julie Exline, expert in spiritual struggles, about these topics.
Mar 29, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Attachment is a powerful force in our brains. What does attachment to God mean? How do our loves define our beliefs? In this episode, Curt talks with Dr. Jim Wilder, a neurotheologian and founder of Life Model Works about attachment love. Learn more about Dr. Wilder's work at lifemodelworks.org. Presented by Q Ideas.
Mar 22, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Each of the Synoptic Gospels repeats the line, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..." What does it mean to love the Lord with your mind and what can psychology teach us about connecting the two? Dr. Ward Davis, professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, talks with Curt about positive psychology, emotional health, and resilience. Presented by Q Ideas.
Mar 15, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the first episode of this season, Curt talks to Dr. Dan Siegel to talk about what exactly the mind is. Is the mind defined by simply brain activity? Or is it something more? Why does this matter to us? How has the pandemic changed the way we talk about these topics? Curt and Dan talk about these things and more in this inaugural episode of Neurofaith. Presented by Q Ideas. Find more about Dr. Dan Siegel and his work here: https://drdansiegel.com
Mar 07, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 1
