On Being with Krista Tippett

Shai Held, philosopher, biblical scholar, and rabbi who leads the Hadar Institute, discusses Jewish theology and love. He explores Hebrew ideas of love, love as spiritual work, memory’s role in empathy and revenge, loving enemies in practical ways, and bearing witness to mutual pain in the Israel/Palestine story.

Jason Reynolds, bestselling author and MacArthur Fellow known for books for young people, brings grounded wisdom and warmth. He discusses hope as stamina and the need to give ourselves grace when we feel hopeless. He shares a restorative conversation in a bar, the gap between everyday encounters and media fear, and how curiosity, language, and storytelling bridge divides.

Mohamed Abu Jafar, a Jenin-born nurse and peacebuilder. Liora Eilon, Kibbutz Kfar Aza educator who survived Oct 7 and lost her son. Arab Aramin, East Jerusalem facilitator who turns family loss into dialogue. Robi Damelin, long-time reconciliation storyteller. They speak about grief transformed into shared witness, rebuilding trust across divides, dialogue practices that rehumanize, and sustaining hope amid ongoing violence.

Gül Dölen, a neuroscientist studying critical periods and psychedelic-assisted therapies, talks about how psychedelics can reopen brain learning windows. She explains differences among MDMA, ketamine, LSD and ibogaine. Short conversations cover safety, integration, therapist training, ethical stewardship of indigenous practices, and surprising lab experiments like MDMA in octopuses.

Joy Harjo, poet, musician, and Muscogee Nation elder; Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer-winning poet and Harvard professor. They explore poetry as a technology for compassion and transformation. They read powerful poems, discuss ceremony and healing, creativity born from chaos, listening beyond fear, and poetry's civic role in bridging divides.

A new season explores love, hope, and transformative healing in hard times. Conversations touch on emerging psychedelic-assisted therapies and what they might mean for our brains and lives. Poets, a neuroscientist, and community stories broaden moral imagination and offer pragmatic nourishment for witnessing each other’s hurt and promise.

In a heartfelt revisit, the late Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, shares her profound insights on humanity's connection to nature. She reflects on her early curiosities sparked by childhood experiences and the pivotal moments in Gombe that reshaped scientific understanding of tool use. Goodall emphasizes the importance of empathy, advocating for gentle engagement in activism to inspire change. She also addresses the duality of human nature and the spiritual quest for meaning, encouraging a commitment to nurturing compassion in future generations.

The beloved Joanna Macy, a Buddhist teacher and ecological philosopher, shares her deep wisdom alongside Anita Barrows, psychologist and fellow Rilke translator. They reflect on Rainer Maria Rilke's insights into love, creativity, and navigating life's uncertainties. Their conversation reveals the transformative power of solitude in a post-pandemic world and emphasizes interconnectedness amid climate change. They celebrate the interplay of beauty and grief, paying tribute to Macy's legacy and the vital role of love and courage in our ever-changing lives.

Explore the profound connection between joy and resilience through the eyes of a community gardener. Ross Gay shares insights on actively seeking and nurturing delight in everyday moments. He emphasizes the power of small acts of kindness and uplifting words, showcasing how they contribute to a more just and hopeful world. The discussion illuminates the importance of appreciating life's ordinary pleasures, shifting focus from challenges to unearthing moments of happiness and connection.

Joy Harjo shares her profound connection to time and heritage, emphasizing the resilience of her community. She introduces the concept of the '200-Year Present,' inviting listeners to reflect on their past and future relationships. The discussion intertwines music and personal history, highlighting how art contributes to hope and justice. Harjo underscores the importance of nurturing future generations and our collective responsibility, all while embracing the nonlinear nature of time and existence. It's a captivating journey through memory and interconnectedness.