Dreams and the Deep Mysteries of the Unconscious Mind

Barely 20 years ago, there was little scientific consensus on the purpose of sleep. Now, there is broad agreement that sleep and dreams are where the unconscious mind processes events, solves problems, and organizes memories. Robert Stickgold helped break the field open, in part by getting amnesiacs to play tetris. Sidarta Ribeiro was drawn to the field largely through his own striking dream and sleep experiences, starting when he was just five years old. Explore the world of dreams in this episode of Constant Wonder.

0 Comments

You’re More Creative Than You Think

Are you a creative person? Everyone answers this question differently. Whether you feel too busy to participate in your old hobbies, or you think there's "not a single creative bone in your body”, there's no limit to the obstacles keeping us from exploring our creative sides. But as it turns out, there's a science to the way we define our creative potential--and knowing the odds makes it easier to beat them. Lisa chats with Drs. Lynne Vincent and Jack Goncalo, as well as James Valentine, about what makes a person creative or not--and how to overcome some of the biggest misconceptions standing between us and our most creative selves.

0 Comments

The Search for a Lost Jewish Community

Stella Levi, age 100, grew up on the island of Rhodes in a community of Sephardic Jews who had lived there for over 500 years. She survived the Italian and German occupations and the deportation of her entire community to Auschwitz. Decades later, Levi met Michael Frank, a writer living in New York City. This chance encounter led to weekly meetings for over six years. In this episode of Constant Wonder, Michael Frank tells us the story of their friendship, Stella Levi's incredible life, and the lost Jewish community of Rhodes.

0 Comments

Loving Recklessly

Steve discusses love and grief with Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose. Colin Campbell is a writer and director for theater and film. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Seraglio, a short film he wrote and directed with his wife, Gail Lerner. He has taught Theater and/or Filmmaking at Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, Cal Poly Pomona University, and to incarcerated youth through The Unusual Suspects. His one person show titled, Grief: A One Man S**tShow, premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival where it won a Best of Broadwater Award. He lives in Los Angeles and sometimes Joshua Tree.

0 Comments

The Batman of Mexico (and the World!)

Ever since "Dracula," bats have been seen as terrifying threats that carry disease. They're actually essential to our agriculture and industry. In this episode of Constant Wonder, you'll meet an expert who can set the record straight. No wonder he's known as "The Batman of Mexico"; he's been obsessed with the flying mammals since he was young!

0 Comments

How Does Religious Identity Help and Hinder Our Spiritual Growth?

Steve discusses how religious identity might get in the way of a more genuine faith life with Haroon Moghul, author of "Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future." Haroon Moghul is an Account Director at Unitas Communications, where he helps international clients tell their stories. An award-winning journalist and opinion columnist, Haroon's essays have been featured by The New York Times, NPR’s Fresh Air, CNN, NBC News, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian, among many others. He’s also appeared on all major US news networks as an expert commentator on Islam, the Muslim world, and U.S. foreign policy, has dedicated years to interfaith engagement, and has spoken at universities, conferences, think tanks, houses of worship, bookstores, and libraries on five continents.

0 Comments