Wisdom and Practice

Aspen Institute
  • 5.0 (24)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Wisdom and Practice

No one has all of the answers—but isn’t our quest for meaning what makes us human? Wisdom & Practice opens the door to insights from traditions across the philosophical and spiritual spectrum. Every two weeks, author, educator, and host Simran Jeet Singh sits down with thought-leaders, creatives, and philosophers to uncover what we can learn through exploring life's greatest questions. Starting with: How can we all cultivate more meaning, purpose and growth in our own everyday lives? Through curious and open-minded conversations, each episode illuminates different means of practice guests have taken to discover new awareness of themselves. And in doing so, Wisdom & Practice invites you to reflect and find deeper understanding for yourself, too.

  1. JAN 2

    BONUS: "A Guiding Light" from Know What You See

    Today, we have a special episode for you! If you’ve been enjoying this show, Wisdom and Practice, here's another podcast we think you’ll like. On “Know What You See”, host Brian Lowery delves into the ways our fundamental need to connect with others profoundly shapes our experience of life. Brian is a professor of social psychology at Stanford University, and on his podcast, he explores the surprising, perplexing and sometimes transcendent lives we create together.  In this conversation, Brian is joined by Simran to explore the intersection of faith, purpose, and daily life. Simran shares how his Sikh faith guides his journey toward self-improvement, happiness, and meaningful community connections. Together, he and Brian discuss the role of religion as a practice—not just a belief system—and its potential to transform individuals and societies. Resources: For more on Know What You See, visit knowwhatyousee.com  Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    29 min

  2. 12/19/2024

    The Science of Spirituality with David DeSteno

    What happens when spiritual wisdom meets scientific inquiry? In this episode of Wisdom and Practice, host Simran Jeet Singh engages in a thought-provoking conversation with David DeSteno—renowned psychologist, Northeastern University professor, and host of the How God Works podcast. From his Catholic roots to his journey as a scientist and agnostic, David shares how his exploration of human behavior revealed unexpected truths about the power of ancient spiritual practices. Their conversation unpacks how traditions like gratitude, meditation, and rituals can elevate compassion, build community, and fortify resilience—offering practical tools for navigating the complexities of modern life. Resources: Desteno’s Website How God Works Social Emotions Lab Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    30 min

  3. 12/05/2024

    The Wisdom of Habits with Charles Duhigg

    Have you ever thought that discipline was a burden? Well, you’re not the only one. So many people have felt the same way. And yet, for Pulitzer Prize-winning author Charles Duhigg, discipline may be a path to freedom for many. Simran and Charles unpack the science of habit formation—why cues, routines, and rewards are the secret to sustainable change— like laying out gym clothes or finding moments of presence—can transform our lives. And in turn explore how spiritual practices, whether in daily prayer or simply savoring a moment with loved ones, can ground us in a chaotic world. Together, they explore the role of discipline in creating freedom, the unexpected spirituality of parenting, and why kindness to ourselves is essential for real growth. Resources: Duhigg’s Website The Science of Better Charles Duhigg’s Tools Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    30 min

  4. 11/21/2024

    Ministering in Uprisings, Defending Our Children

    College, for many of us, is a time of intense growth, self discovery and exploration.  That was certainly the case for Starsky Wilson, an activist, philanthropist, and public theologian. Though in Starsky’s case, that journey was one of deep introspection about one question that began to gnaw at him: what was his purpose?  From his early years growing up in Dallas attending a Baptist Church to discovering greater meaning at Xavier University to leading and ministering during the uprisings in Ferguson, Starsky shares how his experiences have shaped his commitment to bringing a faith perspective to social issues. Simran and Starsky discuss the importance of introspection and reflective practices like prayer and journaling in cultivating personal growth, and what guided Starsky to answer a call to ministry.  Resources: Starsky's Website  Children's Defense Fund Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    24 min

  5. 11/07/2024

    Black Liberation, Buddhist Liberation: Rima Vesely-Flad

    Our experiences in faith communities can be as diverse and layered as the facets of our identities.  For Rima Vesely-Flad, a visiting fellow at Princeton University, her winding journey to the Theravada Buddhist tradition has also been a path to finding a community where she feels seen and challenged to live with radical compassion. Rima is the author of Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation.  In this conversation, Rima and Simran speak honestly about what it’s like navigating faith communities and practices as people of color and how to grapple with the tension of balancing the self and the collective.  Resources:  Buddhism and Black Voices Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    26 min

  6. 10/24/2024

    How to Use Mindfulness to Break Bias with Anu Gupta

    Biases shape how we see the world, how we interact with others, and even how we see ourselves. But what if we could reimagine those patterns and break free from them? Today’s guest, Anu Gupta, has made it his mission to do just that. Anu is a thought leader, mindfulness expert, and the author of the groundbreaking book Breaking Bias. Simran, in hearing about Anu’s rich tapestry of spiritual exploration, Simran uncovers the early influences that shaped his worldview. Through practices like mindfulness and Kriya Yoga, Anu explains how he realized these tools are not just for personal growth—, but also for transforming the way we perceive and interact with the world.  Simran and Anu explore how stereotypes and unconscious biases affect our mental health, relationships, and societal structures. They also discuss how mindfulness can serve as a powerful antidote to stress, prejudice, and division, fostering deeper empathy and compassion. Resources: Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From–and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them Be More with Anu Anu’s website Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    32 min

  7. 10/10/2024

    Turning to Faith with Rainn Wilson

    Despite having grown within The Baháʼí Faith, Rainn Wilson didn’t feel particularly connected to God or really any sense of spirituality.  But during the height of his career, while he was starring in the hit TV series “The Office”, in which he played Dwight Shrute– the strong willed, over-confident and ever-nerdy assistant regional manager to Michael Scott at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company– Rainn Wilson found himself unhappy and dissatisfied. This wasn’t the first time Rainn was looking for answers. He’d seen disconnects before, including in his upbringing within the Baha’i faith.  Rainn Wilson:  “The difficulty I encountered was my family was so fractured and dysfunctional. My dad ended up being married four times. My birth mother ended up being married five times. My parents were in a loveless marriage. So there was this very strange disconnect between, a faith that preaches and practices love and unity at all costs. And a home life that didn't have any love or unity in it.”  In this conversation, Rainn walks Simran through the long path that led him to re-discover his alignment with The Baháʼí Faith that he had been raised in and poses the interesting thought: what if we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience? Resources: Check out Rainn Wilson's Podcast "Soul Boom" here You can find Rainn Wilson's Book "Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution" here And his website here.  Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    25 min

  8. 09/26/2024

    From Hollywood to Harvard: Hussein Rashid on Islam, Pop Culture, and Justice

    Growing up as a Muslim in America comes with its own challenges.   For Assistant Dean for Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School, Hussein Rashid, that struggle lies at the center of his work on modern day pop culture and its representations of Islam. In this raw and candid conversation, Simran and Hussein discuss different forms of Islamic practice and growing up code-switching, with multicultural identities in a religiously diverse society. And most importantly, we’ll hear how recognizing the beauty in our spiritual traditions and embodying their wisdom can create a more just and compassionate world. Resources: Check Hussein Rashid’s website here Harvard Divinity School Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org. Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.  Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

    29 min
See All (13)

5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

No one has all of the answers—but isn’t our quest for meaning what makes us human? Wisdom & Practice opens the door to insights from traditions across the philosophical and spiritual spectrum. Every two weeks, author, educator, and host Simran Jeet Singh sits down with thought-leaders, creatives, and philosophers to uncover what we can learn through exploring life's greatest questions. Starting with: How can we all cultivate more meaning, purpose and growth in our own everyday lives? Through curious and open-minded conversations, each episode illuminates different means of practice guests have taken to discover new awareness of themselves. And in doing so, Wisdom & Practice invites you to reflect and find deeper understanding for yourself, too.

Information

  • Creator
    Aspen Institute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Aspen Institute
  • Show Website
    Wisdom and Practice

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