Life Examined
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Episodes
Finding meaning in an impermanent world
02 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The novel coronavirus pandemic is a daily reminder of how quickly life can change. Theoretical physicist Brian Greene joins KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian ...
‘Death reveals the depths of our love.’ Rabbi Steve Leder on dying and grieving
26 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with Rabbi Steve Leder the Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple and author of the upcoming book “The Beauty o...
Indoor spaces; are they good for our health and creativity
19 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Modern humans are an indoor species. In normal times, the majority of us spend nearly 90% of our time shuttling between our homes, schools, stores, re...
Vaccines and the history behind their discovery
12 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Infectious diseases have long shaped human history, from the 14th century Black Death and the 1918–19 influenza pandemic to today’s emergence of t...
What’s driving the rise in atheism?
05 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many people yearn to feel connected to something larger than life. For some that’s a belief in God and religion, but that number is starting to dram...
‘Manhood has never been more beleaguered or more challenged’ says author Nicole Krauss
28 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
KCRW’s Joanthan Bastian talks with author Nicole Krauss. Her latest collection of short stories is titled “To be a Man” Get full access to Life...
The myth and dark side of meritocracy
21 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Most people say merit-based success is the result of hard work and dedication. Those who achieve success typically enjoy the rewards: a better income,...
What makes men, men?
07 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last 50 years, our notion of masculinity has been steadily changing. Feminism and the shift in gender roles has seen increasing parity betwee...
Building bridges across America’s political divide
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Americans today are deeply divided politically and even with an election around the corner that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. So what’s the s...
The rich history and promising future of psychedelic therapy
24 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years but in a provocative new book “The Immortality Key” author Brian Muraresku explores their impac...
Politics, religion and the role of public discourse in our democracy.
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just weeks away from a historic election, what role will religion play in influencing the candidates and getting out the vote? KCRW’s Jonathan Basti...
Astrology and our relationship to the cosmos
03 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Astrology has been used for centuries to provide meaning and guidance. How does that translate in 2020? Science dismisses the practice as silly and li...
Why the climate emergency is rapidly shifting emotional and physical landscape
26 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The recent fires and extreme heat waves had a devastating impact on much of the west coast of America. In California, Oregan and Washington State thic...
A place for religion whether we believe or not
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
At times of loss and crisis many of us turn to God, whether we believe or not. For some, the Gospels of the Bible provide wisdom and prayer comfort to...
Unlocking the mysteries of the brain
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The most advanced technology ever discovered is the three pound organ encased inside our skulls. In his latest book, “Livewired” neuroscientist Da...
Technology’s impact on human relationships
29 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For millennia, machines and innovation have transformed our society including our most intimate relationships with one another. The plow, washing mach...
How surfer Britt Merrick found his ‘spiritual home’ among the waves
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For those who love to surf, the act of riding the waves is both a physical and spiritual experience. But for some,it is also a religious one. Britt Me...
Is there a way to prepare for a good death?
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The pandemic has placed death and the acknowledgement of our mortality front and center in our consciousness and yet when it comes to dying, we unders...
Theology and Black Lives Matter
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Yolanda Pierce, Dean of the Howard University School of Divinity, talks with KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian about the history and the legacy of...
A pilgrim’s journey: Reconnecting with faith through the pilgrimage
18 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Author Timothy Egan talks with KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian about walking the Via Francigena and how his experiences walking the pilgrim’s trail gave h...
Finding strength, hope, and truth through poetry
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning poet and essayist Jane Hirshfield joins KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian to talk about her latest collection of poems, "Ledger," Buddhism and t...
How the global pandemic has impacted our dreams?
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deirdre Barrett, dream researcher and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard University, joins KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian to discuss how the prol...
How the global pandemic has impacted our dreams?
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deirdre Barrett, dream researcher and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard University, joins KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian to discuss how the prol...
Grieving the loss of the world we once knew
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deepak Chopra, renowned wellness expert and author of “Metahuman: Unleashing your infinite potential,” joins KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian and offers ...
Finding meaning in an impermanent world
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The novel coronavirus pandemic is a daily reminder of how quickly life can change. In his latest book, “Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our...
Trauma and healing during COVID-19
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris talks about the latest science behind trauma, and how toxic stress can literally change our brains,...
Contemplation in isolation
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The debut episode of KCRW’s show Foxhole features author Pico Iyer, who shares how these unusual times can be an opportunity for inner-growth. And a...