How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

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While religion and science often seem at odds, there’s one thing they can agree on: people who take part in spiritual practices tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The big question is: Why? In How God Works, professor Dave DeSteno takes us on a journey to find out how spirituality impacts our minds and bodies, as well as the world in which we live.

He speaks to leading scientists and philosophers, religious thinkers, and thought leaders to explore what we can learn from the world’s faith traditions to help us meet some of life’s biggest challenges. Along the way, he’ll look at how we can adapt and use spiritual practices in our own lives, whatever our beliefs, including none at all.

It’s by working across the boundaries that usually divide us – science versus religion, one faith versus another – that we’ll find new ways to make life better for everyone.

Recent Episodes
  • Of God and Men
    Jun 1, 2025 – 51:23
  • Adolescence: How to Build an Adult (From the Archive)
    May 18, 2025 – 34:59
  • The Conscious Cosmos
    May 4, 2025 – 40:25
  • Found By Faith
    Apr 20, 2025 – 35:12
  • Fasting for the Soul
    Apr 6, 2025 – 31:05
  • Origins of Belief
    Mar 23, 2025 – 35:22
  • Marriage, Monogamy and the Modern Mind
    Mar 9, 2025 – 36:07
  • Season 8 Trailer
    Mar 2, 2025 – 01:49
  • Every Breath You Take (From the Archive)
    Feb 23, 2025 – 39:23
  • Moving Beyond Us vs Them (From the Archive)
    Feb 9, 2025 – 38:37
  • Religion and Robots and AI … Oh My! (From the Archive)
    Jan 26, 2025 – 36:08
  • Why Spirituality is Important in our Increasingly Secular World (Dave on the How to Be a Better Human Podcast)
    Jan 12, 2025 – 39:46
  • Finding Holiday Happiness
    Dec 15, 2024 – 36:53
  • Finding Hope in Dark Times (From the Archive)
    Dec 8, 2024 – 35:49
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    Nov 24, 2024 – 38:54
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    Nov 10, 2024 – 35:30
  • So You say You’re a Cynic
    Oct 27, 2024 – 37:08
  • Succeeding Without Trying
    Oct 13, 2024 – 36:01
  • Rethinking Regret
    Sep 29, 2024 – 31:16
  • Rethinking Sin
    Sep 15, 2024 – 37:14
  • Season 7 Trailer
    Sep 8, 2024 – 01:43
  • Making God Real (2022)
    Aug 25, 2024 – 37:50
  • Death (2022)
    Aug 11, 2024 – 33:51
  • Transcendence (2021)
    Jul 28, 2024 – 26:38
  • A Holiday From Tech Addiction (2022)
    Jul 14, 2024 – 38:31
  • How God Works Survey!
    Jun 24, 2024 – 0:32
  • The Spiritual (and Political) Crisis in the US
    Jun 10, 2024 – 39:09
  • Live Event: Can Religion & Science Get Along in the 21st Century?
    May 27, 2024 – 50:08
  • How God Works… for Animals?
    May 13, 2024 – 36:46
  • Modern Witchcraft
    Apr 29, 2024 – 29:50
  • Tiny Religions
    Apr 15, 2024 – 37:44
  • U.F.Whoa!
    Apr 1, 2024 – 34:05
  • The Power of Pilgrimage
    Mar 18, 2024 – 36:55
  • Is War Holy?
    Mar 4, 2024 – 32:58
  • Season 6 Trailer
    Feb 26, 2024 – 01:49
  • How God Works Presents: No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
    Jan 28, 2024 – 49:30
  • Finding Hope in Dark Times
    Dec 31, 2023 – 34:29
  • Religion & Mental Health Part 2: Addiction
    Dec 17, 2023 – 36:13
  • Religion & Mental Health Part 1: Psychotherapy
    Dec 3, 2023 – 31:22
  • Every Breath You Take
    Nov 19, 2023 – 39:25
  • Touching the Transcendent
    Nov 5, 2023 – 34:11
  • Introducing: Mother is a Question
    Oct 29, 2023 – 46:35
  • From Two Spirit to Bissu, Gender Diversity Has Deep Roots
    Oct 22, 2023 – 38:49
  • Queer and Here!
    Oct 8, 2023 – 37:22
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    Sep 24, 2023 – 40:34
  • Season 5 of How God Works is Coming
    Sep 17, 2023 – 01:43
  • Is Burning Man a Party or a Pilgrimage? (2022)
    Aug 27, 2023 – 38:19
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    Jul 9, 2023 – 34:54
  • What’s Old is New Again
    Jun 25, 2023 – 33:40
  • Can Ancient Wisdom Help Gen Z's Stress & Unhappiness?
    Jun 11, 2023 – 45:10
Recent Reviews
  • NeneNonis
    Enlightening
    Finally - Voices of reason discussing fascinating topics of faith through a scientific lens. No judgement & no preaching.
  • mhaliett
    Fluff
    So many words, so little said
  • Ginagina Smith
    Yule log
    Yes, I remember channel 11’s burning Yule log!
  • Trackerdoc
    How God works…for animals
    Excellent episode, as a Cherokee myself, I love that the anthropologist brought Cherokee stories to illustrate points.
  • Asciguy
    Woo
    And then some
  • nickname4happylisten
    Fascinating podcast, fantastic interviews
    I have enjoyed all of the episodes since the beginning of this podcast. Today’s “God is green” episode was so lovely and enriching thatI feel compelled to review it. 5 stars! Thank you for doing this work.
  • vickiM48
    My New Favorire
    I LOVE this podcast! Thank you, Dave, for diving into & discussing such deep and beautiful topics on your show!
  • pritchardsbike33618
    Beautifully made
    This is a wonderful, consistently poignant show.
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