Finding Consciousness at the Heart of it All with Neil Theise (Part 2) Episode Description In part two, Ilia Delio and Neil Theise unpack the implications of complexity theory for human life, especially consciousness, our technology and the relationship between them. Can AI become “conscious?” Neil tells us more about his journey as a practicing Zen Buddhist, its impact on his research and thought, and the value our wisdom traditions can still offer to science. ABOUT NEIL THEISE  “The teeming...

How Deep Down the Complexity Goes with Neil Theise (Part 1) In the first part of their conversation Ilia Delio asks stem cell researcher and author, Neil Theise, about this journey from science to complexity theory. Ilia and Neil ask big questions about how deep the complexity goes—is there something at the bottom of it all? And what can complexity theories teach us about our modern systems of life and society?  “The teeming hordes of living things on Earth, not only in space but in time, are...

“How Fear Arrested Our Theological Imagination with Fr. Dan Horan” (Part 2) In part two of their discussion Ilia Delio asks Fr. Dan Horan about the way forward, and how fear arrests our theological imaginations. They discuss whether it will be possible to reimagine some of the most central tenets of Christian doctrine, especially in the case of the more centralized churches. In light of today’s cultural and scientific contexts, can age-old doctrines still give us guidance? ABOUT DAN...

What Thomas Merton Would Say Today with Fr. Dan Horan (Part 1) Ilia Delio interviews Fr. Dan Horan, professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College and author of Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism. Ilia asks Dan how he became interested in Thomas Merton, and what relevant insights he believes the teachers of yesterday have for us today in the shadow of ecological crisis and in need of social justice. ABOUT DAN HORAN “God’s love is not...

Will There Ever Be Conscious AI with Philip Goff (Part 2) In part 2 of their interview, Ilia Delio and Philip Goff continue their conversation about consciousness and how science and theology can better work together to understand it. Together, Ilia and Philip tackle the burning question, “will AI ever become conscious?” ABOUT PHILIP GOFF “Here’s a prediction: In twenty years’ time, the idea that panpsychism can be quickly dismissed as ‘crazy’ will seem, well, crazy.” Dr Philip Goff, Ph.D.,...

Ilia Delio interviews philosopher and author Philip Goff on the big questions of consciousness. What is it? And how does modern panpsychism explain the relationship between consciousness and matter? Ilia and Philip also discuss how consciousness exposes where science and religion need to work in a more interdisciplinary manner to continue furthering our quest for human knowledge. ABOUT PHILIP GOFF “Here’s a prediction: In twenty years’ time, the idea that panpsychism can be quickly dismissed...

Building on their conversation in Part 1, Ilia Delio and Bruce Epperly unpack what it means to see the divine in the other. They discuss the need for sacrificial living and a return to some of the basic practices of global spiritual traditions. Bruce tells us how these ideas affect his understanding of his own privilege, and how process theology can help us build better relationships in our communities. ABOUT BRUCE EPPERLY “Healing can occur in any circumstance, because God is the source of...

Ilia Delio is joined by process theologian Bruce Epperly for an honest conversation looking at the divisiveness at work in our communities and politics. Bruce gives an introduction to process theology (or process relational theology) and together they unpack how the basic conceptual shifts promoted by process theology can help to heal our communities and guide our interactions with people who challenge us to a better future.  ABOUT BRUCE EPPERLY “Healing can occur in any circumstance, because...

In the second part of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, Ilia asks what Ron’s hope is for the future—is it the church? They share their concerns for theology and doctrines which are increasingly out of touch with the current state of the world, and consider whether a secular religion is possible. Ilia also asks Fr. Ron his opinion on the viability of common appeals for a “spirituality without religion.” ABOUT RONALD ROLHEISER “Faith is not a question of basking in the...

Ilia Delio is joined by theologian Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. They discuss his book The Holy Longing, and what he observes in the world today especially considering the direction and impact of technology like AI. Ilia and Ron explore the challenges of information and misinformation and what it means for personhood and the future of the human. ABOUT RONALD ROLHEISER “Faith is not a question of basking in the certainty that there is a God and that God is taking care of us. Many of us are never...

The roles are reversed in this special episode that kicks off our next season of Hunger for Wholeness. In this one-part, special episode our esteemed host Ilia Delio is interviewed by Robert Ellsberg, publisher of Ilia’s latest book The Not-Yet God. Thanks to Robert Ellsberg and Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York, for permission to share this recording. You can purchase The Not-Yet God (or any of Ilia’s books) by visiting OrbisBooks.com. ABOUT ILIA DELIO Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, is a Franciscan...

Hunger for Wholeness: Who Do We Choose To Be with Margaret Wheatley (Part 2) In the second part of their conversation, Ilia Delio and Margaret Wheatley discuss what it means to be fully human in the face of corporations, AI, and a sometimes gloomy outlook. They explore possible futures, their hopes, their concerns and most importantly what the inexhaustible zest of the human spirit offers us in our current situation. ABOUT MARGARET WHEATLEY “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way,...

Hunger for Wholeness: Where the Islands of Sanity Are with Margaret Wheatley (Part 1) Ilia Delia speaks with author and teacher Margaret Wheatly about her paradigm-shifting work in organizational leadership. In part one, they discuss the state of the world and the challenge of  taking responsibility for the issues we see in the world. Ilia asks how we get beyond the distractions of the day and what we can do to build better human communities. ABOUT MARGARET WHEATLEY “Without reflection, we...

Hunger for Wholeness: What Lies Beyond Death and Institutions with Matthew Fox with Matthew Fox (Part 2) Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox pick up on their conversation about the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world. They discuss death and resurrection—the enduring challenge of modern approaches to the subject and what we can learn from mystics, past generations and ancient peoples alike. ABOUT MATTHEW FOX “We all share beauty. It strikes us...

Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned. “We all share beauty. It strikes us...

Hunger for Wholeness: What Evolution Has to Say about Technology with Steve McIntosh (Part 2) In part two of Ilia Delio’s conversation with integral philosopher Steve McIntosh they dig into Steve’s view of the current cultural climate and what’s preventing progress. What role does technology play in evolution and what does evolution tell us about technology? Plus, Steve tells Ilia his hope for our future. ABOUT STEVE MCINTOSH “Like life itself, culture is an evolutionary phenomenon.” Steve...

Hunger for Wholeness: Who (or What) Guides Us Into the Future with Steve McIntosh (Part 1) In the first part of a conversation from the Whitehead-Teilhard conference, Ilia Delio sits down with integral philosopher Steve McIntosh. They discuss how holistic frameworks can inspire cultural evolution, and how religion and spirituality inform our development. “Like life itself, culture is an evolutionary phenomenon.” ABOUT STEVE MCINTOSH Steve McIntosh, J.D., is a leader in the integral...

Hunger for Wholeness: How We Build and Scale Cherished Communities with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 2) In part two of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle, she asks why Homeboy Industries has been so successful in building and scaling such impactful work, and how (or whether) it can be replicated elsewhere. Then, they discuss the pros and cons of contemporary scientific outlooks, how they can help and how they can hurt, and what’s needed to cultivate hope for future progress. ABOUT FR....

Hunger for Wholeness: How Wholeness Heals with Fr. Greg Boyle (Part 1) In this episode, Ilia Delio begins her conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries. Ilia and Fr. Greg unpack the background of the now international organization and the challenges of rehabilitation. They interrogate popular views on “progress” and “growth,” and Fr. Greg shares his emphasis on “healing” and how that guides his views of social welfare and progress. ABOUT FR. GREG BOYLE “The strategy of...

Hunger for Wholeness: Why Social Justice Needs Religious Convergence with Swami Padmanabha (Part 2) In Part 2 of Ilia Delio’s conversation with Swami Padmanabha, Ilia and Swami explore the relationship between religious convergence, inter-faith dialogue and social justice. They ask whether religion can possibly play a role in modern peace, and what affects the radical personal spirit can have on global wholeness. ABOUT SWAMI PADMANABHA "We have a commitment to our potential." Swami Padmanabha...

Hunger for Wholeness: What Franciscans and Vaishnavas Share with Swami Padmanabha (Part 1) Our third season opens with a conversation between Ilia Delio and author and monk Swami Padmanabha. In part 1, Ilia asks Swami about Vaishnavism and what it is like to be a Hindu Monk in the West. They unpack how the sciences inspire theological insight and interface on their shared vision of the future of religious convergence. ABOUT SWAMI PADMANABHA "We have a commitment to our potential." Swami...

Ilia Delio and The Human Mystery, AI, and Art with Patrick Beldio (Part 2) In part 2 of her conversation with Patrick Beldio, Ilia asks “what, or who, is God?” and more about the mystery of being human. Patrick shares more about his teacher Meher Baba and how art, creativity and technology can all play a role in deepening the human spirit. *This the last episode of season 2 of Hunger for Wholeness, but we will return with season 3 in September 2023. ABOUT PATRICK BELDIO “Is it possible for...

Hunger for Wholeness: Catholicism and Sufism with Patrick Beldio (Part 1) Ilia Delio interviews religious scholar and artist Patrick Beldio. In Part 1, our guests explore Patrick’s religious journey, its varied traditions, and how he discovered, and settled into, Sufism. Ilia digs into what practicing Sufism looks like from a Western perspective, the mystic perspective, and wisdom of Patrick’s teacher, Meher Baba. ABOUT PATRICK BELDIO “Is it possible for creation to evolve matter without...

Hunger for Wholeness: Affirmative Action and Planetary Solidarity with Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Part 2) In part 2 of their conversation, Ilia Delio, Gabi Sloan and Grace Ji-Sun Kim explore the realities of white privilege and affirmative action from Grace’s international perspective while lamenting theological language's ability to capture the deepest part of our experiences. Are global justice and wholeness within reach? What does planetary solidarity look like for the individual?  ABOUT GRACE...