Podcast artwork thumbnail for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

David DeSteno

Booking Overview

This interview-led science and spirituality show explores how religious and spiritual practices affect psychology, health, meaning, and society, typically featuring academics, philosophers, religious thinkers, authors, and technology or ethics experts. Strong candidates include credentialed researchers, authors, theologians, and public intellectuals with substantive work connecting spirituality to science or major social challenges; booking difficulty is medium.

Metrics

Episodes: 121

Frequency: Irregular

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Estimated listeners: 1,000 - 10,000

Listener location: USA

Page updated: Oct 28, 2026 · How we check this data

Contact Information

Publicly listed emails

maggie.gourville@prx.org

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Host

David DeSteno - Psychologist, professor, and author whose work examines emotion, morality, decision-making, and human behavior.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

medium
Typical Credentials:  
Established scholars, psychologists, philosophers, religious studies experts, theologians, anthropologists, authors, and technology or ethics specialists with recognized expertise connecting spirituality and religion to human behavior, science, health, or society.
Required Achievements:  
Published books with substantive treatment of spirituality, religion, psychology, philosophy, or technology ethics, University professorships or senior research appointments, Leadership of relevant research, educational, religious, or public-interest organizations, Recognized expertise or advisory roles on emerging social and ethical issues

Recent Guest Discussions

Edward Slingerland - Confucian And Daoist Perspectives On Purpose, Meaning, And The Modern Search For A Meaningful Path.

Ross White - Psychological Flexibility, Forming And Sustaining Purpose, And Adapting To Change.

Paolo Benanti - AI Ethics, Generative AI, Technology, Religion, And The Possibility Of Spiritual Meaning In Machines.

Elizabeth Oldfield - Spirituality, Religion, Wisdom, Tolerance, And What Religious Traditions Can Offer Amid Social Turbulence.

Paul Bloom - Artificial Intelligence, Moral Guidance, Consciousness, Spirituality, And The Human Search For Meaning.

Recent Topics

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on
How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality
:

Economic Inequality

October 18, 2026

Money may not buy happiness. But it turns out that the way it’s distributed can affect everything from happiness and a sense of meaning to physical health and mortality. On this episode, we’ll explore the role economic inequality plays in the wellbeing of individuals and societies, and ask how religion fits into the picture. We’ll talk to psychologist Keith Payne about how our sense of where we stand in society can influence our behavior, our health, and even how religious we are. And we’ll a...

One Nation... Under God?

October 04, 2026

The United States is a country founded on the separation of church and state. But what did the founders really mean by that? Should religion be banished from public life and policy debates? Or could it serve a purpose in the pursuit of happiness and freedom for all? On this episode, recorded during the Aspen Ideas Festival, we'll explore what the US founding fathers really thought about the different roles religion could play in society, how that view has changed through history, and what it ...

Rethinking Purpose

September 20, 2026

These days, it seems like advice for how to “find your purpose” is everywhere. But what if purpose isn’t some hidden answer waiting to be found? And what if anxiously searching for our one true calling actually makes it harder to live with purpose?On this episode, we explore some other approaches to the problem. Clinical psychologist Ross White tells us about how psychological flexibility can help us form purpose over time, and stay connected to it, even as our lives change. And we talk to ph...

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Frequently asked questions

Here's some frequently asked questions for
How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality
:

How do I get in touch with How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality?

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality is hosted by David DeSteno. Its publicly listed email is maggie.gourville@prx.org. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.

What is the email for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality?

The publicly listed email for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality: maggie.gourville@prx.org.

How many listeners does How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality have?

Podseeker estimates How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality reaches 1,000 to 10,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.

Who is an ideal guest for How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality?

How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality typically books well-known public figures. Typical guest background: Established scholars, psychologists, philosophers, religious studies experts, theologians, anthropologists, authors, and technology or ethics specialists with recognized expertise connecting spirituality and religion to human behavior, science, health, or society. Common among recent guests: Published books with substantive treatment of spirituality, religion, psychology, philosophy, or technology ethics; University professorships or senior research appointments; Leadership of relevant research, educational, religious, or public-interest organizations. Recent guests include Edward Slingerland, Ross White, and Paolo Benanti.

How hard is it to get booked on How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality?

Medium. Guests usually need solid credentials in the topic and an idea that fits the show.

What topics does How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality cover?

Recent episodes cover Science, Spirituality, Psychology, Religion, and Philosophy. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.

How does Podseeker get this information?

From public sources and our own research: podcast websites, social profiles, podcast feeds, and our data team. Podcast feeds and episodes are checked daily, and details like contacts, recent guests, and booking difficulty are refreshed regularly.

I host How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality. How do I correct this page?

If something here is out of date, ask us to correct it through Podseeker's contact form at podseeker.co/contact. Our research team reviews every request and updates the listing.

Publicly listed emails

maggie.gourville@prx.org

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