Intersections Podcast

How can we turn polarizing conversations into beautiful moments of self-discovery, mutual kinship and deep connection? What changes in us and in our relationships when we stop labeling others? Can our ego manipulate and stop us from being open to new perspectives, and how do we overcome it? What are the five skills of moral courage, and how can we use them to win hearts and minds? Find out from the recipient of Oprah’s “Chutzpah Award” for boldness, Irshad Manji, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College, which equips people to turn polarizing issues into productive conversations and solutions-driven teamwork. The recipient of Oprah’s "Chutzpah Award" for boldness, Irshad is also a New York Times bestselling author. Her first book, an international blockbuster, is The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith. Irshad’s latest is Don't Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars. (Fun fact: the entertainer Chris Rock calls this book “genius.”) A professor of leadership at New York University for many years, Irshad now teaches with the Oxford Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights. In this episode, Irshad reveals: - The five skills of moral courage, and how we can use them to win hearts and minds - The opportunities we miss when we label others and put them into buckets - The truth about human nature, how our ego can stop us from gaining new perspectives and how to overcome it

Is it possible to reform those that fell wayward? Can gang members, if treated with dignity and tenderness over punishment and incarceration, be transformed into loving human beings? And what fundamental principles can we adopt to move society, from a culture of judgment and denunciation, to mutual kinship and appreciation? Find out from Father Gregory Boyle SJ, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, as he reveals his extraordinary journey of mass human transformation and why serving at the margins is powerful and replenishing, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Father Gregory Boyle SJ is a Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, offering an “exit ramp” for those stuck in a cycle of violence and incarceration. In the early 1990s, Father Boyle served as the pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, then the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles that also had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city. Having witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his community, Father Boyle and parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treat gang members as human beings. For his service to humanity, Father Boyle has received the California Peace Prize and has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama named Father Boyle a Champion of Change. Father Boyle is also the author of several books including Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, and the New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. In this episode, Father Boyle reveals: - Why our quest for morality only fuels division and polarization - A radical approach to transforming anyone, even gang members, into loving human beings - Two fundamental principles for moving society from a culture of judgment and denunciation to mutual kinship and appreciation

In a world teeming with division and discord, can emotional and social intelligence, sown early in the fertile minds of children, grow into a force strong enough to unite the world while dismantling past prejudices? Is it possible that our greatest teachers could be the youngest among us, those whose innocence and capacity for love remain pure? What drove a celebrated filmmaker to abandon a successful career, take on a fresh new challenge of pioneering reform in global education, and seek to create positive life outcomes for all future generations? This episode of Intersections Podcast invites you on a journey with Leslee Udwin, from the depths of suffering and personal adversity, sparking global movements through powerful, cinematic storytelling, to the forefront of a movement aimed at transforming early childhood education on a global scale, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa. Leslee Udwin is a BAFTA and multi-award winning filmmaker, actress, director, producer and a human rights activist. Her documentary India’s Daughter has been critically acclaimed around the globe, winning 32 awards (including the Peabody Award and the Amnesty International Media Award) and sparked a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The searing insights yielded by the two and a half year journey of making this film led Leslee to shift her focus from filmmaking and devote herself to Think Equal, a non-profit organization she has founded to introduce social and emotional intelligence learning to children between the ages of 3–6 years. For her humanitarian work, Leslee has received many prestigious awards including Activism in Arts and Education award from the UN Women for Peace Association, The Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award, and was voted by the New York Times the. No 2 Most Impactful Woman of 2015, second to Hillary Clinton. In this episode, Leslee reveals: - One fundamental competency that sticks like glue with all others to co-create a more unified and compassionate world - Stories that illuminate how the youngest among us can become agents of positive change and transform outcomes for adults - Pivotal experiences that compelled her to abandon a successful career in filmmaking and take on the challenge of pioneering reform in global education

How can we translate life’s worst setbacks into miraculous comebacks? Can prison inmates and the formerly incarcerated be role models for those on the outside? How can we cultivate a single-pointed focus for personal growth despite the cards we have been dealt with in life, and the choices we may have made in the past? And what can someone’s twenty years in prison teach us about life’s possibilities? Find out from Jason Bryant’s incredible story of redemption and societal transformation, as recounted in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Jason Bryant is the Director of Programs at CROP (Creating Restorative Opportunities & Programs), a non-profit dedicated to reforming California’s criminal justice landscape. With 20 years of lived experience within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation center, Jason has dedicated his term of incarceration to higher education and serving other people through thoughtful conversations and coaching about new possibilities for people’s lives. While incarcerated, Jason earned a master's degree, two bachelor's degrees, an associate degree, a paralegal certificate, became a certified alcohol and drug counselor and has participated in extensive self-help programming. In 2020, Jason’s sentence was commuted along with his immediate release from prison due to his remarkable contributions in transformative and rehabilitative work while incarcerated. He has also co-authored, Men Built for Others: Life Lessons from Those Serving Life Sentences, a powerful book that shows how one can transform life's worst setbacks into miraculous comebacks and be happy regardless of where they are. In this episode, Jason reveals: - What 20 years of prison time can teach us about life’s possibilities - How we can translate life’s worst setbacks into miraculous comebacks - How to create a virtuous cycle of paying our gratitude forward

How can we create a group of selfless teammates that works purposefully towards a collective, positive goal? What conditions allow an individual and team to perform extraordinarily? What power do our thoughts hold in the unfolding of our own legacy, and how can we mindfully work with our mind to unlock the masterpiece within us? Find out from “The Performance Whisperer,” George Mumford, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. George Mumford, also known as “The Performance Whisperer,” is a globally recognized speaker, sports psychologist, mindfulness coach and an influential author. For the last three decades, he has taught the art of performance and mindfulness to people from every walk of life—from CEOs, Olympians and NBA superstars to the chronically underrepresented. George has helped many of his champion clients transform their careers and leadership, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal; and has presented to some of the world’s top brands including Nike, Google, PayPal, American Express and Lululemon. His books include The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance and Unlocked: Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success, published recently in May 2023. With a passion for teaching, and helping others learn about resilience, social responsibility, and navigating uncertainty, George conducts weekly classes through his YouTube channel, and created several Master Classes including "The Mindful Athlete Course" for his online community, and "Playing The Inner Game" for high-school and college students. George has been featured in leading media including 60 Minutes, ABC News, The Huffington Post, and The Boston Globe, and was included on Good Morning America's "Inspiration List" for Black History Month in 2021. In this episode, George reveals: - Why we need to forget ourselves before we can begin to find our true selves - The difference between peak performance and pure performance - How our thoughts determine what we become and what actions we take, and a profound parable on how to course-correct

How do we live a life that is aligned with our highest values? What transformative power does the role of service hold in our lives? When we feel a deep concern for humanitarian issues, how can we move from inaction to action and make a meaningful, positive contribution towards building a healthier and happier society? And how can we mobilize resources, intelligence and support networks, not just for individual and organizational success, but for humanity’s success? Find out from pioneering changemaker and public health leader, Ellen Agler, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. Named as one of Fortune Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” in 2019, Ellen Agler is a renowned changemaker and public health leader who has worked in the global health and humanitarian response for over 25 years in more than 70 countries, for organizations including Operation Smile and International Medical Corps. She is the CEO of The END Fund, a private philanthropic initiative set-up to control and eliminate the five most commonly Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the world, affecting about 1.5 billion people. During her tenure at Operation Smile, Ellen managed international programs across 4 continents; worked on “health as a bridge to peace” initiatives bringing together Israeli and Palestinian surgeons; and organized medical programs in partnership with the government, civil society and guerilla groups in conflict zones in Colombia. She has also led international operations for International Medical Corps, with a focus on international disaster response and delivery of medical care in complex humanitarian emergencies in over 20 countries. Ellen serves on the board of The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank that promotes policies that lift people from poverty to prosperity, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Health Security Advisory Board. She is also the co-author of Under the Big Tree: Extraordinary Stories from the Movement to End Neglected Tropical Diseases, through which she has managed to make these overwhelming and complex health problems understandable to everyone. In this episode, Ellen reveals: - The role of service to others in our own lives, and how to move from inaction to action in our current spheres of influence - Why solving complex global problems requires the use of a systems leadership mindset - How to live a life that is aligned with our highest values and do the greatest good for the greatest number of people

What are climate issues actually trying to teach us? Are these purely external changes in weather patterns, or are they more deeply connected with our values and lifestyles? How can one frame this in a way that is highly meaningful to every individual’s life choices? Find out from one of the environmental movement’s leading voices, Paul Hawken, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Paul discusses the mindset that is critical to transforming how we live and work today to ensure that our planet’s ecosystem thrives tomorrow – and the mindset that is at the root of all strife, division and polarization in the world. Paul Hawken is a renowned environmentalist, entrepreneur, author, speaker and activist who has dedicated his life to environmental sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. He is one of the environmental movement’s leading voices, and a pioneering architect of corporate reform with respect to ecological practices. His work includes founding successful, ecologically conscious businesses, writing about the impacts of commerce on living systems, and consulting with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. Paul is the founder of Project Drawdown, a non-profit dedicated to researching when and how global warming can be reversed. The organization maps and models the scaling of one hundred substantive technological, social, and ecological solutions to global warming. He authors articles, op-eds, and peer-reviewed papers, and has written eight books including five national bestsellers. His most recent book, Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation, was a New York Times and Washington Post bestseller. Paul has appeared in leading media including the Today Show, Bill Maher, Larry King, and has been profiled or featured in hundreds of articles including Esquire, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Business Week. In this episode, Paul reveals: - The source of all strife, division, and polarization in the world - What the climate emergency is actually trying to teach us, and its intricate connection with our our values, feelings, thoughts, beliefs and intentions - The wisdom in moving from an extraction mindset to a regenerative mindset, and how to place life at the center of our every action and decision - How the business ecosystem today needs to be reformed for the planet’s ecosystem to thrive tomorrow

What is the source of Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring appeal? What kind of inner and outer practices did he cultivate that have made him such a revered figure in history? How can we, like Gandhi, successfully create a daily pathway to our Inner Core? And how can we, in our own spheres of influence, learn to quell people’s passions, bring them together, and move humanity forward in a unified way even in the divisive social conditions we are confronted with today?Find out from Gandhi’s own grandson, Rajmohan Gandhi, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.Following in the footsteps of his illustrious paternal grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi, and maternal grandfather, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari (the last Governor-General of India), Rajmohan Gandhi is an internationally renowned peace activist, acclaimed historian, biographer, journalist and educator. He currently serves as Research Professor at the College of Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Through writing, speaking, public interventions and dialogues, Gandhi has been engaged for sixty years in efforts for peace-building, reconciliation and democratic rights across the world. He founded the Indian branch of Initiatives of Change (formerly known as Moral Re-Armament) and is the former president of Initiatives of Change International. A distinguished journalist, Gandhi also founded the weekly journal, Himmat, through which he fought for democratic rights during the 1975-77 Emergency in India. A former politician, Gandhi has also served in the upper house of the Indian Parliament. An award-winning author, Gandhi has written more than a dozen books, including Mohandas: A True Story of a Man, His People and an Empire, and Rajaji: A Life.In this episode, Rajmohan Gandhi reveals:- The source of Mahatma Gandhi’s mystique, and what made an entire nation listen to him and ultimately follow him- How to create a pathway to our inner core and cultivate a practice of both inner and outer listening- Three effective practices to quell people’s passions, bring people together and move humanity forward

At a time when the power to dictate the rules at work is no longer retained by the C-suite or boardroom, what metrics can leaders bank on to build trust with their people, inspire well-being and retain talent? How can we get key stakeholders to commit to our cause and co-lead systemic changes in our organizations and in our communities? And what can business leaders do to set the stage for ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ training to actually work, and bring real, measurable impact?Find out from Erika Irish Brown, Global Head of Talent and Chief DEI Officer at Citi, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.Erika Irish Brown is Citi’s Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, responsible for driving Citi’s agenda on talent planning, succession planning and leadership development and developing its global DEI strategy. Prior to joining Citi, Erika served as Chief Diversity Officer at Goldman Sachs; Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg; and led executive and diversity hiring efforts at Bank of America and Lehman Brothers. Erika's background also includes a range of banking and finance roles, including Head of Business Development for Black Entertainment Television, Senior Associate in High Yield Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley, and Senior Policy Analyst for Domestic Finance for the United States Department of the Treasury. Erika is Vice Chair of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, a community development corporation based in Brooklyn, New York; and serves on the Boards of Columbia Business School and Riverside Hawks, a youth basketball program in Harlem, New York City.In this episode, Erika reveals:- Five key metrics for selecting, developing, supporting and growing talent to enable the employer-employee relationship to thrive in these fast-changing times- Powerful techniques for influencing key stakeholders and getting their buy-in for leading systemic, scalable change across organizations and communities- What leaders need to do to make ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ training to actually work, and bring real, measurable impact

How can leaders in today's environment pioneer new forms of workplace interaction, mentoring, performance management, and role-modeling in order to create inspired, high-performing, connected teams across the organization? What lessons can we draw from nature and apply it to the way we deal with human nature? What kind of organization might we create if we integrate work, life and play, to both live happier lives and get closer to our peak potential? Find out from industry-recognized leader of People and Culture, Dean Carter, ex-CHRO Patagonia, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Dean Carter has been an innovative and industry-recognized leader of People and Culture for over two decades across Fortune 50, hot growth, and culture-driven organizations. He currently serves as the Chief People and Purpose Officer at GUILD Education, a career opportunity platform that enables forward-thinking employers to invest in their employees, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching; and also serves as an Independent Director for Griffith Foods, a high-growth sustainable food company. A former CHRO of Patagonia, Sears Holdings and Fossil Inc., Dean has also previously served in HR and management roles at Pier 1 Imports, Pearle Vision and Procter & Gamble. Dean's innovative perspectives on HR, go-big cultures, and employee experiences have been featured in leading media including The Economist, Harvard Business Review, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and various other books and national publications. In this episode, Dean reveals: - A seminal lesson we can draw from nature and apply it to the way we treat people to create inspired, high-performing, connected teams across the organization - How to create experiences at work and in life that leads to joy and fulfillment instead of stress and exhaustion - A proven approach to get everyone to show up as their authentic selves at work, and bring out their best selves in both epic and everyday situations

How do we build bridges with our fiercest adversaries—those that it would seem impossible for us to sit down and have a conversation with—change their hearts and minds, and turn them into lifelong friends? What causes some people to develop radically racist beliefs, behaviors and attitudes, and how can we, in our current capacities, seek to inspire and transform them? What kind of discipline do we need to build to successfully lead sustained, positive reform in our communities? Find out from renowned activist and race relations expert, Daryl Davis, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Daryl Davis is an award-winning musician, a renowned activist and race relations expert, actor, lecturer and author. He is the leader of The Daryl Davis Band and has played with many acclaimed musicians including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and B. B. King. Often called The Rock'n'Roll Race Reconciliator, for the past 40 years, Daryl has spent time befriending members of the Ku Klux Klan, has convinced many of them to deradicalize, and have been directly or indirectly responsible for over 200 members leaving the Klan. He is the first Black author to write a book on the Ku Klux Klan, Klan-Destine Relationships, by conducting in-person interviews with them. Daryl has received numerous awards including the Elliott-Black Award, the Bridge Builder Award and the MLK Award; has acted on stage, film and television, including HBO's television series The Wire, and is the subject of the award-winning documentary Accidental Courtesy detailing his real life encounters with the Ku Klux Klan. In this episode, Daryl reveals: - Five core human values that can help us foster harmony in all situations - What causes some people to develop radically racist beliefs, behaviors and attitudes, and how to inspire and transform them - The art and science of building bridges, even with our strongest adversaries, and how to turn them into lifelong friends

What are we far more likely to regret over the course of our lives? How can we face and evaluate our regrets, and use them to transform ourselves into better workers, problem-solvers and decision-makers? What motivations drive people’s behaviors and how can we learn to perceive them with more accuracy? Daniel Pink is an award-winning author and has written 5 New York Times bestselling books on business, work, creativity, and behavior, including Drive, When, To Sell is Human, A Whole New Mind, and his most recent, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. He was the host and co-executive producer of “Crowd Control,” a television series about human behavior on National Geographic that aired in more than 100 countries. Before venturing out on his own 20 years ago, Daniel worked in several positions in politics and government, including serving as chief speechwriter to former US Vice President Al Gore. In this episode, Daniel reveals: How to face and evaluate our regrets, and use them to transform ourselves into better workers, problem-solvers and decision-makers What we are far more likely to regret over the course of our lives A powerful method for perceiving human behavior more accurately

Is there a method to achieving excellence in every chapter of our lives? How can we bypass the distractions and imperfections of the world, break away from stereotypical belief systems that may be percolating around us, and live every moment with inspiration, discipline and commitment to our chosen purpose? What actions can we take to bounce back from our biggest adversities, and build ourselves from the ground up, against all odds? And how can we best honor the gift of life, and seek to live with no limits? Listen to the extraordinary story of Leah Goldstein—a story of her indomitable will to succeed, persevere and overcome adversities repeatedly through every chapter of her life—in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Leah Goldstein is an internationally-renowned ultra endurance athlete and professional cyclist. She is the first female in the 40-year history of Race Across America (RAAM) to win first place overall in the solo division, one of the toughest endurance sports events in the world. As a teenager, Leah became a national TaeKwonDo and World Kickboxing champion. Having a deep desire to serve in the military, Leah enlisted in the Israeli Defense Force early in her life, becoming the first female Elite Commando instructor and subsequently transitioned into a special-forces unit, combating terrorism and violent crimes. Leah is also a coach, speaker and co-founder of No Finish Line Living, which provides customizable keynotes and retreats dedicated to moving others into a healthy, purposeful life, and has also published her memoir, No Limits. In this episode, Leah reveals: The mindset of a world champion, the formula for excellence and how to break away from stereotypical belief systems that may be percolating around us and limiting us A powerful method for bouncing back from our biggest adversities, and building ourselves from the ground up, against all odds How to honor the gift of life and use every moment to live with inspiration, discipline and commitment to our purpose The joy of giving, and how it activates the best in ourselves and others around us, in life and in leadership

How is ancient wisdom influencing and advancing modern science to improve public health and happiness? How are scientists being able to tell that stress accelerates the aging process, cutting short the deeply purposeful lives we were meant to live? How can we bring more grace in not just our epic moments but in our everyday moments of stress as well? Listen to some powerful insights on how to master stress and cultivate more joy in our lives, and how this impacts our present and our future, from renowned health psychologist, Elissa Epel, in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Elissa Epel is a renowned health psychologist, and an international expert on stress, well-being, and optimal aging. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, where she is Vice Chair of Psychology and directs the Aging Metabolism Emotions Center. She studies the environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social factors that impact cellular aging (such as telomeres, inflammation, and mitochondria), and how self-care practices such as meditation and positive stress can promote psychological and physiological thriving. She uses science as a north star, guiding us in the context of other sources of contemplative wisdom. Elissa co-wrote the New York Times best-seller The Telomere Effect with Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn (translated into 30 languages) and recently also released her new book, The Stress Prescription. Her research has been featured in venues such as TEDMED, 60 minutes, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and science documentaries. In this episode, Elissa reveals: Some fundamental truths about joy, health and happiness, as derived from ancient wisdom and validated by modern science How chronic stress leads to accelerated aging, impairing our ability to deeply connect with our own selves and the world around us and to live with meaning and purpose How to be more graceful in not just epic moments of stress, but in everyday moments The relationship between joy and suffering, and the antidote to chronic stress The capacity of the human spirit to recalibrate and renew itself in every moment of life

When we imagine a happy and successful life, the portrait that’s often painted before us includes someone who is dynamic, engaged and achieves success upon success. And yet, in a time like today when lifespans continue to lengthen, there’s a whole period to life that goes beyond our peak performance days, far from the limelight we once had, unnoticed and forgotten. What then is the definition of success and happiness in this second half of life? Do people get happier or unhappier as they age? What happens when our professional decline sets in earlier than expected, and what self-correcting mechanisms can we put in place to avoid its negative consequences? Does happiness take care of itself or is there a formula we can use to maximize our flourishing, in not just the second half, but in every chapter of our lives? Listen to some powerful insights from decades of happiness research and from Arthur Brook’s own luminous life journey, in an exclusive conversation with Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Arthur C. Brooks is the William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. Before joining the Harvard faculty, he served for ten years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute, one of the world’s leading think tanks. Arthur is the author of 12 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength, and national bestsellers Love Your Enemies and The Conservative Heart. He is also a columnist for The Atlantic, host of the podcast How to Build a Happy Life with Arthur Brooks, and subject of the 2019 documentary film The Pursuit, which Variety named as one of the “Best Documentaries on Netflix” in August 2019. Arthur gives more than 100 speeches per year around the U.S., Europe, and Asia; has been selected as one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders,” and was awarded six honorary doctorates. In this Intersections episode, Arthur reveals: Why happiness doesn’t take care of itself and how to craft a 401K happiness plan for the rest of our lives Two key reasons why our professional decline starts earlier than we think and the self-correcting mechanisms we can put in place now to avoid its negative consequences Why faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, and how to integrate multiple viewpoints and ideas to arrive at our own truth The wrong and the right formula for happiness in seven words And many inspiring stories and timeless wisdom drawn from both eastern and western cultures that illustrate the human capacity for transformation

In a world that celebrates specialization, what can we gain by dissolving boundaries between disciplines and exploring multitudes? What do extraordinarily creative people have in common, and what tools do they use to access breakthrough ideas and insights? What lessons can we draw from the blunders made by some of the pioneering scientists from history to pursue our own professional quests? And can these same lessons be used to reduce polarization and create a more unified world? Listen to some powerful insights on the power of dissolving boundaries from Dr. Mario Livio, in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. Dr. Mario Livio is an internationally known astrophysicist, bestselling author, popular speaker, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Livio has published more than 500 scientific articles, made significant theoretical contributions to topics ranging from cosmology, supernova explosions, and black holes to extrasolar planets and the emergence of life in the universe. His popular books include The Golden Ratio, Is God A Mathematician? that inspired the NOVA program “The Great Math Mystery,” which was nominated for an EMMY in 2016, Brilliant Blunders and more recently, Galileo and the Science Deniers. Dr. Livio’s work is frequently featured in leading media including The Daily Show, 60 Minutes and On Being; is the former Science Advisor to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and has presented science-related topics in a number of their concerts; and has also collaborated with composer Paola Prestini in the creation of the Hubble Cantata, which was inspired by Hubble images and discoveries. In this Intersections episode, Dr. Livio reveals: The power of dissolving boundaries between disciplines and exploring multitudes What some of the world’s most extraordinarily creative people have in common, and the tools they use to access breakthrough ideas and insights The lessons we can draw from the blunders made by some of the pioneering scientists from history, and how we can apply them in our own professional quests The benefits and relevance of being a polymath in a hyper specialized world And the best remedy for fear in our painfully polarized society

Modern culture has influenced many of us to view the self—the seat of human experience—purely by the boundaries of the body and the mind, creating a fundamental sense of separateness from the rest of existence. And yet, the pandemic shattered the illusion of the separate solo self in many ways. Could it be that despite our best intentions, we have a misunderstanding of who we really are? And could it be that the illusion of the self may be standing in the way of us realizing our full potential? Drawing from the intersection of modern science and ancient wisdom, Dr. Dan Siegel offers some remarkable stories and insights about the true nature of the self in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. And gain some life-changing tools you can use to integrate all facets of your identity and serve yourself, others and the world from a place of pure awareness. Dr. Dan Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, and Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute that offers online learning and in-person seminars on how the development of mindsight in individuals, families and communities can be enhanced by examining the interface of human relationships and basic biological processes. An award-winning educator, he is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and recipient of several honorary fellowships. Dr. Siegel has written six New York Times bestsellers including Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, and Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence. His most recent book, IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging, is now out in bookstores and is also the topic of conversation for this episode. In this episode, Dr. Siegel reveals: Why the common understanding of the “self” is a constructed illusion Two life-changing tools to deepen our perception of the self, break out of this illusion and take action that not only serves us, but everyone and everything around us And how to live joyfully even when the world rejects your vision and your ideas

Oftentimes, it is our inner voice that gives us clarity and power — or then takes it all away without notice, leading us to tumble and fall from grace, into the rabbit hole of rumination and worry. How can we master the silent conversations we have with ourselves, and turn our inner voice from a critic to a coach? Why is empathic leadership much more than just creating the space for sharing and listening with intent? What can we do to covertly support others in managing their inner voice better without taking away their agency or shining a spotlight on their vulnerabilities? Listen to some cutting-edge scientific insights from Ethan Kross on how to tame our inner world, in an exclusive conversation with Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. An award-winning professor and bestselling author in the University of Michigan’s top ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he has founded the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory and studies how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions and relationships. Ethan is the author of the National Bestseller CHATTER: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It, scheduled to be translated into 35+ languages. His research has been featured in leading platforms including Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, CBS Evening News, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The Atlantic, Forbes, and Time. In this Intersections episode, Ethan reveals: How our life’s three most important domains can be severely compromised by our own inner voice Two ways our internal chatter can lead to disastrous interpersonal outcomes, and push those away who genuinely care about us How we can recruit our minds to solve our problems at hand without falling down the rabbit hole of rumination and worry Two key principles of empathic leadership that can help us curate a support network of people, both at work and in life Three ways to offer invisible chatter support to others without taking away their agency or shining a spotlight on their vulnerabilities Two powerful tools that can help us become our own chatter coach, in both everyday and high-stakes situations

What wisdom can we receive from developing deep connections with an octopus and other life forms in the marine world? Could a friendship with a member of another species teach us more about life, our relationships and our humanity, than our books, TV and other media? What if the subtle science and mysteries of nature could be discovered in our own backyard? And what life lessons could we draw from tracking wild animals? Listen to Craig Foster’s deeply intimate friendship with an octopus in the wild, and how it can connect the human heart with the natural world, in an exclusive conversation with Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa, on Intersections Podcast. Craig Foster is a co-founder of the Sea Change Trust and one of the world’s leading natural history filmmakers. He has dedicated himself to learning the secrets of the Great African Seaforest—the inshore kelp habitat at the South West tip of Africa, his underwater home. His film My Octopus Teacher (winner of the Academy Award and BAFTA, nominated for an Oscar) follows the story of his year with a wild octopus, at the same time honoring his pact to dive 365 times a year. Through this regular intensive immersion, he has uncovered a plethora of new animal behaviors and species, one of the species is a shrimp which has been named after him: Heteromysis fosteri. He has founded the Sea Change Project to share his love of nature with others, and has also co-authored the book, Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World. In this Intersections episode, Craig reveals: Why developing intimacy with wild nature and other sentient beings improves human relationships and helps us lead more conscious lives How learning to track wild animals can advance our own work, life and leadership The potential for discovering the subtle science and mysteries of nature in familiar surroundings

When we face inner turmoil, some of us go on a downward spiral, shutting down all possibilities of finding inner peace, balance and happiness. Is there an alternative way, a way where we turn such moments of vulnerability into unique strength? Could a time of depression translate into our greatest creative expression, in service of ourselves and our community? How does one build a billion dollar business while struggling with existential depression for three decades? Listen to the remarkable personal transformation story of Melissa Bernstein, in an exclusive conversation with Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast. Melissa Bernstein is an entrepreneur, creative, and working mother of 6. As co-founder of the wildly successful toy company Melissa & Doug, she has spent the last 30 years helping children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose. In 2020, after her own personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Melissa founded Lifelines. Through Lifelines, she is using her creativity and imagination to reinvent well-being products and experiences to help adults strengthen their resilience, stay grounded, and unlock their full potential. Melissa has also recently published her memoir, LifeLines: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to Radiant Light. In this Intersections episode, Melissa reveals: The source of our greatest creative expression, even in times of our greatest depression What brings true meaning and purpose in life, and how to channel our inner turmoil into inner strength and happiness And the key to forging a winning path in our entrepreneurial journey, even in the most unfavorable conditions