Confronting Life's Toughest Challenges

Kate Bowler and Elaine Pagels both teach religion, write about religion, and have experienced immense hardships. In this frank and funny conversation, they explore why people still seek ancient religious teachings in our modern age. In moving and relatable moments, they explain how they overcome loss, illness, and isolation. Pagels is the author of "The Gnostic Gospels" and "Why Religion?: A Personal Story." Bowler is the author of "Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel" and "Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved)." They speak with Gina Murdock, a writer, yoga teacher, and community organizer. The views and opinions of the speakers in the podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.