EP67. "Science alone can't get you there" — Former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins on Integrating Science & Faith, and Bridging our Deepest Divides #inclusivespirituality #bookfriends

I interview Dr. Francis Collins—a physician-scientist who led the international Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced all three billion letters of the human genome, and later served three U.S. presidents as director of the National Institutes of Health—about his book The Road to Wisdom.We discuss his journey from materialism to Christian faith, why wisdom requires humility and listening, and how we can seek truth across deep differences. Dr. Collins also explains how to build a “mental immune system” against misinformation, restore trust in science, and find meaning beyond a purely material view of life. We close with his new initiative, Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.**Francis Collins is a physician-scientist. Under his direction, the Human Genome Project produced the first finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book in 2003. From 2009 to 2021, Collins served under three Presidents as the Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world. His contributions to science, medicine, and society have been recognized by the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science, and the Templeton Prize. His most recent book is The Road To Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust (Little, Brownand Worthy, 2024; see francisscollins.com). He is the founder of a new initiative called Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.**TIMESTAMPS00:00 Wisdom in a polarized world01:18 Francis Collins’ first “inner calling”04:02 When science reached its limits06:00 The patient who challenged his worldview08:45 From materialism to Christian faith09:43 Why Francis Collins wrote The Road to Wisdom11:30 Why America feels so divided13:40 Learning from people you disagree with15:30 Building a “mental immune system”17:20 How do we know whom to trust?19:00 What COVID taught Francis Collins21:10 Listening without becoming defensive23:00 Young adults, meaning, and materialism24:15 Can science and faith work together?26:10 DNA, the Big Bang, and evidence for God30:10 Beauty, morality, and transcendence33:10 Why young people are leaving the church34:45 Do science and faith really conflict?37:10 Finding community and purpose39:20 Viktor Frankl and the search for meaning40:00 Can authentic faith help heal society?40:40 What gives Francis Collins hope?42:20 Restoring trust in science43:05 Discovery Lives in Us44:00 Final thoughtsEPISODE LINKSThe Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trusthttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Road+to+Wisdom+Francis+CollinsThe Language of Godhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Language+of+God+Francis+CollinsMere Christianity by C.S. Lewishttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mere+Christianity+C.S.+LewisMan's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Franklhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=Man%27s+Search+for+Meaning+Viktor+FranklBioLogoshttps://biologos.orgBraver Angelshttps://braverangels.orgDiscovery Lives in Ushttps://discoverylivesinus.orgfrancisscollins.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drfranciscollins/PODCAST LINKSWebsite: www.innercalling.orgFIND DR. VICTORIA HERE.Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.comEmail: [email protected]: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.