Stories of Impact

Three-time American Writing Awards Podcast of the Year: In every episode, we travel the world and dive deep into the intersection of science, spirituality, and mindfulness. Every first and third Tuesday of the month, writer Tavia Gilbert and journalist Richard Sergay bring you a new conversation that offers uplifting explorations about the art and science of human flourishing.

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A journey into science, spirituality, and mindfulness

The Art and Science of Human Flourishing

Stories of Impact takes listeners on a global journey exploring the interplay of science, spirituality, and mindfulness. Join hosts Tavia Gilbert and Richard Sergay as they delve into uplifting conversations that inspire human flourishing and community connection.

Sept. 2, 2026

Judith Jamison: How Movement Can Express the Soul

Stories of Impact brings back some of our favorite conversations this season. Our expert today is not a researcher, but a former world-class dancer: Judith Jamison. Judith sadly passed away in 2024, but when we spoke with her in 2021, she shared the incredible story of revered Black dancer Alvin Ailey and what she’s learned from a life spent in the arts.

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Judith Jamison
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey
Video: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Revelations

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Sept. 1, 2026

Dr. Santiago Tobón – From Gangs to Growth: Fighting for the Future of Medellín's Teens

Stories of Impact brings back some of our favorite conversations this season. This time, we travel to Medellín, Colombia, to meet Dr. Santiago Tobón. He has dedicated his life to understanding the structures and societal role of Medellín’s criminal gangs, why teenagers want to join them, and how to help them see that a lawful life can be prosperous, too. His work offers hope towards ending Medellín gang violence.

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Aug. 3, 2026

Dr. David Sloan Wilson: What Makes Human Cooperation Possible

Stories of Impact brings back some of our favorite conversations this season - today it's about what contributes to making human cooperation possible, initially aired during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. David Sloan Wilson is a biological sciences researcher at Binghamton University, and he explains what actually makes teamwork dream work, how cultures engender or discourage cooperation, and how to get people from different backgrounds to cooperate during times of crisis.

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July 20, 2026

Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas: What Can Heal Widespread Loneliness

Stories of Impact brings back some of our favorite conversations this season. In our last episode, we heard about the positive effects of coming together and sharing a meal. But for millions of Americans, that rarely happens. In fact, some 20 million people in the US today say they don’t have any friends. So how do we solve this loneliness epidemic? How do we heal widespread loneliness? Today, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, who studies just that.

Dr. Emiliana Simon-

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July 6, 2026

Dr. Adam Cohen, Aliza Kline and Dr. Arielle Levites: Gathering at the Table for Connection and Belonging

Today we’re back in conversation with Dr. Adam Cohen, social psychologist and psychologist of religion at Arizona State University, who shares another research project that explores the way religious ritual connects participants more deeply not only with faith, but with community — this time, not through the practice of abstaining from food, but from breaking bread together at Shabbat Dinner.

Dr. Arielle Levites, Managing Director of the Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education a

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June 15, 2026

Dr. Athena Aktipis: How Cooperation Emerges in Crisis

In today’s episode we speak to Athena Aktipis, co-director of the Human Generosity Project, about the current results of her study of cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Aktipis discusses the insights both past and current research offer about the extent and the limits of human generosity during catastrophic events.

This is the third episode in a special, five-part Covid-19 conversation series.

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About the Hosts

Tavia Gilbert

Tavia Gilbert is a Grammy-nominated voice actor; a 15-time finalist and three-time Audie Award winner, including for Best Female Narrator; an Odyssey Award-winning director; Booklist Magazine's Audiobook Narrator of the Year; the narrator and director of more than 1000 audiobooks; and the writer and producer of multiple international award-winning podcasts, including Stories of Impact, two-time American Writing Awards Science Podcast of the Year. As the founder, CEO, and creative director of Talkbox Productions, an international consultancy and content development studio, she serves creatives who are ready to become an Influential Voice, amplifying their power and message in service to the world.

Richard Sergay

Richard Sergay, a seasoned network television journalist, spent 30 years at ABC News, covering major global events, including the end of Apartheid in South Africa. He later shifted focus to the digital revolution. At Discovery Communications, he curated "The Curiosity Project," interviewing 250 experts. He then helped launch CuriosityStream with Discovery's founder, John Hendricks. Sergay also served as SVP of Media Strategy at Sharecare, a health engagement website. Through his firm, Rebel Media Productions, he consults on new media, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership events. Sergay holds a BA from UC, postgraduate work from Georgetown, and was a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford.