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.

Choose your favorite podcast player

The Art and Science of Human Flourishing

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.

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

Listen to the Episode

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.

Learn more about Athena Aktipis and The Human Generosity Project
Mentioned in th

Listen to the Episode

June 2, 2026

Dr. Erez Yoeli: What Inspires Altruism in Uncertain Times?

In today’s episode, host Richard Sergay speaks with Erez Yoeli, director of the Applied Cooperation Team at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, about how to motivate people to cooperate and behave altruistically during a pandemic. Dr. Yoeli discusses how we can harness the power of reputation to encourage prosocial behavior, and suggests ways to make the message of altruism appeal to everyone in a time when people are receiving conflicting messages about what is right.

This is the second episod

Listen to the Episode

May 19, 2026

Dr. Joseph Bulbulia: How Spirituality & Belonging Shape Crisis Response

In this episode, we hear from Joseph Bulbulia, professor at the University of Auckland and the MacLaurin Goodfellow Chair in Theological and Religious Studies. Professor Bulbulia discusses how religious interaction, worship, and teaching come together in different ways to facilitate group cooperation, and what we can learn from that to support us during the pandemic.

Learn more about Joseph Bulbulia.

Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts.

More about this epis

Listen to the Episode

May 5, 2026

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson: How Positivity Strengthens Us in Crisis

The first episode of the Stories of Impact podcast special, five-part Covid-19 conversation series features Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Host Richard Sergay speaks with Dr. Fredrickson about why her work in positive psychology is more relevant than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Fredrickson offers tips on how to nurture our positive emotions and resilience amid the stress and anxiet

Listen to the Episode

April 20, 2026

Dr. David O’Brien: Protecting Democracy in the Digital Age

Today’s conversation is with David O’Brien, Assistant Research Director at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. Prof. O’Brien talks to Richard about how we as citizens can bring our democratic values to bear on social media platforms; the role privacy plays online in allowing democracy and democratic citizenship to flourish; and more.

More about David O’Brien and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society
Mentioned in this episode:

Citizenship in a

Listen to the Episode

View all Episodes

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.