The Examined Life: Gen Z Engages Philosophy

In this episode of The Examined Life, I sit down with Kat Mayers, a renowned energy healer from Hong Kong who is helping young people heal sickness and imbalance from the inside out. We explore how spiritual practices and energy work can unlock the body’s natural ability to heal — physically, emotionally, and mentally.Together, we ask deeper philosophical questions about meaning, purpose, and well-being:How can healing start from within?What role does energy play in restoring balance to the mind, body, and spirit?Why are so many in Gen Z seeking spiritual tools for health and mental clarity?✨ If you’ve ever wondered how spirituality, philosophy, and science intersect in the healing process, this conversation offers fresh insights into living well, finding alignment, and flourishing from the inside out.

What happens when a teenager, feeling lost and overwhelmed, turns to faith for guidance? In this episode, we sit down with Simone Tumolo, a Gen Z teen who recently experienced a powerful spiritual awakening and strengthened her relationship with God.We explore how her journey reshaped her understanding of identity, purpose, and belonging—and how it transformed her mental health along the way. Through honest conversation, we dive into big philosophical questions about meaning, doubt, and hope, while uncovering what spirituality can offer a generation searching for clarity in a chaotic world.This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned where they belong, struggled with anxiety or self-doubt, or wondered how faith and philosophy can work together to bring peace and purpose.

What does it mean to lead a university not just intellectually, but spiritually? In this episode, we speak with Peter Kilpatrick, President of the Catholic University of America, about his role in nurturing both academic and spiritual growth on campus. We explore how CUA helps students integrate faith into their lives, how higher education can cultivate moral leaders, and why spiritual care matters in the college experience—especially for Gen Z.

In today's episode, we’re exploring a topic that many young people struggle with but don’t always talk about—how spirituality can be a source of healing for challenges regarding mental health, physical health, and overall well-being in our day-to-day lives. Our guest today is someone who has dedicated his career to studying the intersection of faith, spirituality, and well-being.Dr. Harold Koenig is the Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University. He is a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and an Associate Professor of Medicine, and his research has shaped how we understand the role of faith in healing.

In today’s episode, we’re delving into a topic that feels more relevant than ever: forgiveness. What does it mean to forgive in a world shaped by cancel culture? How do faith, healing, and accountability intersect when we’ve been hurt or wronged? To help us navigate these questions, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Jennifer Wortham, a research associate at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program and author of A Letter to the Pope: The Keeper of the Nest.Dr. Wortham’s work touches on some of the most challenging and transformative aspects of forgiveness, faith, and healing. Today, we’ll discuss how her personal story and professional research intersect, the role of forgiveness in a hypercritical culture, and why it’s vital to embrace human flourishing in the face of adversity.

Christophe Porot is a resident scholar at Cambridge University whose focus is on philosophy and learning about life's unanswered questions. In today's episode, I ask Christophe some questions about his own experiences with the topic and what it means to him in today's day and age.