
Episode 142
In part 33 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking to The Rev. Dr. Denise Yarbrough. She is an ordained Episcopal priest with over two decades of dedicated experience in interreligious engagement. She recently retired from the University of Rochester, where she served as the director of religious and spiritual life. In that role, she oversaw the interfaith chapel, guided student groups, and taught religion courses centered on interreligious dialogue and the intersection of public health and religion.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jul 15
48 min

Episode 141
In part 32 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking to Dr. Hannah Giunta-Stibb. She is a neonatologist and pediatric pulmonologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. In addition to her clinical work, Hannah has a PhD in bioethics and does research on critical decision-making and family communication.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jul 15
43 min

Episode 140
In part 31 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are doing a different sort of thing. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime who is the CEO of the Alliance for Christian Media and Exec. Producer of Day1 broadcasting. Joining us as well is the founding director of Sinai and Synapses, the Rabbi Geoff Mitelman. We wanted to get the three of us together to talk a little about the changing landscapes of media, communication, and how we make meaningful content in this algorithmically obsessed world. The resulting conversation was uplifting, inspiring, insightful, and at times surprisingly hilarious.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jul 7
48 min

Episode 139
In part 30 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Dr. Olapeju Simoyan. She is an addiction medicine physician and an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. She also holds adjunct faculty positions at Penn State University College of Medicine and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She is also an author and photographer, seeking to make both science and faith relatable to people of all ages.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jun 12
49 min

Episode 138
In part 29 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Dr. David Adler Gold. He is a geobiologist, combining genetics and the fossil record to study the relationship between Earth and life over long timescales. He has worked on problems as old as the origin of complex life, and as recent as the effects of global warming on marine invertebrates.
David got his PhD at UCLA working with Dr. David Jacobs. He then went on to do postdoctoral fellowships at MIT (with Dr. Roger Summons) and Caltech (with Dr. Lea Goentoro) before joining the faculty at UC Davis.
In addition to his research, Dr. Gold is also the manager of the UC Davis Fossil Collection and the Faculty Director of the UC Davis CalTeach/MAST Program, which trains STEM undergraduates to become K-12 teachers.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
May 27
51 min

Episode 137
In part 28 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Andrew Rick-Miller. He is a co-founder and the current Executive Director of Science for the Church, a ministry seeking to help strengthen the church through engagement with science. Previously, he spent more than ten years with the John Templeton Foundation, most recently leading the Religious Engagement Department.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Apr 29
51 min

Episode 136
In part 27 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Rev. Danny Lybarger. Danny is the Lead and Founding Pastor of The Well, a vibrant and inclusive United Methodist Church plant in Weldon Spring, MO, known for its commitment to creating safe spaces for all, especially those traditionally marginalized by the church. With a BA from George Fox University and an M.Div from United Theological Seminary, Danny combines theological depth with a passion for bridging the gap between faith and everyday life. Under his leadership, The Well has experienced significant growth and has been viewed as a compelling new model for ministry at the intersection of inclusivity and evangelicalism. Outside of pastoring, Danny enjoys spending time with his family, staying active at CrossFit St. Louis, and coaching his kids’ sports teams.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Oct 8, 2025
50 min

Episode 135
In part 26 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Dr. Randy Wedin. He is a freelance science writer and a Lay Teacher at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center (MZMC). He earned his PhD in Chemistry at Harvard University and his BA in Chemistry and English Literature at St. Olaf College (Minnesota). As a science writer, he uses his communication skills to bridge the gap between the worlds of science, business, government, and the public. He has research and writing experience on a broad range of science-related topics, from green chemistry, drug development, and sustainability to smart grid, public outreach, and K-12 science education. In addition, he has written creative nonfiction essays and op-ed articles for general audiences on subjects related to parenting, relationships, and daily life, often using metaphors from the world of science to provide new perspectives on these topics. His current focus at MZMC is on exploring the relationship of science and Zen Buddhism in his dharma talks and a six-week course he taught on “Zen and Science”.
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Sep 3, 2025
55 min

Episode 134
How do our religious communities become breeding grounds for bad science and misinformation? Is religion itself to blame or is there something else at work? Secret foreskin heists, biblical breakfast wisdom, and a cure for ignorance!
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jul 18, 2025
1 hr 5 min

Episode 133
In part 25 of our Sinai and Synapses interview series, we are talking with Rabbi Daniel Swartz. He is the spiritual leader at Temple Hesed of Scranton and Executive Director of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL). Previously, Rabbi Swartz held leadership positions with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, the Children’s Environmental Health Network, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He is the lead author and editor of “To Till and To Tend: A Guide for Jewish Environmental Study and Action” as well as “Faith Communities and Environmental Health."
Sinai and Synapses - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
Jun 19, 2025
53 min
Load more
