Podcast
Awe and wonder
Biology
Change
Podcasts
Politics
1 min read

Francis Collins: re-enchanting wisdom

Covid, faith, polarised politics and the battle for truth.

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

A man talks animatedly.

Listen now

Watch now

Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist whose groundbreaking work has led to the discovery of the cause of cystic fibrosis among other diseases. He led the Human Genome Project which first sequenced the entire human DNA, established the science-faith organisation BioLogos, and has gone on to serve three US presidents as the director of the National Institutes of Health.

Francis’ new book is titled The Road To Wisdom: On truth, science, faith and trust and covers some of the controversies and challenges he has faced personally in his public role as a scientist and government advisor leading the USA’s Covid response during the height of the pandemic.

In the light of the 2024 presidential election Justin and Belle talk to Francis about whether we can re-enchant truth, trust and wisdom in an increasingly polarised world. Francis Collins:

Support Seen & Unseen

Seen & Unseen is free for everyone and is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters.

If you’re enjoying Seen & Unseen, would you consider making a gift towards our work?

Podcast
Culture
Leading
Podcasts
Seen & Unseen Aloud
Trauma
1 min read

Seen & Unseen Aloud: new episode

Zeal, reform, and weaponised words.

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

An enthusiastic hiker stands in front of a view down a valley, smiling and holding his backpack straps.
Simon Reeve on his travels.

This week we start with the infectious zeal of Simon Reeve's green agenda; we go to the Garrick Club with George Pitcher, comparing the vote for inclusion of women in its membership with the vote for ordaining women as priests in the Church of England; we close with Krish Kandiah's poignant telling of the parallel stories of Daniel Anjorin, Salman Rushdie and Bishop Mar Mari, highlighting the part words play in a world rife with knife crime.