In this panel discussion hosted by the Thrive Center, Pamela Ebstyne King interviews neuroscientists, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and Rodrigo Riveros on what their research reveals when people grow in the capacity to have transcendent thoughts and emotions that lead to thriving. They address the importance of having culturally grounded, safe, and close relationships and the importance of connecting daily activities, choices, observations, and experiences to bigger, systems-level, and transcendent narratives for meaning-making and spiritual formation. Psychologist and reverend, Brad Strawn joins the conversation to offer perspectives as a clinician and pastor on the importance of being embodied persons that are embedded in relationships, communities, and cultural narrative.
Summary
About the Panelists
Pamela Ebstyne King is the executive director of the Thrive Center and serves as the Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her primary academic interests are applied research at the intersection of human thriving and spiritual development. Dr. King’s work combines theology, empirical research, and community engagement to further understand what contexts and settings enable all people to thrive.
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang is professor of education, psychology and neuroscience and director of the USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education. She studies the psychological and neurobiological development of emotion and self-awareness, and connections to social, cognitive and moral development in educational settings. She uses cross-cultural, interdisciplinary studies of narratives and feelings to uncover experience-dependent neural mechanisms contributing to identity, intrinsic motivation, deep learning, and generative, creative and abstract thought.
Rodrigo Riveros is a postdoctoral researcher at the USC Center of Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education. He holds a Ph.D. in brain and cognitive science from USC. His research interest focuses on how adolescents construct abstract, generative, and moral visions for their adulthood, and how these general capabilities are expressed in life goals and civic participation, among other pursuits of self-transcendence. Rodrigo uses interdisciplinary research on life narratives and goal setting to uncover the neuropsychological mechanisms contributing to identity, intrinsic motivation, and purposeful thinking.
Brad Strawn is the Evelyn and Frank Freed Chief of Spiritual Formation and Integration, dean of the chapel, and professor of clinical psychology at the Fuller Seminary. He holds degrees in theology and psychology, and has advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Dr. Strawn regularly publishes at the intersection of psychology and theology. He is consulting editor of the Journal of Psychology & Christianity and associate editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. He is a licensed psychologist, maintains a private practice in Pasadena, and is on the pastoral staff at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene.
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Spirituality
2025 Marjorie Pay Hinckley Lecture with Pamela Ebstyne King
Dr. Pam King presented “Becoming Whole Through Spiritual Health,” at the 21st Annual Marjorie Pay Hinckley Lecture, hosted by Brigham Young University. She addressed the vital issue of spiritual well-being amidst contemporary challenges like mental health and social disconnection. Attendees gained valuable insights into spiritual health, wholeness, and thriving in our modern world through her insightful lecture. Read more about this lecture in the article – Pamela King Speaks on Human Flourishing Gained by Religiosity at 21st Annual Marjorie Pay Hinckley Lecture by Lvette Galvez.