Meeting the Moment Podcast: Recent Episodes
Stanford Office for Religious and Spiritual Life
Meeting the Moment is a new program of Stanford's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life designed to inspire and resource Stanford students to connect deeply and create gratifying and meaningful lives. Each month focuses on a different moment. These stories, told by the inaugural cohort of Meeting the Moment Fellows, are about how to meet those moments.
Learn more at https://orsl.stanford.edu/meeting-moment
In the summer of 2023, Alina Wilson attended the Interfaith America Summit, despite feeling increasingly distant from institutionalized religion. Returning to a campus rife with politically charged religious divisions and struggling with the impact of religious harm on those closest to her, Alina couldn't help but question the value of interfaith engagement. Months later, Alina reaches out to the Associate Deans at the Stanford University Office for Religious Life to understand the critical importance of interfaith work — and why it has meant so much to her.Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Pixabay.
Sehaj builds a cohesive, authentic world for herself, day by day.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our theme Liminality. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Sehaj Kaur.Theme music by Lee Rosevere.
A summer in San Francisco reveals to Eva that the answers she’s looking for may not arrive in the way she expects.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our theme Finding Ground. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Eva Saenz.Theme music by Lee Rosevere. Additional music by George Harrison, Celia Cruz ft. Willie Colon, Silvio Rodriguez, and Maná.
Confronting a life-long secret gives this storyteller access to their true north star.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our theme Inner Compass. Theme music by Lee Rosevere. Additional music by Marina and the Diamonds, the 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack, Max Richter, and The Lovely Bones.
When things in her life feel off course, Cristina embarks on an epic journey to come back to herself.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our theme Embodiment. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Cristina Gonzalez.Theme music by Lee Rosevere. Additional music by Sotomayor, Mon Laferte, Los Eclipses, Maná, and the film Rocky..
Given a chance to stand up to her bullies, Gabi makes a surprising choice.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our August '23 theme, Metamorphosis. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Gabriela Lipson '24.This episode features music by Loyalty Freak Music and Blue Dot Sessions.
A born dancer struggles to navigate the cruel standards of ballet while holding onto the joy that brought her to it.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our July '23 theme, Embodiment. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Kate Kingsley '25.This episode features music by Loyalty Freak Music and Blue Dot Sessions.
A meditation on the power of laughter.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our June '23 theme, REIMAGINING GENIUS. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Evani Radiya-Dixit ’21.This episode features music by Loyalty Freak Music and Blue Dot Sessions.
A battle over food transforms a relationship between mother and son.For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our April '23 theme, FINDING GROUND. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Suyoun Choi ’24.This episode features music by Loyalty Freak Music and Blue Dot Sessions.
When a sudden health crisis derails a career-driven intern, she looks for healing in an unexpected place.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our June '22 theme, EMBODIMENT. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Alina Wilson ’24.
This episode features music by Loyalty Freak Music, Lee Rosevere, Chris Zabriskie, and Blue Dot Sessions.
Queer Joy and Community Resilience: Voices from Stanford Part 2: Conversation with Vivek Tanna on queer mania, and queering academia
Elaine Lai (she/they) who was in the first cohort of Stanford University’s Office for Religious and Spiritual Life’s Meeting the Moment program visits us again to present a two-part podcast titled “Queer Joy and Community Resilience: Voices from Stanford.” Part two features a conversation with Vivek Tanna (’22), leader of the student group Stanford Queer & Asian, who also serves as an LGBTQ+ health trainer. In this podcast, Vivek talks about his undergraduate thesis which is a creative auto-ethnography on queer mania, where he weaves uncertainty as an analytical thread between Religious Studies, psychology and sanity. Questions considered include: How do we queer the space of academia, and collapse disciplinary boundaries? What would it be to imagine a world in which coming out of the closet no longer needs to be actively disclosed to others? This podcast is made possible by Critical Consciousness and Anti-Oppressive Praxis program hosted by the Office of Inclusion, Community, and Integrative Learning at Stanford.
Featuring: Elaine Lai (PhD Candidate) Vivek Tanna (’22)
Podcast edited by Cahron Cross (’23) and Destiny Cunningham (’23)
Elaine Lai (she/they) is a PhD candidate in the Religious Studies department at Stanford focusing on Buddhism. Their dissertation focuses on researching how time is narrated and embodied in Tibetan Buddhist literature, and what this might teach us about otherwise possibilities for storytelling and creating a more compassionate world. Prior to Stanford they spent ten years studying and working in China, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, and Nepal where they made lifelong friends who have drastically influenced the way they see the world. Outside of academia, they have served as the co-president of the Buddhist Community at Stanford (BCAS). By night they write plays, screenplays, and TV pilots that feature unconventional female and queer characters.
Queer Joy and Community Resilience: Voices from Stanford Part 1: Conversation with members of REFUGE: Queerness, Spirituality, and Religion
Elaine Lai (she/they), who was in the first cohort of Stanford University’s Office for Religious and Spiritual Life’s Meeting the Moment program, visits us again to present a two-part podcast titled “Queer Joy and Community Resilience: Voices from Stanford.” Part one features five members of the student group REFUGE: Queerness, Spirituality, and Religion, founded by Matta Zheng (’22). As a former member of REFUGE, Elaine wanted to create a time capsule for this community to remember the work, conversations, and aspirations created together, and to offer a source of refuge for other queer folks trying to cultivate joy, and a deepening relationship to spirituality and/or religion. The conversation today considers what it means to create safe community, everyday rituals of joy, and the constraints and possibilities to queering institutional and religious spaces. This podcast is made possible by Critical Consciousness and Anti-Oppressive Praxis program hosted by the Office of Inclusion, Community, and Integrative Learning at Stanford.
Featuring: Elaine Lai (PhD Candidate) Matta Zhen (’22) Sequoiah Blaire Hippolyte (’22) Three other anonymous members of REFUGE
Podcast edited by Cahron Cross (’23) and Destiny Cunningham (’23)
Elaine Lai (she/they) is a PhD candidate in the Religious Studies department at Stanford focusing on Buddhism. Their dissertation focuses on researching how time is narrated and embodied in Tibetan Buddhist literature, and what this might teach us about otherwise possibilities for storytelling and creating a more compassionate world. Prior to Stanford they spent ten years studying and working in China, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, and Nepal where they made lifelong friends who have drastically influenced the way they see the world. Outside of academia, they have served as the co-president of the Buddhist Community at Stanford (BCAS). By night they write plays, screenplays, and TV pilots that feature unconventional female and queer characters.
A defiant poet’s instructions for living joyful resistance.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our June '21 theme, JOY AS RESISTANCE. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Darnell (DeeSoul) Carson ’21.
Music in this piece:
“Sunday Morning Chant” by Freesound Music "Positive Hip-hop" by Maxkomusic "Trial Of Fire" by Catch 22 Beats "Remember When" by Pieper Beats "ELEGANCE" by B.EaZYbeats "4 Page" by Quentin Beatino
An intrepid girl tears up her schedule and takes the day to play - learning some lessons about the value of fun along the way.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our May '21 theme, PLAY. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Adesuwa Agbonile ’21.
Music in this piece:
“Funky Little Intro” by Chico Man "New Soul" by Ketsa "Thinking Free" by Ketsa "Dutilgi" - by Mello C "Rainbow Bridge" by Siddhartha Corsus "The Flight of Lulu" by Possimiste
A dreamer discovers the surprisingly cyclical nature of ancestry.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our April '21 theme, ANCESTRY. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Luciana Frazao MS ’21.
Music in this piece:
“Sardana” by Kevin MacLeod “Sad Saz” by Podington Bear
Story by Luciana Frazao, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
How a sheep becomes a human, fully alive.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our March '21 theme, REIMAGINING GENIUS. Told by Meeting the Moment Program Associate Emma Master '19 .
Music in this piece:
"Pianoman Sofa" - Lobo Loco "Great Minds" - Eric Matyas "Night Caves" - Lee Rosevere "Sonata in G Minor, K. 347" - Domenico Scarlatti "Raw Umber" - Podington Bear
Story by Emma Master, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
Backstage moments with a lifelong performer.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our February '21 theme, INTIMACY. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow JJ Kapur '22 .
Music in this piece:
"Belfast" - Podington Bear "Sepia" - Podington Bear "Still of Morning" - Scott Buckley
Story by JJ Kapur, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
Two stories: in light of bigotry and racism, especially from those we least expect, what does true justice mean and why?
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our January '21 theme, ANGER & JUSTICE. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Elaine Lai, PhD Candidate and Cahron Cross '22.
Music in this piece:
"Chill Jazz Lofi Hiphop" - Kaizan Blu "Jazzy Lofi" - Kaizan Blu "Enrichment" - Podington Bear "Tears of Gia" - Just Chill Productions "Tough Choices" - Eric Matyas "Young Mind" - Eric Matyas
Stories by Elaine Lai and Cahron Cross, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
A skeptic finds the spirit somewhere unexpected.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our December '20 theme, (BE)LONGING. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Kory Gaines '21 .
Music in this piece:
"Deep Pools" -Podington Bear "Inspired" -Kevin McCleod "Rainbows" -Scott Buckley
Story by Kory Gaines, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
How one man finds his footing when he steps on new land.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our October '20 theme, FINDING GROUND. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow JJ Kapur '22 .
Music in this piece:
"Comedy background Music - Indian Tabla & Dholak Instrumental" by Yellow Tunes "Best Indian sad background music" by Yellow Tunes "Ghost Surf Rock" by Loyalty Freak "India Royalty Free Music" by Bensound "PUNJABI DHOL BHANGRA BEATS 1" by Official No Copyright Music
Story by JJ Kapur, Audio produced by Allie Wollner
What happens when someone else dictates your every move? And what does it mean when that someone is...a stuffed animal.
For Stanford University's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life's Meeting's the Moment program, this story showcases our September '20 theme, MEETING UNCERTAINTY. Told by Meeting the Moment Fellow Adesuwa Agbonile '21 .
Story by Adesuwa Agbonile, Audio produced by Allie Wollner and Adesuwa Agbonile
Music in this piece:
"Here's the Thing" by Lee Rosevere "Sad Marimba Planet" by Lee Rosevere "Making a Change" by Lee Rosevere "Slow Lights" by Lee Rosevere