Leif Castren
Leif Castren on Sacred Curiosity, Religious Literacy, and the Science–Faith Frontier
Leif Castren
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
“The most powerful form of curiosity is the kind that holds space for both wonder and humility.”
In this episode of Reflections on Religion and Ecology: Yale Alumni Speak from the Field, Leif Castren joins host Tali Anisfeld for a layered, thoughtful conversation on faith, science, and the lifelong journey of integration. A graduate of Yale Divinity School and the Yale School of the Environment, Leif now serves as a Program Associate at the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
From Buddhist practice and bioethics to volcanic ecosystems and religious literacy, Leif reflects on the creative tension between mystery and evidence—and how theological education can prepare spiritual leaders to face complexity without fear.
In this episode, we explore:
– How childhood experiences shaped his environmental ethic
– What Plum Village Buddhism taught him about stillness and adolescence
– How the Science for Seminaries program is bridging disciplines
– Why religious literacy matters more than ever in ethical and scientific discourse
Leif Castren on Mount St. Helens and Early Ecological Consciousness
Leif Castren
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
“It wasn’t just a mountain—it was the beginning of my environmental imagination.”
Leif Castren recalls his childhood connection to the Pacific Northwest, and how the eruption of Mount St. Helens shaped his earliest memories of awe, ecology, and environmental responsibility. This formative moment, rooted in family and landscape, became the seedbed for his spiritual and scientific journey.
Leif Castren on Buddhism, Adolescence, and Plum Village Practice
Leif Castren
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
“Plum Village gave me tools for being with myself—and with the world.”
Leif Castren reflects on how practicing Buddhism in the Plum Village tradition helped him navigate the uncertainty of adolescence. This brief but intimate segment explores the role of mindfulness, silence, and embodied wisdom in building spiritual resilience.
Leif Castren on Science and Religion Dialogue at AAAS
Leif Castren
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
“It’s not about resolving tension—it’s about making room for complexity.”
Leif Castren discusses his current role at the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) at AAAS, and how he helps seminaries engage emerging scientific questions with integrity, curiosity, and theological depth. A behind-the-scenes look at faith–science integration in action.
Leif Castren on Religious Literacy and Theological Leadership
Leif Castren
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
“Religious literacy isn't just academic—it's ethical.”
Leif Castren shares how his experience at Yale Divinity School equipped him to understand religious diversity not just as a fact of life, but as a vital tool in scientific, ethical, and civic leadership. A concise case for why theology still matters in a pluralistic world.